WILLIAM WISE PHOTOGRAPHY
  • Home
  • Shelter Photography
    • 2019 Shelter Photography
    • 2020 Shelter Photography
    • 2021 Shelter Photography
    • 2022 Shelter Photography
    • 2023 Shelter Photography
    • 2024 Shelter Photography
    • 2025 Shelter Photography
  • Nature Photography
    • Film Days
    • 2008-2011
    • 2012
    • 2013
    • 2014
    • 2015
    • 2016
    • 2017
    • 2018
    • 2019
    • 2020
    • 2021
    • 2022
    • 2023
    • 2024
    • 2025
    • Texas Deer "Hunts"
    • Okefenokee Swamp >
      • Okefenokee Contact Sheet
    • Cades Cove GSMNP
    • GA State Parks
    • Tucson Sweetwater Wetlands
  • Creation Speaks
  • Disney
  • Blogs

Great Backyard Bird Count 2018

2/16/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. ​Psalm 78:27 He rained down birds as thick as dust, clouds of them like sands along the shore!
Launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, the Great Backyard Bird Count was the first online citizen-science project to collect data on wild birds and to display results in near real-time. Now, more than 160,000 people of all ages and walks of life worldwide join the four-day count each February to create an annual snapshot of the distribution and abundance of birds. For at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count, February 16-19, 2018, simply tally the numbers and kinds of birds you see. Scientists use information from the Great Backyard Bird Count, along with observations from other citizen-science projects, such as the Christmas Bird Count, Project FeederWatch, and eBird, to get the “big picture” about what is happening to bird populations. http://gbbc.birdcount.org/about/

DAY 1 - Friday, February 16, 2018

Patchy morning fog, 30% chance of showers, high 74°
​
This was my first time participating in the GBBC. Wandering the grounds, parking lots and buildings  around the animal shelter on breaks throughout the day, I was able to list twenty one species on day 1!  https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S42837801
Eastern Towhee songbird singing on branch, Georgia, USA Picture
"Drink-your-tea!" - - Eastern Towhee songbird singing on brotographed on four days of birding in Clarke and Walton County during the February 2018 Great Backyard Bird Count sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society. Species checklists are entered on ebird during the event.
Picture
Song Sparrow in budding Bradford Pear Tree - - I was pleasantly surprised by this shot. Especially since I was just birding and not trying for good shots. I just lifted the camera and shot yet another typical Song Sparrow and moved on. But when I got back to edit, this one really stood out. The dark warm browns and the buds on the Bradford Pear really looked great. I even love the sharp detail of the spider webs if you look closely. And the rusty leaf stands out like a red arrow pointing to the subject. Just goes to show: point and shoot. You never know what turns out!
Northern Cardinal bird eating Greenbriar berries in winter, Georgia, USA Picture
Red male Northern Cardinal songbird in briars. Photographed on four days of birding in Clarke and Walton County during the February 2018 Great Backyard Bird Count sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society. Species checklists are entered on ebird during the event.
Eastern Phoebe Picture
Eastern Phoebe Flycatcher bird on branch, Georgia, USA
Picture
Hybrid mixed mallard drake and hen domestic ducks. Photographed on four days of birding in Clarke and Walton County during the February 2018 Great Backyard Bird Count sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society. Species checklists are entered on ebird during the event.
Eastern Towhee Picture
Eastern Towhee songbird singing on branch, Georgia, USA
Northern Mockingbird bird on branch, Georgia, USA Picture
Northern Mockingbird bird on branch, Georgia, USA
Carolina Wren bird on branch singing, Georgia, USA Picture
Carolina Wren bird on branch singing, Georgia, USA
Carolina Wren Picture
Carolina Wren songbird. Photographed on four days of birding in Clarke and Walton County during the February 2018 Great Backyard Bird Count

DAY 2 - Saturday, February 17, 2018

Picture
Sandhill Crane - quite a thrill (yes, I guess I'm now a bird nerd!) to see 9 cranes flying in V-formation over my house!
​Overcast, high 65°
​
I spent the entire morning from 8:45 to 11:15 AM on my back patio. Within the first hour or so, I had marked down all the usual birds in my backyard and go up to 19 species. But I like round numbers, so I stayed out just a little longer.
 
I had to be at the church at noon, so at 11:15 I was going to wrap it up when I heard a strange croak overhead. Then a group of giant birds flying in V-formation cruised right over my house heading west north-west. Not geese. Too big to be Cormorants. I suspected Sandhill Cranes although I didn’t know they migrated in a V-formation. I’d seen them in Illinois and I’d seen them in Florida. This was my first experience finding one in Georgia… especially right above my very own backyard!
 
