 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  Monday, December 17, 2018. White-throated sparrow backlit by sunrise on chilly blue winter morning in Georgia, USA. The white-throated sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis, migrates to the southern and eastern United States. It stays year round in the Atlantic provinces of Canada. Alongside some other species such as the cardinal, dark-eyed junco, song sparrow and chickadees, this species ranks among the most abundant native birds during winter in eastern North America. I can't explain it, but getting out with my camera just to see what I can see brings me endless joy and pleasant distraction each day. Each day is like a treasure hunt... you may find something new, or delight in something "old".
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 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  Soaring Turkey Vulture; Clarke County, Georgia. The gathering of Black Vultures and Turkey Vultures is on the rise in our neighborhood greenspace. Tonight there were more than 100 birds perched throughout the area. In the morning they have taken to some rooftops to gather warmth.    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  The River Otter with the damaged left eye was swimming in the open on the main retention pond in the afternoon of Tuesday, December 11, 2018. Tuesday, December 11 - The sun came out, the air warmed up and everybody was out enjoying themselves... even the birds and wildlife! I only had to travel fifty yards out my office back door to see herons, otters, ducks and more. A big day of birding: 28 species! Walton County, Georgia  River Otter swimming in Georgia pond. Photographed in December in Walton County, GA, USA. The North American river otter Lontra canadensis, also known as the northern river otter or the common otter, is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the North American continent found in and along its waterways and coasts.   Great Blue Heron bird on Georgia Pond. Large spear like bill. The great blue heron Ardea herodias is a large wading bird common near the shores of open water and in wetlands over most of North America. Photographed in December in Walton County, GA, USA.  Great Blue Heron Georgia Great Blue Heron bird fishing on Georgia lake. The great blue heron Ardea herodias is a large wading bird common near the shores of open water and in wetlands over most of North America. Photographed in December in Walton County, GA, USA. Thursday, December 13, 2018 - the clouds have rolled back in and rain is returning tonight, but another day of high numbers: 26 species total! The river otter was swimming on the upper pond again. Cloudy, with a high near 53. East wind around 5 mph.  A Mallard drake and hen pair huddled up on a cool afternoon; Walton County, Georgia.  The ever-present and ever-energetic Carolina Wren. Walton County, Georgia.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. "Even the stork that flies across the sky knows the time of her migration, as do the turtledove, the swallow, and the crane. They all return at the proper time each year." Jeremiah 8:7  Ring-necked and Redhead drakes arrived several weeks earlier this season the main retention pond. Walton County, Georgia. Wednesday, December 12, 2018. Monday, December 10 - I was quite surprised on Monday morning when I took a morning bird walk to find a bunch of ducks on the main retention pond. For the past several years the Redheads had always arrived after January 1. It was also strange to see 20 Redhead drakes and no hens. There were several Ring-necked ducks and Hooded Mergansers mixed in as well. Clouds, fog, mist and light rain. Tuesday, December 11 - While some left, there were still 11 Redhead drakes, 5 Ring-necked Ducks, and 3 Hooded Mergansers on the pond this morning. Sunny, with a high near 51. West wind around 5 mph.  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  One of several Golden-crowned Kinglets flitting near the boat launch of the Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir in Walton County, Georgia. On my Friday lunch break I made another trip to the Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir. What a blessing to have this new lake so close to my office. I can get there in about 12 minutes, relax and shoot for about 30 minutes, and then head back. From the bridge, I could only see one duck out on the water. It too far for a quality photo, but I could see it was a lone Ring-necked. Duck. From the boat launch I spotted a Pied-billed Grebe diving in the distance. I was amazed by how many kinglets, both Ruby-crowned and Golden Crowned were in the pines near the boat launch. I even hit a life bird! A Brown Creeper was creeping up the side of a pine. Walton County, Georgia  Life Bird! This Brown Creeper was exploring the crevices of a pine near the boat launch of the Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir.  A Ruby-crowned Kinglet at the Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir. The ruby-crowned kinglet Regulus calendula is a very small bird found throughout North America. The kinglet is migratory, and its range extends from northwest Canada and Alaska south to Mexico.  Golden-crowned Kinglet songbird at the Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir in Walton County, GA. The golden-crowned kinglet Regulus satrapa is a very small songbird. Their breeding habitat is coniferous forests.  Golden-crowned Kinglet songbird at the Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir in Walton County, GA. Golden-crowned kinglet is a widespread North American bird, breeding in many US states, and over much of Canada, and wintering across much of the continent south to Florida, Texas and Mexico.  