 William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, landscape, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation."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." Revelation 4:11  Killdeer bird in Monroe, Walton County, Georgia. The killdeer, Charadrius vociferus, is a large plover found in the Americas. This bird had a nest that hatched two babies in the gravel parking lot near my office It is nice to travel; but it is also nice to be back home!  The ebony jewelwing, Calopteryx maculata, is a species of broad-winged damselfly found in the eastern U.S. Walton County, Georgia.
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 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  Two juvenile Rock Squirrels living in the base of a tree in our hotel courtyard in south Tucson, Arizona. The rock squirrel, Otospermophilus variegatus, is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae and is native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. I recently travelled to Tucson, Arizona to attend our Fellowship's annual International Bible Conference. I’m always excited to return to the desert southwest each year; not just for the conference, but for the unique habitat and wildlife. But how do you fit in photography when travelling for another purpose? Find it where you can! The Bible Conference began each morning at 8 AM. But the beautiful thing about Tucson is the sun rises at 5 AM! Since I didn’t have time to travel far, I simply wandered the streets near my hotel. Even the little oasis in our hotel courtyard produced some wildlife shots! Each morning, I walked with my camera down several side streets in the industrial area near the Tucson airport. There are several large vacant lots covered in cactus and desert scrub. I couldn't resist a little trespassing to find some photo opportunities!  A Western Kingbird bird perched in the top of a desert Palo Verde tree in the desert southwest United States, Tucson Arizona. The western kingbird, Tyrannus verticalis, is a large tyrant flycatcher.  Two juvenile Rock Squirrels in south Tucson, Arizona. The rock squirrel, Otospermophilus variegatus, is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae and is native to Mexico and the southwestern United States.  Cactus Wren building a nest in a Yucca plant in the desert southwest United States, Tucson Arizona. The cactus wren, Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus, is a species of wren that is endemic to parts of the southwestern United States, as well as northern and central Mexico.  Cactus Wren building a nest in a Yucca plant in the desert southwest United States, Tucson Arizona. The cactus wren, Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus, is a species of wren that is endemic to parts of the southwestern United States, as well as northern and central Mexico.  House Finch perched in a bush in the desert. Tucson, Arizona. The house finch, Haemorhous mexicanus, is native to western North America, and has been introduced to the eastern half of the continent.  Curve-billed Thrasher perched on Cholla jumping cactus in Tucson Arizona. The curve-billed thrasher, Toxostoma curvirostre, is native to the southwestern United States and much of Mexico. Cylindropuntia is a genus of cacti native to northern Mexico and the Southwestern United States. They are known for their barbed spines that tenaciously attach to skin, fur, and clothing.  Black-tailed Gnatcatcher bird perched in Palo Verde tree in Tucson Arizona desert.  Black-tailed Gnatcatcher bird perched in Palo Verde tree in Tucson Arizona desert.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. "Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is His work." Psalms 111:2  A juvenile Giant Spotted Whiptail, Aspidoscelis stictogrammus, photographed in the desert at Kartchner Caverns State Park, Arizona. On Monday afternoon my family and several other members of our church went to Kartchner Caverns State Park in Benson, Arizona. In the heat of the afternoon desert, most of the critters were out of sight. But the tour of the cave was incredible. "The park is located west of the north-flowing San Pedro River. Long hidden from view, the caverns were discovered in 1974 by local cavers, assisted by a state biologist who helped in its preservation."  Bell's Vireo; Kartchner Caverns State Park, Arizona  Sweetwater Wetlands Park in Tucson, Arizona is truly a desert oasis created by reclaimed waste water; a birders paradise! "He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water." Psalm 107:35  Verdin bird eating Saguaro Cactus fruit in the desert Verdin, Auriparus flaviceps, is a small bird of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Sweetwater Wetlands Park, Tucson Arizona. It's time again for our annual visit to Tucson, Arizona for our Fellowship's International Bible Conference. Our first morning, I arose at 4:45 AM (without an alarm clock) and made my way to Sweetwater Wetlands Park for a couple of hours of nature photography before Sunday morning church service. I made a second trip in the heat of the day on Wednesday afternoon. Most of the birds were keeping staying in the shadows, making some real quality shots dificult. Still, quite a refreshing experience to be in a totally different world than the southeast. Sweetwater truly is an oasis in the desert.  Common Slider Turtle, Trachemys scripta, in duckweed bog swamp of Sweetwater Wetlands Park, Tucson Arizona.  Desert Spiny Lizard, Sceloporus magister. Sweetwater Wetlands Park, Tucson Arizona. The Desert Spiny Lizard ranges across the deserts of southwestern Arizona.  I was delighted to see the numbers of Common Yellowthroats and Yellow Warblers flitting about the reeds of Sweetwater Wetlands Park.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. "Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is His work." Psalms 111:2  I sat for about 45 minutes before this Summer Tanager would come close enough for a photograph. Tuesday evening, June 11, 2019 - just taking in some relaxing bird watching in my backyard. I'll take a rest whenever I can get it!  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  Snowy Egret, Egretta thula, a small white heron wading bird, walking in a salt marsh tidal flat at Mitchelville Fish Haul Beach Park on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.  