I made a second e-bird list while on outreach with my church in the College Circle subdivision. I also spotted a few other species while on a 10 mile run later in the day. Twenty five species for the day! 
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S42877982
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S42883285
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S42891476
Northern Cardinal bird in winter, Georgia, USA Picture
Red male Northern Cardinal songbird in briars. Photographed on four days of birding in Clarke and Walton County during the February 2018 Great Backyard Bird Count
Female Northern Cardinal bird, Georgia, USA Picture
Female Northern Cardinal
Northern Cardinal bird in winter, Georgia, USA Picture
Male Northren Cardinal
Eastern Chipmunk on firewood log, Georgia, USA Picture
Whoops, that's not a bird! -- The eastern chipmunk Tamias striatus is a chipmunk species found in eastern North America. Photographed in Athens, Georgia.

DAY 3 - Sunday, February 18, 2018

Picture
"Going Dutch" - a White-breasted Nuthatch and a Downy Woodpecker share a suet meal at my backyard feeder.
Increasing clouds, high 66°

Instead of staying confined to the prayer room before the Sunday morning service, I paced on the sidewalk out front to pray… and to tally another ebird list! Finally spotted a Red-shouldered Hawk mixed in with dozens and dozens of circling vultures.
​
In the afternoon, a long nap interrupted my plan to go birding at Sandy Creek Park. I didn’t expect to see anything different from yesterday sitting on my back porch, but almost immediately found a White-breasted Nuthatch eating suet along with a Downy Woodpecker! I started a new list and took a walk around the block. While on the backside of Hummingbird Trail, I heard the distinct call of a Barred Owl from the woods. 
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S42920460
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S42923446
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S42943276

DAY 4 – Monday, February 19, 2018

Picture
A Red-shouldered Hawk hunts for rodents over the open field of the Walton County Sherrif's Department firing range. No poaching this hawk!
Morning drizzle and fog, mostly cloudy, high 71°
​
I wasn’t expecting to get too much birding in today. I planned to go in to work for two hours, mainly to get the payroll done, and then had to leave for errands in Atlanta with my wife. Before leaving work, I took a quick walk around the ponds and grounds. I was able to add two Killdeer to the tally, bringing my total tally to 39 species. Again, I like round numbers, and wanted one more. Where was the Great Blue Heron or the Kingfisher that regularly visit the pond? But on my way home, I got my desire and spotted an American Kestrel on a telephone wire on Barnett Shoals Road in Oconee County. Forty birds in four days! 
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S42973803
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S42975830
Picture
An Eastern Phoebe huddles up on the drizzle and rain.
Picture
My four-day species count:
1. Canada Goose
2. Mallard
3. Mallard (Domestic type)
4. Redhead
5. Black Vulture
6. Turkey Vulture
7. Red-shouldered Hawk
8. American Coot
9. Sandhill Crane
10. Killdeer
11. Mourning Dove
12. Barred Owl
13. Red-bellied Woodpecker
14. Downy Woodpecker
15. Northern Flicker
16. Pileated Woodpecker
17. American Kestrel
18. Eastern Phoebe
19. Blue Jay
20. American Crow
21. Carolina Chickadee
22. Tufted Titmouse
23. White-breasted Nuthatch
24. Carolina Wren
25. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
26. Eastern Bluebird
27. American Robin
28. Brown Thrasher
29. Northern Mockingbird
30. European Starling
31. Yellow-rumped Warbler
32. Chipping Sparrow
33. White-throated Sparrow
34. Song Sparrow
35. Eastern Towhee
36. Northern Cardinal
37. Red-winged Blackbird
38. Common Grackle
39. blackbird sp.
40. House Finch
0 Comments

Turtles emerge...

2/15/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation.
​Psalms 103:22 -- Bless the LORD, all His works, In all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Eastern Painted Turtle Picture
Eastern Painted Turtle, Chrysemys picta, pond slider river turtle basking on a log on a cloudy day. Photographed on wildlife birding hike in Walton County, Georgia, USA.
Thursday, 12:19 PM – a gray, cloudy day, but the warm temperature isn’t lost on the turtles. They’ve all climbed out of the mire on the upper pond near the animal shelter. But as I approached… SPLASH! Back into the water. Just to get away for a bit, I sat down upon a log on the bank during lunch break and waited for them to climb back out of the water.
Picture
Impressions of coyote and raccoon wildlife tracks left in dirt. Photographed on wildlife birding hike in Walton County, Georgia, USA.
​Not far from the pond, several fresh animal prints were tracked through the mud. Coyote, deer, raccoon, and a cat. 
Picture
Pond slider river turtle basking on a log on a cloudy day. Photographed on wildlife birding hike in Walton County, Georgia, USA.
Picture
Painted Turtle, Chrysemys picta, pond slider river turtle basking on a log on a cloudy day. Photographed on wildlife birding hike in Walton County, Georgia, USA.
​Forecast: overcast, high 73°
Sunrise 7:19 AM, sunset 6:18 PM
Day length: 10 hours, 59 minutes
New Moon
0 Comments

Goose Chase...

