 William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Psalm 84:3-4 Birds find nooks and crannies in your house, sparrows and swallows make nests there. They lay their eggs and raise their young, singing their songs in the place where we worship. How blessed they are to live and sing there!  Sunday, May 6, 8:07 AM – As is my custom before going to the House of God each Sunday, I sit on the back patio of my house. This particular monring, a bird that I at first thought was a typical Carolina Wren, perched on the trampoline pole. A closer zoom on my camera’s LCD revealed that I grabbed a new life bird: a House Wren. Glad to have him around my house! “A plain brown bird with an effervescent voice, the House Wren is a common backyard bird over nearly the entire Western Hemisphere. Listen for its rush-and-jumble song in summer and you’ll find this species zipping through shrubs and low tree branches, snatching at insects. House Wrens will gladly use nestboxes, or you may find their twig-filled nests in old cans, boots, or boxes lying around in your garage.” www.allaboutbirds.org. Athens, Clarke County, Georgia
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 William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Exodus 16:4 "Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no."  Eastern Grey Squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis, hangs from a bird feeder eating black oil sunflower seeds. Photographed in spring in Athens, Clarke County, GA, southeast United States. Like many members of the family Sciuridae, the eastern gray squirrel is a scatter-hoarder; it hoards food in numerous small caches for later recovery. Saturday, 8:00 AM - Yes, the squirrels are God’s creatures to. And yes, at times I do enjoy watching their antics and acrobatics at the bird feeders. But man, the little buggers can drive me crazy! Why do they have to sit there and entirely empty the feeder, spreading it all over the ground? Why can’t they just take their share and move on? Even though I had to repeatedly run the squirrels off, I still had a nice day of birding. To be honest, until the following morning, I had totally forgotten that today was the Cornell Lab 2018 Global Big Day. Even so, I was still diligent to make a backyard ebird list. I also spent a large part of the day putting older blogs and photographs into ebird to get my total species count equal to my life list. Unless I missed some, my ebird total species stands at 121! Most of the birds today were the normal backyard birds. The only less-than-usual visitors were a Summer Tanager and a Brown-headed Nuthatch. I also sat attempting to get a photo of the Carolina chickadee coming in and out of the camouflage color nest box in the backyard. Athens, Clarke County, Georgia  A Brown Thrasher hopes to get some of the seed spread by the marauding squirrels. Brown Thrasher, Toxostoma rufum, songbird on bermuda grass lawn. Photographed spring in southeast United States, Athens, GA. The Brown Thrasher is the state bird of Georgia. The brown thrasher Toxostoma rufum is a bird in the family Mimidae, which also includes the New World catbirds and mockingbirds. The dispersal of the brown thrasher is abundant throughout the eastern and central United States, southern and central Canada.  Carolina Chickadee, Poecile carolinensis, songbird looks into a wooden birdhouse nest box in spring. Photographed in southeast United States, Athens, GA. Carolina Chickadees excavate or find an unused cavity. Sometimes Carolina Chickadees nest in nest tubes or nest boxes. Both members of a pair excavate a cavity or choose a cavity or nest box. Carolina Chickadees don’t seem to have a preference for nest boxes filled with or without sawdust. The female builds the nest base with moss and sometimes strips of bark. Then she adds a thick lining of hair and/or plant fibers.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Genesis 8:9 But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark.  Mourning Dove, May 4, 2018. Athens, Clarke County, GA Friday, 6:37 PM – It’s Friday and the work week is done! I'm so glad I can find a place to rest on my back patio. It's like an ark of refuge where I can relax and enjoy an evening of birding. 15 species total
