Pet and nature photography blog by William Wise - WILLIAM WISE PHOTOGRAPHY

Zipper Spider...

7/27/2017

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

Spider Web Yellow Garden Zipper Spider Picture

Argiope aurantia, yellow garden spider, black and yellow garden spider, golden garden spider, writing spider, corn spider, McKinley spider, St. Andrew`s cross spider. Walton County, Georgia, USA.

Thursday, 7:57 AM - A short morning walk before the day gets started to see what critters may be up on the shelter ponds. Several Yellow Garden Spiders (Argiope aurantia) were busy over the duckweed bog last night. There were at least five large, perfectly formed webs suspended over the still water of the bog.

This conspicuous arachnid goes by several names: yellow garden spider, black and yellow garden spider, golden garden spider, writing spider, corn spider, or McKinley spider. In Australia, Argiope are known as St. Andrew's cross spiders, for their habit of resting in the web with legs outstretched in the shape of an X, the cross of St. Andrew.

Spider Web Yellow Garden Zipper Spider Picture

Argiope aurantia, yellow garden spider, black and yellow garden spider, golden garden spider, writing spider, corn spider, McKinley spider, St. Andrew`s cross spider. Walton County, Georgia, USA.

When a co-worker looked at my photo, he added another moniker: Zipper Spider. Their webs contain a dense zigzag, or stabilimentum, in the center. Hence the nicknames Zipper Spider and Writing Spider.

I am not much of a spider aficionado, and much less a spider identifcation expert. But an internet search indicated the other spider may be a Longbodied Cellular Spider, Pholcus phalangioides.

Walton County, Georgia
Sunny, high 91°; heat index 98°

Spider Web, Longbodied Cellar Spider Picture

Pholcus phalangioides, Longbodied Cellar Spider. Walton County, Georgia, USA.

Spider Web Yellow Garden Zipper Spider Picture

Argiope aurantia, yellow garden spider, black and yellow garden spider, golden garden spider, writing spider, corn spider, McKinley spider, St. Andrew`s cross spider. Walton County, Georgia, USA.

Spider Web Yellow Garden Zipper Spider Picture

Argiope aurantia, yellow garden spider, black and yellow garden spider, golden garden spider, writing spider, corn spider, McKinley spider, St. Andrew`s cross spider. Walton County, Georgia, USA.

Spider Web Picture

Spider Web

Scolding, Scurffy Vireo...

7/27/2017

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

White-eyed Vireo Picture

Thursday,8:05 AM – While taking a walk up to the duckweed bog behind the animal shelter to check in on a family of Green Herons, I was repeatedly scolded by a scruffed up little yellow bird.

Each time a neared a group of small pines, this White Eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) would alight nearby, flitting around and emit a buzz-like chirping, obviously directed at me. I gather her nest was nearby and she simply didn't approve of my presence!

The White-eyed Vireo is a small and secretive bird of shrubby areas of the eastern and southern United States. It is more noticeable for its explosive song than its looks.

Walton County, Georgia
Sunny, high 91°; heat index 98°
Sunrise 6:31 AM; Sunset 8:47 PM
Day length: 13 hours, 56 minutes

Waltonpets Furtography Session: Tiger

7/26/2017

If you've adopted or rescued and want a photo, just email and I'll send it for free. But if you need stock pet photos, please don't steal from this site. Support my animal shelter work by purchasing at www.dreamstime.com. 100% of funds support waltonpets adoption photography.

Wednesday, 9:27 AM - Busy, busy summer! With longer days, kids out of school, loud afternoon thunderstorms and many other factors, the impounds just go off the charts from June through October. It is all I can do to keep up with simple “kennel shots” and basic vaccines. Glamour photos and thorough evaluations are usually out of the question. And keeping up with the photo blog just ain’t gonna happen!

But I’m usually one for making it happen, and not for making excuses. Coming in early each morning, I’ve managed some quick photo sessions with a few dogs each morning. One such session was with a neatly patchworked black and white pup named "Tiger".