2/14/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation.
Colossians 2:2-4 (The Message) "I want you in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ... I don’t want anyone leading you off on some wild-goose chase..."
Picture
Canada Goose gander or hen calling on water`s edge of small lake in rural Walton County, Georgia. The big, black-necked Canada Goose with its signature white chinstrap mark is a familiar and widespread bird of fields and parks.
Wednesday, 2:45 PM – it looks like the last Redhead duck has left at last. The lone male that has remained the last few days was nowhere to be seen this morning or afternoon. However, a pair of Canada Geese have been back on the pond the last few days. I wish I knew if they were the same pair that had goslings on our pond in seasons past. 
​Walton County, Georgia
Mostly cloudy, gray skies, 63°
Sunrise 7:19 AM; sunset 6:16 PM
Day length: 10 hours, 57 minutes
Moon: waning crescent, 1% illumination
Picture
Canada Goose gander or hen calling on water`s edge of small lake in rural Walton County, Georgia. The big, black-necked Canada Goose with its signature white chinstrap mark is a familiar and widespread bird of fields and parks.
Picture
Canada Goose gander or hen calling on water`s edge of small lake in rural Walton County, Georgia. The big, black-necked Canada Goose with its signature white chinstrap mark is a familiar and widespread bird of fields and parks.
Picture
Canada Goose gander or hen calling on water`s edge of small lake in rural Walton County, Georgia. The big, black-necked Canada Goose with its signature white chinstrap mark is a familiar and widespread bird of fields and parks.
Picture
Canada Goose gander or hen drinking in pond water reflection on small lake in rural Walton County, Georgia. The big, black-necked Canada Goose with its signature white chinstrap mark is a familiar and widespread bird of fields and parks.
Picture
Canada Goose gander or hen drinking in pond water reflection on small lake in rural Walton County, Georgia. The big, black-necked Canada Goose with its signature white chinstrap mark is a familiar and widespread bird of fields and parks.
Picture
Canada Goose gander or hen calling on water`s edge of small lake in rural Walton County, Georgia. The big, black-necked Canada Goose with its signature white chinstrap mark is a familiar and widespread bird of fields and parks.
Picture
Canada Goose gander or hen calling on water`s edge of small lake in rural Walton County, Georgia. The big, black-necked Canada Goose with its signature white chinstrap mark is a familiar and widespread bird of fields and parks.
0 Comments

A Coot's supper...

2/2/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation.
​Revelation 19:17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sunshine, shouting loudly to the birds, “Come! Gather together for the supper of the Great God!
Picture
American Coot, Fulica Americana, a duck like marsh bird fishing on pond with marsh grasses eating a dead bream fish. The American Coot is a plump, chickenlike bird with a rounded head and a sloping bill. Common in marshes, reservoirs, lake edges, saltwater inlets or saltmarshes. Photographed on birding hike in Walton County, Georgia, USA.
​Friday, 7:45 AM-I made my morning drive around back to count the Redhead Ducks on the shelter pond. On the first pass I only saw eight. But on my way out there were 16! Half we’re underwater on my first drive-by!
 
At the northern point of the main pond, I saw a fast walking “duck” mixed in with the resident Mallards. Something different here… an American Coot! I spent 15 minutes shooting from my truck and filling an SD card. (Filling an SD card is so much better than the high cost days of shooting off several rolls of film!)
Picture
American Coot, Fulica Americana, a duck like marsh bird fishing on pond. The American Coot is a plump, chickenlike bird with a rounded head and a sloping bill. Common in marshes, reservoirs, lake edges, saltwater inlets or saltmarshes. Photographed on birding hike in Walton County, Georgia, USA.
​Going back out at 10:30 AM, the Coot was right outside the shelter back door tearing up a dead bream fish. This bird must have come from an area where it was accustomed to seeing people. It allowed me to approach so closely; I scooted up on my but until I was only 25 - 30 feet away. I fired off another several gigabytes of photos and scored some great shots of the dead fish in its mouth.
Picture
American Coot, Fulica Americana, a duck like marsh bird fishing on pond with marsh grasses eating a dead bream fish. The American Coot is a plump, chickenlike bird with a rounded head and a sloping bill. Common in marshes, reservoirs, lake edges, saltwater inlets or saltmarshes. Photographed on birding hike in Walton County, Georgia, USA.
Picture
American Coot, Fulica Americana, a duck like marsh bird fishing on pond. The American Coot is a plump, chickenlike bird with a rounded head and a sloping bill. Common in marshes, reservoirs, lake edges, saltwater inlets or saltmarshes. Photographed on birding hike in Walton County, Georgia, USA.
​Coots are goofy looking birds - like a cross between a duck and a chicken. Several of my coworkers, having spotted this strange bird, came into my office saying, “there’s a weird looking duck with the pointy white bill on the back pond.“
 
