 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  American White Water Lily pad in swamp bog. Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. Part of the ACE Basin refuges supported by Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. I wanted a place to get away for a day. It had to be within four hours, have alligators, and have plenty of trails to fill an entire day. Donnelley Wildlife Management Area in Colleton County, South Carolina fit the bill. Following observations on iNaturalist, I pinpointed Donnelley WMA as an alligator hotspot. I messaged a couple of iNat users that frequent the area and got some great tips. Although it is primarily managed for hunting, it was a great habitat for non-game species as well. I woke up at 4:30 AM and was within the WMA by 8:30. I first drove the loop, stopping in a few locations to photograph a couple of gators. I finally parked and got out on Blocker Run Road alongside two large bodies of water where most of the alligator activity takes place. I wasn’t disappointed. I spent several hours walking the berms between the old rice fields getting my fill of long-legged wading birds and American Alligators. Later in the afternoon I walked out to the Tupelo Swamp and circled the entire Boynton Trail. The intermittent clouds blocked the sun, but the low country humidity made my feet stumble by late afternoon. I left Donnelley around 4 PM, just before the thunderstorms rolled in. It was a beautiful place with a variety of habitats, and I’m sure to return! Donnelley Wildlife Management Area; Colleton, South Carolina, USA.  Eastern Gray Squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis, climbing Live Oak tree covered in Spanish Miss at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. Part of the ACE Basin refuges supported by Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.  American Alligator swimming submerged in swamp bog. Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. Part of the ACE Basin refuges supported by Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.  Anhinga darter bird on the bank of the marsh at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. Part of the ACE Basin refuges supported by Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.  Green Anole chameleon lizard, Anolis carolinensis, on a branch at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA.  Great Blue Heron long legged wading bird on the bank of the marsh at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA.
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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  American Alligator submerged swimming in water at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. As soon as I exited my car at the Donnelley Wildlife Management Area in South Carolina, I knew it was going to be a good day! The morning was still calm and peaceful. But I as walked closer to the water, a large splash broke the glass surface of the marsh. A large American Alligator came up out of the water crunching a blue crap in its jaws! As I continued to hike the next six hours, the website was completely accurate in stating that the WMA hosts hundreds of gators. Over the course of my wanderings, I photographed 112 individual alligators within Donnelley WMA. It was a great day for gator photography! Donnelley Wildlife Management Area; Colleton, South Carolina, USA.  Young American Alligator basking at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. Part of the ACE Basin refuges supported by Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.  Adult American Alligator swimming in duckweed bog at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. Part of the ACE Basin refuges supported by Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. 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  American Alligators footprint track in the mud on the bank of the marsh at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. Part of the ACE Basin refuges supported by Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Even if you never actually laid eyes upon an alligator at Donnelley WMA (which is virtually impossible), their evidence was all throughout the habitat. From tail drags and footprints in the mud, to multiple piles of clay-like droppings, the signs of crocodilians was everywhere! Donnelley Wildlife Management Area; Colleton, South Carolina, USA. 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  Blue Dasher Dragonfly at Donnelley WMA, South Carolina, USA Donnelley Wildlife Management Area; Colleton, South Carolina, USA.  Needham`s Skimmer dragonfly, Libellula needhami, in the marsh at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area in Connelley County, South Carolina.  Eastern Pondhawk Dragonfly, Erythemis simplicicollis, on a cattail leaf in Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, South Carolina. Odonata. 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  Close up portrait of Scarlet Snake, Cemophora coccinea. Red, black and yellow bands sometimes mistaken for venomous Coral Snake. Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. Part of the ACE Basin refuges supported by Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The sun was climbing higher and brighter. The humidity and warm, stifling air was already bearing down on me, causing my feet to stumble through the thorns, briers and saw palmetto. I had been pushing through South Carolina low-country scrub for several hours already. I was thankful to escape the bush and come out onto a dirt road that cut through the Donnelley Wildlife Management Area. As I walked through this shady mixed forest of hardwood and pine, I didn’t feel like lifting my heavy lens to shoot any birds. I just walked with my head looking down toward the ground. And that’s when I spotted it…!  Scarlet Snake, Cemophora coccinea, coiled on the ground. Red, black and yellow bands sometimes mistaken for venomous Coral Snake. Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. Part of the ACE Basin refuges supported by Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. A glint of color caught my eye amongst all the green vegetation lining the road. A snake! My normal reaction was to reach down and grab it. But the colors were red, black and yellow. I had to take a moment to calculate this one before grabbing. But I quickly recognized it as the harmless pattern of a non-venomous variety. I reached down and quickly grabbed this small Scarlet Snake. The thought that gave me pause was the possibility of the venomous Coral Snake. Also a beautiful snake of red, black and yellow… but with a deadly bite! I know there are rhymes to help remember the difference. “Red on yellow kill a fellow…” or is it, “Red on black…” or… I just remember that if the black separates the colors, you’re okay.  Scarlet Snake, Cemophora coccinea, coiled on the ground. Red, black and yellow bands sometimes mistaken for venomous Coral Snake. Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. Part of the ACE Basin refuges supported by Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.  Close up portrait of Scarlet Snake, Cemophora coccinea. Red, black and yellow bands sometimes mistaken for venomous Coral Snake. Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. Part of the ACE Basin refuges supported by Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. This cute little snake was quite docile and calmly sat in my hand as I switched from my 600mm lens to a macro lens. A beautiful find! The first I’ve found in my thirty years of herping (snake hunting). Donnelley Wildlife Management Area; Colleton, South Carolina, USA.  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 Ratsnake crawling inside a kitchen sink and flicking forked tongue. Nuisance wildlife animal control call in Loganville, Walton County, Georgia. Pantherophis is a a nonvenomous constrictor colubrid found in the Eastern United States. Eastern Black Ratsnake pulled from inside a kitchen on an animal control call in Loganville, Walton County, Georgia. Walton County, Georgia.  Eastern Black Ratsnake crawling inside a kitchen sink. Nuisance wildlife animal control call in Loganville, Walton County, Georgia.  Eastern Black Ratsnake flicking forked tongue crawling over watch on arm. Walton County, Georgia. Pantherophis is a a nonvenomous constrictor colubrid found in the Eastern United States.  Eastern Black Ratsnake flicking forked tongue crawling over arm. Walton County, Georgia. Pantherophis is a a nonvenomous constrictor colubrid found in the Eastern United States.
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 Some iNaturalist and eBird observations made throughout the month of June, 2021 in Walton and Clarke Counties, 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  Giant Common Snapping Turtle with large shell being weighed on a digital scale. This specimen had a twelve inch carapace and weighed sixteen pounds. Chelydra serpentina is a large aquatic turtle in North America with sharp beak and powerful jaws. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia, USA. Somehow this beast got into a fenced yard and was giving a couple of dogs a run for their money! The homeowner called animal control and our agency went to remove him. His aggression was as big as his shell (carapace), which measured a full twelve inches. Being one of the biggest Snapping Turtles I've seen in a while, I had to get a weight. The puppy scale from the shelter showed it was nearly sixteen pounds!  Giant Common Snapping Turtle with large shell walking across the grass. This specimen had a twelve inch carapace and weighed sixteen pounds. Chelydra serpentina is a large aquatic turtle in North America with sharp beak and powerful jaws. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia, USA.  Giant Common Snapping Turtle with large shell walking across the grass. This specimen had a twelve inch carapace and weighed sixteen pounds. Chelydra serpentina is a large aquatic turtle in North America with sharp beak and powerful jaws. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia, USA.  Giant Common Snapping Turtle. This specimen had a twelve inch carapace and weighed sixteen pounds. Chelydra serpentina is a large aquatic turtle in North America with sharp beak and powerful jaws. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia, USA.  Giant Common Snapping Turtle with large shell walking across the grass. This specimen had a twelve inch carapace and weighed sixteen pounds. Chelydra serpentina is a large aquatic turtle in North America with sharp beak and powerful jaws. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia, USA.   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 Musk Turtle held in the hand. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia, USA. Sternotherus odoratus is a small aquatic turtle found in North America. As I went outside to take some photos of an Eastern Kingsnake caught yesterday, I came across this Eastern Mud Turtle crawling near the animal shelter. I already had camera in hand, so it got a photo session before being moved off the parking lot into the stream. Walton County, Georgia  Common Musk Turtle held in the hand. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia, USA. Sternotherus odoratus is a small aquatic turtle found in North America. 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 Kingsnake coiled and flicking out forked tongue. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia, USA. Lampropeltis getula is a colubrid constrictor native to North America. This young Eastern Kingsnake was removed by one of the animal control officers from a house on Baker Carter Drive in Loganville, Georgia the evening prior. She brought it back to the shelter knowing I'd love to get some photographs! Walton County, Georgia  Eastern Kingsnake coiled held in hand. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia, USA. Lampropeltis getula is a colubrid constrictor native to North America.  