 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.
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  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!       Psalms 68:6 "God makes homes for those who are abandoned; He makes free those who are bound with chains."  Tuesday, 9:48 AM - Will Neeko make it out of the shelter? Because he had never really been away from his owner’s house much before, “Neeko” wasn’t well socialized and was quite jumpy and skittish when he was surrendered to the shelter on April 20, 2018. Unfortunately, with intake on the upswing and the kennel filling with loud dogs, it wasn’t exactly a quiet environment for him to settle down. Neeko’s initial indoor kennel shots showed a wide-eyed, nervous dog. I knew it would take some work to get this beautiful boy out alive. All of his vaccines had expired, but thankfully he tested heartworm negative and was vaccinated in the shelter. But even outside of the kennel, Neeko was still a bit freaked out. And it really did not help that during his photo session the Walton County Sheriff deputies were qualifying on the range behind the shelter. I had to give him time to settle a bit, and had to shoot a lot of photos. Most of the photos still showed that wide-eyed, scared boy. Only two of the entire series of shots revealed what a calm boy he could be if someone gave him a chance, some TLC, and a secure loving environment. Neeko was turned in to the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Monroe, Georgia by his owner on April 20, 2018. He was photographed on April 24 and put on the shelter’s adoption website, www.waltonpets.net. He was adopted the very next day on April 25!   "Neeko" with that scared look in his eyes.  Psalms 68:6 "God makes homes for those who are abandoned; He makes free those who are bound with chains."  Tuesday, 9:06 AM - What are unique face! One bright blue eye set in a half-white, half-black adorable face. “Cillie” was truly a unique looking dog... but also an exposure challenge when it came to photography! “Cillie” had that great, energetic personality typical of most of the pit bulls that come into the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Monroe, Georgia. Playful and wanting to please, she was not short on love towards people. And her jovial, somewhat silly personality earned her name (though with a bit more elegant spelling). She was picked up late at night by a patrolling sheriff’s deputy in a busy intersection along Highway 78. Of course, she had no collar, tag or chip to get her home. Even though her stray-hold wouldn’t expire for another few days, I immediately got her out the following morning for her glamour photographs. The pit bulls always have such a hard time getting adopted or rescued that I didn’t want to waste any days. “Cillie” posed no challenge to the shelter staff, for she seemed to love everyone, pets and people alike. The only challenge was in properly exposing her photograph with that black and white face. Meter on the black side and blow out the white side; meter on the white side and blacken out the other half. I took my camera off spot metering, set ISO to manual, and did the best I could. A little tweaking in PS did the rest! Silly was photographed for the Walton County animal control shelter on date and placed on the shelters adoption website www.waltonpets.net. She was reunited with her owner on April 27, 2018.      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 Colossians 1:16 - For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  Male Yellow-rumped Warbler bird, Setophaga coronata, in bright breeding plumage. Perched in Water Oak tree. Photographed in spring in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia, USA. The yellow-rumped warbler Setophaga coronata is a North American bird species combining four closely related forms: the eastern myrtle warbler ssp coronata; its western counterpart, Audubon`s warbler ssp group auduboni; the northwest Mexican black-fronted warbler ssp nigrifrons; and the Guatemalan Goldman`s warbler ssp goldmani. Tuesday, 6:30 PM - The thistle-seed sock I hung by the fire pit is working! A pair of American Goldfinches are clung to it and feeding away. I try to sneak up for a closer shot. Although they look like bold and confident birds, they certainly do not allow me to approach and skittishly fly off. But while I was closer to the Woodline, I notice quite a bit of small bird activity. Birding takes patience. Perhaps that is why it never appealed to me in my younger years! But as I am able to stand still for just a few moments longer, I am able to train my lens upon two new sites. First was a brightly colored grey, white, yellow, and black masked looking bird. I thought perhaps I had a new species of warbler for me but soon realized it was a male Yellow-rumped Warbler in his