Willet at Mitchelville Fish Haul Beach Park on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Tringa semipalmata is a large shorebird in coastal saltmarshes.  Snowy Egret, Egretta thula, a small white heron wading bird, walking in a salt marsh tidal flat at Mitchelville Fish Haul Beach Park on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.  Tricolored Heron at Mitchelville Fish Haul Beach Park on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The tricolored heron, Egretta tricolor, formerly known as the Louisiana heron, is a small species of heron that is native to coastal parts of the Americas.  Tricolored Heron at Mitchelville Fish Haul Beach Park on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The tricolored heron, Egretta tricolor, formerly known as the Louisiana heron, is a small species of heron that is native to coastal parts of the Americas.  Two Great Egrets, white long legged wading birds, off Port Royal Sound, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Mitchelville Fish Haul Beach Park.  Snowy Egret and Tricolored heron walking in water on Hilton Head Island beach Snowy Egret, Egretta thula, a small white heron wading bird, walking in a salt marsh tidal flat at Mitchelville Fish Haul Beach Park on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.  Willet at Mitchelville Fish Haul Beach Park on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Tringa semipalmata is a large shorebird in coastal saltmarshes.  Tricolored Heron wading in tidal salt marsh at Mitchelville Fish Haul Beach Park on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The tricolored heron, Egretta tricolor, formerly known as the Louisiana heron, is a small species of heron that is native to coastal parts of the Americas.  Snowy Egret white long legged wading bird in Atlantic Ocean surf off Port Royal Sound, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.  Tricolored Heron at Mitchelville Fish Haul Beach Park on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The tricolored heron, Egretta tricolor, formerly known as the Louisiana heron, is a small species of heron that is native to coastal parts of the Americas.  Snowy Egret white long legged wading bird in Atlantic Ocean surf off Port Royal Sound, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.  Snowy Egret white long legged wading bird off Port Royal Sound, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.  Semipalmated Sandpiper and Sanderling shorebirds on beach Peeps, small shore birds on Port Royal Sound, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Mitchelville Fish Haul Beach Park.  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  Adult Great Egret mother with two babies in rookery nest. Large white long legged water bird with long bill and long legs. Ardea alba, also known as the common egret, large egret, or great white heron. Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA.  Egrets and Herons in a nesting colony rookery on Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA. A rookery is a communal nesting ground found in wetland areas.  Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets and Herons in a nesting colony rookery on Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA. A rookery is a communal nesting ground found in wetland areas.  Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets and Herons in a nesting colony rookery on Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA. A rookery is a communal nesting ground found in wetland areas.  iPhone panorama of the rookery on Ibis Pond in the Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge  The Snowy Egret, Egretta thula, is a small white heron with long bill and long legs. Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA.  The Snowy Egret, Egretta thula, is a small white heron with long bill and long legs. Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA.  Adult Great Egret mother with two babies in rookery nest. Large white long legged water bird with long bill and long legs. Ardea alba, also known as the common egret, large egret, or great white heron. Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA.  The Snowy Egret, Egretta thula, is a small white heron with long bill and long legs. Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. -- Genesis 1:20 Then God said, “Let the waters swarm with fish and other life. Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind.”  Colorful male Painted Bunting bird perched on a branch in Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA. Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge... what a wonderful place! Every time I vacation on Hilton Head Island, I have to make at least one visit to the refuge. Our second morning, while the ladies went to the outlet mall, I spent six hours hiking the refuge. The first bird I spotted was the main bird I had hoped to see - a Painted Bunting.  Colorful male Painted Bunting bird perched on a branch in Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA.  Northern Cardinal bird perched on a branch in Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA. Pickney Island, located on the bridge between Hilton Head Island and the mainland, is 3.8 miles long and 1.75 miles across its greatest width. It consists of several habitats including salt marsh, tidal creeks, forestland, brushland, fallow fields and freshwater ponds.  Boat-tailed Grackle blackbird perched on a branch and Spanish Moss in Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA. The boat-tailed grackle, Quiscalus major, is a resident on the coasts and saltwater marsh of the Southeastern United States.  The common gallinule, Gallinula galeata, is a water bird in the rail family. Common in pond, marsh, swamp, lake and wet habitat. Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA.  Female Boat-tailed Grackle perched on a stick over water. Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA. The boat-tailed grackle, Quiscalus major, is found on the coasts of the Southeastern United States. It is found in coastal saltwater marshes and, in Florida, also on inland waters.  Anhinga on Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA. sometimes called snakebird, darter, American darter, or water turkey, is a water bird.  