When Tiger was brought in to the shelter on July 25, the story kept changing from found stray this morning, to a found a few days ago, to crying alligator tears while they handed over the leash.

Tiger was a bit cautious and hand shy at first. I can’t blame him, being housed into a very loud kennel. Outside of the exam room he was much more relaxed and quickly warmed up to me; gently wagging his tail and nuzzling between my legs as I bent down and softly called to him. There was still a bit of that cautious jumpiness as I went to stroke his head. My guess is that he didn’t always have the best treatment in his previous home.

The white dogs always photograph well, contrasting with the warm tones of the background. As he relaxed, his pretty pink tongue came out and helped “soften” his look in the photos.

"Tiger" was photographed on July 26, 2017 for Walton County Animal Control and placed for adoption/rescue on www.waltonpets.net. He was adopted on July 31, 2017!

williamwisephoto is saving to replace and upgrade the aging shelter camera. Any donation is a huge help!

Waltonpets Furtography Session: Pyrenees

7/26/2017

Need stock pet photos? Support my animal shelter work by purchasing at www.dreamstime.com. 100% of funds support waltonpets adoption photography.

Wednesday, 8:44 AM – A dog like “Bowser” is bound to cause a stir on the web; the Pyrenees always do. It seems they are a favorite of adopters and rescue and always generate large numbers of phone calls, emails, applications and visitors. But this particular pup caused a stir I didn’t expect.

Shortly after posting his gorgeous photos, a local family rushed to the shelter hoping this boy was their beloved “Maximus” who had been missing since October. The resemblance was uncanny! Even down to two offset front incisors on the lower jaw. But just before their arrival, another gentleman had called and laid claim to owning this handsome Pyrenees.

It came down to a microchip... not the presence of a chip, but the absence of one! Maximus had a chip and this dog did not. The family even went as far as having the Pyrenees x-rayed at a local vet to determine if there was a malfunctioning chip present in the dog. There was not. Meanwhile, the other man had photographs of the dog pre-dating the time the family lost their Pyrenees.

I felt so bad for this mom and kids who were so desperately missing their Maximus. I too wanted it to be him. But given the pick up location, the missing microchip, and the way the dog responded to the other gentleman, there was no disputing it was his dog, “Pups”.

And as expected, in the few days he was at the shelter, several adoption applications and rescues inquiries were received. The Pyrenees are popular pups!

williamwisephoto is saving to upgrade the aging shelter camera. Every little donation helps!

Waltonpets Furtography Session: Mr. Toes Polydactyl Kiten

7/26/2017

Wednesday, 1:53 PM - “Mr. Toes” was a polydactyl kitten with lots of extra toes on his front paws! He was brought in stray by a citizen on July 24, 2017. He was a super-social kitty and loved the soft blanket covering the photography studio table.

Mr. Toes was photographed for the Walton County Animal Control Shelter on July 26, 2017 and placed for adoption or rescue on the shelter’s website www.waltonpets.net. He was rescued Altered Feral State on July 31, 2017. His rescue was sponsored by pledged donations from Catherine & and Jim, and Melody and the gang.

williamwisephoto is saving to replace and upgrade the aging shelter camera. Any donation is a huge help!

Waltonpets Furtography Session: Brook

7/26/2017

Wednesday, 2:01 PM. Brook was a pretty tuxedo cat brought into the shelter on July 19, 2017 by one of the animal control officers. She was trapped by a citizen who didn’t want her frequenting their yard anymore.

Brook went into the “kitty studio” on July 26 for a glamour session. I normally spend the mornings doing the outdoor dog photos. But once the sun comes up and the outdoor sessions are cut off, I go into the indoor shelter setup for cat photography.

Although fat, sassy and well-cared for, no owner came forward to claim her. Because she was such a sweetie, she was afforded a longer hold time until she was rescued on August 2, 2017 by Pound Puppies N Kittens Rescue. Her rescue was sponsored by donations from Catherine and Jim Stuff and by Melody and the Gang in Florida.