full breeding regalia. I had only seen the more drab winter dressings before. The second sight was a less colorful passerine. I need the help of the Merlin ID app for this one. A new life bird for my photography life list: a Red-eyed Vireo! This birding thing is now become a full-blown passion. I love the excitement and thrill I get each time I’m able to check off a new species on this glorious scavenger hunt created by our Father in heaven. Athens, Clarke County, Georgia  Life bird: Red-eyed Vireo  Eastern Bluebird, Sialia sialis, sitting an a deer antler near a wooden bird house nest box. Photographed in spring in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia, USA. The eastern bluebird is a small thrush found in open woodlands, farmlands, and orchards. It is the state bird of Missouri and New York.  Eastern Bluebird, Sialia sialis, sitting an a deer antler. Photographed in spring in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia, USA. The eastern bluebird is a small thrush found in open woodlands, farmlands, and orchards. It is the state bird of Missouri and New York.  Male Yellow-rumped Warbler bird, Setophaga coronata, in bright breeding plumage. Perched in Water Oak tree. Photographed in spring in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia, USA. The yellow-rumped warbler Setophaga coronata is a North American bird species combining four closely related forms: the eastern myrtle warbler ssp coronata; its western counterpart, Audubon`s warbler ssp group auduboni; the northwest Mexican black-fronted warbler ssp nigrifrons; and the Guatemalan Goldman`s warbler ssp goldmani.  American Goldfinch on a thistle sock  American Goldfinch  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  Fuzzy hatchling yellow Canada Goose babies easting greass near a pond in Monroe, GA USA. Branta canadensis. These babies hatched in April 2018. Spring is all about new beginnings. Winter’s lifeless branches and twigs begin to burst forth with green verdure. A vast array of colors bloom in the petals of previously dormant seed and bulb. The golden warblers pass through on their biannual migrations. And new life bursts forth from the white eggs of duck and goose. It is no wonder why we celebrate the new life Easter during this springtime celebration!
And on this fine spring morning the eggs of the two Canada Geese have hatched! The proud parents now cruise the pond with six yellow fluff-ball babies swimming close by. Such cute little chicks! I could fill memory card after memory card with their images. I will enjoy watching their progress as they grow over the next few weeks.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Psalm 12:5 “Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord. “I will protect them from those who malign them.”  The nest of a resident Mallard duck was plundered by a raccoon, eating the eggs. Walton County, GA, USA. Mallards nest on the ground on dry land that is close to water; nests are generally concealed under overhanging grass or other vegetation. More than 50 percent of mallard ducks will not survive their first year, falling prey to predators such as American crows, mink, foxes, coyotes, raccoons, skunks, and snapping turtles. Monday, 11:25 AM - A gloomy, rainy day. But even more so for the resident Mallard ducks than for me. Overnight, something had plundered their nest and eaten all of their eggs. With so many possible predators out there - such as raccoons, coyotes, foxes – they are virtually ‘sitting ducks’. Walton County, Georgia   The nest of a resident Mallard duck was plundered by a raccoon, eating the eggs. Walton County, GA, USA. Mallards nest on the ground on dry land that is close to water; nests are generally concealed under overhanging grass or other vegetation. More than 50 percent of mallard ducks will not survive their first year, falling prey to predators such as American crows, mink, foxes, coyotes, raccoons, skunks, and snapping turtles.  The nest of a resident Mallard duck was plundered by a raccoon, eating the eggs. Walton County, GA, USA. Mallards nest on the ground on dry land that is close to water; nests are generally concealed under overhanging grass or other vegetation. More than 50 percent of mallard ducks will not survive their first year, falling prey to predators such as American crows, mink, foxes, coyotes, raccoons, skunks, and snapping turtles.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Leviticus 26:4 Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.  