 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  Pileated Woodpecker; Clarke County, Georgia. Sunday, 2:14 PM - If I sit long enough, almost daily I can hear that loud, distinct call of a Pileated Woodpecker or two near my house. They are typically further off in the woodline across the meadow. But on this gloomy, rainy afternoon, a pair made a direct visit to my backyard. I was sitting on the back patio covering my camera from the blowing mist with the loud pair passed over the yard. One came all the way to the ground and began pecking away at the old, termite infested firewood along the back fence. He stuck around a few minutes foraging up a few dead snags before flying off. Showers and thunderstorms, high near 65. South wind around 5 mph.  Pileated Woodpecker; Clarke County, Georgia.
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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. -- Jeremiah 5:22 Have you no respect for me? Why don’t you tremble in my presence? I, the Lord, define the ocean’s sandy shoreline as an everlasting boundary that the waters cannot cross. The waves may toss and roar, but they can never pass the boundaries I set.  Bonaparte`s Gulls frolicking in Atlantic Ocean surf on Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Bonaparte`s gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) is a member of the seagull family Laridae found mainly in northern North America. Among the smallest of the gull species. It winters along the coasts of North America, and in the Great Lakes. My wife and I made a trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Leaving work and the kids behind, we had an evening to ourselves to walk along the beach. Strolling hand-in-hand along the shell covered sands, we laughed along with the Laughing Gulls at all the silly Bonaparte’s Gulls frolicking and wave jumping repeatedly. I also spotted some life birds. Light showers. Cloudy, with a high near 62. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.  Myrtle Beach is a city and vacation resort on South Carolina Atlantic coast. The next morning I set out birding with several thousand other people. And this was no normal birding excursion, but Marathon Birding. No, it isn’t what you’re thinking. Marathon Birding sounds like hour after hour of non-stop, high-speed bird watching and listing for a period longer than most people care to do anything. And no, there weren’t six-thousand people actually birding. My Myrtle Beach Birding Marathon wasn’t a figurative birding marathon, it was literal marathon: twenty-six miles of running. Saturday morning I lined up at the starting line of the Myrtle Beach Marathon. At 7 AM, the gun went off and I began that long trip toward a finish line far off in the distance. As the miles wore on, 26.2 of them to be precise, a mental bird list was growing in my head. As my feet began to ache and my quads began to stiffen, repeating a list of birds I had spotted along the journey helped to ease the suffering! Some runners repeat mantras, I repeated a list of birds!  Ring Billed Gull on Myrtle Beach seashore  Double-crested Coromorant in Atlantic Ocean Waves  Gull playing in surf at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Bonaparte`s gull Chroicocephalus philadelphia is in seagull family found mainly in northern North America, one of the smallest gull species. It winters along the coasts of North America, and in the Great Lakes. Myrtle Beach, a city and vacation resort on South Carolina’s Atlantic coast, is the hub of the Grand Strand, a 60-mile string of beaches.  Male Bonaparte`s Gulls flying over Atlantic ocean waves  Horned Grebe; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  Bonaparte`s Gull frolicking in Atlantic Ocean surf Myrtle Beach  Bonaparte`s Gull over Atlantic Ocean; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina  Bonaparte`s Gulls frolicking in Atlantic Ocean waves  Bonaparte`s Gull on Myrtle Beach seashore  Ring Billed Gull on Myrtle Beach seashore  Bonaparte`s Gull on Myrtle Beach seashore  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s 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  Downy Woodpecker on a lichen covered tree in winter in Walton County, Georgia. The downy woodpecker Dryobates pubescens is a species of woodpecker, the smallest in North America. Walton County, Georgia. February 26, 2019. Both of the identifying features of the Downy (bill length and spotted tail feathers) can be seen in this photograph. There are several critters posted on iNaturalist that cause some identification conundrums. It is often two species within the same genus that look largely similar until you examine the details. Sometimes it comes down to visible characteristics which differentiate the two species. But other times they look nearly identical and the range is the main clue as to the correct species. Two birds that fall in this category of confusing critters are in the genus Dryobates: the Hairy Woodpecker and the Downy Woodpecker. Both have very similar plumage colors and patterns. I’ve seen many posted on iNaturalist that are either incorrectly identified, or have long threads of confirmations and corrections, or are simply left at the genus level. I must admit my own shortcomings in identifying the two woodpeckers too! In my regular birding areas, the Downy Woodpecker is much more common and I have learned to recognize their call and mannerisms, which helps me out quite a bit. When the slightly larger Hairy Woodpecker shows up from time to time, it really stands out as different to me. The main feature that initially helped me distinguish the Downy Woodpecker was the length of the bill. I had read, or was told, that the shorter bill of the Downy was roughly half the length of the total head, while the longer bill of the Hairy Woodpecker was about ¾ the length of its head. Holding up a ruler to a photograph often helped me out.  ©KOAW, Source: https://www.koaw.org/dmvwoodpeckers But after messing up many identifications on iNaturalist (don’t worry, it happens to all of us), I’ve also learned another identifying feature: the Downy has spotting on the outer tail feathers. From watching many ID’s on iNat, this doesn’t always seem definitive as the outer tail feathers can’t always be seen in the photo. Walton County, Georgia, US. Public Works Retention Pond, Monroe US-GA (33.7726,-83.6976)  Downy Woodpecker on a Georgia winter day. Walton County, Georgia. February 26, 2019.  Yellow-bellied Sapsucker; Walton County, Georgia. February 26, 2019.  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  Female Wood Duck on a secluded wetland in Walton County, Georgia. Thursday, 12:15 PM - Between cold, rain, and the craziness at work, I haven’t had a good chance for a long birding break... until today. Between rain showers at lunch break, I put on my big black mud boots and headed out the door. It is a gray and foggy afternoon. As the little birds shoot by, I didn’t realize how quickly I could get out of practice in lifting that large telephoto lens to target the small birds. It seems I’ve been spoiled by the wide field of view in my new Zeiss binoculars. I'm hearing a lot of new bird sounds. Not necessarily new birds, but the birds switching to new calls. It seems many are going from their winter time chips to spring time songs. The Cardinals and Chickadees are particularly seeming to change their vocabulary. The special treats on today’s walk were a pair of Woodies, three Hermit Thrushes frolicking in an area I hadn’t seen them before, and a Blue-headed Vireo. Two Brown-headed Nuthatches seemed to be excavating an old cavity in a snag over the duckweed bog. Forecast: a chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. Cloudy, with a high near 64. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. I want to thank The Creation Club for posting this article on their website! The Creation Club was formed by David Rives Ministries to give gifted writers and contributors a place to share their content relating to Biblical Creation. Check out their website for tons of great content on Biblical creation. 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.  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  Field Sparrow songbird; Walton County, Georgia. February 6, 2019. The field sparrow Spizella pusilla is a small songbird. Perched on dry winter blackberry briar thorn in winter. Northern birds migrate to the southern United States and Mexico. 1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." What do you do when life has you down? Pray and go birding! When your job is stretching your stamina to the breaking point? Pray and go birding! When you need to relax and shake off the nerves? Pray and go birding! When the next little thing will tip your headache to a migraine? Pray and go birding!
There is no need for a scientific study to tell me that getting outdoors is a way to reduce stress. There is no need to write a paper about how getting away from a ringing phone will calm my nerves; how unplugging from email and social media will lower my blood pressure; how fresh air will clear my lungs and refresh my mind. I don’t need a scientific study because I know first-hand! There isn’t a need for the Mayo Clinic to tell me the supernatural benefits of prayer. There is no need for them to post a blog telling me that having a purpose in life reduces depression; that prayer and meditation produces actual physical benefits to my brain; that focusing outside myself can alleviate worry and fear. I don’t need that blog because I know first-hand! Try it sometime. Stop reading this blog, close your browser, push back the chair and walk out the door. Talk to God; cast your concerns at His feet; enjoy this world that He created. You just might get addicted. I know because I go there every day. So, pray and go birding!  Psalm 55:4-8, The Message Bible -- " 'Who will give me wings,' I ask— 'wings like a dove?' Get me out of here on dove wings; I want some peace and quiet. I want a walk in the country, I want a cabin in the woods. I’m desperate for a change from rage and stormy weather." -- Williamwisephoto Nature Notes is a wildlife, landscape, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Thank God its Friday! It is a bright and sunny day, but a very chilly 24°! This is my first birding walk with a brand new pair of Zeiss conquest HD binoculars that I ordered from Redstart Birding.  Hooded Merganser swimming on a Walton County pond, Georgia. February 1, 2019. No, the photo was not taken with my new binoculars! lol To save some wear and tear on my camera, I recently decided to purchase my first pair of binoculars for my routine bird listing. My camera could stay safe on rainy or drizzly days. Being thoroughly entertained by Bill and Ben on the Out There With the Birds podcast, I wanted to purchase from their company, Redstart Birding. I watched the great videos on their website and somewhat narrowed down a choice. I emailed and immediately received a response from “the LeBron James of Birding Optics”, recommending the Zeiss Conquest HD 10x42. How could he be wrong? The first time I put these new specs up to me eyes I was blown away. Compared to a 600mm camera lens, the field of view was incredible. I could actually move my eyes around in the frame and see more than through that telephoto lens. And I suppose since I was looking with two eyes, rather than squinting through just one, everything looked so clear and less flat. Even backlit birds had more detail than through the camera lens. It was a new, awe inspiring experience. But I quickly found one problem. When I spotted two pair of gorgeous Wood Ducks on the pond, I quickly realized there was no shutter release button on the binoculars to take a photograph! I guess you have to rob Peter to pay Paul, or something like that. What a great purchase experience with Redstart Birding and a privilege to email chat with Ben. Praying Bill gets well soon! Today: Sunny, with a high near 44. West wind 5 to 15 mph.  