I have seen many of these birds on the marshes along coastal Georgia. But it was in November, 2012 that I last saw a Coot visit the shelter pond.
Picture
American Coot, Fulica Americana, a duck like marsh bird fishing on pond. The American Coot is a plump, chickenlike bird with a rounded head and a sloping bill. Common in marshes, reservoirs, lake edges, saltwater inlets or saltmarshes. Photographed on birding hike in Walton County, Georgia, USA.
Picture
American Coot, Fulica Americana, a duck like marsh bird fishing on pond. The American Coot is a plump, chickenlike bird with a rounded head and a sloping bill. Common in marshes, reservoirs, lake edges, saltwater inlets or saltmarshes. Photographed on birding hike in Walton County, Georgia, USA.
Picture
American Coot, Fulica Americana, a duck like marsh bird fishing on pond with marsh grasses eating a dead bream fish. The American Coot is a plump, chickenlike bird with a rounded head and a sloping bill. Common in marshes, reservoirs, lake edges, saltwater inlets or saltmarshes. Photographed on birding hike in Walton County, Georgia, USA.
Picture
American Coot, Fulica Americana, a duck like marsh bird fishing on pond. The American Coot is a plump, chickenlike bird with a rounded head and a sloping bill. Common in marshes, reservoirs, lake edges, saltwater inlets or saltmarshes. Photographed on birding hike in Walton County, Georgia, USA.
​Walton County, Georgia
Mostly sunny, high 49°
Sunrise 7:29 AM, sunset 6:05 PM
Day length: 10 hours, 35 minutes
Moon: waning gibbous, 95% illumination
0 Comments

Life Bird: Northern Shoveler

1/29/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation.
​Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
Picture
Monday, 4:57 PM - An  ebird.org user posted a group of Northern Shovelers (Anas clypeata) on a rural cattle pond. And I decided to search them out!  I was able to leave the crazy day behind about 15 minutes early so I could drive by Braswell Church Road in Walton County on my way home from work. 
 
Arriving on this quiet country road, two cattle ponds set directly off the road on my right. One pond was tiered a bit above the other and both were surrounded by considerable tilled up mud.
 
On my first pass the waters appeared empty… darn. Feeling I may have wasted my time, I turned the truck around to head back. But coming from the other direction, there they were: a dozen or more Northern Shoveler’s busily swimming back-and-forth over the surface of the muddy pond!
Picture
​This was my first experience seeing these big-billed ducks shoveling away, skimming the water’s surface; sometimes together as a group, sometimes singly, and at times even dabbling butt-up like a Mallard. Several other birds explored the freshly tilled dirt around the ponds: lots of Killdeer and Mourning Doves.

I sat and enjoyed their antics for about 15 minutes. As far as I know, I didn't draw any attention or awkward looks from anyone... except for the cows! 
Picture
Walton County, Georgia
Mostly sunny, high near 60°
Sunrise 7:32 AM, sunset 6:01 PM
Day length: 10 hours, 28 minutes
Moon: waxing gibbous 93% illumination
0 Comments

Sabbath Doves...

1/28/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation.
​Exodus 20:11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Mourning Dove perched in rain, Athens, Georgia Picture
Mourning Dove, Zenaida macroura, a graceful, slender-tailed, small-headed dove that’s common across the United States of America. Photographed backyard birding hike in Athens, Georgia, USA.
​At 1:38 PM, I come out to my covered back patio to sit under the propane heater. Rain, rain, rain and more rain continues to fall from a gray 54° sky. Two Mourning Doves are perched quietly side-by-side in the bare Black Cherry tree as rain droplets hang about them.
 
At 1:42 PM, the typical backyard birds make their repeated forays to the feeder: Cardinals, Titmice, Chickadees... all busy back-and-forth, back-and-forth, back-and-forth as the rain continues to fall. All the while the two doves sit side-by-side on their quiet perch.
 
At 1:50 PM, a loud Blue Jay takes up a perch high in the Sweetgum Tree continuously belting out loud screams echoed back-and-forth by a second Jay nearby; back-and-forth, back-and-forth. Meanwhile the two doves sit quietly side-by-side on their perch.
 
On a sudden, the Titmice put a ground stop on their feeder trips and nervously buzz alarms from the thickets. Something is up: a hawk must be nearby but I can’t see him. The rain continues to fall. And all the while the two doves sit side-by-side on their quiet perch.
 
At 2:18, an airplane roars loudly overhead unseen through the cloudy sky. The rain continues its steady stream. And all the while the two doves maintain their quiet perch.
 
At 2:35 PM, a Downy Woodpecker arrives for some suet. The rain is still falling, and yes, the two doves remain side-by-side on the rain droplet covered perch.
 
2:42 PM, a Northern Flicker stops momentarily by, high up on the Jay’s previous perch in the Sweetgum Tree. A Red-bellied Woodpecker now rattles off loudly as he takes his tern at the suet. The rain continues to fall; the two doves sit side-by-side on their quiet perch. 
 
At 3:15 PM, I wake up with a chill from an unintended doze; the propane heater has gone out. The rain continues to fall and the two Morning Doves sit side-by-side on their quiet perch.
 