Life bird: Eastern Kingbird added to my photo life list Monday, 2:44 PM – Rain, rain, rain! I’m thankful for the rain in that it tends to keep the intake of animals lower in the shelter. And lower intake gives me time to get caught up on things… even to take a short break every once in a while! Between downpours I took short ventures up to the ponds to see if the Little Blue Heron that visited the other day was back. No luck, but I did come across some “new” birds… new for me at least. Out looking for the heron, I added two “life bird” photos today: an Eastern Kingbird and a House Finch. Although I may have seen a bird before, I don’t like to add it to my life list until I’ve photographed it. I’ve seen Kingbirds posted on telephone wires on my drive to and from work; and who hasn’t seen a House Finch in a grocery store parking lot or garden center! But this was my first photograph of each. As I continued short walks between outbursts of rain, I managed quite an ebird list for the day. And on my drive home, I actually saw the end of a rainbow! A low arching rainbow stretched across the sky and I could see where it came down to the ground along New High Shoals Road. Too bad there was no pot of gold. Walton County, Georgia  Life bird: House Sparrow added to my photo life list  Barn Swallow  Red-winged Blackbird calls out from atop a duck nest box  Eastern Phoebe  An Eastern Kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus, perched in a laurel bush over green lake in Monroe, GA. The eastern kingbird is a large tyrant flycatcher native to North America.  Red-winged Blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus, bird in Monroe, Walton County, GA. One of the most abundant birds across North America, and one of the most boldly colored, the Red-winged Blackbird is a familiar sight atop cattails, along soggy roadsides, and on telephone wires. Glossy-black males have scarlet-and-yellow shoulder patches they can puff up.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Revelation 4:11 - 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. Sunday - Sitting on the back patio at 7:30 AM under a gray sky, 52°. There’s a slight cool breeze in the air. It is become quite obvious that my neighbors with all of the cats have moved away. For the squirrel population in my backyard is back on the rise. I enjoy the squirrels and their antics; hanging in all sorts of positions from the feeder pole. This morning, one young squirrel was putting on a short comedy act under the swing set. I suppose he was giving himself a dust bath as he twisted, turned, somersaulted and rolled in the mulch. However, there are times I really don’t like those rodents! Since my source of free seed has dried up of late, I’ve actually gone out and bought several bags. It is frustrating to see a full feeder of expensive seed emptied by squirrels in just 20 minutes. Athens, Clarke County, Georgia  Blue Jay  Blue Grosbeak  Pileated Woodpecker  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  Summer Tanager Saturday morning, 7:39 AM. Seems a little chilly for such a bright, glowing sunrise. The Palm Warbler makes another return not too far from the hummingbird feeder. I managed to get a little bit better photograph than my last. A flash of the red stops in the pine tree in the left corner of the backyard and then lifts off to the Persimmon tree. It was only a quick glance, but I don’t think that was a cardinal! It is confirmed as he is followed by a flash of yellow: a pair of Summer Tanagers! About an hour later, the male Summer Tanager shows up again as sit journaling. This red beauty landed just 15 feet away from me on the small metal fire pit by the turtle pond. As I tried to slowly go from my camera he lifted off and went to the persimmon tree where I got some photographs. Athens, Clarke County, Georgia  Palm Warbler  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Luke 12:3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.  Male House Finch, Haemorhous mexicanus, perched on a house gutter singing in Athens, GA. Adult males have rosey red head and cheeks with brown streaks on the breast and belly. An introduced species but now common in the southeast United States. Photographed in spring time birding season. Friday, 5:46 PM-a cranberry-dipped House Finch sings us a dinnertime song from the corner of the rooftop while we enjoy our back patio. Sunny, high near 69°. Wind gusts up to 15 MPH. Low 45°  Male House Finch, Haemorhous mexicanus, perched on a house gutter singing in Athens, GA. Adult males have rosey red head and cheeks with brown streaks on the breast and belly. An introduced species but now common in the southeast United States. Photographed in spring time birding season.  Male House Finch, Haemorhous mexicanus, perched on a house gutter singing in Athens, GA. Adult males have rosey red head and cheeks with brown streaks on the breast and belly. An introduced species but now common in the southeast United States. Photographed in spring time birding season.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Genesis 1:22 And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.  