 William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Get me out of here on dove wings; I want some peace and quiet. I want a walk in the country, I want a cabin in the woods. Psalms 55, The Message  Red Top Mountain State Park is in Cartersville, Georgia. It is surrounded by the 12,000 acre lake Allatoona. The high iron or content of the soil is the reason for the red top name. Mining iron or was once an important activity in the local area. There are six trails covering more than 15 miles. Tuesday, sunny, high near 57°. Wind 15 mph. Tonight clear, 30°. Sunrise 7:46 AM, sunset 7:39 PM. Day length: 11 hours, 53 minutes. We arrived at the campground just after 2 PM. The entire park was quite empty. It was a very nice, spacious campground lying with in rolling hills of tall pines and hardwoods. Large, picturesque lichen covered boulders were strewn throughout the park, almost as if deliberately placed decoration.  Our yurt was on the hillside that dropped off down to finger of Lake Allatoona. A nice wooden patio surrounded the green nylon structure.  The boulder-strewn campground on the edge of Lake Allatoona Although “spring” break, it was windy and very chilly. After unpacking we walked down to the lakeside. Strong winds were blowing across the water bringing up rolls of waves. We never did take the canoe out on the water though we towed it along for the trip. That first afternoon, we explored the shore and walked about a mile on the blue trail. After dinner we went back down to the water for the golden hour before sunset.  The shores of Lake Allatoona; Red Top Mountain State Park, Georgia. Wednesday, March 14 - sunrise 7:45 AM. The prevalent bird around the campsite is the White-breasted Nuthatch. You hear him calling more than any other avian inhabitant of the park. Using my mp3 player, I was able to call one in close for lots of photography while we were sitting around a late afternoon campfire.  Several White-breasted Nuthatches occupied the campground area. Red Top Mountain State Park, Georgia. The winds still strong, we decided to hike the 7 mile yellow trail. Plenty of ups and downs, tall hardwood trees and nice, wide, soft, needle-covered paths. A great place for a trail run, but the elevation would be quite a challenge.  A White-tailed Deer doe encountered while hiking the yellow trail. Red Top Mountain State Park, Georgia. Thursday, March 15 – a campfire to end one day, and a campfire to begin the next morning. I love it. I wish we could do it more often. But we’ll enjoy the times we do get to have. It’s a chilly morning, about 33°, but the wind is gone. The lake is smooth and wisps of fog rise off its surface. But our stay this last day is short. A quick breakfast and all packed up by 10 AM. All in all, Red Top Mountain is it beautiful campground. But I can imagine that it is quite busy here in the summer when all the RV spots are occupied. But for an early spring break, it was peaceful and serene and very refreshing.  Wooden campgound directional hiking sign at Red Top Mountain State Park, Georgia, USA.  A traditional yurt is a portable, round tent covered with skins or felt and used as a dwelling by nomads in the steppes of Central Asia. Modern yurts may be permanently built on a wooden platform; they may use materials such as steam-bent wooden framing or metal framing, canvas or tarpaulin, Plexiglas dome. Photographed in Red Top Mountain State Park. There are public campgrounds, marinas, RV sites, yurts, and boat launches. Spring, 2018.  White-tailed Deer, Odocoileus virginianus, female doe camouflaged in woods in Red Top Mountain State Park, Georgia, USA. Throughout the year, the Department of Natural Resources schedules quota White-tailed Deer hunts. Most quota hunts are conducted within wildlife management areas, but each fall a few state parks are selected as sites for deer quota hunts.  Rocky lakeshore boulders on blue water of Lake Allatoona, Georgia, USA. Lake Allatoona covers more than 12,000 acres and has 270 miles of shoreline. The dam that created Allatoona Lake first began blocking the waters of the Etowah River in 1949. Photographed in Red Top Mountain State Park. There are public campgrounds, marinas, RV sites, yurts, and boat launches. Spring, 2018.  Lakeside boulders of Lake Allatoona, Red Top Mountain State Park, Georgia, USA  White-breasted nuthatch bird, Sitta carolinensis, Red Top Mountain State Park  Large boulders on rocky lakeshore on blue water of Lake Allatoona, GA.  Lake Allatoona at Red Top Mountain State Park, Georgia.  Lake Allatoona, Red Top Mountain State Park, Georgia, USA  White-breasted Nuthatches are active, agile little birds. They get their common name from their habit of jamming large nuts and acorns into tree bark, then whacking them with their sharp bill to “hatch” out the seed from the inside.  A solitary teenager texting on a cell phone while sitting on a large lakeside boulder at Lake Allatoona, GA. Photographed in Red Top Mountain State Park. 
