 William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  Large white Great Egret perched on a barbed wire fence of a jail in Walton County, Georgia, USA. The Great Egret, Ardea alba, is a large heron. Walton County, Georgia  Baby slider turtle swimming in pond; Monroe, Walton County, GA. The slider turtle Trachemys scripta is one of the most common species of turtle in the Southeast. It occurs in every type of wetland and is frequently observed basking.  Blue Dasher Dragonfly on green grass with dark blue pond in background. Monroe, Walton County, GA. The blue dasher Pachydiplax longipennis is a dragonfly of the skimmer family. It is very common and widely distributed through North America and into the Bahamas.  Tufted Titmouse
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 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.”  Yellow Billed Cuckoo bird, Walton County, Georgia USA The yellow-billed cuckoos (Coccyzus americanus) are slender, long-tailed birds that manage to stay well hidden in deciduous woodlands. Photographed in Monroe, GA. For the last two weeks, since the Northern Mockingbirds have fledged, it seems that is all I see on my morning walks. Five Mockingbirds have continuously hung out near the berm of the firing range. It was no different this morning and I nearly walked by with indifference. However, I’m not sure what it was, but something caused me to look twice. Perhaps it was the way this bird just sat silently staring at me. Perhaps it was a tail that was a tad too long for a Mockingbird. Or perhaps it was the yellow bill. Whatever it was, when I stopped to take a second look, a new Life Bird was added to my list: a Yellow-billed Cuckoo! Cornell’s website says, “Yellow-billed Cuckoos are slender, long-tailed birds that manage to stay well hidden in deciduous woodlands. They usually sit stock still, even hunching their shoulders to conceal their crisp white underparts, as they hunt for large caterpillars. Bold white spots on the tail’s underside are often the most visible feature on a shaded perch.” An apt description of what I saw this morning. Walton County, Georgia, USA  Yellow-billed Cuckoo  A Ruby-throated Hummingbird was drinking Trumpet Creeper nectar not far from my life bird.  A Downy Woodpecker forages atop a Bradford Pear tree.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Isaiah 45:18 -- For thus says the LORD, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: "I am the LORD, and there is no other.  Red male Northern Cardinal, Athens, Clarke County, Georgia USA. The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) can be found in most parts of United States east of the Rocky Mountains. Cardinals are known for their bright red color, but only the male is red. Saturday, 7:17 PM - Birding again almost exactly 12 hours later. A few crows were sitting high atop the Loblolly Pine. As they made strange sounding croaks, I was reminded of my reading the other week on what differentiates the Fish Crow and the American Crow. Were the odd sounds coming from this trio denoting a Fish Crow ID? Can the other birders who list daily Fish Crows really tell the difference? Clarke County, Georgia  Ruby Throated Hummingbird, Athens, Clarke County, Georgia USA Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) perched in Loblolly Pine Tree in Georgia. This is the only breeding hummingbird in eastern North America.  Fish Crows; Clarke County, GA  Male Summer Tanager; Clarke County, GA.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Psalms 104:24 -- O LORD, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions;  Northern Mockingbird juvenile spreads his wings Monday, 7:30 AM - so much activity in the brush along the firing range berm. Mockingbird juveniles everywhere! Pewees, Phoebes and Grosbeaks too! Walton County, GA  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Genesis 2:3 And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.  Red-bellied Woodpecker feeding suet to a fledgling. Sunday, 7:07 AM - I love Sunday mornings on my back patio. All the regular birds appear quickly, but the longer you sit, the more you can see.Now that I recognize the Eastern Wood Pewee’s call, I hear them up in the woods and drew one closer with some playback. A little bit later, a White-breasted Nuthatch appears. They are supposedly here all year, but I don’t see them too often at the feeders. Next, a Black-and-white Warbler pops in. He is strangely tailing a Tufted Titmouse all through the yard. The normally solo Red-bellied Woodpecker is followed in to the feeder by two others this morning. It appears the young have fledged and now have to learn to come steal suet on their own. And the backyard is now full of Chipping Sparrows having produced another successful brood of young. Clarke County, Georgia  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Colossians 3:1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.  Orchard Oriole; Athens, Clarke County, GA Saturday, 7:17 AM - a full and busy day ahead, but still a short chance to BYOB (Birding Your Own Backyard) before the day starts. New yard sightings this morning: Eastern Wood Pewee and Orchard Oriole. Clarke County, GA  Song Sparrow, Clarke County, GA  Orchard Oriole; Athens, Clarke County, GA  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. 1 Chronicles 16:11 Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.  Friday, 10:30 AM - As a high-schooler, I occasionally ‘played hookie’ to go off and do what I wanted to do. I suppose some of that rebellious curiosity hangs around in us as adults. Being a slow week, I left work early on Friday morning (at least I had permission, contrary to my high school days) and drove 45 minutes away to Dyar Pasture Wildlife Management Area in Greene County, Georgia. My mission: Roseate Spoonbills. Another eBird user posted several photos of these beautiful pink birds at the waterfowl impound. This would be another Life Bird photograph for me. And not only did I capture the Spoonbills, but I also nabbed a Yellow-crowned Night-heron. Although not a great photo, still another life bird shot. Dyar Pasture Wildlife Management Area  Panorama of Dyar Pasture Waterfowl impound and Wildlife Management Area in Madison, Greene County, Georgia. A cooperative environmental conservation project with the U.S. Forest Service, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Power and Ducks Unlimited.  