 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 wading bird Great Egret on pond in Monroe, GA. Close up profile showing long bill and green lores. The great egret Ardea alba, also known as the common egret, large egret or great white heron is a large wading bird found in North America. The Great Egret is a regular, late-summer visitor on the large pond behind the animal shelter in Monroe, Georgia. Walton County, Georgia  Large white wading bird Great Egret on pond in Monroe, GA. The great egret Ardea alba, also known as the common egret, large egret or great white heron is a large wading bird found in North America.  Large white wading bird Great Egret on pond in Monroe, GA. The great egret Ardea alba, also known as the common egret, large egret or great white heron is a large wading bird found in North America.  Large white wading bird Great Egret on pond in Monroe, GA. The great egret Ardea alba, also known as the common egret, large egret or great white heron is a large wading bird found in North America.  Large white wading bird Great Egret on pond in Monroe, GA. The great egret Ardea alba, also known as the common egret, large egret or great white heron is a large wading bird found in North America.
 Large white wading bird Great Egret on pond in Monroe, GA. The great egret Ardea alba, also known as the common egret, large egret or great white heron is a large wading bird found in North America.
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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  Brown-headed Nuthatch songbird eating black oil sunflower seeds at bird feeder in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia, USA. The brown-headed nuthatch Sitta pusilla is a small songbird found in pine forests throughout the Southeastern United States. The Brown-headed nuthatch is a regular visitor to by backyard bird feeders, whether suet or seed. Athens-Clarke County, Georgia.  Brown-headed Nuthatch songbird eating black oil sunflower seeds at bird feeder in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia, USA. The brown-headed nuthatch Sitta pusilla is a small songbird found in pine forests throughout the Southeastern United States. 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  Male yellow and black American Goldfinch eats thistle and grass seeds from garden weeds in Monroe, Walton County, Georgia USA on July summer morning. The American goldfinch Spinus tristis is a small North American bird in the finch family.  Mockingbird songbird perched on limb in Monroe, Walton County, Georgia USA on July summer morning. The northern mockingbird Mimus polyglottos is the only mockingbird commonly found in North America. July 19, 2018.  Mockingbird songbird perched on limb in Monroe, Walton County, Georgia USA on July summer morning. The northern mockingbird Mimus polyglottos is the only mockingbird commonly found in North America. July 19, 2018. 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  A flock of Common Grackle Blackbirds stage and fly in front of a summer crescent moon at sunset in July in Athens, Georgia, Clarke County, USA. Two exposure focus stack merge. Over the course of an hour watched well over 100 blackbirds cross over and stage in some nearby pines before leaving to their evening roost. Looked to be mostly grackles. Athens-Clarke County, Georgia. July 16, 2021 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  Female Ruby-throated Humminbird hovering on green background. July in Athens, Georgia, Clarke County, USA. The ruby-throated hummingbird Archilochus colubris is a species of hummingbird that generally spends the winter in Central America, Mexico, and Florida, and migrates to Eastern North America for the summer to breed. It is by far the most common hummingbird seen east of the Mississippi River in North America. Enjoying some backyard visitors from my porch in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia. Athens-Clarke County, Georgia. July 16, 2021  Hummingbird drinking from red nectar feeder. Athens, 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  Granite boulders and canyon lake. The Granite Dells area near Prescott, AZ is a beautiful area of smooth granite formations, lush green riparian ecosystems, and stunning vistas just outside of the city of Prescott in the Central Highlands. During my 5-day trip to Prescott, Arizona for our International Bible Conference, I was able to do some hiking and birding photography at Watson Lake. The Granite Dells are a beautiful, unique landscape, unlike anything I've seen back home in the southeastern US.  Great Tailed Grackles, at Lake Watson reservoir at the Granite Dells, in Prescott, Arizona. The great-tailed grackle or Mexican grackle Quiscalus mexicanus is a medium-sized, highly social passerine bird native to North and South America. A member of the family Icteridae, it is one of ten extant species of grackle and is closely related to the boat-tailed grackle and the slender-billed grackle.  Granite boulder formation in Lake Watson, Prescott Arizona  Great Tailed Grackle Bird, Lake Watson, Prescott Arizona USA  Rain clouds over granite cliffs and boulders of Watson Lake and distant mountains. Lake Watson is one of two reservoirs at the Granite Dells, in Prescott, Arizona.  The American bushtit Psaltriparus minimus is a year-round resident of the western United States and highland parts of Mexico. Lake Watson is one of two reservoirs at the Granite Dells, in Prescott, Arizona.  