Waltonpets Furtography Session is an animal shelter pet photography blog of dog and cat adoption photography at the Walton County Animal Control Shelter in Monroe, Georgia. Psalms 68:6 "God makes homes for those who are abandoned; He makes free those who are bound with chains."  Large unneutered male red brindle Boxer Mastiff Pitbull dog outdoors on leash with red collar. Dog rescue pet adoption photo for Walton County Animal Control humane society shelter. “Bear” is a happy boy! He was picked up stray by a Walton County Animal Control officer on November 30, 2018. He had on a bright orange collar, but no tag or chip to find his way home. He sat through the weekend and when no owner came forward, he got his “glamour photos” done on December 3, 2018. “Bear” seemed like one of those guys that nothing could get him down. He was always enthusiastically barking at his kennel when staff arrived so he could go out for a walk. Sometimes, in his excitement, he’d take us for a walk! “Bear” was shot with that wonderful 70-200mm f/2.8 lens which really brought out his golden eyes. His red brindle coat and the brown pine needles behind him made for a great fall feel to his photograph.      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  Orange Crowned Warlber; Walton County, Georgia. Monday, December 3, 2018. Orange-crowned warbler bird, Vermivora celata, perched on a brown fall background in Walton County, GA in late fall. These birds migrate to the southern United States and south to Central America. Orange-crowned Warblers sometimes visit feeders for suet, peanut butter, or sugar water. Monday, December 2, 2018 Sunny, with a high near 63. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.  ; Walton County, Georgia. Monday, December 3, 2018. Tuesday, December 4, 2018 Sunny, with a high near 51. West wind 5 to 10 mph.  Field Sparrow; Walton County, Georgia. Tuesday, December 4, 2018. Thursday, December 6, 2018 Forecast: 25 / 49 °F  Carolina Wren; Walton County, Georgia. Thursday, December 6, 2018. Perched Carolina Wren songbird singing at sunrise in Walton County, GA. The Carolina wren Thryothorus ludovicianus is a common species of wren that is a resident in the eastern half of the United States of America. Friday, December 7, 2018  Although this Blue-headed Vireo isn't a life bird for me, it was nevertheless exciting to see this morning being a photo first for my Walton list. Friday, December 7, 2018. Walton County, 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  Rooftop Turkey Vultures in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia. Sunday, 8:29 AM - Every Thanksgiving is turkey time! And not just for the plump game bird that ends up the center of the feasting table, but the Turkey Vultures as well. Late fall the Black Vulture and Turkey Vulture numbers begin to increase as they roost in the snags of our neighborhood greenspace. As the trees become full, a few take to the tops of the houses. Fog/Mist 64°F. A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly before 2pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 73. .  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, landscape, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Genesis 2:20 So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field.  Although I've seen the loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) perched on wires in the past, I won't count a species until I photograph it. This was a life bird photo I was hoping to catch on my visit to the Braswell Church Road eBird Hotspot. The Loggerhead Shrike is the only member of the shrike family endemic to North America Tuesday - on my way home from work I took a 5 mile diversion to ride past the pastures and ponds on Braswell Church Road in Walton County, Georgia. This is a bit of an out-of-the-way rural area, so how did I find out about it? When I finally ditched the flip-phone and upgraded to a smartphone in November 2017 (happy anniversary!) I entered into a whole new realm nature enthusiasm: bird listing! All the features of eBird – life lists, yard counts, checklist totals, birding streaks, top 100 eBirders – walked lock-step with my type-A personality! Okay, so how did that bring me to some pungent, manure-rich soils in the country looking for birds? eBird Hotspots! Hotspots are existing public locations where many birders are entering data… and they are all conveniently marked and mapped on the eBird app! Walton County, Georgia  An Eastern Phoebe, Sayornis phoebe, songbird perched on barbed wire fence of a pasture on a Braswell Church Road cattle farm. November 2018 in Walton County, GA. This tyrant flycatcher breeds in eastern North America, although its normal range does not include the southeastern coastal United States.  Several Eurasian Collared-Doves perched along the fences of the cattle barns on Braswell Church Road, an eBirding Hotspot.  Loggerhead Shrike perched on pasture barbed wire fence. It is nicknamed the butcherbird after its carnivorous tendencies, as it consumes prey such as amphibians, insects, lizards, small mammals and small birds, and some prey end up displayed and stored at a site, for example in a tree.  Loggerhead Shrike; Walton County, Georgia. Due to its small size and weak talons, this predatory bird relies on impaling its prey upon thorns or barbed wire for facilitated consumption.