Help rehome shelter animals by supporting the photography efforts on waltonpets.net.

Waltonpets Furtography Session: Maddex

7/25/2017

Tuesday, 9:00 AM - Maddex was a gray-muzzled senior Labrador Retriever dog that came into the shelter as a stray on July 24, 2017. His dirty collar and rough coat meant he spent most of his life outdoors. Even though a bit cloudy from mild cataracts, his eyes had a knowing, deep expression in his close up shots.

Sadly, not every outcome in an open-intake shelter is tears of joy. There are times that tears of sadness are shed on behalf of these precious dogs and cats. Maddex turned out to be highly dog aggressive; attacking other dogs on a few interaction attempts at the shelter. Because most rescues house multiple dogs, and potential adopters don’t want the liability, I’ve found dog-aggression the most difficult hurdle to overcome.

Maddox was photographed for the Walton County Animal Control shelter on July 25, 2017 and put on the shelter’s website, www.waltonpets.net where he awaited a rescue or adopter that never came.

Waltonpets Furtography Session: Jake

7/25/2017

Jake's photo before and after editing...

Jake's initial "kennel photo" didn't produce much adoption interest...

Tuesday 9:09 AM “Jake” was a medium-sized Black Labrador mixed breed dog that was picked up by one of the animal control officers late on a Friday afternoon on July 21, 2017. Being so well groomed and cared for, I was a bit shocked when no owner came forward for him over the weekend. So having a moment, Jake went out for a quick photoshoot the following Tuesday morning.

I’ve been implementing some new Photoshop skills with the black dogs. Frequently, their black coats get a blue hue or other vibrant color casts. I’ve learning a few techniques for removing these color casts, but sometimes the result is a somewhat flat looking coat. To bring back the texture, I’ve been using dodging and burning. This is a process of selectively darkening and lightening specific areas using a brush. This has turned editing into somewhat of an art, like retouching a painting. I like the bold pop they get in their eyes when done (email me and I'll send you a tutorial link).

I don’t think it is any coincidence that Jake was adopted the very next day after his glamour photos were posted. His kennel photo had sat an entire weekend without bringing any interest. But the extra time taken to produce quality photos immediately got him adopted. It is well worth the extra effort to get quality shots and worth the extra time to edit the shots.

“Jake” was photographed for the Walton County Animal Control shelter on July 25, 2017 and put on the shelter’s website www.waltonpets.net. He was adopted the next day. If you believe in what we are doing and want to help, williamwisephoto is saving up to upgrade and replace the aging shelter camera.

Heron on a wire...

7/21/2017

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

Green Heron bird, Butorides virescens, Georgia USA Picture

Green Heron on telephone power wire. Wading bird bittern crane, Butorides virescens. Walton County, Georgia USA

Friday, 7:25 AM – “What kind of a bird is that?” inquired one of trustees that come to clean the kennels. Up flew a juvenile Green Heron to a power line over the shelter parking lot. I could tell he was an inexperienced juvenile as he allowed me a closer approach than the adult Greens back on the ponds.

It appears the Green Herons have been successful in raising some young this year and have given me several photo opportunities this summer. I was able to catch another one the next week back on the “duckweed bog” near the firing range.

Walton County, Georgia

Green Heron Wading bird bittern crane, Butorides virescens. Walton County, Georgia USA Picture

Green Heron Wading bird bittern crane, Butorides virescens. Walton County, Georgia USA

Waltonpets Furtography Session: Seeger

7/20/2017

Thursday, 8:50 AM – Seeger was a handsome but camera shy boy that was picked up stray by one of the Animal Control Officers on July 17, 2017. He just wasn’t agreeable to having his photo taken, so I was lucky to get even one photo. The leash really wasn’t his thing and he spent more time trying to get out of it, than in posing for a photo. In fact, his "kennel photo" might have been better than his "glamour shot"! But regardless, someone saw what a gem he was and stepped up to save his life!