Clarke County, Georgia  Northern Mockingbird, May 4, 2018. Athens, Clarke County, GA  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Ephesians 5:2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.  Thursday, 7:19 AM – I was a few minutes late for work today. But who could blame me? As I was passing through a rural area of Watkinsville on my way to work, I spotted a Striped Skunk, Mephitis mephitis, frolicking in a fresh cut field! This individual’s stripes looked a bit misplaced. Instead of running down the top sides of his back, the stripe split at the shoulders and ran down towards its back legs. According to one fact sheet, “There is considerable variation in striping patterns including a broad stripe, narrow stripe, pair of stripes, or a short stripe. Coloration can vary as some striped skunks will have very little white while other are almost completely white.” As I pulled over to watch, he was running a zig zag pattern through the field. He then came down the driveway toward me and passed over Barnett Shoals Road, luckily without being hit by the numerous passing cars. Near 2151 Barnett Shoals Rd, Oconee County, Georgia (33.8615, -83.3690)    Psalms 68:6 "God makes homes for those who are abandoned; He makes free those who are bound with chains."  Wednesday, 8:28 AM - “Bud” the Beagle was picked up by Walton County Animal Control officer running around and just having a good time! When his initial intake photo was posted on the lost/found website for the animal shelter, the social media volunteer recognized him. Turns out “Bud” was a repeat offender! Just about a month earlier he came through the shelter and was claimed by his owner. The shelter staff left several messages for Bud’s owner. After 8 days without a response, it looked like he wouldn’t be claimed. It was time for some shelter photography! “Bud” was a willing accomplice to the photo session. He struck a few good poses and just overall loved being outside of the kennel. He was a real happy, social and friendly Beagle, did great on the leash and interacted well with other dogs in the kennel. The poor boy was being eaten up by fleas and was missing a bit of hair on his rump from chewing. The shelter gave him some flea meds to hopefully ease the irritating little bugs! He tested heartworm negative and was vaccinated and dewormed. “Bud” was photographed for the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Monroe, Georgia, USA on May 2, 2018 and placed on the shelter’s website, www.waltonpets.net. He was rescued by Atlanta Beagle Rescue on May 5, 2018. His rescue was sponsored by donation pledges to the rescue from Lane and Anne. Thanks!        William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them," Acts 4:24  Red-winged Blackbird Tuesday, 7:45 AM - My morning walk around the retention ponds before starting the day. All the usual birds were on the main pond: Grackles, Blackbirds, Kingbirds, Robins, etc. A pair of Eastern Bluebirds were bringing food into one of the old duck boxes. In addition to the Canada Goose pair with their 6 goslings on the main pond, there were 7 adult visitors on the more secluded upper pond. Back near the beaver bog by the firing range I spied a White-eyed Vireo; my first for 2018. I also heard a Kingfisher rattling off, but didn’t get a photograph. Walton County, Georgia  Eastern Bluebird bringing food to hatchlings to a nest in an old duck box  Canada Geese on a mist covered pond  White-eyed Vireo sings a monring song from the trees  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder 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  Eastern Black Rat Snake, Pantherophis, slithering in the grass. Photographed near a pond in Monroe, Walton County, GA, USA. Black rat snake, pilot black snake, or simply black snake – is a nonvenomous species of Colubridae found in central North America. Monday, 4:29 PM- A nice, warm 75° with bright sun. Walking up to the ponds before leaving for the day. I pause to see a dead Catfish laying next to the pond. His skin has become tight and dry like an Egyptian mummy as it lay in the afternoon sun. Something draws my glance a few feet to the left. Perhaps it was some sort of imperceptible movement, but my eyes were directed to the tall grass from whence a 3 foot Black Ratsnake is emerging. Normally I’d reach down to grab it for a few photos. But instead of disturbing his afternoon crawl, I shot some photos there in the grass. Walton County, Georgia  Eastern Black Rat Snake, Pantherophis, slithering in the grass. Photographed near a pond in Monroe, Walton County, GA, USA. Black rat snake, pilot black snake, or simply black snake – is a nonvenomous species of Colubridae found in central North America.  Eastern Black Rat Snake, Pantherophis, slithering in the grass. Photographed near a pond in Monroe, Walton County, GA, USA. Black rat snake, pilot black snake, or simply black snake – is a nonvenomous species of Colubridae found in central North America.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Psalm 65:8 The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.  