At 3:27 PM, a gentle coo rolls across the lawn and the two doves lift off from their quiet perch with squeaking wings. Meanwhile, the rain continues to fall.
Picture
Mourning Dove, Zenaida macroura, a graceful, slender-tailed, small-headed dove that’s common across the United States of America. Photographed backyard birding hike in Athens, Georgia, USA.
​Athens-Clarke County, Georgia
Morning fog; showers 100%, high 59°
Sunrise 7:33 AM, sunset 6:00 PM
Day length: 10 hours, 27 minutes
Moon: waxing gibbous, 86% illumination
0 Comments

Just relaxing...

1/27/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation.
​Acts 4:24 -- "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them,
Picture
​Saturday, 7:45 AM – sitting under my back patio propane heater and enjoying a little relaxation. It’s about to really break loose with the girls’ soccer season.
 
Nothing much to report at the feeders; just the usual birds. But why not note a brief moment to relax and watch the backyard birds. I typically don’t see it, but a Yellow-rumped Warbler clings to the suet feeder.
​Athens Clarke County, Georgia
Forecast: cloudy, 50% chance rain, high 59°. Rain likely tonight, low 49°
Sunrise 7:33 AM, sunset 5:59 PM
Day length: 10 hours, 25 minutes
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Beaver Swamp Walk...

1/24/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation.
​Revelation 4:11 - 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.
Yellow Rumped Warbler song bird, Monroe, Georgia Picture
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Setophaga coronata, songbird perched in tree. Common winter migrant in the southeast, also known as Butter Butts. Yellow-rumped Warblers winter across much of central and southeastern U.S., and they sometimes come to backyards if food is offered. Photographed on birding hike in Walton County, Georgia, USA.
Wednesday, 7:42 AM - first light on the shelter pond: 
  • 17 Redhead ducks
  • 2 Canada Geese on the water
  • 1 Great Blue Heron by the bank
  • 13 Canada Geese fly overhead in V-formation
Canada Goose on blue lake in Georgia Picture
Canada Goose drake, Branta canadensis , on an open water blue lake. Thousands of honkers migrate north and south each year, filling the sky with long V-formations. Photographed on wildlife birding hike in Walton County, Monroe, Georgia, USA.
​Lunchtime - I pull on the large black rubber boots that my daughter Amanda bought for me. What used to be a small, usually dry overflow creek from the main pond has now turned into some fairly wide wetlands. Trekking down through the wet, muddy standing water I find several large beaver dams now transect the area. I turn on a GPS iPHone app to try and sketch out a map.
 
There are five impressively long and somewhat high dams. It is amazing how much mud, leaves, sticks and branches are all pressed together to build these levee walls. They are so well constructed that there is no problem holding my weight. It is obvious the beaver have been quite busy here, though I failed to see any on my treck.
Picture
Red-shouldered Hawk; Walton County, Georgia.
On my little, lunchtime nature walk I spot:
  • 4 Wood ducks flush, south end
  • 22 Canada geese on the pond at the southern terminus
  • 2 Black Vultures soaring
  • 1 Red-shouldered hawk hollering
  • 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
  • 1 Carolina Wren flitting about
  • 1 Eastern Towhee scraping in dry leaves
Picture
​Later in the afternoon: the first quarter moon that Rose at 12:42 PM is now plainly visible and hanging in the blue sky about 35° from the horizon, to the east. There is no slow down on the work stress today. The controversies surrounding a dog named “Otis” continue. And just after 5 PM, three pit bulls maul a child and attack a woman trying to save the boy. No doubt tomorrow will be another crazy day.
Yellow Rumped Warbler Picture
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Setophaga coronata, songbird perched in tree. Common winter migrant in the southeast, also known as Butter Butts. Yellow-rumped Warblers winter across much of central and southeastern U.S., and they sometimes come to backyards if food is offered. Photographed on birding hike in Walton County, Georgia, USA.
​Walton County, Georgia
Forecast: sunny, high near 56°. Clear tonight, low 31°
Sunrise 7:35 AM, sunset 5:56 PM
Day length: 10 hours, 21 minutes
First quarter moon
Picture
Redhead Ducks; Walton County, Georgia.
0 Comments

Lesson Learned: slow SD...

1/23/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation.
James 1:19 "Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath"
Great Blue Heron bird, Georgia Picture
Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias, a long legged water bird fishing in reeds and grasses of a pond. Great Blue Herons can strike like lightning to grab a fish. Photographed on wildlife birding hike in Walton County, Monroe, Georgia, USA.
Tuesday, 4:30 PM- Taking a walk up to the main pond behind the shelter underneath a sunny blue sky; 55°. Strong wind gusts are blowing the redheads around the water surface. Half of the ducks have their bills tucked in their feathers, all the others are diving away making quite the splashing and sputtering ruckus in the weedy shallows on the northern end of the pond.
 