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, landscape, 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 brave little bird ever beside them, singing with sweet human tones among the waltzing foam-bells, and like a blessed evangel explaining God's love." - John Muir  White-throated Sparrow songbird, Georgia USA White Throated Sparrow fall migration songbird in Monroe, Walton County, GA. The white-throated sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis is a passerine bird of the American sparrow family. In winter, this species migrates to the southern and eastern United States. It stays year round in the Atlantic provinces of Canada. Photographed in fall of 2018. Monday, November 26 - the fog that hung around all day yesterday was completely blown off by the chilly winds. The sky was bright and blue, but the wind was cutting and brisk. I didn't expect to see too many birds out facing these breezes, but I was wrong! Sunny but very windy. High near 50.  Eastern Towhee songbird on windy fall day, Georgia USA Eastern Towhee, Pipilo erythrophthalmus, with fluffed feathers on chilly fall day; November 2018 in Walton County, GA. The eastern towhee occurs throughout the eastern United States and southeast Canada.  A silly Palm Warbler appears as if he is looking at me from between his legs! Tuesday, November 27 - Once again a bright, clear blue sky but very chilly winds. Frost persists in the shady areas and a few of the small puddles have a crystal thin layer of ice on top of them. Currently 35°F. Today: Sunny, with a high near 44.  Thirty-two Canada Geese were swimming on the upper pond at sunrise. As I circled the pond, they took to the sky for another pond.  Thirty-two Canada Geese were swimming on the upper pond at sunrise. As I circled the pond, they took to the sky for another pond. Wednesday, November 28 - the bright clear skies are continueing, but so is the cold and wind! The birding lists have been a bit shorter this week. I suppose it is because many of the birds are out of sight seeking sheltered spots out of the breezes... or because the cold drives me back indoors more quickly! Today: Sunny, with a high near 46. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.  Two Red-tailed Hawks cut through the sky over the main retention pond and into the tops of some Loblolly Pines at the northern end of the pond. They eventually flew off north, persuaded by the harassment of some Blue Jays.  Three Killdeer briefly circled over the main retention pond. Walton County, Georgia. Thursday, November 29 - It has warmed up a bit and the chilly winds have died down. The bright morning sun was overshadowed by cloud cover that moved in around noon. High near 56. Calm wind.  White-throated Sparrow; Walton County, 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  I spotted the Orange-crowned Warbler again on December 3, 2018 and was able to get a much closer and more detailed photo in favorable light. Orange-crowned warbler bird, Vermivora celata, perched on a honeysuckle vine in Walton County, GA in late fall. These birds migrate to the southern United States and south to Central America. Orange-crowned Warblers sometimes visit feeders for suet, peanut butter, or sugar water. Monday, 9:27 AM - the fog that hung around all day yesterday was definitely blown off by the chilly winds this morning. The sky was bright and blue, but the wind cutting and brisk. I didn't expect to see too many birds out facing these gales, much less a lifer! As I approached the entangled thickets along the firing range berm, several little birds were flitting in the brush out of the reach of the breezes. I quickly fixed my lens on one and realized I couldn't quite ID it; was it a new warbler for me? Sure enough! An Orange-crowned Warbler! Wikipedia states: Their breeding habitat is open shrubby areas across Canada, Alaska and the western United States. These birds migrate to the southern United States and south to Central America. They forage actively in low shrubs, flying from perch to perch, sometimes hovering. These birds eat insects, berries and nectar. The song of this bird is a trill, descending in pitch and volume. The call is a high chip. Walton County, Georgia  Life bird photograph of an Orange-crowned Warbler; Walton County, Georgia. November 26, 2018.   William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Psalm 26:7-8 That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving,  Great Blue Heron skimming over the waters of Lake Oconee. Greene County, Georgia. Thanksgiving Day - perhaps I should have been helping in the kitchen with the preparations, but I couldn't resist a mid-morning walk down to the boat launch onto Lake Oconee. I was able to add a few more bird species to my Greene County list.  A Carolina Wren singing in the fall foliage; Greene County, Georgia.  Chipping Sparrow; Greene County, Georgia.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Proverbs 30:18-19 There are three things which are too wonderful for me, Yes, four which I do not understand: The way of an eagle in the air, The way of a serpent on a rock, The way of a ship in the midst of the sea, and the way of a man with a virgin.  A young Bald Eagle soaring over the Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir in Walton County, Georgia. Wednesday, 12:36 PM - being off at noon for Thanksgiving Eve, I decided to visit the Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir. The reservoir opened in March 2018. It is in the southeastern unincorporated region of Walton County, Georgia, near both Social Circle. Over the last few months, I've had several people tell me that they'd heard about Bald Eagles regularly appearing there. I had to go and see for myself.  A Double-crested Cormorant diving out in the open waters of the Hard Labor Creek Reservoir. Being a large 1,370 acre area, there was no telling where the Bald Eagles would be, if there at all. I parked near the small fire station and walked down to the boat ramp. A little Grebe swam off to my right. Cormorants could be seen fishing in the distance. And amazingly, I didn't have to wait too long, two young Bald Eagles circled the skies just above the bridge.