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 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  Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos, a common songbird thrush of the southeastern United States. Looking for crickets and spiders on freshly mowed dormant bermuda grass lawn. The Northern Mockingbird frequently gives a `wing flash` display, where it half or fully opens its wings in jerky intermediate steps, showing off the big white patches. No one knows why it does this, but it may startle insects, making them easier to catch. The northern mockingbird is the only mockingbird commonly found in North America. Photographed in early spring in Athens, Georgia, USA Genesis 41:35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come... Sunday, 3:23 PM – It’s a normal, overcast March afternoon in my backyard. Northern Mockingbirds flutter across the lawn flashing white wing bars to scare up an insect snack. Dark-eyed Juncos hop below the bird feeders checking each empty husk for a missed seed. A couple of Eastern Chipmunks dart from hole to hole to gather the black-oil sunflower seeds that fall from the Cardinal’s mouths. All of the usual birds and critters are here doing what they do; gathering, eating, and drinking. On a sudden, with a dive as quick as a lightning flash, a Red-tailed Hawk scatters all of the birds at the feeder. In a fluttering fury, all the little birds take wing and disappear. But the hawk did not come up with empty talons. The amazing raptor, or bird-of-prey, within the blink of an eye, seized upon a small chipmunk and quickly carried it off. The little chipmunk didn’t suspect a thing. It was so fast, the scene was long over before it registered in my mind and had I even thought of picking up my camera. Just another day of hunting and gathering in the great, wide natural world. Athens, Clarke County, Georgia  Red-tailed Hawk; Clarke County, Georgia  A Northern Mockingbird resumes his gathering of bugs after the threat resides  Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos, a common songbird thrush of the southeastern United States. Looking for crickets and spiders on freshly mowed dormant bermuda grass lawn. The Northern Mockingbird frequently gives a `wing flash` display, where it half or fully opens its wings in jerky intermediate steps, showing off the big white patches. No one knows why it does this, but it may startle insects, making them easier to catch. The northern mockingbird is the only mockingbird commonly found in North America. Photographed in early spring in Athens, Georgia, USA  Creation Speaks is a Biblical teaching ministry that uses nature writing and photography to glorify our Creator and teach the truth of 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 John 18:1-2 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which He entered, and His disciples….for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with His disciples.  Cherry Tree Blossom, Walton County, Georgia. March 9, 2018 "God has a special love for gardens, it seems, designing them especially so that they best suit His highest creation - mankind. When he created Adam and Eve, He planted a garden for them to enjoy and to tend. And He came to commune with that first couple there in the cool of the day. "In the New Testament, we read that Jesus retired often to pray in a garden place. Even in the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and the tomb where our Savior was laid it was in that garden. It was in that garden that He revealed the fact of His resurrection to the world. "As we cultivate the soil of our hearts, we prepare a beautiful garden for the Lord to come and commune with us, and we with Him. Filled with appreciation for our Creator, our hearts will then be characterized as a garden of prayer." Quoted from "Exceeding Gratitude for the Creator's Plan" by Dr. James P. Gills  Cherry Tree Blossom, Walton County, Georgia. March 9, 2018  Pink, white and violet buds and blossoms of the Cherry Tree in March, Georgia, USA. A cherry blossom is the flower of any of several trees of genus Prunus, particularly the Japanese cherry, Prunus serrulata, which is called sakura. Each year, Macon GA hosts the annual International Cherry Blossom Festival. Also known as the Pinkest Party on Earth. Photographed in Monroe, Georgia, USA.  