The Great Blue Heron, a skittish but regular visitor, is spear fishing on the opposite bank. I was able to sneak up closer behind the large pieces of Public Works equipment. I saw him take a few catches while sitting patiently and watching. Getting in a better position, I began to fire away. But something was wrong: four shots, buffer full; Two shots, buffering again; three shots waiting for the buffer once more. So slow!!!!
Redhead Duck drake and hen sleeping Picture
Redhead duck, Aythya americana, waterfowl on an open water blue lake. Bills tucked in feathers, sleeping. These sociable ducks molt, migrate, and winter in huge flocks where winter numbers can reach the thousands. Similar appearance to Canvasback duck. Photographed on wildlife birding hike in Walton County, Georgia, USA.
​Having filled an SD card yesterday, and not downloading the photos onto my computer, I grabbed a different SD card and pop it in the camera before heading up to the pond. What a difference a brand can make! Although this card showed it was rated class 10, it certainly didn’t have the save time like one. Such annoyingly slow shooting. Lesson learned: not all SD cards are created equal. Know your equipment before you go. I’m glad the lesson was learned on a casual back-door outing and not on a rare find.
Redhead Duck drake and hen on lake, Georgia  Picture
Redhead duck, Aythya americana, waterfowl flock on an open water blue lake. These sociable ducks molt, migrate, and winter in huge flocks where winter numbers can reach the thousands. Similar appearance to Canvasback duck. Photographed on wildlife birding hike in Walton County, Georgia, USA.
​Walton County, Georgia
Forecast: sunny, High near 58°
Sunrise 7:35 AM; sunset 5:55 PM
Day length 10 hours, 19 minutes
Moon: waxing crescent, 34% illumination
0 Comments

Life Bird: Red-breasted Merganser

1/20/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation.
​Numbers 14 “The land we walked through and scouted out is a very good land—very good indeed."
Picture
Red-breasted Mergansers at Sandy Creek Park in Athens, Georgia.
Saturday, 4:15 PM- Winter’s grip has loosened. Not that it is ever that tight in Georgia. But Wednesday morning I was off work and watching the snowfall, and today I’m hiking without a jacket and it’s 64°!
 
I suppose my level of bird nerdiness has reached a new high. Becoming more acquainted with my new iPhone, I’ve been exploring the sightings posted on ebird. Several people have recently posted a trio of Red-breasted Mergansers at Sandy Creek Park. With persmission from my wonderful wife, I make a short Saturday getaway and head for Lake Chapman.
Picture
Lake Chapman in Sandy Creek Park in Athens, Georgia, USA.
​Arriving at the park I had no idea where these birds would be on the 260 acre lake. So why not start at the main beach and walk the Lakeside trail north from there? Well, I didn’t have to go far. Just off shore from the main beach parking area I could see the three ugly ducklings diving in the water! Obviously they were the Red-breasted Mergansers I came to see: long pointy bills, and topped with rusty, scruffy bad-hair-day! Truly unique looking birds! I spent quite a bit of time observing this new quarry and making sure I would get some good shots.
Picture
Red-breasted Mergansers at Sandy Creek Park in Athens, Georgia.
​Having found my prize so quickly, I went for a short walk. The temporary withdraw of winter produced a good bit of avian activity. There were Robins a-plenty; a busy Downy Woodpecker; a singing Kinglet; and a Sparrow soaking the sunset. Eleven species on my eBird list. https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S42102994 ​
Song Sparrow bird perched near nest Picture
Song Sparrow, Melospiza melodia, songbird perched in tree and briars singing. Sandy Creek Park, Athens, Georgia, USA.
Ruby Crowned Kinglet perched sining in sunset Picture
Small Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Regulus calendula, passerine bird singing on brach in golden sunrise sunset. Photographed on birding hike at Sandy Creek Park Nature Center, Lakeside Trail, Athens, Georgia, USA.
Downy Woodpecker bird hammering branch, Georgia USA Picture
Downy Woodpecker hanging upside down and pecking on tree. Sandy Creek Park, Athens, Georgia, USA.
Picture
Lake Chapman in Sandy Creek Park in Athens, Georgia, USA.
Musk Turtle Shell Picture
On the walk back I found the shell of a Common Must Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) on the trail side.
​Athens, Clarke County, Georgia
Sunny, high near 60°
Sunrise 7:37 AM, sunset 5:52 PM
Day length: 10 hours, 15 minutes
Moon: waxing crescent, 10% illumination
0 Comments

Get me out of here...

1/19/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation.
Eastern Phoebe bird hiding in shadow of tree branch Picture
Eastern Phoebe bird hiding in shadow of tree branch, Georgia USA.
Get me out of here on dove's wings;
   I want some peace and quiet.
I want a walk in the country,
   I want a cabin in the woods. 
​                   - Psalms 55, The Message
Friday, 4:30 PM – Nearing the end of yet another stressful week at work. A Pitbull owner finally calls the shelter after 10 days… but her dogs were euthanized about 30 minutes before she called. Not a fun call; but not our fault. Still so many emails from people complaining that animal control doesn’t do enough to help the dogs out in the cold; but we’re doing the best we can with what we have.
​
I’m just ready to go home. I take a quick stress-relieving walk up to the shelter pond before leaving so I don’t take it out on my family when I get home. Twenty-six Redheads on the water and an Eastern Phoebe hiding in the shadows. She looks how I feel. I just want to hide sometimes. 
​Walton County, Georgia
Forecast: Frost in the morning, otherwise sunny with a high of 56°
Sunrise 7:37 AM; Sunset 5:51 PM
Day length: 10 hours, 13 minutes
Moon: 5% waxing crescent
0 Comments

Lesson Learned: engine shake...