Yellow-rumped Warlber; Walton County, Georgia. February 1, 2019. 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 GOD'S CREATION KNOCKS UPON OUR HEARTSRevelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him..."  On a cloudy Sunday afternoon between church services, I was able to enjoy birding next to my backyard fire pit. Along with a cup of coffee, it was a nice afternoon of journaling and photography. After several hours of the usual birds, I was delighted by the soft appearance of a dainty Hermit Thrush scraping in the leaf litter not far from my chair. As soon as that thrush appeared, there was something in my heart that lifted; a subtle spark of joy or excitement. Where does this spark come from? If we are just the products of random chance and evolution, and the other organisms on this planet are just rivals in this game called “survival of the fittest”, shouldn’t I just have stomped on him as an inferior competitor in the food chain? There must be something more to it.
 Hermit thrush, Catharus guttatus on the ground in the leaves. Hermit thrushes migrate to wintering grounds in the southern United States. They forage on the forest floor, also in trees or shrubs, mainly eating insects and berries. Athens, Clarke County, GA in January 2019. How does all this explain that spark? Well, in Revelation 4:11, John tells us that all things were created by Jesus Christ and for His "pleasure they are and were created". God finds pleasure in His creation! And being made in His image, God has placed within us a similar pleasure that we find in creation. Hence the subtle leap of joy upon seeing even a simple Hermit Thrush!
 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  Saturday, 1:15 PM - When leaving for door-to-door outreach, I had "that feeling" that I should bring my camera just in case... but I didn't. And sure enough, as I sat at the entrance of a townhome complex on Epps Bridge Road for 30 minutes waiting for friends from church to finish talking with a woman, I spotted a life bird.
A Baltimore Oriole sat right in front of my eyes four about a minute. I had no doubt of the identification seeing that bright orange and black beauty. It certainly wasn't a Towhee. Being a bird I hadn't photographed before, I'm ticked that all I had was my crappy camera phone. I shouldn't have ignored "that feeling".  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s 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  Eastern Screech Owl, red or rufous morph, perched on a tree. Was struck by a vehicle and stunned, photographed before releasing to a wildlife rehabilitator. Walton County, GA, USA. The eastern screech owl, Megascops asio, is a small owl that is relatively common in Eastern North America, from Mexico to Canada. Just after sunset on a Tuesday night, a Walton County Animal Control officer was called out to pick up an owl on Walker Drive in Monroe, Georgia. A little red or rufous morph Eastern Screech Owl had crossed paths with a vehicle and became stuck in the car’s grill after a head-on collision. Owls have superb vision and pinpoint hearing in order to pick off prey in low-light situations. Unfortunately, they can become so focused on their quarry, which in this case was on the side of a roadway, that they don’t even notice the vehicle racing at them from the side. The officer brought the Owl back to the shelter and placed him in a quiet cage. Thankfully, he was still alive in the morning when I arrived. He was still able to see, which is a good sign. Many owls I have picked up that were involved in car strikes have gone blind from head trauma. He was also able to fly a short distance but soon became exhausted. Sensing he wasn’t able to be released, I made arrangements with a licensed wildlife rehabilitor and got his photographs before transporting him into their care. Walton County, Georgia, USA  Eastern Screech Owl, red or rufous morph. Was struck by a vehicle and stunned, photographed before releasing to a wildlife rehabilitator. Walton County, GA, USA. The eastern screech owl, Megascops asio, is a small owl that is relatively common in Eastern North America, from Mexico to Canada.  Eastern Screech Owl, red or rufous morph, perched on a tree. Was struck by a vehicle and stunned, photographed before releasing to a wildlife rehabilitator. Walton County, GA, USA. The eastern screech owl, Megascops asio, is a small owl that is relatively common in Eastern North America, from Mexico to Canada.  Eastern Screech Owl, red or rufous morph, perched on a tree. Was struck by a vehicle and stunned, photographed before releasing to a wildlife rehabilitator. Walton County, GA, USA. The eastern screech owl, Megascops asio, is a small owl that is relatively common in Eastern North America, from Mexico to Canada.  Eastern Screech Owl, red or rufous morph, hit by a vehicle, photographed before releasing to a wildlife rehabilitator. Walton County, GA, USA. The eastern screech owl, Megascops asio, is a small owl that is relatively common in Eastern North America, from Mexico to Canada.  