Blue Grosbeak; morning, Walton County, GA Monday, 7:53 AM - My recent birding zeal has brought me out every morning and evening to see what springtime birds are out there. My listing has gone beyond a total species list, and now I am enthusiastic to keep lists by county. It is getting harder and harder to keep up with, but I think a few this morning were Walton County firsts for me: Blue Grosbeak, Palm Warbler and a Red-eyed Vireo. In the afternoon I noticed the Canada Goose parents had moved their goslings from the main retention pond to the upper pond for a swim. Later that evening, when back at home in Clarke County, my birding continued. It was all the usual birds, but a glowing orange evening sunset illuminated a nice photo of my regular Downy Woodpecker. Sunny, high near 75°; low 50°  Palm Warbler; morning, Walton County, GA  Red-eyed Vireo; morning, Walton County, GA  Ruby-crowned Kinglet; morning, Walton County, GA  Female Canada Goose mother with six baby yellow fuzzy gosling chicks swimming on green pond in spring in Walton County, GA, southeast United States. Photographed in Monroe Georgia.  Blue-gray Gnatcatcher; evening, Walton County, GA  Red male Northern Cardinal bird eating bird seed. Photographed in spring in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia, USA. The northern cardinal is a North American bird in the genus Cardinalis; it is also known colloquially as the redbird or common cardinal.  A small black, white and red Downy Woodpecker, Picoides pubescens, bird sitting in a pine tree. Photogaphed in Athens Georgia, USA. The active little Downy Woodpecker is a familiar sight at backyard feeders and in parks and woodlots, where it joins flocks of chickadees and nuthatches. Downies and their larger lookalike, the Hairy Woodpecker, are one of the first identification challenges that beginning bird watchers master.  A small black, white and red Downy Woodpecker, Picoides pubescens, bird sitting in a pine tree. Photogaphed in Athens Georgia, USA. The active little Downy Woodpecker is a familiar sight at backyard feeders and in parks and woodlots, where it joins flocks of chickadees and nuthatches. Downies and their larger lookalike, the Hairy Woodpecker, are one of the first identification challenges that beginning bird watchers master.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder 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  Common green anole, Anolis carolinensis, , on a tree. Photographed in Athens, GA USA. The green anole is a common lizard throughout Georgia and South Carolina. The anole`s ability to change color has given it the nickname chameleon. Random reptile and birding photography in my backyard in Athens, Georgia.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder 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 are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is his work. Psalms 111  Killdeer bird, Charadrius vociferus, on sand and gravel. Photographed in May in Monroe, Walton County, Georgia, USA. The killdeer is a medium-sized plover. A shorebird you can see without going to the beach, Killdeer are graceful plovers common to lawns, golf courses, athletic fields, and parking lots Friday, 7:45 AM - Another pre-8 AM birding walk to the shelter pounds before starting the day. Very, very busy at work. Had some coordinating nightmares with the rescue from Alabama. But getting a lot of dogs out! This Killdeer shot was only possibly by getting low and shallow. Even though it may look like a shorebird on the beach, I’m actually not talking about shallow waters at low tide. I’m referring to camera angle and depth-of-field! Next to the animal shelter where I work is the Public Works compound. It’s a series of gravel and dirt drives, a few piles of fill dirt and stone, and a myriad of large construction and paving equipment. It isn’t the most flattering landscape. But there are two large retention ponds nearby that attract all sorts of birds and wildlife. The challenge is photographing these birds without the unsightly equipment in the background. That’s the beauty of adjusting your camera angle. A few feet to your right or left can eliminate an ugly background. Or getting as low to the ground as possible to move the bird to eye level can create some dramatic scenes. The use of long lenses (also known as zoom or telephoto lenses) can also help to create that shallow depth-of-field which blurs out the background and makes the subject stand out. The photo of the Killdeer looks as if he’s standing on a beach. But that is the magic of getting on my belly for the shot. The bird is actually on a dirt driveway not far from a large tractor! The Easter Bluebird is on an old pile of unused decorative stone. The shallow depth-of-field blurs out the ugly piles of fill dirt nearby.  