Lake Watson Granite Dells, Prescott Arizona USA  The western kingbird Tyrannus verticalis is a large tyrant flycatcher very similar with Cassin`s kingbird, Couch`s kingbird and the tropical kingbird. Their breeding habitat is open areas in western North America. Lake Watson is one of two reservoirs at the Granite Dells, in Prescott, Arizona.  Double-crested Cormorant with wings spread on granite boulder in Lake Watson, Prescott, AZ. granite cliffs and boulders of Watson Lake and distant mountains. Lake Watson is one of two reservoirs at the Granite Dells. The double-crested cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus is a member of the cormorant family of seabirds. It occurs along inland waterways as well as in coastal areas, and is widely distributed across North America  Lake Watson Granite Dells, Prescott Arizona USA  Greater Road Runner on granite boulder at Lake Watson reservoir at the Granite Dells, Prescott, Arizona.  Greater Road Runner on granite boulder at Lake Watson reservoir at the Granite Dells, Prescott, Arizona. The greater roadrunner Geococcyx californianus is a long-legged bird in the cuckoo family, Cuculidae, from Southwestern United States and Mexico.  Lake Watson Granite Dells, Prescott Arizona USA  Desert Cottontail Rabbit at Lake Watson Riparian Preserve reservoir at the Granite Dells, Prescott, Arizona. The desert cottontail Sylvilagus audubonii, also known as Audubon`s cottontail, is found throughout the Western United States from eastern Montana to western Texas, and in Northern and Central Mexico.  Desert Cottontail Rabbit, Lake Watson, Prescott Arizona  Desert Cottontail Rabbit, Lake Watson, Prescott Arizona  Lake Watson Granite Dells, Prescott Arizona USA  The rock squirrel is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae and is native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. The Granite Dells area near Prescott, AZ is a beautiful area of smooth granite formations, lush green riparian ecosystems, and stunning vistas just outside of the city of Prescott in the Central Highlands.  Lake Watson Granite Dells, Prescott Arizona USA  Rock Squirrel, Granite Dells and Lake Watson Riparian Park, Prescott Arizona USA  Lake Watson Granite Dells, Prescott Arizona USA  Lake Watson Granite Dells, Prescott Arizona 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  Cloudy hazy aerial shot from airplane window approaching Phoenix, AZ USA. City streets, houses and buildings with sun filtering through clouds and haze. I flew into Phoenix, Arizona and drove to Prescott for our annual Bible Conference. My hotel was near the Granite Dells of Lake Watson, a beautiful view! Afternoon birding from the balcony of our hotel after just arriving in Phoenix and driving to Prescott. Looking out I can see the lake and boulders where I hope to go hiking and birding this week. Yavapai County, Arizona; July 9, 2018  View from the Prescott Resort Hotel of the granite cliffs and boulders of Watson Lake and distant mountains. Lake Watson is one of two reservoirs at the Granite Dells, in Prescott, Arizona. The Dells consist of exposed bedrock and large boulders of granite that have eroded into an unusual lumpy, rippled appearance.  P19 honor the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots fire fighters who died on June 30, 2013, in a wildfire above the town of Yarnell.  View from the Prescott Resort Hotel of the granite cliffs and boulders of Watson Lake and distant mountains. Lake Watson is one of two reservoirs at the Granite Dells, in Prescott, Arizona. The Dells consist of exposed bedrock and large boulders of granite that have eroded into an unusual lumpy, rippled appearance.  View from the Prescott Resort Hotel of the granite cliffs and boulders of Watson Lake and distant mountains. Lake Watson is one of two reservoirs at the Granite Dells, in Prescott, Arizona. The Dells consist of exposed bedrock and large boulders of granite that have eroded into an unusual lumpy, rippled appearance.  View from the Prescott Resort Hotel of the granite cliffs and boulders of Watson Lake and distant mountains.  Sunrise Granite Dells Mountains, Prescott, Arizona USA  Sheets of heavy rain fall from black storm clouds during a thunderstorm over Prescott Valley and Lake Watson Granite Dells. View from the Prescott Resort hotel balcony.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. -- "God gave Solomon very great wisdom and understanding, and knowledge as vast as the sands of the seashore. He could speak with authority about all kinds of plants, from the great cedar of Lebanon to the tiny hyssop that grows from cracks in a wall. He could also speak about animals, birds, small creatures, and fish. And kings from every nation sent their ambassadors to listen to the wisdom of Solomon." I Kings 4  Red-tailed Hawk Sunday, 3:45 PM - A nice break from the pattern of high heat and high humidity. It is a noticeably cooler, breezier and less humid Sunday afternoon. I got in an hour-and-a-half of patio ebirding between morning and evening church services. While getting my john-boat ready for a friend to borrow, I heard a piercing keeeerrr come from overhead and another call from back in the field. Overhead circled an adult Red-tailed Hawk with a beautiful orange tail highlighted by the overhead sun. The Red-tails haven’t been as prevalent as the Red-shoulders lately, so I was surprised to see these adults today and the juvenile yesterday. The trio of Brown-headed Nuthatches are so loud and busy back by the bird feeder. It seems they are always stirred up about something. I tried a little playback to draw one to the patio for a shot. They came, but only into the tops of the Crepe Myrtles on the side of my patio and never into camera range. But, of course, the inquisitive Carolina Wren always comes to check out the MP3 bird singing on the patio! Sunny, with a high near 84. East wind around 5 mph.  