Pink, white and violet buds and blossoms of the Cherry Tree in March, Georgia, USA. A cherry blossom is the flower of any of several trees of genus Prunus, particularly the Japanese cherry, Prunus serrulata, which is called sakura. Each year, Macon GA hosts the annual International Cherry Blossom Festival. Also known as the Pinkest Party on Earth. Photographed in Monroe, Georgia, USA.  Pink, white and violet buds and blossoms of the Cherry Tree in March, Georgia, USA. A cherry blossom is the flower of any of several trees of genus Prunus, particularly the Japanese cherry, Prunus serrulata, which is called sakura. Each year, Macon GA hosts the annual International Cherry Blossom Festival. Also known as the Pinkest Party on Earth. Photographed in Monroe, Georgia, USA.  Pink, white and violet buds and blossoms of the Cherry Tree in March, Georgia, USA. A cherry blossom is the flower of any of several trees of genus Prunus, particularly the Japanese cherry, Prunus serrulata, which is called sakura. Each year, Macon GA hosts the annual International Cherry Blossom Festival. Also known as the Pinkest Party on Earth. Photographed in Monroe, Georgia, USA.  Pink, white and violet buds and blossoms of the Cherry Tree in March, Georgia, USA. A cherry blossom is the flower of any of several trees of genus Prunus, particularly the Japanese cherry, Prunus serrulata, which is called sakura. Each year, Macon GA hosts the annual International Cherry Blossom Festival. Also known as the Pinkest Party on Earth. Photographed in Monroe, Georgia, USA.  Psalms 68:6 "God makes homes for those who are abandoned; He makes free those who are bound with chains."  Thursday, 8:32 AM – “Clover” was another stray dog to be picked up by a Walton County Animal Control officer in Monroe, GA. He was a very sweet, tender and gentle boy. His submissive side made it a bit difficult to get him to look at the camera. But his warm brown coat and soft black muzzle complimented the beautiful glowing sunrise on this somewhat cooler morning in early spring. “Clover” also seemed an easy boy to get along with when it came to other dogs as well. He was all gentle wags and sniffs when being introduced to other shelter dogs. When it came to another pup that was a bit too assertive, “Clover” didn’t retaliate and just backed off and gave the other pup some space. For some reason “Clover” was favoring his front right leg and would at times let out a little holler as we walked out to the photography spot. After his photo session, I looked more closely thinking he might have a thorn in his pad. But without seeing any visible injuries, I wasn’t sure if it was his foot, leg or shoulder. Hopefully a large-hearted rescue or adopter would come along quickly and get him checked out by a veterinarian. “Clover” was photographed for the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Monroe, Georgia on March 8, 2018. He was posted for adoption or rescue on the shelter’s website, www.waltonpets.net. He was rescued on March 11, 2018 by SavAPet Rescue! 
 Psalms 68:6 "God makes homes for those who are abandoned; He makes free those who are bound with chains."  Thursday, 2:07 PM - “If I had the room, I’d take him home!” I know, everybody says that all the time. But for me it is true with Ranger! What a big, handsome boy. I love hounds. Coonhounds, Bloodhounds, Walker Hounds, Bluetick Hounds… and those big, velvety, drooping ears are always so photogenic! “Ranger” was surrendered to the Walton County Animal Control shelter by his owner on March 8, 2018. At least he was already neutered. Being confident he’d have a good outcome, I microchipped him as a bonus for his new owner. Not wanting to loose time on getting him on the adoption website, www.waltonpets.net, I took him straight outdoors for a photo session. Being late afternoon, all of my shady spots were gone. Since I don’t like the look of the full sun shots, we walked over to the small hay barn by the Public Works compound. I tethered “Ranger” to a hay bale so he couldn’t keep following me out the door. I was pleasantly surprised how the shady interior of the barn went all to black on the portraits. The other shots with the hay bales in the background really give the feel of our rural, countryside animal shelter here in the South! “Ranger” was photographed for the Walton County Animal Control Shelter in Monroe, Georgia on March 8, 2018 and placed on the shelter’s adoption website www.waltonpets.net. He was adopted on March 12, 2018!   