Eastern Bluebird songbird, Sialia sialis, perched on landscaping stones. Photographed in spring in Monroe, Walton County, Georgia, USA. The eastern bluebird is a small thrush found in open woodlands, farmlands, and orchards.  Killdeer bird, Charadrius vociferus, on sand and gravel. Photographed in May in Monroe, Walton County, Georgia, USA. The killdeer is a medium-sized plover. A shorebird you can see without going to the beach, Killdeer are graceful plovers common to lawns, golf courses, athletic fields, and parking lots  Common Grackle  Eastern Kingbird  Northern Cardinal  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  Thursday, 7:49 AM - HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN JAMES AUDUBON! What better way to celebrate the legacy of the world’s most famous ornithologist than to go for an early morning ebird walk! Okay, I have to admit it: although I am becoming quite the bird nerd, I didn’t really realize that today was Audubon’s birthday until around mid-day when I glanced at the Audubon calendar haning next to my computer screen. But either way, when you stop to consider it, think how much of a debt is owed to Audubon by all birders, ornithologist, naturalists, environmentalists, and general outdoor enthusiasts. What a great day to honor the legacy of this premiere bird nerd. Walton County, Georgia  Northern Mockingbird bird, Mimus polyglottos, perched on a branch. Photographed in May in Monroe, Walton County, Georgia, USA. The northern mockingbird is the only mockingbird commonly found in North America. This bird is mainly a permanent resident, but northern birds may move south during harsh weather.  Recently hatched fluffy yellow baby Canada Geese goslings swimming on blue water pond. Photographed in spring in Monroe, Walton County, Georgia, USA.  Barn Swallow; Walton County, Georgia.  Canada Goose; Walton County, Georgia.  Eastern Bluebird; Walton County, Georgia.  Sunrise silhouette of a male Mallard Duck drake. Photographed in spring in Monroe, Walton County, Georgia, USA.  Recently hatched fluffy yellow baby Canada Geese goslings. Photographed in spring in Monroe, Walton County, Georgia, USA.  iNat link: William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder 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  Nine banded armadillo photographed in spring in Monroe, Walton County, Georgia, USA. The nine-banded armadillo, or the nine-banded, long-nosed armadillo, is a medium-sized mammal found in North, Central, and South America, making it the most widespread of the armadillos. Now common in the southeast United States and Georgia.  Wednesday, 7:50 AM - I had 10 minutes before I had to clock in, why not do a quick eBird list? I quickly ticked off the typical birds on our pond: Canada Geese and goslings, Mallards, Grackles, Cardinals, a Towhee, a Northern Mockingbird perched high and singing away, a Red-shouldered Hawk crying off in the distance, a Great Blue Heron flying overhead, etc. (see the list at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44923988). But as I rounded the corner by the Sheriff’s firing range, dang if I didn’t have my camera. An armadillo just moseying along. Having a class coming up, the kids would have been excited to see some close up photos. But all I had was my iPhone. Better than nothing! Well darn, I violated my own rule of always having my camera at the ready. That will teach me! But...  Nine banded armadillo photographed in spring in Monroe, Walton County, Georgia, USA. The nine-banded armadillo, or the nine-banded, long-nosed armadillo, is a medium-sized mammal found in North, Central, and South America, making it the most widespread of the armadillos. Now common in the southeast United States and Georgia. Thursday 7:55 AM - As is my habit of late, I found myself walking to the pond behind the animal shelter just before the start of a day’s work. And I’m also aware that that armadillos are creatures of habit as well! I found the same armadillo, in the same spot, at the same time. But this time my camera was ready. I froze in my steps as I first saw him emerging from the small ditch. I did not want to alarm him so I can get some good photographs. I sat waiting for him to reemerge. But when he did not appear, I realized he must have entered the culvert under the gravel driveway. I quickly trotted to the other end of the culvert and there he was; his little pig-like face sticking out of the other end. I tried to slowly bend down and quickly grab the little guy for an upcoming school presentation. But alas, armadillos are far too quick and their shells too hard to grab ahold of. Walton County, Georgia  Nine banded armadillo photographed in spring in Monroe, Walton County, Georgia, USA. The nine-banded armadillo, or the nine-banded, long-nosed armadillo, is a medium-sized mammal found in North, Central, and South America, making it the most widespread of the armadillos. Now common in the southeast United States and Georgia.  