Vertical composition. Eastern Screech Owl, red or rufous morph, perched on a tree. Was struck by a vehicle and stunned, photographed before releasing to a wildlife rehabilitator. Walton County, GA, USA. The eastern screech owl, Megascops asio, is a small owl that is relatively common in Eastern North America, from Mexico to Canada.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s 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  Eastern Towhee bird perched on a branch in Walton County, GA. The eastern towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus is a large New World sparrow. Their breeding habitat is brushy areas across eastern North America. Wednesday, 9:09 AM - And overcast morning with a slight breeze makes it a bit chilly for exposed fingers and my nose. Finally able to get a short break for a bird walk. The grass has been mowed around the upper pond. There’s a lot of bird activity. A great time to go shooting! Bird photography tips abound. There is everything from concise web pages to multi-volume books on the subject. The tips range from knowing your species to knowing your equipment; tips on shutter speed, aperture and ISO; tips from backlighting to flash; tips on manual settings to program modes; and tips on anticipating a birds actions. But the best tip I’ve ever read and have put into practice is: GET OUT AND SHOOT EVERY DAY! I made 2018 my “birding year.” I got outside nearly every day and shot hundreds upon hundreds of birds. Many of those shots weren’t that great, but every once in a while, you snag a gem. Every once in a while that little bird allows you to approach close enough that extreme cropping isn’t needed. Every once in a while you’re on top of your game and get that flying bird in focus. Every once in a while you come upon that rare migrating warbler. But even if you are deleting hundreds of photos, you are gaining a great amount of practice and experience.  Yellow-bellied Sapsucker; Walton County, Georgia. The yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) is a medium-sized woodpecker that breeds in Canada and the north-northeastern United States. The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is the only woodpecker in eastern North America that is completely migratory. Although a few individuals remain throughout much of the winter in the southern part of the breeding range, most head farther south, going as far south as Panama. Females tend to migrate farther south than do males.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s 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  Two male Hooded Merganser ducks in a pond in December. Walton County, Monroe, GA, USA. The hooded merganser Lophodytes cucullatus is a species of small duck. Hooded mergansers are short-distance migrants, and they winter in the United States in regions where winter temperatures allow for ice-free conditions on ponds, lakes and rivers. Thursday, 8:15 AM - During my lunch break, I had a brief moment to wander up to the main retention pond behind my office in Walton County, Georgia. A trio of Hooded Mergansers were diving in the northeast corner of the pond. The Hooded Merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus, is a small duck species found in North America. Since they typically winter on ice-free ponds, lakes and rivers, they love the mild winters of Georgia and usually show up here in the fall and winter. Beginning in November, I can expect a few to take up residence on the nearby retention pond. The “Hoodies” are always quite skittish and rapidly swim away or take to the air as soon as they notice my approach. So this morning I stealthily snuck around the pond, hiding myself below the high bank. I took up a nook in some bushes and waited until they came to me. Just then, a public works truck passed the far end of the pond, pushing the nervous mergansers my direction! I was able to grab a few photographs as they swam by. But sure enough, they were quick to hear my shutter clicks and spot me. The female was the first to notice. With breeding season not too far away, I suppose the two males were too busy thinking of something else! Showers likely, mainly after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. South wind around 5 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 60%.  Two male Hooded Merganser ducks in a pond in December. Walton County, Monroe, GA, USA. The hooded merganser Lophodytes cucullatus is a species of small duck. Hooded mergansers are short-distance migrants, and they winter in the United States in regions where winter temperatures allow for ice-free conditions on ponds, lakes and rivers.  Male Hooded Mergansers swimming in Georgia pond  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. -- Psalms 24:1-2 The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.  Captive Rhino blocking road on safari. The white rhinoceros or square-lipped rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum is the largest extant species of rhinoceros. Disney Kilimanjaro safari ride. There’s a popular theme park known as "the happiest place on earth". Why? Because every visitor to a Disney park can’t help but be happy! There is something for everyone: food, fireworks, parades, plays, princesses, lights, roller coasters, costumes, movies, resorts, pools, shopping and more. You’d have to deliberately concentrate your problems to not have fun here! But what about for photographers? Is there something for them? Obviously! What a great place to shoot dazzling displays; to practice dramatic night-time photography; to capture the colors, action and detail; to photo families and fun. Okay, but what about wildlife photographers? Right on again! I actually muscled my 600mm lens around a theme park all day. And for what? Animal Kingdom! Rhinos, lions, wildebeest, ostrich, flamingos, elephants… a Serengeti safari right there in Florida. It is such a happy place for all that even the Rhinoceros was smiling!  "Smiling Rhino" -- Captive Black Rhinoceros on theme park safari ride. The black rhinoceros or hook-lipped rhinoceros Diceros bicornis is a species of rhinoceros, native to eastern and southern Africa. Disney Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro safari ride.  Theme park safari ride. Disney Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro safari ride. You are now entering Harambe Wildlife Reserve.  Wildebeests, also called gnus, are antelopes native to Africa. Abundant big-game species. Disney Kilimanjaro safari ride. Seriously? Photos of a theme park safari ride? Hey, why not. The animals themselves are still magnificent. And until the day I can travel to Africa on a real safari... yes, I'll photograph theme park animals!  Rhino blocking road on safari. The white rhinoceros or square-lipped rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum is the largest extant species of rhinoceros. Disney Kilimanjaro safari ride.  Large Tortoise in zoo. Animal Kingdom theme park, Orlando, Florida.  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  Just for fun I set up my trail camera before leaving for Disney for 6 days. The camera was along the back of my property facing into a meadow.  Williamwisephoto Nature Notes is a wildlife, landscape, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Jeremiah 8:7 Even the stork that flies across the sky knows the time of her migration, as do the turtledove, the swallow, and the crane. They all return at the proper time each year.  January 2, 2019 - Flock of Redhead Duck drakes and hens, Georgia USA A raft of Redhead ducks, male and female, on lake in Walton County, Georgia, USA. A count of 52 on this January morning. Migration is a great thing! I’m not just speaking biologically, but photographically as well! Migration is a great thing for birds and wildlife. When food sources run low because of winter or because of drought, migration allows species to move to another land of plenty until things turn around. But migration is also great for photographers! Each season brings a whole new host of photo subjects right into your area. I can walk out my back office back door and photograph a Great Blue Heron almost any time of the year. But wait until January and a pile of Redhead Ducks magically appears! And oh the wonders of spring and fall migration! Warblers, warblers, warblers everywhere; alive in bright colors of yellow, black and white! Migration is wonderful software programmed within each species by our Creator!  January 2, 2019 - Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. A somewhat rare sighting for this time of year in this area. In the same spot I observed an individual in November.  January 2, 2019 - Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. A somewhat rare sighting for this time of year in this area. In the same spot I observed an individual in November.  Williamwisephoto Nature Notes is a wildlife, landscape, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. -- Exodus 12:2 "This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you."  Red Bellied Woodpecker; Clarke County, Georgia. January 1, 2019. The red-bellied woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus is a medium-sized woodpecker of the family Picidae. It breeds mainly in the eastern United States. Tuesday, 8:50 AM - I’m not one that puts a lot of emphasis on New Year’s Day. However, even though it is really just another new day, I do recognize that many people use it as a date to look at the past and set goals for the future. What about my goals for 2019? Getting into eBird listing in 2018, my goal was to photograph birds like mad… and I did! But how about 2019? I’m still going to shoot like crazy, but do I keep all those lower quality photos, or just the really good ones that qualify for portfolio and stock images? My nature photography goal isn’t the photograph, but the subject. I’m not as interested in producing high quality photographs as I am in just photo journaling all the awesome creatures that I encounter. So perhaps I will keep those hundreds of bird shots? But then again, my hard drive and blogs are filling with hundreds upon hundreds of images. To edit and blog them all can really take some time. It turns a hobby into work and creates a feeling of stress when I fall behind. So how about just keeping the stock quality images or the rare animal finds in 2019? In the end, who cares! I’ll do what I want to do on that day. Why set some “rule” that I’m bound to for the rest of the year just because it is January 1st? I’m just going to keep getting outside, shooting what I want to shoot, posting what I want to post and enjoying God’s creation that He has so generously given us a time to enjoy! Life is short. Get outdoors!  January 1, 2019 - Turkey Vulture perched on dead tree with wings spread in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia. The turkey vulture Cathartes aura, also known in some North American regions as the turkey buzzard  I spotted an Osprey cruising over me as I drove throw Good Hope on my way home from work. Tuesday, January 8, 2019. |
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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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