WILLIAM WISE PHOTOGRAPHY
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Kartchner Caverns STATE PARK

6/17/2019

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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
Giant Spotted Whiptail lizard Picture
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."
Bells Vireo Picture
Bell's Vireo; Kartchner Caverns State Park, Arizona
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Sweetwater Wetlands Park Tucson

6/16/2019

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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 Picture
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.
Slider Turtle in Sweetwater Wetlands Park, Tucson Arizona Picture
Common Slider Turtle, Trachemys scripta, in duckweed bog swamp of Sweetwater Wetlands Park, Tucson Arizona.
Desert Spiny Lizard, Arizona Picture
Desert Spiny Lizard, Sceloporus magister. Sweetwater Wetlands Park, Tucson Arizona. The Desert Spiny Lizard ranges across the deserts of southwestern Arizona.
Common Yellowthroat Picture
I was delighted to see the numbers of Common Yellowthroats and Yellow Warblers flitting about the reeds of Sweetwater Wetlands Park.
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Summer Tanager Backyard Birding

6/11/2019

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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
Summer Tanager Picture
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! 
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Birding Fish Haul Park

5/31/2019

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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
Snowy Egret walking in water on Hilton Head Island beach Picture
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 shorebird on sand dune beach, Hilton Head Island Picture
Willet at Mitchelville Fish Haul Beach Park on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Tringa semipalmata is a large shorebird in coastal saltmarshes.
Snowy Egret Picture
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 wading for fish in tidal salt marsh Picture
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 fishing on tidal salt marsh Picture
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.
Great Egret in salt marsh Picture
Two Great Egrets, white long legged wading birds, off Port Royal Sound, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Mitchelville Fish Haul Beach Park.
Snowy Egret Picture
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 shorebird in tidal salt marsh, Hilton Head Island Picture
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 Picture
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 in Atlantic Ocean beach Picture
Snowy Egret white long legged wading bird in Atlantic Ocean surf off Port Royal Sound, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
Tricolored Heron wading in tidal salt marsh Picture
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 in Atlantic Ocean waves Picture
Snowy Egret white long legged wading bird in Atlantic Ocean surf off Port Royal Sound, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
Snowy Egret in salt marsh Picture
Snowy Egret white long legged wading bird off Port Royal Sound, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
Semipalmated Sandpiper and Sanderling shorebirds on beach Picture
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.
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Pickney Island Rookery

5/28/2019

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Birding nature wildlife photography journal Picture
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
Great Egret rookery Picture
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.
Great Egret Rookery, Pickney Island Wildlife Refuge Picture
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.
Egret and Heron Rookery, Pickney Island Wildlife Refuge Picture
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.
Egret and Heron Rookery Picture
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.
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iPhone panorama of the rookery on Ibis Pond in the Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge
Snowy Egret, Pickney Island Wildlife Refuge Picture
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.
Snowy Egret Picture
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.
Great Egret Rookery Picture
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.
Snowy Egret Picture
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.
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Birding Pickney Island

5/28/2019

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Wildlife birding photography journal Picture
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.”
Painted Bunting, Pickney Island Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina Picture
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. 
Painted Bunting, Pickney Island Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina Picture
Colorful male Painted Bunting bird perched on a branch in Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA.
Northern Cardinal, Pickney Island Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina Picture
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 bird, Pickney Island Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina Picture
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.
Common Gallinule bird on marsh pond Picture
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.
Boat Tailed Grackle, Pickney Island Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina Picture
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 darter bird, Pickney Island Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina Picture
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, Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge Picture
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.
Snowy Egret, Pickney Island Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina Picture
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 sunning with wings spread, Pickney Island Wildlife Refuge Picture
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 with wings spread Picture
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.
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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.
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Don't Forget to Look Down!

