 Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "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  Large female American Alligator nicknamed Sophie laying on the boat launch ramp of Stephen C Foster State Park in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 10, 2020 Any visitor to the Stephen C Foster Georgia State Park campground in the heart of the Okefenokee Swamp has met "Sophie". She is the resident gator that lives, patrols and fills the boat launch area with babies every year. Sophie can often be seen laying in the grass near the canoes, or occasionally up on the boat ramp. On most of my visits, Sophie has been the only gator in the boat ramp area. But on this trip, her suitor, "Tank" was hanging around, undoubtedly awaiting the beginning of breeding season!  Sophie's suitor, named Tank by the park staff, awaits breeding season in the Stephen C Foster State Park, Georgia. March 10, 2020.
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Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "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
Three juvenile American Alligators basking on a long at Minnies Lake in the Okefenokee Swamp. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 10, 2020.
At the north end of Minnie’s Lake on the Middle Fork of the Suwanee River in the Okefenokee, we paddled into a cove of Spatterdock and downed cypress that held an inspiring spectacle: no less than six or seven young alligators congregated in a small area. The center of attention were three that were perfectly perched upon a large log, looking like triplet twins.
We slowly rowed into their midst and they surprisingly sat quite still. What a feeling to be surrounded left and right by these young gators. There was no way to capture the feeling and scene on camera, nor even on film! I imagine they were all of one pod, being nearly identical in size and length. I would even like to think they were the same group we saw as babies in 2015 a couple of miles south of this spot. 
American Alligator laying on a log in the swamp. Minnie`s Lake, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 10, 2020.
We savored the moment, looked at each one in the eye, watched as their throats pulsated with each breath, until they one by one, began to jump off into the waters. In fact, the moment was so special, it deserved an Okefenokee selfie!
Young American Alligator laying on a log in the Okefenokee Swamp near Spatterdock lily pads. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge NWR Preserve, Georgia. March 10, 2020.
Three young alligators basking on a large burned cypress tree fallen in the Okefenokee Swamp Georgia. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge NWR Preserve, Georgia. March 10, 2020.
Three young alligators basking on a cypress tree in a swamp prairie near Minnies Lake. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge NWR Preserve, Georgia. March 10, 2020.
Young alligator on cypress log in the Okefenokee Swamp Georgia.
Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "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 “I have always understood,” said Bilbo the Hobbit in a frightened squeak, “that dragons were softer underneath…” The dragon Smaug stopped short in his boasting. “Your information is antiquated,” he snapped. “I am armoured above and below with iron scales and hard gems. No blade can pierce me… My armour is like tenfold shields, my teeth are swords, my claws spears, the shock of my tail a thunderbolt…!”  An alligator’s body is covered by a dermal exoskeleton of massive, thick, tough scales and scutes which protect it like armor. Some are touch sensitive integumentary sensory organs for sensing and locating prey in dark blackwater swamps. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 10, 2020. Truly, the American Alligator is a living dragon. In an entry aptly titled, Crocodilian Armor, Wikipedia states, “The epidermal exoskeleton of the alligator consists of oblong horny scales, arranged in transverse rows. The dermal exoskeleton consists of bony scutes.” Massive scutes along its back, and smaller scales along its sides, arms and hips. A close-up look reveals a mesmerizing puzzle-like pattern without gap or chink; all laid in order, above and below… an impressively armored creature! Its armor is not just as a shield during battles with his own kind, nor just for protection from the hardness of the swamp environment, but to prevent water loss and dehydration in his sultry tropical climate.  Fat American Alligator laying on a log in a Georgia Florida Swamp basking in the sun. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia. Billy`s Lake canoe kayak trail paddling trek. March 11, 2020. Although the armor appears thick and tough, parts of an alligator’s body are quite sensitive – even more than a human fingertip. An asknature.org article says, "The touch-sensitive organs are called integumentary sensory organs. Thousands of these sensory organs cover the alligator’s face. They are especially dense around the teeth, inside the mouth, and at the tip of the snout. Researchers hypothesize that these extremely touch-sensitive areas around the mouth help the alligator locate, capture, and examine prey even when visual and sound cues are absent."  American Alligator basking on a fallen cypress log in the swamp prairie. Photographed in March 11, 2020 on Billy`s Lake in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia, USA.  Young American Alligator basking on a fallen cypress log in the swamp prairie. Photographed in March 11, 2020 on Billy`s Lake in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia, USA.  Huge American Alligator on lily pad peat hammock. Photographed March 11, 2020 on Billy`s Lake in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia, USA.  Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "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 Because it is low swamp land, there aren't any long hiking trails in the Stephen C Foster State Park in the Okefenokee. However, the park has done a great job maximizing the shorter trails. Every evening after returning off the water, and every morning waiting on my daughter to wake up, I walk the Trembling Earth Nature Trail, the Upland Trail and the Campground Trail for some birding. Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "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  Alligator portrait showing detail of scales and teeth. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 2020. Internet rumor has it that the alligator received its name from the Spanish explorers that claimed Florida in the 1500’s. If true, I’m sure that el legarto didn’t simply mean a lizard, but THE Lizard! For the impressive alligator is no mere squamate, but on the order of a greater magnitude: Crocodilia! The order Crocodilia are large, predatory reptiles. They are primarily carnivorous and feast upon fish, crustaceans, birds, mammals and even other reptiles. While they are quite imposing in appearance, and some crocodilians have attacked humans (the largest number of attacks comes from the Nile crocodile), the American Alligator is rarely a threat to people. (source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocodilia) According to a Georgia Department of Natural Resources publication, “the opportunity for humans to experience any of the alligator’s weapons first hand will come only to those who attempt to capture one. Under natural conditions, alligators are usually shy, retiring creatures that generally mind their own business, which does not include promoting encounters with humans.” Still, el legarto is no mere lizard!  Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "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  Alligator climbing on a burned cypress log with claw marks Okefenokee Swamp Georgia. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge NWR, Georgia. March, 2020. A day paddling up the Middle Fork (red trail) of the Suwannee River in the Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia.  Florida Red-bellied Cooter Pseudemys nelsoni, Okefenokee Swamp Georgia. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge NWR, Georgia. March, 2020.  Large American Alligator laying on burnt Cypress Tree Stumps in the swamp. Minnie`s Lake, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 10, 2020.  Big Alligator laying on a log in Minnie`s Lake, Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 2020. Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "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  Alligator stretched out on a long. Middle Fork Suwannee River, red canoe trail. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 2020. “When the Swamp was first penetrated by the pioneer white settlers of this section, and that was not so very long ago, so many alligators were encountered, and they were so large and vicious, that a boatman hardly ever entered the interior without a 'pike-pole' for protection. And this was especially true if a dog was carried along, for a large alligator dearly loves dog meat, and they will run the risk of being killed by attacking a boat in order to try to pull out a hound dog.” Excerpt from History of the Okefenokee, 1926  Female Northern Cardinal bird perched on a branch on the Trembling Earth Nature Trail in Stephen C Foster State Park. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 9, 2020. In 1875, The Atlanta Constitution published the dramatic headline: “We now announce to our readers, and the people of Georgia, that we are fitting up an expedition for a complete and thorough exploration of Okefinokee. The full details of the plan and expedition will be published soon – if they come out alive.” Over the next months, the paper released many exciting stories from the Okefenokee Swamp.
 Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "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 close up eye peering cautiously from behind Spatterdock lily pad in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia. March 9, 2020 canoe trek. As we pushed off from the Stephen C Foster State Park boat launch and into the blackwaters of the Okefenokee Swamp, I kept an eye on things. Although the giant reptiles weren’t immediately visible, there certainly could be alligators to the left and the right of our small canoe. But my cautious eye wasn’t for fear that we would be attacked or eaten, but that I might miss a great photo opportunity! Not many strokes into our paddling trip, as I scanned the Spatterdock lily pads, I espied a cautious eye staring back at us and keeping a close look upon our actions! A large alligator lay mostly submerged just a few feet off to my left. Her eye remained fixed upon us as we drifted by, ready to submerge if we encroached into her comfort zone. Billy’s Lake, just up from the Stephen C Foster campground, is always full of large alligators. At times they are laying on logs and floating peat beds every few feet. Other times, depending upon the weather, they lie mostly submerged. But keep a keen eye and you’ll begin spotting them all through this beautiful blackwater lake within the majestic Okefenokee Swamp! A great start to our 2020 Okefenokee paddling trek! iNaturalist Observation: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/39962898  A Red-shouldered Hawk keeps a keen eye out for prey below... and they, no doubt, keep a cautious eye skyward when they hear his shrill cry. March 9, 2020, perched on a snag over Billy's Lake in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. (c)www.williamwisephoto.com Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "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  Trembling Earth Nature Trail sign in Stephen C Foster State Park. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. Teenagers. Waiting for my daugher and friend to wake up, I had extra time to stroll the Trembling Earth Nature Trail in the Stephen C Foster State Park campground. On one stroll, I took my focus off the alligators and avians, and tried to hit a few of the plants. Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "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 Chilly Water and Warm Air... American Alligator basking by a Cypress stump in the Okefenokee Swamp. Billys Lake in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. Stephen C Foster State Park. March 2020. “Wow, that water’s cold!” I exclaimed as I put my hand over the side of our canoe and dipped my fingers into the dark, tannin-stained waters of the Okefenokee Swamp. But the sun overhead was pleasantly warm. It was late in the afternoon, and as we circled Billy’s Lake, all the big gators were out in the sun. Even as we pulled our canoe in close, they were reluctant to dive back into the cold water. That is why I love to come in March. Climbing temperatures on top of still cool waters means the alligators pull their full glory on every sunning spot for great photography! Taylor Schoettle in A Naturalist’s Guide to the Okefenokee Swamp, writes, “Springs are delightfully long and may extend from middle February through May with temperatures in the 60s and low 80s with steady daily breezes.” Springtime is the perfect time to Okefeonkee!  Close up of an American Alligator basking by a Cypress stump in the Okefenokee Swamp. Teeth and scales. Billy`s Lake in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. Stephen C Foster State Park. March 2020.  American Alligator crawling in the mud in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 9, 2020. Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "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  Juvenile American Alligator swimming in blackwater swamp grass near Stephen C Foster State Park boat ramp. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 9, 2020. Last minute packing, under-inflated trailer tires, construction on the interstate, slow drivers… just all the typical things that take place in this hectic world. We arrived in the Okefenokee later than I had desired. But once upon the waters of the swamp, all that was left behind. No cellular signal, no traffic noise, no way to even log on and work from home! This year's trip was special. My daughter brought along a friend this time... her first trip to the swamp; her first time being face-to-face with an alligator. We pushed off from the Stephen C Foster State Park boat dock for an hour paddle around Billy’s Lake. Thankfully, the gators did not disappoint. Being around 75 degrees, there were many large alligators out of the cold water and laid out on the logs and mound to soak up the last solar rays warming their reptilian bodies.  We got a couple of medium-sized gators to make a splash and spectacle for Gabrielle as they dove to the water to avoid our close approach. But she said it was more eerie when they slowly slunk off their stumps, crawled toward us into the blackwaters, and disappeared under the lily pads. She feared they were coming under our canoe to dump us in!
Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "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 laying on floating peat hammock surrounded by Spatterdock lily pads on Billy`s Lake in Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia. Stephen C Foster State Park. March 9, 2020 canoe trek. By the time we made our six-hour drive, set up camp and unpacked, it was 4:30 when we hit the waters of Billy's Lake in the Okefenokee Swamp. Technically, we had only thirty minutes until we were supposed to be off the water, but we paddled around the edges for an hour. The spatterdock, logs and peat islands were still covered by gators taking in the last of the evening sun.  American Alligator laying on a log in a dark blackwater Cypress swamp surrounded by lily pads, spatterdock and marsh grasses. Billys Lake in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 2020.  American Alligator basking on a log in a blackwater swamp surrounded by Spatterdock lily pads on Billy`s Lake in Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia. Stephen C Foster State Park. March 9, 2020 canoe trek.  Large alligator in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, USA. Maidencane prairie, lily pads, spatterdock, blackwater swamp on Billy`s Lake at Stephen C Foster State Park. March 2020.  American Alligator laying on a log in a dark blackwater Cypress swamp surrounded by Spanish Moss and lily pads, spatterdock and marsh grasses. Billys Lake in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 2020.  An Eastern Phoebe bird in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 2020.  American Alligator laying on a spatterdock floating peat mat. Billys Lake in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. Stephen C Foster State Park. March 2020. Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "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  Canoe trail directional sign in Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia. Billys Island, Minnies Lake, Big Water, River Narrows, Suwannee River Sill, Cravens Hammock. March, 2019. Photo #201903076_DT158373422 © William Wise - Dreamstime.com Tomorrow morning my daughter and I embark on our annual Okefenokee Swamp paddling trip! And this time, she is bringing a friend who has never visited the swamp before. I love sharing this unique world of the Okefenokee with others. I’m sure she’ll be absolutely amazed.
We will be staying at our regular spot: site #4 in the Stephen C Foster State Park campground. Our food is all packed, the canoe is loaded, all is prepared and after a four hour drive, we’ll be in one of my favorite natural places! Once that canoe hits the water, which way will we go? Which of our favorite gator watering holes will we visit… Big Water… Minnie’s Lake? Where will we get out and explore… Floyd’s Island… Billy’s Island? Is it up the Red Trail, or squeeze through The Narrows? Whichever we choose, it will be an incredible time as usual. I love the swamp! I want to thank Lee's Birdwatching Adventures for guest posting this blog! Lee's website is about birding from a Christian perspective and has years of articles and content from Lee and other creationists and birders.  William Wise's 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  Killdeer Bird in Flight; Walton County, Georgia. August 30, 2016. Joshua 6:20 “...and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, and they took the city.” It is political season in the United States. From now until November all the media outlets will be saturated with political ads as every advocate for every cause will be projecting their voices in an effort to be heard. Some days, I just have to pull away from all those voices and go for a birding walk. But as a Christian, should I pull away? Should I remain silent? As I stepped outdoors to get away, my attention was immediately drawn to a noisy bird circling overhead; his loud voice was carrying on the wind. One of the Killdeer birds that is normally darting around in our parking lot was flying through the air and shouting its name: Kill-deah! Kill-deah!!! The voices of the other plovers are more pleasantly described as ‘a plaintive or musical whistle.’ But not the Killdeer, of which Peterson’s Field Guide gives a one-word description: “noisy”.  Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus, a vocal plover common to lawns, beaches, parking lots. On edge of a pond in Walton County, Georgia, USA. So, just like the political activists, the Killdeer too wanted his voice to be heard! And perhaps I should take a lesson from the Killdeer. As Christians, in the interest of peace and harmony, do we remain quiet as the special interest groups shout aloud in support of their own, often unrighteous, causes? Do we let their voices carry louder than ours? The last time that happened, the outcome wasn’t so good. “And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed” (Luke 23:23). As the other voices carry along on the winds of social media, radio and television, our Christian voices in support of righteousness should also be heard! What if William Wilberforce and Abraham Lincoln had remained silent? Instead, they let their voices carry on the wind, like the vociferous Killdeer, and changed our society!
Hi, I’m wildlife photographer and nature writer William Wise. I was saved under a campus ministry while studying wildlife biology at the University of Georgia. My love of the outdoors quickly turned into a love for the Creator and His works. I’m currently an animal shelter director and live in Athens, Georgia with my wife and two teenage daughters, who are all also actively involved in ministry. Creation Speaks is my teaching ministry that glorifies our Creator and teaches the truth of creation. William Wise Nature Notes is my wildlife and birding photo blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. I am also a guest author at Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures and The Creation Club. — “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. |
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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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