Black-crowned Night-heron bird perched on a limb in a rookery on Pickney Island NWR near Hilton Head, South Carolina. Nycticorax nycticorax, or black-capped night heron, is a medium-sized heron found throughout a large part of the world.  The Snowy Egret, Egretta thula, is a small white heron with long bill and long legs. Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA.  Anhinga on Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA. sometimes called snakebird, darter, American darter, or water turkey, is a water bird.  Anhinga on Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA. sometimes called snakebird, darter, American darter, or water turkey, is a water bird.  Black-crowned Night-heron bird perched on a limb in a rookery on Pickney Island NWR near Hilton Head, South Carolina. Nycticorax nycticorax, or black-capped night heron, is a medium-sized heron found throughout a large part of the world.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. "Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is His work." Psalms 111:2  Cannonball jellyfish, Stomolophus meleagris, also known as the cabbagehead jellyfish in the sand on Hilton Head Island beach. While birding the beaches of Hilton Head Island, my eyes were constantly trained toward the sky. However, I really needed to be looking down! The beach was covered with Cannonball Jellyfish throughout our week long visit to the Island. Never before had I seen so many jellyfish, and so large, washed up on the beach on prior visits.  Cannonball jellyfish, Stomolophus meleagris, also known as the cabbagehead jellyfish in the sand on Hilton Head Island beach. In addition to the jellies, there are other reasons to look down as you walk. The beaches of Hilton Head Island are used by Loggerhead Sea Turtles for nesting as well. You'd hate to step on a cute little hatchling!  Loggerhead Sea Turtle Nesting area, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Sea turtle patrol sign marking a Loggerhead turtle nesting area on the beach and dunes. Endangered eggs and hatchlings are protected by federal and state laws. Do not disturb.  Dead Atlantic Blue Crab on Hilton Head Island beach. Callinectes sapidus, the Blue Crab, Atlantic Blue Crab, or Chesapeake blue crab, is a species of crab native to the waters of the western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.  Large horse shoe crab washed up on Port Royal Sound, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Mitchelville Fish Haul Beach Park.  Cannonball Jelly washed up from the ocean onto the sand. Hilton Head Island beach, South Carolina. Cannonball jellyfish are mostly harmless to humans. Common on the southeastern coast of the United States, including the Gulf Coast.  Dead Atlantic Blue Crab on Hilton Head Island beach. Callinectes sapidus, the Blue Crab, Atlantic Blue Crab, or Chesapeake blue crab, is a species of crab native to the waters of the western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.  Cannonball Jelly washed up from the ocean onto the sand. Hilton Head Island beach, South Carolina. Cannonball jellyfish are mostly harmless to humans. Common on the southeastern coast of the United States, including the Gulf Coast.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, landscape, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation."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." Revelation 4:11  Saturday, June 1, 2019 at sunrise. Group of Brown Pelicans flying over the Atlantic Ocean. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. ...squadrons of sea-fowl sweeping through the air...  Sunday evening, May 26, 7:38 PM - Large flying Brown Pelican with wings spread. Photographed on Hilton Head Island beach, South Carolina, USA. The brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, is a North American bird found on the Atlantic Coast. We took a week-long family vacation to Hilton Head Island. I made it out to the beach with my camera for several sunrises and sunsets. I was amazed at the numbers of huge Brown Pelicans soaring through the air. They frequently flew with the wind, just off shore, sometimes only a few feet above the water. On their return flights against the wind, they typically stayed several hundred feet inland, crusing above the rows of hotels.  Sunday sunset, May 26, 2019. Large flying Brown Pelican with wings spread. Photographed on Hilton Head Island beach, South Carolina, USA. The brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, is a North American bird found on the Atlantic Coast.  Wednesday morning at sunrise, May 29, 2019. Laughing Gull, Hilton Head Island beach, South Carolina The laughing gull, Leucophaeus atricilla, is a medium-sized gull of North and South America. Black head seagull standing on one foot on the sandy beach.  Wednesday morning at sunrise, May 29, 2019. Soaring Brown Pelican, Hilton Head Island beach, South Carolina Large Brown Pelican soaring through the air over the Atlantic Ocean. Pelecanus occidentalis dives into water to feed.  Saturday, June 1, 2019. Brown Pelican preparing to dive. Saturday, June 1, 2019 - Going down for a dive! I spent my last morning trying to capture the Pelicans diving into the ocean.  American Crow sitting on sand dune fence on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Saturday, June 1, 2019 at sunrise.  Brown Pelicans soaring over the surf on Hilton Head Island beach, South Carolina. Atlantic Ocean.  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  A barred owl perched over Jacks Creek on Snows Mill Road; Walton County, Georgia. It was a wild Walton morning! I made my morning drive so I could do a bit of early morning birding. The fun started before I even made it to work with an owl perched over Jacks Creek. Then on my walk before starting the work day, I spotted the two beaver on the upper retention pond. And before heading into the office, I heard two Cuckoos cuckooing in the trees and managed to draw one out for a photo with a bit of playback.  "Let every living creature praise the Lord." Psalm 150:6. Granted, this beaver was reaching up for some low hanging leaves. But it sure looked like it was praising God to me!  Spring arrival of a couple of Yellow-billed Cuckoos; Walton County, Georgia.