5/27/2019

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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 washed up on Hilton Head Island BeachPicture
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 washed up on Hilton Head Island Beach Picture
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 Nest Picture
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.
Atlantic Blue Crab on the beach, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Picture
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.
Dead Horseshoe Crab on Hilton Head Island beach Picture
Large horse shoe crab washed up on Port Royal Sound, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Mitchelville Fish Haul Beach Park.
Cannonball Jellyfish washed up on Hilton Head Island Beach Picture
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.
Atlantic Blue Crab Picture
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 Jellyfish washed up on Hilton Head Island Beach Picture
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.
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Squadrons of Sea-Fowl

5/26/2019

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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
Flock of Brown Pelicans Soaring Picture
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...
William Bartram, Travels, chapter 1
Brown Pelican in flight, Hilton Head Island beach, South Carolina Picture
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.
Hilton Head Island has long been one of our favorite family vacation locations. While most of my family enjoys time on the beach and in the ocean, I always make time for early morning walks on the beach with my camera. One sight that always amazes me are the squadrons Brown Pelicans that pass back and forth through the air along the shoreline. The Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is a common sight along the southeastern coastlines. They pass swiftly with the wind, just off shore, sometimes only a few feet above the water. Their return flights are more laborious, being against the wind, and typically stay several hundred feet inland, cruising just above the rows of Hilton Head Island hotels. 
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Individual pelicans will often break off from the cruising squadrons for a time of fishing. A pelican will slow its flight and pick a spot for a dive. Once committed, it is a full frontal dive into the ocean from over 50 feet in the air! The plunge often appears quite ungraceful with a forceful impact upon the surface that I wonder how they are not injured in the process. Nevertheless, the bird always surfaces and floats comfortably upon the waves without any sign of injury or distress until it lifts off again to repeat the process.  The Cornell Lab of Ornithology states, “During a dive, the Brown Pelican tucks its head and rotates its body to the left. This maneuver is probably to cushion the trachea and esophagus—which are found on the right side of the neck—from the impact.” I guess that is how it is done! 
Brown Pelican in flight, Hilton Head Island beach, South Carolina Picture
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.
Laughing Gull Picture
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.
Soaring Brown Pelican Picture
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.
Brown Pelican Picture
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 on Hilton Head Island beach Picture
American Crow sitting on sand dune fence on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Saturday, June 1, 2019 at sunrise.
Pelicans soaring over crashing ocean waves Picture
Brown Pelicans soaring over the surf on Hilton Head Island beach, South Carolina. Atlantic Ocean.
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A Wild Day

5/15/2019

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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
Barred Owl Picture
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. 
American Beaver Picture
"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!
Yellow Billed Cuckoo Picture
Spring arrival of a couple of Yellow-billed Cuckoos; Walton County, Georgia.
Beaver Picture
Yellow Billed Cuckoo Picture
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Semipalmated Plover Life Bird

5/10/2019

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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
Semipalmated Sandpiper Picture
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 Picture
Eastern Kingbird; Walton County, Georgia.
Least Sandpiper Picture
Least Sandpiper; Walton County, GA.
Lesser Yellowlegs Picture
Lesser Yellowlegs; Walton County, GA.
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Birding Three Oaks Recreation Area

5/4/2019

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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
Red-winged Blackbird at Three Oaks Recreation Area in Crystal Lake, Illinois Picture
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 at Three Oaks Recreation Area in Crystal Lake, Illinois Picture
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 at Three Oaks Recreation Area in Crystal Lake, Illinois Picture
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 at Three Oaks Recreation Area in Crystal Lake, Illinois Picture
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.
House Sparrow at Three Oaks Recreation Area in Crystal Lake, Illinois Picture
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. ​
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Birding Exner Nature Preserve Illinois

5/3/2019

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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
Tree Swallow at Exner Wildlife Preserve in Illinois Picture
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 at Exner Wildlife Preserve in Illinois Picture
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.
American White Pelicans at Exner Wildlife Preserve in Illinois Picture
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.
	Young Canada Goose reflected in water of Exner Wildlife Preserve in Illinois Picture
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. ​
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Illinois Backyard Birding

5/2/2019

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Rose Breasted Grosbeak Picture
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! 
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A Week of Walton Wildlife