Eastern Kingsnake coiled and flicking out forked tongue. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia, USA. Lampropeltis getula is a colubrid constrictor native to North America.  Eastern Kingsnake coiled held in hand. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia, USA. Lampropeltis getula is a colubrid constrictor native to North America.  Eastern Kingsnake coiled and flicking out forked tongue. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia, USA. Lampropeltis getula is a colubrid constrictor native to North America. 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 Kingbird perched on Barbed Wire Fence. Backyard birding photography in Walton County, Georgia, USA. Tyrannus tyrannus is a large tyrant flycatcher native to the Americas I love to see when the Eastern Kingbirds return to the pond behind the animal shelter for the summer. It is amazing how they are gone all winter, and then in one day, several return as if they had never left. Birding photography in Walton County, Georgia, USA 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  Young juvenile fledgling American Robin bird that fell out of nest. Backyard birding photography in Walton County, Georgia, USA. Turdus migratorius is a migratory thrush songbird of North America. On a short walk I nearly stepped on this fledgling American Robin that was hunkered down in the grass. As I neared, it hopped toward the leaf pile and called out. A couple of concerned parents began to flutter and call nearby to distract my attention or drive me off from their fledgling. Walton County, Georgia birding photography  Watchful American Robin Parent 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 Some random backyard birding shots for iNaturalist and eBird from Athens, Clarke County, 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  Close up of an American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis. Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center with wetlands. Friday, April 30, 2021 - I took a day off work and made an afternoon excursion to hike the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences. It was my first visit and I was really pleased to find such a well-preserved wild habitat within a 2 hour drive of my house, and so close to a populous city like August. It was a great habitat for wildlife and semi-aquatic reptiles, including a few alligators. Phinizy Swamp Nature Center; Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia.  Juvenile baby Eastern Gray Rat Snake, Pantherophis alleghaniensis, coiled in a tree found hiking at the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center with wetlands.  Common Raccoon, Procyon lotor, in marsh grass found hiking at the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center with wetlands.  Banded Watersnake, Nerodia fasciata, on a log at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center with wetlands.  Close up of sharp conical teeth and Integumentary Sense Organs of an American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis. Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center with wetlands.  Close up of a juvenile American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis in swamp water with duckweed. Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center with wetlands.   Eastern Mud Turtle, Kinosternon subrubrum, laying eggs in the leaves along hiking trail at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center with wetlands. The plastron is large and double hinged.  Banded Watersnake, Nerodia fasciata, on a log at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center with wetlands.  Juvenile baby Eastern Gray Rat Snake, Pantherophis alleghaniensis, coiled in a tree found hiking at the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center with wetlands.  Common Raccoon, Procyon lotor, in marsh grass found hiking at the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center with wetlands. 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  Bright yellow Prothonotary Warbler found birding along boardwalk hiking trail at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Protonotaria citrea is a migratory songbird found in eastern hardwood swamps. Friday, April 30, 2021 - I took a day off work and made an afternoon excursion to hike the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences. It was my first visit and I was really pleased to find such a well-preserved wild habitat within a 2 hour drive of my house, and so close to a populous city like August. It became quite warm (as is typical of Augusta) as the afternoon wore on, but I listed and photographed many species of birds, flora and other fauna. Phinizy Swamp Nature Center; Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia.  Carolina Wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus, in a tree found birding at the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center with wetlands.  Common Grackle perched on a Spanish Moss covered branch along boardwalk hiking trail at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Quiscalus quiscula is an iridescent blackbird with bright yellow eyes found in North America east of the Rocky Mountains.  Great Blue Heron flying with large open wings over water waves at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Negative copy space in photograph.  Bright yellow Prothonotary Warbler singing. Found birding along boardwalk hiking trail at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Protonotaria citrea is a migratory songbird found in eastern hardwood swamps.  Bright yellow Prothonotary Warbler found birding along boardwalk hiking trail at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Protonotaria citrea is a migratory songbird found in eastern hardwood swamps. |
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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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