Blue Ridge Outdoor Education Center

William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation.

​Colossians 1:16 - For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Friday - I was able to sneak myself along as a chaperone on my daughter’s field trip to the Blue Ridge Outdoor Education Center in Toccoa, Georgia. I tried to keep it discreet, but was doing some birding for the two days we were at the mountain retreat.

When we arrived, the Turkey and Black Vultures were soaring in the clear, hot skies. My third bird was a Hairy Woodpecker clinging to a tree just outside our cabin. Our first activity was “A Walk in the Woods”; and it was exactly as it sounds: a walk in the woods! About midway through the hike, the camp counsellor had the kids stand in silence next to a small stream with their eyes closed. As I participated, I heard the distinct call of a White-breasted Nuthatch in the distance. While the kids were involved in team-building activities, I heard a Belted Kingfisther call from down a trail labelled “Wetlands Trail.” Quite fitting.
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But my few photos from the trip came just after breakfast Friday morning when I snuck out to a patio behind the dining hall. I spotted wrens, a Downy Woodpecker, a Pine Warbler and watched as two Pileated Woodpeckers chased each other through the pines… too quick to get a photograph. I spotted 18 species in the the two days at BROEC. 

Sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.
Sunrise Today: 7:20 am
Sunset Today: 7:31 pm
Daylight Hours: 12 hours, 10 minutes (-2m 5s)
Moon: 89.2% Waxing Gibbous

Downy Woodpecker; Stephens County, GA.

Carolina Wren; Blue Ridge Outdoor Education Center.

Pine Warbler; Stephens County, GA.