If I had not seen the two at one time, I might have thought there was only one individual. It took some time to compare the splotches of white in the photographs to tell these individuals apart.  A Pied-billed Grebe swimming on a Georgia lake in fall season, 2018. Hard Labor Creek Reservoir in Walton County, Social Circle, GA. The pied-billed grebe Podilymbus podiceps is a species of duck like water birds. Other names of this grebe include American dabchick, dabchick, Carolina grebe, devil-diver, dive-dapper, dipper, hell-diver, pied-billed dabchick, pied-bill, thick-billed grebe, and water witch.  Pied-billed Grebe on Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir; Walton County, Georgia.  Pied-billed Grebe on Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir; Walton County, Georgia. Thursday, November 29 - a made another quick lunch-break trip down to the reservoir. I didn't see any of the eagles this time, but the firefighters at the fire station said they've seen two white-headed adults in addition to the immature birds I saw last week. I think I will recommend this location as an eBird Hot Spot! Cloud cover moved in around noon. High near 56. Calm wind.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Psalm 37:3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.  River Otter; Walton County, Georgia USA. November 2018. The North American river otter Lontra canadensis, also known as the northern river otter or the common otter, is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the North American continent found in and along its waterways and coasts. The pair of River Otter have now become bold enough to take to the main and upper retention ponds throughout the day. They either do not see me as they concentrate upon their fish, or are no longer bothered by my presence. I have had some great up-close opportunities of late. On Monday, November 21, one sat at the far end of the upper pond which is more secluded. He chewed and chewed and chewed away at a large bream fish that he held between his claws. On Tuesday afternoon, one was right at the close end of the upper pond near the driveway. He was diving as I approached, and perhaps didn't see me. I was able to stand within fifty feet of him as he repeatedly dove, caught small fish, and paused to chew them up and swallow them down. Perhaps they are preparing for a lean winter, but I am shocked at how much fish they can eat! Walton County, Georgia  River Otter eating fish on Georgia beaver pond  River Otter eating fish on Georgia beaver pond  River Otter; Walton County, Georgia USA. November 2018. The North American river otter Lontra canadensis, also known as the northern river otter or the common otter, is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the North American continent found in and along its waterways and coasts.   William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Exodus 8:18 The magicians tried to produce gnats with their incantations but this time they couldn’t do it. There were gnats everywhere, all over people and animals.  The blue-gray gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea, is a very small songbird in the eastern and southwestern United States, and Mexico. They forage actively in trees or shrubs, mainly eating insects, insect eggs and spiders. Photographed in fall in Walton County, Monroe, Georgia USA. Monday, 4:05 PM - Even though eBird has it listed as a rare bird for this area during this time of the year, a little Blue-gray Gnatchatcher keeps popping up day after day. He is quite the proficient finder of insects! On the recent spotting, he was fittingly grasping a gnat in his mouth and attempting to gobble it down. On his second appearance, an inchworm wriggled in his little beak. Then at his third appearance, he was eating a string of bugs caught in a spider web. One website accurately describes what I observed when it wrote, “They forage actively in trees or shrubs, mainly eating insects, insect eggs and spiders. They may hover over foliage (gleaning), or fly to catch insects in flight (hawking).” Walton County, Georgia  Blue-gray Gnatcatcher eating a string of insects off a spider's thread. Walton County, Georgia. Monday, November 19, 2018.  The blue-gray gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea, is a very small songbird in the eastern and southwestern United States, and Mexico. They forage actively in trees or shrubs, mainly eating insects, insect eggs and spiders. Photographed in fall in Walton County, Monroe, Georgia USA. |
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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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