  Psalms 68:6 "God makes homes for those who are abandoned; He makes free those who are bound with chains."  Wednesday, 2:35 PM - How irresistibly cute!!!! It seems that “puppy season” is beginning. The lengthening daylight hours and warmer weather tends to trigger love in all the critters. Each spring the shelter begins taking in puppy after puppy, kitten after kitten. If my shutter is fast enough to get them all posted quickly, we can get most of them adopted and rescued without too much of a backup. “Waylon” was a cute little black mixed breed puppy that was surrendered to Walton County Animal Control on March 7, 2018. A gentleman and his son took in the little guy, but quickly realized the demands of such a young puppy (probably the whining demands all night long!). I brought “Waylon” into the makeshift studio I normally use for the cats and kittens. He quickly got cozy and took a short nap under a fuzzy fleece blanket making for a cute shot! “Waylon” was photographed on March 7, 2018 for the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Monroe, Georgia USA. He was posted on the shelter’s adoption website, www.waltonpets.net to find and adopter or rescue. He was rescued on March 8, 2018 by Washington Wilkes DAWGS Rescue! 
  Psalms 68:6 "God makes homes for those who are abandoned; He makes free those who are bound with chains."  Wednesday, 9:17 AM – “Buster” is a cute low-rider mixed breed puppy that was surrendered to the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Georgia on March 6, 2018. The man who brought him in said his original owner left a few months ago and he couldn’t care for a puppy. He is a quiet guy and sat nice and calm for his outdoor photos. With the sunrise coming earlier, I had lost my normal shady spots for his photos. I popped a little fill flash on a couple, but I don’t much care for the “harsher” look. But “Buster” is cute enough to overcome my amateur photography! “Buster” was photographed on March 7, 2018 for the Walton County Animal Control Shelter in Monroe, Georgia and placed for adoption on the shelter’s website, www.waltonpets.net. He was adopted the following day!
   William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Psalm 98:5 "Sing your praise to the Lord with... melodious song."  Brown Thrasher, Toxostoma rufum, a common songbird of the eastern United States, singing in a tree against a blue sky backdrop in early spring. Walton County, city of Monroe, Georgia USA. Brown Thrashers are accomplished songsters that may sing more than 1,100 different song types and include imitations of other birds, including Chuck-will’s-widows, Wood Thrushes, and Northern Flickers. During spring and early summer, males climb higher to sing from exposed perches. Listen for a song with a pattern of a Northern Mockingbird, but with phrases repeated only in pairs rather than in triplets. The days lengthen and the dark drive to work is now replaced with a picturesque blue sky and a glowing sunrise. Now that the sun is rising earlier, nearly my entire morning drive is illuminated and I can watch for morning deer or wildlife to photograph along my 45-minute commute through the country. But alas, Daylight Savings Time next week will push the drive back into the dark for a short period. As I near work, I pull my car around to the water retention pond before heading into the office. The two Canada Geese are still there, but the American Coot and the Redhead Ducks are gone. A delightful morning chorus breaks the chilled morning air. Up high in one of the newly blooming trees, I hear what I thought was a Mockingbird. Instead of ignoring the “common”, I turn to look… a Brown Thrasher in the tree top is singing away and making melodies with all its heart. My camera is always by my side and at the ready. It was quite an amazing spectacle to observe these complex songs and melodies in triplicate coming out of a mouth that has no lips! The birds have only two hard, stiff beak parts opening and closing; so unlike how we shape our mouths for whistling. How is it done??? The Cornell Lab of ornithology explains, “With over 1,000 song types, the Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) has one of the largest repertoires in the bird world. As part of that incredible variety, the thrasher sometimes sings two sweeping tones at the same time—a feat made possible by its two-sided vocal organ. By controlling each side of the syrinx independently, thrashers create unique sounds that only a bird has the ability to produce.” www.allaboutbirds.org. Walton County, Georgia,  Brown Thrasher bird singing in a tree, Georgia USA  Brown Thrasher bird singing in a tree, Georgia USA  The other day I was putting together a slideshow for a presentation to a local neighborhood association