Nine banded armadillo photographed in spring in Monroe, Walton County, Georgia, USA. The nine-banded armadillo, or the nine-banded, long-nosed armadillo, is a medium-sized mammal found in North, Central, and South America, making it the most widespread of the armadillos. Now common in the southeast United States and Georgia.   Microchips: only as good as the owner that registers them. Tueday, 9:30 AM - I have been pleased to see a gradual increase in the number of microchipped dogs and cats over my last 20 years in sheltering. I remember a time that we thought this would be the solution to so many lost pets coming into shelters. But has it been the solution? Microchips are great. It is a tag that can’t fall off a collar. But the main issue with microchips is they must be registered to do any good! So often, we find a chip in a stray only to be told that the pet was given away or the chip was never registered. “Spot” was picked up stray by a Walton County Animal Control officer on April 18, 2018. He had a handsome white coat speckled with chocolate. He was a bit high energy, not uncommon for birddogs, but not too crazy. He’d probably make a great running partner. During intake, the kennel technician scanned a microchip in Spot. Instant ticket home, right? But the chip traced to an owner in another city in Georgia, and despite a few attempts, the voicemails were never returned. By local ordinance, “Spot” had to sit and wait in the shelter 10 days. And it looked like nobody was coming for him. So after 6 days, it was time for a photo session. Although “Spot” was technically a Pointer mix, I don’t think he’d make a good hunting partner. During his photo session, the Walton County Sheriff deputies began range practice behind the animal shelter. All that loud gunfire made us quite the session early and head back inside. “Spot” was photographed for the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Monroe, Georgia on April 24, 2018 and placed on the adoption website www.waltonpets.net. Although it took them quite a while, Spot's owner finally came and claimed him on April 27. At least he made it back home with those he loves.     Tuesday, 8:54 AM – “Bella” was a happy young Husky mix surrendered to the Walton County Animal Control Shelter on April 19, 2018. Sadly, Bella and her original owner were evicted and Bella was given to a friend. After a few weeks, when that friend discovered she couldn’t keep a dog, Bella came to the animal shelter looking for a permanent home. Being a young girl, approximately 6 to 8 months, she was the perfect playful pup! She was all smiles and happy-panting wags! Even her initial in-the-kennel shot showed that happy girl! When I took Bella outside for her glamour photos on April 24, I knew her photogenic personality would make things easy. However, I failed to do my initial camera settings check and overexposed the first few shots. (Lesson learned!) But Bella had such a great expression on her face in those overexposed shots, I simply couldn’t discard them. I created a nice sepia looking final by warming up the photo’s white balance and backing down the saturation. For some reason the adoptions were slow and Bella sat a few days without much interest. But by April 25, the shelter’s intake had really increased and Bella was soon in danger. This sweet young girl’s life won’t end in a dog pound, will it? “Bella” was photographed for the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Monroe, Georgia, USA on April 24, 2018 and put on the adoption/rescue website, www.waltonpets.net. She was rescued on April 28, 2018 by Maggie Lu's Safe Haven Rescue in Charlotte, North Carolina!       Tuesday, 9:57 AM - Little “Bree” was another of the many pit bulls that come into the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Monroe, Georgia. In fact, pit bull‘s are one of the number one impounded dogs in shelters throughout the United States! But Bree had an advantage: she was still an adorable little puppy! At just three months old, this little girl had a lot to learn about the leash, but was not short on sweetness. But being unsure about the leash was an advantage. This foreign slip lead around her neck caused her to freeze and thus made her sit quite still for her photos. A rare thing for a puppy! Bree was photographed for the Walton County animal control shelter on April 24, 2018 and placed on the shelter’s adoption website www.waltonpets.net. She was adopted two days later!      |
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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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