Sandy Creek Sunday AFternoon

William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. -- Psalms 104:10-12 You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills; they give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they sing among the branches.

Sunday, February 5, 2012 - An afternoon hike at our local park, Sandy Creek Nature Center. 

Stately Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias in water at Sandy Creek Nature Center in Athens, Georgia.

​Whether it is for travel photography or nature photography, there is nothing better than making a free weekend in our busy lives in order to get away and enjoy. But since big trips often require a lot of planning, money and leave from our jobs, they don’t come often enough. That is when local destinations come into play. My busy life with work and church activities, kids’ band concerts and soccer games, doesn’t leave much opportunity to get away for my passion of birding and wildlife photography.  That’s why I love my local park: Sandy Creek Park and Nature Center in Athens, Georgia USA.
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Even if I can’t get out of town for an extended trip, I can drive 15 minutes to the north side of town and be instantly transported into the wild. In this relatively small piece of nature, there are beaver diligently working to keep the wetland ecosystem from drying out. The turtles emerge onto the logs for basking on warmer days. Long-legged wading birds pick frogs and insects from the shallow waters with their spear-like beaks. Lizards scurry about the leaves and thickets. And if you’re lucky, a snake may slither across your path! 

Three painted turtles Chrysemys picta sunning on log in blue water at Sandy Creek Nature Center in Athens, Georgia.

​Sandy Creek Park is almost 800 acres and a large body of water, Lake Chapman, sits right in the middle. Miles of trails circle the lake and there are plenty of other recreational opportunities. Adjacent the park, and connected by a wildlife corridor, named Cook’s trail, is the Sandy Creek Nature Center. Multiple hiking trails cross the 225 acre forested property and provide all types of nature and wildlife photography opportunities.
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So perhaps you can’t get away on an extended trip because of work or a busy life. But don’t neglect to look into your local parks and preserves. You may find a veritable wildlife safari tucked away in a small corner of your city that you never knew existed! 

Stately Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias in water at Sandy Creek Nature Center in Athens, Georgia.

Orange lichen on mossy log, beaver bog, Sandy Creek nature Center, Athens, Georgia.

Green Anole at Sandy Creek Nature Center; Athens, Georgia.