about the animal control ordinances in our city. No problem! I have thousands of dog and cat images in my portfolio. But when I came to the “pooper scooper” law, I came up short! No photos of dogs or cats doing their business. Often being house trained, the first thing many of the dogs do when taken out of the animal shelter for their adoption photos is use the bathroom. I normally turn away my lens, hold my nose and wait. After all, why would you photograph a subject in such a vulnerable and humiliating situation? And who in their right mind would want to purchase that photo?! Well, while preparing my presentation on the “pooper scooper” law, I realized there might be a need. There just might be someone out there needing a dog-doing-his-business photo. I uploaded to Dreamstime and the screeners didn’t turn up their noses at it… although they might have plugged them! Need stock photos for your website or publication? Please don’t steal or pirate images from this site. Purchase from my gallery on dreamstime.com. All stock sale proceeds go to maintain the shelter’s photography equipment and pay for the adoption website, www.waltonpets.net. Thanks!     Wednesday, 10:26 AM – Into the kitty studio! It is raining outside, and most of the shelter dogs are caught up on photos anyway, so “Bailey” got behind the bright lights for her Hollywood debut! Okay, perhaps that is a bit dramatic. But she is a gorgeous cat and deserving of a home. “Bailey” was photographed for the Walton County Animal Control Shelter in Monroe, Georgia on February 28, 2018 and put on the shelter’s website www.waltonpets.net for adoption or rescue. She was rescued on March 7, 2018 by Altered Feral State!     Tuesday, 2:10 PM. Recently, the manager of a local mobile home park began setting traps and brought cat after cat into the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Monroe, GA. Some of the cats were quite friendly and got homes fairly quickly. Others, like “Oliver”, being outdoor tom cats needed a little more time to come around. I had set up the nice blue photo backdrop in the shelter. But still being a little unused to the indoors, “Oliver” played a bit of hide-and-seek in the sink during his photo session! The backdrop and lights weren’t even used! Hey, you gotta work with what you’ve got!     “Oliver” was trapped by a citizen brought in to the Walton County Animal Control shelter on February 21, 2018. His photo session was February 27, 2018 and he was displayed for adoption or rescue on the shelter’s website, www.waltonpets.net. He was rescued on March 2, 2018 by Pound Puppies N Kittens Rescue. His rescue was made possible with a pledged donation to the rescue from Catherine and Jim!  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  Song Sparrow, Melospiza melodia, perched in tree with budding leaves in spring. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia USA on February 27, 2018. Song sparrows are common songbirds throughout the United States. Males sing often, perching around eye level on exposed branches. Tuesday, 1:49 PM - Just a short stroll up by the pond behind the animal shelter. I used my iPhone to play a Song Sparrow call. And sure enough, a Song Sparrow popped up out of the tall grass! Over in the pond, the American Coot that showed up at the beginning of the month is still here fishing. Walton County, Georgia  A black American Coot, Fulica americana, on the shore of a blue water lake in Georgia in late winter, early spring. Coots are duck like waterfowl common on lakes and ponds throughout the United States. They are closer relatives of the crane or rail than ducks. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia on February 27, 2018.  Song Sparrow, Melospiza melodia, perched in tree with budding leaves in spring. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia USA on February 27, 2018. Song sparrows are common songbirds throughout the United States. Males sing often, perching around eye level on exposed branches.   Monday, 1:24 PM - What a good boy! So handsome and so loving too! And sat for the camera! “Ollie” was turned in stray to the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Monroe, Georgia on February 22, 2018. This good looking boy had a red collar, but no tag or microchip to find his owner. (Oh, the heartaches that could be saved by a small, cheap piece of engraved metal attached to a collar!). Maybe I was stretching things, but to me there looked to be some Pointer somewhere back in his blood line. I love the pointers, Weimaraners, Vizslas, etc. So perhaps that was the source of my affinity for Ollie. But more likely it was his easy going attitude with people and other dogs. He just put off that happy presence that made you want to smile. The way his entire butt got in on the tail wagging was probably another factor! Having sat through the weekend without any owner coming forward, it was Ollie’s turn for an outdoor photography session. Boy did he make it easy. Just a few short minutes turned out several usable shots. It is so much easier with cooperative subjects! Ollie was photographed for the Walton County Animal Control shelter on February 26, 2018 and put on the adoption website, www.waltonpets.net. He was adopted the very next day! Thanks Kayla for opening your heart and home!        