Seeger was photographed for the Walton County Georgia Animal Control shelter on July 20, 2017. He was rescued by Joan and Tina on July 21, 2017. His rescue was sponsored by generous pledges from Alice, Eileen, Kay and Lane.

williamwisephoto is saving to replace and upgrade the aging shelter camera. Any donation is a huge help!

Waltonpets Furtography Session: Rumson

7/19/2017

If you adopted/rescued this pup, just email and I’ll send the photo for free. But if you need stock pet photos, please don’t steal from this site. Purchase at www.dreamstime.com. 100% of funds support waltonpets adoption photography.

Wednesday, 8:16 AM - “Rumson” was a jolly older boy that was surrendered to the shelter by his owner on July 17, 2017. He was a happy and social boy that loved people. His greying muzzle was a draw to his personality.

His only drawback: he’d lift his leg to pee on other dogs! I guess it was kind of a dominance thing, but eventually his shortcomings were overlooked and he was rescued by the Society of Humane Friends of Georgia on July 19, 2017, the same day his photos were taken and posted!!!

Rumson's rescue was sponsored by donations to the rescue by Emily, Sarah, Barbara, Jenny, Alice and Eileen!

williamwisephoto is saving up to replace and upgrade the shelter's aging camera. 100% of donations go back into the shelter photography for Walton County Animal Control.

Waltonpets Furtography Session: Hermie, Herra, Serenity and Phoebe

7/19/2017

Support animal shelter adoption photography by downloading this photo at www.dreamstime.com.

"Serenity" was adopted on July 22, 2017! Need stock pet photos? Support my animal shelter work by purchasing at www.dreamstime.com. 100% of funds support waltonpets adoption photography.

"Herra" was adopted on July 24! Support animal shelter adoption photography by downloading this photo at www.dreamstime.com.

Phoebe was rescued on July 25, 2017!

Wednesday, 8:12 AM - Most days are pretty routine. Not every day can be like an episode of “Animal Cops”. But some days are...

On July 7, Animal Control received a complaint about many pitbulls, some with mange, in a house in Monroe, Georgia. Upon arrival, sitting on the front porch were three pitiful pitbull puppies with hardly any hair, their bodies covered in scabs. Upon further investigation, there were also two adult pitbulls with severe mange. The other six dogs (five pitbulls and one Chihuahua) appeared to be fairly healthy.

After encounters with an uncooperative owner, the five mangy pitbulls were taken into custody by Animal Control and the owner was taken into custody by Monroe Police. The three puppies were treated at a local vet and immediately transferred to a licensed rescued. A few days later after a bond order violation, the remainder of the dogs were impounded and brought into Animal Control’s care.

A local dog trainer and behaviorist came to the shelter and offered invaluable temperament tests on each one. Paradox Spay/Neuter Clinic and Walton Animal Guild offered free spay/neuter vouchers with each ones adoptions. With that, and a few good photos, over the next few weeks, most of the precious pitties (and Chihuahua) found homes with various rescues and adopters.

williamwisephoto is saving up to replace and upgrade the aging shelter camera. Any little bit of support helps!

Waltonpets Furtography Session: Jackie

7/19/2017

Wednesday, 8:31 AM – “Jackie” was surrendered by her owner to the Walton County Animal Control shelter on July 18, 2017. I was able to get this gorgeous girl out for a photo session the following morning. She was a calm girl that sat on command, making her photo shoot that much easier! I loved her dark muzzle contrasting with her fawn coat, and especially loved the personality accent in her docked tail!

We had so many impounds that week and I was struggling to keep up with the photos, evaluations and postings. I only had time to edit and post one of Jackie’s photographs. But it was enough!

Jackie was rescued by Niagara Dog Rescue out of Canada on July 21, 2017. Her rescue was sponsored by pledged donations from Lane, Eileen, Kay and Alice.

Within the next few days I edited her other photos and sent them to the rescue to aid in her placement in a permanent home.

williamwisephoto is saving to replace and upgrade the aging shelter camera. Even the smallest donation helps!