Carolina Wren perched singing in Crepe Myrtle tree. July in Athens, Georgia, Clarke County, USA. The Carolina wren Thryothorus ludovicianus is a common species of wren that is a resident in the eastern half of the United States of America, the extreme south of Ontario, Canada, and the extreme northeast of Mexico.  Carolina Wren perched singing in Crepe Myrtle tree. July in Athens, Georgia, Clarke County, USA. The Carolina wren Thryothorus ludovicianus is a common species of wren that is a resident in the eastern half of the United States of America, the extreme south of Ontario, Canada, and the extreme northeast of Mexico.  Female Ruby-throated Humminbird hovering on green background. July in Athens, Georgia, Clarke County, USA. The ruby-throated hummingbird Archilochus colubris is a species of hummingbird that generally spends the winter in Central America, Mexico, and Florida, and migrates to Eastern North America for the summer to breed. It is by far the most common hummingbird seen east of the Mississippi River in North America.  Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird 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  Three black crows perched on a roof peak. The American crow Corvus brachyrhynchos is a large passerine bird species of the family Corvidae. It is a common bird found throughout much of North America. July in Athens, Georgia, Clarke County, USA. Some backyard birding in Athens, Georgia. Athens-Clarke County, Georgia. July 7, 2018.  Mourning Dove in the grass. July in Athens, Georgia, Clarke County, USA. The mourning dove Zenaida macroura is a member of the dove family, Columbidae. The bird is also known as the American mourning dove or the rain dove, and erroneously as the turtle dove, and was once known as the Carolina pigeon or Carolina turtledove.[2] It is one of the most abundant and widespread of all North American birds.  Two black crows perched on a roof peak. The American crow Corvus brachyrhynchos is a large passerine bird species of the family Corvidae. It is a common bird found throughout much of North America. July in Athens, Georgia, Clarke County, USA. American crows are common, widespread, and susceptible to the West Nile virus, making them useful as a bioindicator to track the virus`s spread.  Two black crows perched on a roof peak. The American crow Corvus brachyrhynchos is a large passerine bird species of the family Corvidae. It is a common bird found throughout much of North America. July in Athens, Georgia, Clarke County, USA.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. -- Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them.  Juvenile and adult Osprey bird of prey raptors in nest platform on utility pole at Lake Oconee, Putnam County, GA. The osprey (Pandin haliaetus) also called sea hawk, river hawk, and fish hawk is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey. A few weeks ago I went to a small restaurant near Lake Oconee in Georgia, USA. I spotted several active Osprey nests. How badly I wanted to stop the car for some photos! But I didn’t want my photography addiction to get me in trouble again. Just have patience. Enjoy dinner with family. An opportunity will arise later, I told myself. Patience paid off. After dinner, while my wife and kids went to a small store, I raced back and parked under pole #66 where a large Osprey nest sat atop the utility tower. Two hungry juveniles waited in the nest. It seemed their patience had run out as they squealed and cried for dinner. Patience youngsters. Mom and dad will soon be back with dinner. After a few minutes, an adult Osprey soared in toward the nest with a fish in its talons. Then the action began! The two juveniles and two adults shifted and bounced around the nest while eating their dinner and a few good shots became available. The longer I exercised my patience, the more shots became available. More Osprey circled the skies, some carrying large fish. I also shot a soaring Mississippi Kite. Patience pays off! Getting my photos, I quickly sped back to the store to pick up my family. No problems! I had family time and photography time! You just have to have a little patience! Today: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.  Juvenile and adult Osprey bird of prey raptors in nest platform on utility pole at Lake Oconee, Putnam County, GA. The osprey (Pandin haliaetus) also called sea hawk, river hawk, and fish hawk is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey. 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 Some afternoon birding at my parents' house on Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Georgia. Greene County, Georgia  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Job 37:22 So also, golden splendor comes from the mountain of God. He is clothed in dazzling splendor.  