4/30/2019

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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
Great Blue Heron with wings spread on Georgia pond Picture
Large Great Blue Heron bathing and preening and catching fish in a lake in Walton County, Georgia.
Tuesday, 7:00 AM - I headed into Walton County an hour earlier this morning. Am I that dedicated to my job? Actually, I am. But is wasn’t for work that I came in early. The sun is up earlier now and I could get in an hour of birding and wildlife photography before clocking in. And it was a productive morning! I believe I hit my Walton all-time birding high: 43 taxa! 
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Not only did I get a rather high bird count, but spotted a few other critters as well. A Beaver was swimming the upper pond and a Northern Watersnake was cutting across the main retention pond. In the secluded wetlands area south of the jail I spotted a Green Heron skulking in the shadows; my first spotting for this spring season. While pursuing the heron, a Louisiana Waterthrush sang repeatedly overhead. What a great morning! 
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A North American beaver (Castor canadensis) as finishing a morning's activity on the upper pond near my office. He gave a loud tail slap on the water's surface before swimming off; Walton County, Georgia. Tuesday, April 30, 2019.
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A Northern Watersnake cuts rapidly through the surface water of the retention pond behind my office. As it approached shore, it disappeared under the bank beneath my feet. Walton County, Georgia. Tuesday, April 30, 2019.
Great Blue Heron Picture
Large Great Blue Heron bathing and preening in a lake in Walton County, Georgia.
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A BIRD IN THE HAND...

4/25/2019

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Thursday, April 25 - I was privileged to be allowed by my teenage daughter (with the promise, of course, that I wouldn’t embarrass her by being a “bird nerd”) to accompany her on a field trip to the Whitehall Forest. Having spent many, many hours of field study in this same forest in the 90’s, I was excited to return. I hope the experience not only sparked some bird-nerdiness in my daughter, but may have also planted a seed to study at the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources like her father. 
Hooded Warbler Bird Banding Picture
A Hooded Warbler, Setophaga citrina, is measured and photographed during the banding process.

A BIRD IN THE HAND...

“A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”… especially when teaching high school students about ecology and conservation. Two groups of Ms. Carly Chandler’s AP Environmental students from Cedar Shoals High School in Athens, Georgia participated in a bird banding field trip in April, 2019.
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Bird banding is the attachment of uniquely numbered metal bands to the leg of a wild bird to help scientists study the migratory movements, population dynamics and life histories of birds. The excited group of students not only saw first-hand how the birds were caught and removed from mist nets in the Whitehall Experimental Forest, but also participated in the band recording process. 
Brown Thrasher Bird Band Picture
Bird ringing or bird banding is the attachment of a small, individually numbered metal tag to the leg of a wild bird to enable individual identification, track migration movements of the bird and its life history.
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Carolina Wren being banded by Dr. Richard Chandler of UGA Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources.
During the trip, the students met with Dr. Richard Chandler, Associate Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management from the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. Dr. Chandler demonstrated safe handling techniques and offered several students the opportunity to hold and release a few of the captured and banded birds.
Kentucky Warbler bird banding Picture
Kentucky Warbler - a life bird for me!
In addition some common Georgia birds like the Brown Thrasher and Carolina Wren, the groups caught two brightly colored warblers, a Kentucky Warbler and a Hooded Warbler, that recently arrived during the spring migration. Dr. Chandler explained how habitat destruction, either here in their North American breeding grounds, or in their southern over-wintering territories could greatly affect the overall health and numbers of migratory bird populations. ​

“The field trip was an amazing experience”, said Cedar Shoals student Amanda Wise. “It was a very insightful trip that taught us about the biodiversity of birds and how big of a world we are in. It is definitely not every day that you can catch, hold and band a bird!”
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Northern Cardinal
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A fiesty Northern Cardinal expresses his displeasure in being caught and handled by biting Dr. Chandler on the finger!
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A Louisiana Waterthrush in a "photographer's hold".
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Kentucky Warbler (Geothlypis formosa)
Brown Thrasher bird banding Picture
Georgia's state bird, the Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) receiving an identification band.
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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. 
Donations help support the animal shelter adoption photography equipment and adoption website hosting and domain fees.  Thanks for your support!  
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