Waltonpets Furtography Session: Rottweiler Hailey

7/19/2017

Wednesday, 8:53 AM – “Hailey” was a sweet senior surrendered to the Walton County Animal Control shelter on July 18, 2017. He elderly owners could no longer care for her and their granddaughter turned Hailey over to us.

What a sweet old gal! She had such a deep, tender personality. It always bothers me the most to see the seniors come into the shelter. They often are the most distraught and anxious. Being an older gal added to her personality. When I took her to the exam room for her heartworm test, there was a feral cat in a cage on the floor. Well, Hailey took a good bit of interest. But when she tried to bark at the cat, she fell over on her wobbly hips!

Outside, Hailey took a seat in the grass for her photo session. The key to her photo was laying on the ground with her to get at eye level. My shirt and pants got a bit wet from the damp grass, but it paid off. Her photos were stunning.

I have to admit that I did a bit more Photoshop work cleaning up Hailey. When the rescue came for her, they commented that she looked so much younger in her photographs. Never believe what you see on the web!

“Hailey” was surrendered to Walton County Animal Control Georgia on July 18, 2017. She was photographed on July 19, 2017 and placed on the shelter’s website, www.waltonpets.net. She was rescued by Rotts N Pups rescue just three days later! Her rescue was sponsored by generous pledges from Heidi, Cindy, Lane and Alice.

Do you believe in what we're doing and want to be a part? williamwisephoto is saving up to upgrade the older shelter camera.

Prescott, Arizona

7/14/2017

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

Prescott Arizona Thumb Butte Picture

Thumb Butte is a volcanic plug, part of the Sierra Preita mountains in Prescott, Arizona, USA

Friday, 9:44 AM – I brought along my camera during a brief morning walk around the courthouse square in Prescott Arizona. We were visiting for our fellowship’s International Bible Conference. Off in the distance Thumb Butte towers at what appears to be the end of the road. Several beautiful sculpted monuments grace the Yavapai County Courthouse steps; sculpted by Solon Hannibal Borglum, America’s first cowboy sculptor.

Twice this week I also had the pleasure of running/hiking the beautiful red boulders of Lake Watson. The trails were wonderful and challenging. We turned and circled the boulders, climbing and descending, walking and running. We ran from the highway side parking area down into the “gully” below the dam. The scenery was beautiful, but the water stank. And not just a mild odor, but strong, sewer-like smell. Down in the gully we had our shirts over our noses.

On the way back to the car I found a large, yellow and brown Bullsnake hunting rodents among the rip-rap lining the roadside. They normally make a loud hissing that resembles the rattling of a Diamondback. Wanting to impress my friend with this spine-tingling sound, I grabbed him and pulled him out of the rocks. But no hissing. He turned to strike my hand, so I quickly placed him back in the rocks. As he shot into a small hole, a small rabbit rapidly flushed out, scaring me half to death!

Bucky O`Neill monument Prescott Arizona Picture

Bucky O`Neill monument sculpture by Solon Hannibal Borglum out front the Yavapai County Courthouse in Precott, Arizona, USA. Old west equestrian statue of cowboy and horse. Bronze, marble.

Solon Hannibal Borglum Cowboy Scultor Prescott Arizona Picture

Placard to Cowboy at Rest and Bucky O`Neill monuments sculpture by Solon Hannibal Borglum out front the Yavapai County Courthouse in Precott, Arizona, USA. Old west equestrian statue of cowboy and horse. Bronze, marble.

Cowboy at Rest monument Prescott Arizona Picture

Cowboy at Rest monument sculpture by Solon Hannibal Borglum out front the Yavapai County Courthouse in Precott, Arizona, USA. Old west equestrian statue of cowboy and horse. Bronze, marble.

Contact me here:

Stock Photos & Images

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.

In December 1993 I came to know the Designer and Creator of this wonderful planet and its creatures: Jesus Christ.

Donations help support the animal shelter adoption photography equipment and adoption website hosting and domain fees. Thanks for your support!