Bright yellow American Goldfinch songbird in grassy meadow with yellow wildflower Helinium in Monroe, GA. The American goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is a small North American bird in the finch family. Friday, 7:30 AM - Each and every day we have another golden opportunity. As the sun rises above the horizon, the golden rays cut across the sky, chasing away the mists and shadows of dawn. It is affectionately called “The Golden Hour” by photographers and artists. It is that time of day where gold-medal winning shots can be captured. But it is called “The Golden Hour” not only because of the golden rays, but because it is only a short window of time; an “hour”, more or less. So don’t miss it. Wake yourself before dawn, have the other duties of the day wait just a little while, and get outdoors for walk. You never know what golden opportunities await you. (And moderate exposure to the golden rays can improve your mood, strengthen your bones, and boost your immune system too!) During the summer, I try to start my day with a walk. I am blessed that just behind my office are two large ponds where various birds and wildlife gather. Many mornings go by and I don’t see any wildlife, but simply enjoy the morning air. But over time, I’ve built a portfolio of wildlife and bird photos from these morning walks. Golden opportunities! Walton County, Georgia  American Goldfinch  Blue Grosbeak  Belted Kingfisher  Green Heron  White-eyed Vireo  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  Thursday, 9:47 AM - Well, its back to work today from a holiday break. And come to find out, the Green Heron is back from his holiday in South America! He was sitting out in the open on a stump in the upper pond. Before I even realized it was a Green Heron, he had spotted me and took off toward the further end. I was able to get a few better photos later in the day.   While walking back to the office, a Spotted Sandpiper flushed from the pond side reeds. I hadn’t seen one of these plump little birds since the spring. In fact, ebird had me check off the ‘rare’ box.  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  Juvenile plumage Great Blue Heron in willow pond thicket in Monroe, 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 and Central America. Thursday, 2:57 PM - On the rare occasion that they visit my pond, the Great Blue Herons normally take to the air whenever I approach to photograph them. But today was a double-rare incident. Not only did one long-legged visitor stay long enough for a photograph, but there were two Great Blue Herons at one time! The first Great Blue Heron sat on the bank of the pond. I approached slowly and instead of flying off at my approach, he casually walked further down the bank. Then, from out of the tree canopy just over my shoulder, another Great Blue Heron swooped down toward the first! Two herons on the open pond? And in the middle of the day? Strange! The second heron seemed to charge at the first heron. He crouched as he moved, puffed up his back plumes, and aggressively walked directly at the other heron until it flew off.  Great Blue Heron adult; Walton County, GA. At first I thought I had observed a territorial display. But reviewing the photos and thinking it over, it appeared that the first heron was a juvenile and the second an adult. Perhaps the boldness of the first heron wasn’t from confidence, but from juvenile naiveté. And the second heron, decked out in full adult plumage, was a protective parent trying to teach its youngster to flee from a human encounter. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. .  Juvenile Great Blue Heron  Great Blue Heron on grassy pond in Monroe, GA. The great blue heron Ardea herodias is a large wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae, common near the shores of open water, lakes, ponds and in wetlands over most of North America and Central America.  The great blue heron Ardea herodias is a large wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae, common near the shores of open water, lakes, ponds and in wetlands over most of North America and Central America.  Juvenile plumage Great Blue Heron in willow pond thicket in Monroe, 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 and Central America.  Juvenile plumage Great Blue Heron in willow pond thicket in Monroe, 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 and Central America.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Luke 24:31 Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.  Indigo Bunting Thursday, 2:58 PM - We can become so familiar with the birds in our area that we move too quickly and mistake a more rare bird for a common visitor. While on my morning birding walk I spotted a bright blue bird and just assumed it was one of the Blue Grosbeaks which show up in greater numbers here on this pond in Walton County, Georgia. But getting back to my computer and editing my photos, I realized my error of mistaken identity and correctly labelled this guy as the rightful Indigo Bunting. The obvious difference is the rusty colored wingbars of the Grosbeak. But suppose a view of the wing is obscured as in the photo above? What other features can we use to differentiate? According to www.allaboutbirds.com, the Indigo Buntings are a bit smaller than the Blue Grosbeaks and have a smaller bill. The Blue Grosbeaks also tend to be a deeper blue color. Walton "County, Georgia USA  A clearer view of the Indigo Bunting. There is no chestnut-colored wing bar as in the Blue Grosbeak. |
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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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