1/18/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation.
​Psalm 16:8 I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Killdeer plover bird camouflaged in pond reeds Picture
Small Killdeer plover on frozen pond in Southeast USA. Walton County, Georgia. A small shorebird often seen inland away from water.
​Thursday, 8:15 AM - although the snow when ice was mostly gone, the girls were off school another day and the Walton County government was on a delayed, 10 AM start. But I began my drive to work early anyway. Staying off the back roads, I passed the retention pond next to the Walmart Distribution Center on Unisia Drive in Monroe. About 18 Hooded Mergansers were diving in the middle of the pond.
 
Arriving at the animal shelter just after 8 AM, I drove around back to the pond. Out on the water were about 25 redheads. I didn’t get an exact count but the numbers looked a little bit lower than Tuesday.
 
While passing the north point of the pond I spotted a small plover-like bird in the weeds. Will this be a new bird? I raise my glass. For some reason, our typical parking-lot Killdeer were standing huddled up on the semi-frozen surface of the pond. It was a chilly 19° and breezy. Poor birds. But I was nice and warm shooting from the cab of my warm truck.
 
Back in the office, I was puzzled when nearly every shot of the Killdeer was blurry. Why? I was stabilizing it on the truck window while shooting. I’m sure I had a high enough shutter speed. Well, I remembered that nice feeling I had “shooting from the cab of a warm truck.” I forgot to turn off the engine while shooting! Apparently the Vibration Reduction feature on the lens can’t overcome the continuous vibrating of a running motor! Lesson learned.
Killdeer plover bird camouflaged in pond reeds Picture
Small Killdeer plover on frozen pond in Southeast USA. Walton County, Georgia. A small shorebird often seen inland away from water.
​Walton County, Georgia
Sunny, high near 46°. Clear tonight, low 23°
Sunrise 7:37 AM; sunset 5:50 PM
Day length: 10 hours, 12 minutes
Moon: 2% waxing crescent
0 Comments

CREATION SPEAKS: We don't snow...

1/17/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
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
Picture
White snow falling on camping fire pit and canoe in winter. Pine trees and snow flakes. Athens, Clarke County, Georgia. USA.
In the Book of Job, God poses a series of rhetorical questions to confront the arrogant knowledge of Job and his counselors. God’s point was to prove man’s inferiority through Job’s inability to answer this inquisition concerning the wonders of nature. Failing an effective riposte, Job admits defeat: “Then Job replied to the LORD, ‘I am nothing-- how could I ever find the answers? I will put my hand over my mouth in silence. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.’" (Job 40:3-5)

Sure, Job and his similarly ‘primitive’ friends were unable to answer. But what about today? Doesn’t ‘advanced’ man now possess the knowledge to answer God’s inquiry?

We have measured the “recesses of the deep” (Job 38:16) - the Challenger Deep in the Pacific Ocean - at 35,814 feet by direct measurement from submersibles and by sonar bathymetry. We now “perceive the breadth of the earth” (Job 38:18) to be 3,959 miles in equatorial radius, and 3,949 in polar radius. We know light is “electromagnetic radiation within a certain portion of the electromagnetic spectrum” (Job 38:19). We have unlocked the mysteries of dew point and understand the formation of dew and frost (Job 38:28). We have charted the movements of the constellations with pinpoint accuracy down to the fraction of a second (Job 38:31-33). And the Mountain Goat breeds yearly between November and January and has a gestation period of 180 days.
Job 38:22 "Have you visited the treasuries of the snow? Have you seen where the hail is made and stored?
Picture
White snow falling on camping fire pit and canoe in winter. Pine trees and snow flakes. Athens, Clarke County, Georgia. USA.
​So, hasn’t all this wisdom made man less inferior? Or, dare I say, even made God less superior, even obsolete? Some would say, “yes.”

Back to God’s inquest concerning snow. Job may not have had the answer, but modern man does! “Snow is formed when temperatures are low and there is moisture in the atmosphere in the form of tiny ice crystals. When these tiny ice crystals collide they stick together in clouds to become snowflakes. If enough ice crystals stick together, they’ll become heave enough to fall to the ground.” So there, God. We do know where the hail is made and stored.

True, we may know how snow forms. We might even be able to predict with some accuracy when and where it may fall, and how much may fall. But do we know it all? Do even the wisest meteorologists amongst us possess all knowledge? Does man possess enough superior knowledge to make inferior, or dismiss God? Can we now, in our day of advanced knowledge, “remove the hand from our mouths” and put forth a rejoinder to God’s interrogation?
​Let’s ask an expert for a prediction concerning today’s simple snowfall. “The bottom line is that I still can’t delineate a DEFINITIVE zone of where it will be heaviest or most likely. That will come down to random chance affects of meso-scale forcing like frontogenetic lift that can’t be resolved until we see it on radar and satellite... I hold to what I’ve said earlier about being absolute in amounts or locations so my hand is forced to broad-brush more than I like to or want to, but sometimes its the nature of the beast.” I guess we don’t really snow it all, after all!
Athens-Clarke County, Georgia
0 Comments

Backyard Snow Birds...