Great Egret wading birds at Dyar Pasture Waterfowl impound and Wildlife Management Area in Madison, Greene County, Georgia. A cooperative environmental conservation project with the U.S. Forest Service, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Power and Ducks Unlimited.  Tree Frog hiding in tree bark at Dyar Pasture Wildlife Preserve, Georgia. The American green tree frog Hyla cinerea is a common backyard species, it is popular as a pet, and is the state amphibian of Georgia and Louisiana. These frogs are found in the central and southeastern United States. Photographed at Dyar Pasture waterfowl preserve on Lake Oconee, GA, USA  Panorama of Dyar Pasture Waterfowl impound and Wildlife Management Area in Madison, Greene County, Georgia. A cooperative environmental conservation project with the U.S. Forest Service, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Power and Ducks Unlimited.  Panorama of Dyar Pasture Waterfowl impound and Wildlife Management Area in Madison, Greene County, Georgia. A cooperative environmental conservation project with the U.S. Forest Service, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Power and Ducks Unlimited.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Proverbs 26:1 Honor is no more associated with fools than snow with summer or rain with harvest.  Great Blue Heron Thursday, 7:35 AM - What do you do on a totally overcast morning with light rain? Put a rain cover on your camera and go out any! The humid days bring stormy nights here in the southeastern United States. The rainfall from last evening has held on through the night into this morning. But I’ve made a personal challenge to go birding and shooting (photographs) every day throughout the month. So what do I do facing the light rain? Get out there anyway! I haven’t spent the money on a commercial rain cover yet. There are some real fancy ones out there that totally cover your camera but still allow you to look through the viewfinder. Some even have an opening for your hand to access the shutter button and controls! But I have found a simple grocery bag is good enough for the light rain. The other option is to use an umbrella. But if wildlife photography is your gig, like birding is mine, umbrellas and animal spotting don’t go together too well. And with an umbrella in one hand, you only have one hand to shoot. Again, wildlife shooting with a long lens probably won’t work well while holding an umbrella! So for me, the plastic bag will work for now. For some reason, as I take this expensive electronic equipment out into the rain, the song “The Fool on the Hill” by The Beatles is repeating in my mind. Perhaps it is a self-commentary as I foolishly wander in the rain with a camera looking for birds. But I'm not the only one out here. A juvenile Great Blue Heron, a bright white Great Egret, and a pretty Whitetailed doe are out enjoying the light rainfall. I got the shot and kept to my August goal of shooting every day! Walton County, Georgia  Great Egret  White-tailed Deer doe. I have seen her twice this week on morning walks.  Green Heron  Great Blue Heron  Great Blue Heron  Great Blue Heron  Great Blue Heron  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. James 4:1-2  Thursday, 6:30 PM - August has arrived and the entire hoard of hummingbirds has as well! There were no less than five fiesty hummers buzzing the feeder and warring with each other this evening. Our one dominant female, "Myrtle", still strives to chase all the others away. The action is such a blur to the human eye, but a quick shutter speed reveals some brilliant fencing! Clarke County, GA    William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Job 9:4 For God is so wise and so mighty. Who has ever challenged him successfully?  Great Blue Heron on an overcast morning in Walton County, Georgia. Wednesday, 8:01 AM - It’s a foggy, grey, overcast start to a new month. Last month‘s personal birding goal to have at least one eBird list per day with at least one photo per list was a fun challenge, however it left me with hundreds of low resolution “photos of record” not good for much else. It also left me with days and days of photographs without corresponding blogs. So what will August’s personal challenge be? Less photos and more blogging! But even though I’ve said that, I find myself out at 7:30 AM on eBird walk behind the office with my camera! And then what else? eBird announces the August contest: optics give-away for users with 50+ media posts. I guess I'll be taking a lot of photos again this month! Walton County, Georgia, USA William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  Large white Great Egret Ardea alba heron on pond in Monroe, Walton County, GA. A large, long-necked and long-legged wading bird with pure white plumage, the Great Egret has a long, yellow bill, and dark legs and feet. The great egret lives along salt and freshwater marshes, marshy ponds and tidal flats.  Orchard Oriole; Walton County, Georgia. July 27, 2018. Some Walton County, Georgia birding photography. I was blessed with beautiful lighting and a nice pose from an Orchard Oriole. The Great Egret was in its usual afternoon spot snapping up dragonflies and fish. Walton County, Georgia.  Large white Great Egret Ardea alba heron on pond in Monroe, Walton County, GA. William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  Large juvenile Great Blue Heron on pond in Monroe, Walton County, GA. The great blue heron Ardea herodias is a large wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae, common near the shores of open water and in wetlands over most of North America. Shafts of golden light are highlighted and defined as they pass through the trees and cut diagonally across the mist hovering above the ground. The young Great Blue Heron stands pond-side immediately outside the back door on the main shelter pond. In his juvenile naïveté, he not only allowed an approach to within 40 feet, but he continued to walk closer and closer towards me. He got so close his head alone filled my camera frame without even zooming the lens. Walton County, Georgia  Large juvenile Great Blue Heron on pond in Monroe, Walton County, GA. The great blue heron Ardea herodias is a large wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae, common near the shores of open water and in wetlands over most of North America.