Canada Goose goslings born the week of April 20, 2018 - Fuzzy hatchling fledgling yellow Canada Goose babies swimming on blue water pond in Monroe, GA USA. Branta canadensis. These babies hatched in April 2018. Friday, April 20, 1:32 PM – Wonderful morning! The eggs of the two Canada Geese have hatched! The proud parents now cruise the pond with six yellow fluff-ball babies swimming close by. Such cute little chicks! I will enjoy watching their progress as they grow over the next few weeks.  Canada Goose parents and babies, April 20, 2018  Fuzzy hatchling yellow Canada Goose babies easting greass near a pond in Monroe, GA USA. Branta canadensis. These babies hatched in April 2018.  Canada Goose goslings, April 23, 2018  Canada Goose goslings, April 23, 2018  Fuzzy hatchling yellow Canada Goose babies easting greass near a pond in Monroe, GA USA. Branta canadensis. These babies hatched in April 2018.  Canada Goose goslings, April 23, 2018  Canada Goose goslings, April 23, 2018. Canada Goose newborn hatchlings sleeping in a pile, Georgia, USA  Canada Goose goslings, April 26, 2018  Canada Goose goslings, April 26, 2018 Thursday, May 10, 2018 - It’s a beautiful sunrise on a beautiful day. There’s not a single cloud in the blue sky. A second pair of Canada Geese with goslings is on the upper pond this morning. Two adults with five goslings, probably half the size of the family I’ve been watching for the last few weeks. They were startled at my presence and ran quickly down into the pond. The driveway behind the shelter is absolutely littered with goose droppings.  A second family of Canada Geese with goslings, May 10, 2018  A second family of Canada Geese with goslings, May 10, 2018  The Goslings Grow! May 15, 2018  Growing goslings. May 15, 2018  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Proverbs 20:15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.  Little Blue Heron, Egretta caerulea, perched on wooden duck breeding box over blue water pond in Monroe, GA USA. A small, dark heron arrayed in moody blues and purples, the Little Blue Heron is a common but inconspicuous resident of marshes and estuaries in the Southeast. They stalk shallow waters for small fish and amphibians, adopting a quiet, methodical approach that can make these gorgeous herons surprisingly easy to overlook at first glance. Little Blue Herons build stick nests in trees alongside other colonial waterbirds. Friday, 9:42 AM - What is “rare”? An online dictionary says that something rare is “not found in large numbers and consequently of interest or value.” It was a thing of excitement for me (in a bird nerd sort of way) to enter into the “rare bird” realm today! As soon as I saw the purplish-blue, small sized heron standing on top of one of the duck boxes over the retention pond behind the animal shelter, I knew I had never seen a Little Blue Heron here before. But does that make it “rare”? While paddling the Okefenokee the last two summers, I saw dozens and dozens of Little Blue Herons; up in the trees, walking on the lily pads, standing next to gators; even the white juveniles were in abundance. Certainly not rare in the Okefenokee! And there was no shortage of Little Blues on Hilton Head Island and other coastal areas as well. But apparently here in Walton County, spotting a Little Blue Heron is a rare thing! I had to check the “rare” box on the ebird app and provide supporting text and photo documentation. Even after submitting all that, it was still several weeks before a local reviewer could confirm my sighting. Twenty-five years ago when all I cared about was snakes, I could never figure out those weird birder people. But now, I’m fully addicted just like them! You know you’re hooked when you want to tell all your friends about the “rare” Little Blue Heron you spotted that day… and they in turn look at you with that same blank stare I gave the birders in my twenties! Walton County, Georgia, USA  Little Blue Heron in flight  Little Blue Heron, Egretta caerulea, perched on wooden duck breeding box over blue water pond in Monroe, GA USA.  Little Blue Heron, Egretta caerulea, fishing on shore over blue water pond in Monroe, GA USA. A small, dark heron arrayed in moody blues and purples, the Little Blue Heron is a common but inconspicuous resident of marshes and estuaries in the Southeast. They stalk shallow waters for small fish and amphibians, adopting a quiet, methodical approach that can make these gorgeous herons surprisingly easy to overlook at first glance. Little Blue Herons build stick nests in trees alongside other colonial waterbirds.  A Great Blue Heron shot the same afternoon. Clearly a much larger heron with different coloration. |
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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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