 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  Semipalmated Sandpiper; Walton County, GA. A quick drive to Braswell Church Road during lunch break to add a life bird and photos of a few I have listed without photographs. I'm not the best yet at these shorebirds, so I hope I got them right!  Eastern Kingbird; Walton County, Georgia.  Least Sandpiper; Walton County, GA.  Lesser Yellowlegs; Walton County, GA.  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  Red Winged Blackbird in the marsh. The Three Oaks Recreation Area in McHenry County Illinois is a reclaimed rock quarry with marsh, water, lake islands and hiking trails. A short Global Big Day birding stop at Three Oaks Recreation Area in Crystal Lake, Illinois.  Canada Goose in the marsh. The Three Oaks Recreation Area in McHenry County Illinois is a reclaimed rock quarry with marsh, water, lake islands and hiking trails.  American Robin bird in the bushes. The Three Oaks Recreation Area in McHenry County Illinois is a reclaimed rock quarry with marsh, water, lake islands and hiking trails.  Ring Billed Gull in the marsh. The Three Oaks Recreation Area in McHenry County Illinois is a reclaimed rock quarry with marsh, water, lake islands and hiking trails.  Female House Sparrow bird in the bushes. The Three Oaks Recreation Area in McHenry County Illinois is a reclaimed rock quarry with marsh, water, lake islands and hiking trails. Stock photo sales help support animal shelter photography expenses and the domain and hosting fees for the animal shelter website.  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  Cute pair of Tree Swallows perched together on a branch in the Exner Marsh wildlife habitat. The tree swallow, Tachycineta bicolor, is a migratory bird that breeds in the US and Canada and winters along southern US coasts. The Exner Marsh is a 116-acre conservation area featuring wetlands vegetation, a diverse bird community & several trails. I took a short trip to Illinois to help my father, but still fit in some wildlife viewing and birding. I made two stops at the Exner Nature Preserve in McHenry County, not far from my brother’s house. It was a great morning of birding the first day.  Red-winged blackbird perched on a farm fence in Exner Wildlife Preserve. The red-winged blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus, is a perching bird found in most of North America. The Exner Marsh is a 116-acre conservation area featuring wetlands habitat and marsh ecosystem vegetation, a diverse bird community & several birding trails.  The American white pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos, is a large aquatic water bird that breeds in interior North America and migrates south and to the coasts in winter. The Exner Marsh is a 116-acre conservation area featuring wetlands habitat and marsh ecosystem vegetation, a diverse bird community & several birding trails.  Juvenile Canada Goose on the water. The Exner Marsh is a 116-acre conservation area featuring wetlands habitat and marsh ecosystem vegetation, a diverse bird community & several birding trails. Stock photo sales help support animal shelter photography expenses and the domain and hosting fees for the animal shelter website.   My first photo of a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak. McHenry County, Illiniois. May 3, 2019. I flew to Illinois for a few days to help my father with some upkeep to his house. Luckily, his neighbor loves to sip coffee on her back patio and watch the birds. She had 5 feeders in the backyard. After seeing me with my binoculars and camera the first day, she was sure to keep all the feeders full during my visit! |
 All content is ©williamwisephoto.com. Please don't steal images. My images are available at dreamstime.com. Stock sales go into the shelter photography program.
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In December 1993 I came to know the Designer and Creator of this wonderful planet and its creatures: Jesus Christ.
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Donations help support the animal shelter adoption photography equipment and adoption website hosting and domain fees. Thanks for your support!
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