 William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. -- Genesis 1:20 Then God said, “Let the waters swarm with fish and other life. Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind.”  White Great Egret Ardea alba heron makes a splash fishing in pond in Monroe, Georgia. They hunt in classic heron fashion, standing immobile or wading through wetlands to capture fish with a deadly jab of their yellow bill. The heat of summer and lack of rain has cause the upper retention pond to get lower and lower, affording a great fishing hole for our Great Egret visitors. The low water level has exposed a sunken, overturned boat now used as a preening perch. Walton County, Georgia  Great Egret, a white heron-like wading bird, on sunny pond in Monroe GA, Walton County Georgia  Great Egret spear fishing, Walton County Georgia Great Egret, a white heron-like wading bird, on sunny pond in Monroe GA
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"I believe that the Book of Nature, with its astounding details suggests a God of purpose and a God of design. And I think my belief makes me no less of a scientist.” Owen Gingerich, senior astronomer Smithsonian Astrophysical Laboratory  Limenitis arthemis, the red-spotted purple or white admiral, is a North American butterfly species. Photographed in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia USA. William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  Great Egret feeding on fish on small pond in Monroe GA Two days in a row I was able to get very close to the Great Egret that has been coming to the retention pond to fish. On the first day, I watched him fishing. On the second, I sat my entire lunch break within feet of it preening.  Great Egret, a white wading bird heron, fishing on a pond in Monroe GA, Walton County Georgia  White Great Egret perched over small pond in Monroe Georgia preening feathers  Preening Great Egret perched over small fishing pond in Monroe Georgia William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, landscape, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, order, design and wonder of God’s creation. "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." Revelation 4:11  Vulture in flight as seen from canyon ridge in North Georgia. Tallulah Gorge State Park. It isn't often that you can photograph a soaring vulture from overhead! As we peered over the edge of the gorge in Talullah Gorge State Park in Georgia, a few Turkey Vultures were circling below our feet, just above the canyon floor.  Suspension bridge over a deep gorge with six waterfalls formed by the Tallulah River, which runs along the floor of the gorge. Tallulah Gorge is bounded upstream by a hydroelectric dam operated by Georgia Power.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, landscape, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Psalms 40:5-6 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done...: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.  View of the Blue Ridge Mountains from the Black Rock Mountain Georgia State Park overlook in the north Georgia Appalachian Mountains. A dads-and-kids camping trip with my two girls and my friend Kerry's four kids. Black Rock Mountain State Park in north Georgia.  View of the Blue Ridge Mountains from the Black Rock Mountain Georgia State Park overlook in the north Georgia Appalachian Mountains.  Ada-hi Falls, a small cascade in north Georgia mountains. Waterfall in Black Rock Mountain Georgia State Park overlook in the north Georgia Appalachian Mountains.  Black Rock Mountain State Park, Georgia`s highest state park, stretches over 3 miles along the Eastern Continental Divide, the spine of the southern Blue Ridge Mountains. William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. "Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is His work." Psalms 111:2  Burrowing Owl family on Lisa Frank Avenue in Tucson, Arizona. Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia, are small, sandy colored owls with bright-yellow eyes. What a privilege it was to see this Burrowing Owl and her owlets in a small burrow on Lisa Frank Avenue in Tucson, Arizona. On a morning jog behind my hotel, my friend spotted the baby owls and had to show me. For the remainder of the week we ran or drove by just to check out the little family.  Burrowing Owl family on Lisa Frank Avenue in Tucson, Arizona. Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia, are small, sandy colored owls with bright-yellow eyes.  Burrowing Owl family on Lisa Frank Avenue in Tucson, Arizona. Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia, are small, sandy colored owls with bright-yellow eyes.  Burrowing Owl family on Lisa Frank Avenue in Tucson, Arizona. Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia, are small, sandy colored owls with bright-yellow eyes. In this same area around our hotels scurried several Roadrunners.  Greater Roadrunner Geococcyx californianus in south Tucson, Arizona; bird of the southwest deserts, Greater Roadrunners are large cuckoos  Greater Roadrunner Geococcyx californianus in south Tucson, Arizona; bird of the southwest deserts, Greater Roadrunners are large cuckoos William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  A view from the parking lot of Gates Pass in Tucson Arizona with Saguaro Cactus and Choya Jumping Cactus and Barrel cactus Although most would counsel against such folly, we decided to climb the large, rocky hills at Gates Pass on the edge of Tucson. In some places a decent trail exists. But closer to the top, where few adventure, the legs become slashed and gashed by the dry desert plants, all of which seem treacherously covered in thorns and thistles. We especially tried to avoid the Cholla jumping cactuses!  Gates Pass Trail Tucson Arizona with Saguaro Cactus and Choya Jumping Cactus  Gates Pass Trail Tucson Arizona with Saguaro Cactus and Choya Jumping Cactus and Barrel cactus
 Multi-shot panorama of the valley below Gates Pass outside of Tucson, Arizona.  A Saguaro Cactus skeleton lies before the path on Gates Pass Trail Tucson Arizona
William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  Sandhill Crane and her colt at Peter Exner Wildlife Preserve in Huntley Illinois While visiting my family in Illinois, I made a springtime trip to the Exner Nature Preserve. In the woods along the marsh edges I got my first closeup view of a large Sandhill Crane. I soon found why it wasn't flying off: her awkwardly long-legged colt was not far behind her. Cranes usually lay two eggs in the spring and often only one chick survives. For the first three to four weeks, the chicks sleep under the mother's wings until they grow to be colts. They beging to forage on their own and practice flight. By the end of summer they are ready to migrate with their parents.  Chipmunk Ground Squirrel at Peter Exner Wildlife Preserve in Huntley Illinois  Large white Mute Swan swimming in marsh lake with lily pads at Peter Exner Wildlife Preserve habitat in Illinois.  Wildlife Refuge Nature Preserve Sign at Peter Exner Wildlife Preserve in Huntley Illinois. All plants, animals and other natural features within this area are protected by law. Illinois Nature Preserve.  Sandhill Crane at Peter Exner Wildlife Preserve in Huntley Illinois  Sandhill Crane in Illinois wildlife refuge Peter Exner Marsh  Sandhill Crane and colt at Peter Exner Wildlife Preserve in Huntley Illinois  Two Great Egrets and a Great Blue Heron at Exner Nature Preserve. William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, landscape, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation."Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." Revelation 4:11  Large beautiful yellow and black Swallowtail Butterfly photographed in Unicoi State Park, Georgia, USA. Georgia designated the tiger swallowtail Papilio glaucus as the official state butterfly in 1988. A short day-hike to Unicoi State Park in Georgia for my birthday.