 Large juvenile Great Blue Heron on pond in Monroe, Walton County, GA. The great blue heron Ardea herodias is a large wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae, common near the shores of open water and in wetlands over most of North America.  Large juvenile Great Blue Heron on pond in Monroe, Walton County, GA. The great blue heron Ardea herodias is a large wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae, common near the shores of open water and in wetlands over most of North America.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. If one blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be counted as a curse to him. Proverbs 17:24  Great Egret on a Walton County, GA pond. Monday, 7:50 AM - As the fog and mist is beginning to lift at the dawn of a new day, a Great Egret is huddled motionless on the bank of the main pond. Perhaps, like me, he feels reluctant to jump into this Monday morning. Perhaps, like me, he is just a tad annoyed by the other cheery inhabitants that have already sprung into their day, flitting about here and there with their happy songs. But no doubt, as the morning progresses, the Great Egret will begin his full day of fishing. Another cup of coffee and I’ll be at my work too. Currently: Fog/Mist, 68°F. Today: slight chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  Small Green Anole chameleon lizard in hand to show tiny size. The Carolina anole Anolis carolinensis is an arboreal lizard native to the southeastern United States. Other common names include the American green anole, American anole, and red-throated anole. It is also sometimes referred to as the American chameleon due to its ability to change color from several brown hues to bright green. As the sun crests the horizon in the east, golden rays are crashing through the mist and chasing out the damp morning air. A woodpecker's distant drumming upon a hollow snag signals a wake up call and the bird feeder becomes a hub of traffic. The smaller birds are waiting on the larger. A Pileated calls from across the meadow; as is usual, all voice, no sight. But a second calls from a snag in the east, silhouetted against the golden sunrise. A tiny, recently born Green Anole suns itself on the patio chair cushion across from me. Now it’s time to leave for church. Athens-Clarke County, Georgia.  Small Green Anole chameleon lizard in hand to show tiny size. The Carolina anole Anolis carolinensis is an arboreal lizard native to the southeastern United States. Other common names include the American green anole, American anole, and red-throated anole. It is also sometimes referred to as the American chameleon due to its ability to change color from several brown hues to bright green.  Small Green Anole chameleon lizard in hand to show tiny size. The Carolina anole Anolis carolinensis is an arboreal lizard native to the southeastern United States. Other common names include the American green anole, American anole, and red-throated anole. It is also sometimes referred to as the American chameleon due to its ability to change color from several brown hues to bright green.  Blue Grosbeak; Athens-Clarke County, Georgia. William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  Bright red male Northern Cardinal perched on birdseed feeder. Photo taken in summer in Clarke County, Athens, GA. The northern cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis is a North American bird in the genus Cardinalis; it is also known colloquially as the redbird, common cardinal. It can be found in southern Canada, through the eastern United States from Maine to Texas and south through Mexico Heavy rain and lightning ended my birding from 7:50 to 8:55 AM. But birds came back with gusto to the full feeders after the storm. Athens-Clarke County, Georgia  Chipping Sparrow songbird perched on black oil sunflower seed bird feeder in backyard. Athens, Clarke County, GA. The chipping sparrow Spizella passerina is a species of American sparrow, a passerine bird in the family Passerellidae. It is widespread, fairly tame, and common across most of its North American range.  Great Crested Flycatcher bird perched and singing in a Persimmon Tree. Athens, Clarke County, GA. The great crested flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus is a large insect-eating bird of the tyrant flycatcher family. It is widespread in North America, and is found over most of the eastern and mid-western portions of the continent. It dwells mostly in the treetops and rarely is found on the ground.  Great Crested Flycatcher bird perched and singing in a Persimmon Tree. Athens, Clarke County, GA. The great crested flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus is a large insect-eating bird of the tyrant flycatcher family. It is widespread in North America, and is found over most of the eastern and mid-western portions of the continent. It dwells mostly in the treetops and rarely is found on the ground.  Chipping Sparrow songbird in backyard grass. Athens, Clarke County, GA. The chipping sparrow, Spizella passerina, is a species of American sparrow, a passerine bird. It is widespread, fairly tame, and common across most of its North American range. |
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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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