Psalms 68:6 "God makes homes for those who are abandoned; He makes free those who are bound with chains."  Little “Bella” was surrendered to the Walton County Animal Control shelter on February 23, 2018 by an older couple who could no longer care for her because of their health. She was a cute and quiet girl, kind of in “shell shock” after leaving her home that she’d been used to her entire life. Unfortunately, she tested heartworm positive, so some glamour shots and email alerts for pledges would be a needed thing. Having never been away from her owner’s home, and never been on leash before, the photo session was a little “traumatic” for the sweet little girl. But she got settled and was still able to put on a happy face. "Bella" was photographed for the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Monroe, Georgia on February 26, 2018 and placed on the shelter's website, www.waltonpets.net for adoption or rescue. She was rescued on March 2, 2018 by Paws and Stars rescue and sponsored by donations to the rescue from Anne, Lane, Jane and Lee!     William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation.  American Robin fluffed up post-preening. Photographed February 26, 2018 at Cedar Shoals High School, Athens, Georgia, waiting for my daughter to finish soccer practice. The hardships freezing winter temperatures drives down the output of many nature and wildlife photographers. While the prospect of capturing a beautiful, snow-laden winter landscape may be motivating, the cold toes and hands often keep us indoors. But thankfully seasons change and the signs of spring are beginning to arrive. Genesis 1:14 "…and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years..."  American Robin, Walton County, Georgia. While the quoted verse is spoken in regards to astronomy, it is also quite fitting ornithologically. Sure, the warmer temperatures, the longer daylight hours, the glowing gold Daffodils and the white bursting forth of the Bradford Pears should be signal enough that spring is springing, but the increasing number of worm-hunting Robins is a confirmation. All signal that the time of springtime photography approaches! The American Robin is the stereotypical bird of spring. Although the Robins do not completely disappear for the winter here in the southeastern United States, there is a definite upsurge in the spring. On a few recent mornings I've come outside the animal shelter for dog photography and the lawn is covered in Robins; twenty, thirty, forty, fifty at a time; heads cocked downwards as they hop around.  American Robin hopping across the lawn of the animal shelter, February 22, 2018. Walton County, Georgia. It is hard to not become stereotypical when describing the Robin, but that is what they are: stereotypical! There is a reason every narrative describes "Robin Redbreast" in the same manner – the early bird, the sign of spring, the cheery vocalist – because that is what she is! It is hard to not become stereotypical when describing the Robin, but that is what they are: stereotypical! There is a reason every narrative describes "Robin Redbreast" in the same manner – the early bird, the sign of spring, the cheery vocalist – because that is what she is! So instead of trying to write a new narrative, I simply quote the experts: “The quintessential early bird, American Robins are common sights on lawns across North America, where you often see them tugging earthworms out of the ground. Robins are popular birds for their warm orange breast, cheery song, and early appearance at the end of winter.” www.allaboutbirds.org  American Robin fluffed up post-preening. Photographed February 26, 2018 at Cedar Shoals High School, Athens, Georgia |
 All content is ©williamwisephoto.com. Please don't steal images. My images are available at dreamstime.com. Stock sales go into the shelter photography program.
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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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Donations help support the animal shelter adoption photography equipment and adoption website hosting and domain fees. Thanks for your support!
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