William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  Hemlock Falls in Cloudland Canyon State Park Georgia Descending the boulder-lined switchbacks, we entered the cool shadows of the canyon. Mountain laurel and Rhododendron decorate the walls and slopes; their delicious aromas delighting the senses. As we reach the gorge floor, we turn upstream toward the sound of thundering water and the dampness of the fall’s mists. A beautiful work of creation; a true temple not made by human hands. To date, Cloudland Canyon is my most favored Georgia State Park that I’ve visited.  Cloudland Canyon State Park in north Georgia. Canyon valley gorge vista. The park's website is no exaggeration when it states, "Cloudland Canyon is one of the largest and most scenic parks in Georgia. Home to thousand-foot deep canyons, sandstone cliffs, wild caves, waterfalls, cascading creeks, dense woodland and abundant wildlife." Although we had only a few days, an entire week could easily be spent within the park. The rim trails atop the canyon’s edges provide incredible views off into the distance and deep within the gorge itself. Once down into the gorge, the hike along the river provides no less than six waterfall views.  Canebrake Timber Rattlesnake at Cloudland Canyon State Park Georgia camouflaged in leaves  Black Kingsnake in Cloudland Canyon State Park Georgia Lampropeltis nigra And the reptiles! What an abundance! Other than the swamps of south Georgia, I had never encountered so many great finds in such a short period. Plenty of lizard species and wonderful encounter with a large Timber Rattlesnake sprawled across the trail. A kingsnake pointed out by other hikers was the “cherry on top”.  Lined Skink on stump in Cloudland Canyon State Park Georgia
 Fence Swift Lizard on a Rock in Cloudland Canyon State Park Georgia
 Petting a Beetle in Cloudland Canyon State Park Georgia
 Waterfall in North Georgia mountain stream in Cloudland Canyon State Park in Georgia.  Broadheaded Skink on stump in Cloudland Canyon State Park Georgia  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  Brown-headed Cowbird in Athens Georgia Saturday, 9:34 AM. An unusually chilly (54°), wet, drizzly, windy cold morning for a May Saturday. Looking out the empty feeders I saw a Blue Jay and Downy Woodpecker. Feeling bad in my warm house, I went to fill the empty feeders. Once out there, I saw 4 small blackbirds. Being relatively bold, they stayed in the tree as I approached. Black bodies, bronze heads. I went and confirmed their call on allaboutbirds.org… Brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater). They are much smaller than I had thought. When I pointed them out to my young daughter Megan, she asked if they go “Moooooo”. I was able to get their photos two days later when the weather was much more pleasant. Athens, Georgia  Brown headed Cowbird at backyard bird feeders Athens Georgia  Male House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus at backyard bird feeders Athens Georgia  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. "Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is His work." Psalms 111:2  The racer (Coluber constrictor) is a species of nonvenomous snake found throughout the United States, east of the Rocky Mountains. Athens, Clarke County, Georgia Normally I go on day hikes or extended trips whenever I can get away in hopes of finding some cool wildlife. Well, when I reached down to open the lid to my sprinkler system valves in my backyard I wasn’t expecting a long, slender, rapid Racer to shoot out at me! Just goes to show that sometimes those good wildlife shots are right in our own backyard!  Young Black Racer Snake Coluber constrictor Athens Georgia reptile  Young Black Racer Snake Coluber constrictor Athens Georgia reptile  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. "Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is His work." Psalms 111:2  Barred Owl that was stunned being hit by a car. Took photos before releasing to wild after rehabilitation. This gorgeous Barred Owl was picked up by an animal control officer in Walton County after it had been struck by a vehicle. We placed it in a covered crate overnight. Early the next morning it seemed alert and responsive so we brought him outside for release. He said upon a snag for a short period of time, allowing a great photo opportunity. I checked on it throughout the morning and he finally flew off.
 Barred Owl that was stunned being hit by a car. Took photos before releasing to wild after rehabilitation.  Barred Owl that was stunned being hit by a car. Took photos before releasing to wild after rehabilitation.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  Baby Virginia Opossum Walton County Georgia This immature Virginia Opossum was brought to the animal control shelter where I work by a well-meaning citizen. However, while some juveniles may appear orphaned, it is often best to leave them alone if possible.  Baby Virginia Opossum Walton County Georgia   William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?" Job 12:7-9  Striped chipmunk cautiously peers through the leaves. Walton County, Georgia.  Carolina Wren; Walton County, Georgia. |
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In December 1993 I came to know the Designer and Creator of this wonderful planet and its creatures: Jesus Christ.
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