1/17/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
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
Red-bellied Woodpecker Picture
Red-bellied Woodpecker in a snow covered pine tree; Clarke County, Georgia birding.
Wednesday, 8:30 AM - Snow still continues to fall as the sky lightens to gray. Fat flakes fall in the cloudy, 24° air. The grass is hidden under a nearly unbroken white blanket, only a few sticks and weeds poking through the falling powder. The sidewalk and road are covered in about a quarter of an inch.
 
9:00 AM - The snowfall has ceased. I was feeling bad for the birds and went out to fill the feeders. Cold, cold, cold 25°! I left a trail of footprints in the now 1-inch deep layer of snow.
 
At 9:05, the wind began to roll back the cloud layer, blue sky beginning in the west and rolling back toward the east. By 9:15, the sky dome was half blue sky and half grey cloud. After another 30 minutes, strong winds pushed back and only the eastern horizon was veiled by cloud. And by 10:00 AM, our snow “event” was over; bright rays were uncovered and illuminated the fallen snow to a glowing orange.
​Psalm 74:17 All nature is within your hands; you make the summer and the winter too.
Picture
Tufted Titmouse and Carolina Wren at a backyard bird feeder in the snow; Clarke County, Georgia birding.
All the while, the Cardinals, Titmice, Chickadees and one Carolina Wren were busy at the freshly filled feeders. They would magically vanish each time I stepped out with camera in hand. I managed enough patience to sit silently in the cold and shoot a bold red Cardinal and Red-bellied Woodpecker before my frozen fingers took me back indoors.
 
Strong blowing winds gusts continued to blow powdery snow off the roof tops and trees throughout the day. It remained deceptively bright and sunny, but still just 29°.
​Athens-Clarke County, Georgia
Forecast: snow, mainly before 9 AM, high 35°. Accumulation of less than 1” possible. Wind gusts up to 20 MPH.
Sunrise 7:38 AM; sunset 5:49 PM
Day length: 10 hours, 11 minutes.
Picture
Northern Cardinal; Clarke County, Georgia birding.
Picture
Carolina Wren; Clarke County, Georgia birding.
Picture
Carolina Wren at a backyard bird feeder; Clarke County, Georgia birding.
Picture
Northern Cardinal on a snowy branch; Clarke County, Georgia birding.
Carolina Wren songbird on snow covered bird seed feeder, Georgia, USA Picture
Carolina Wren bird, Thryothorus ludovicianus, on snow covered bird seed feeder in winter. A common bird in southeast America. Athens, Clarke County, Georgia. USA.
Picture
Carolina Wren bird, Thryothorus ludovicianus, on snow covered bird seed feeder in winter. A common bird in southeast America. Athens, Clarke County, Georgia. USA.
0 Comments

Duck Hunting...

1/16/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation.
​Proverbs 21:21 Whoever goes hunting for what is right and kind finds life itself—glorious life!
Picture
Tuesday, 5:10 PM - The thick gray clouds came rolling in across the sky around 3 PM. Dusk was coming early today. They are promising snow and winter weather tonight!
 
On my drive to and from work every day I’m scanning every countryside pond for ducks. A few minutes away from the shelter on Pannell Road, I stopped at a small pond to catch a closer look at some divers on the water. Noticing several bold, black and white flashes tipped me off to Hooded Mergansers. I was hoping for something new, but these are still a nice sight to see.
 
A few days later, a coworker said her husband saw me pulled over on the side of and thought I might be broke down. When I told her “no”, she asked what I was doing. With a grin, I said, “Duck hunting”!
​Walton County, Georgia
Increasing clouds, high 50°
Chance of rain and snow tonight, low 22°
Sunrise 7:38 AM, sunset 5:48 PM
Day length: 10 hours, 10 minutes
0 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>

    Categories

    All
    Creation Speaks
    Disney Pin Trading
    Misc. Photography
    Nature Photo Posts
    Okefenokee Swamp
    Shelter Photography
    William Bartram

    Archives

    July 2025
    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    June 2023
    April 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    January 2011
    July 2010
    February 2010
    November 2009
    October 2009
    July 2009
    June 2008
    May 2008
    January 2008
    April 2006
    August 2002
    June 2002
    May 2001
    May 2000
    April 2000
    March 2000
    October 1999
    September 1999
    July 1998
    June 1998
    May 1998
    April 1998
    March 1998
    October 1997
    September 1997
    July 1997
    June 1997
    May 1997
    March 1997
    February 1997
    October 1996
    August 1996
    April 1996
    October 1995
    July 1995
    June 1994
    May 1993

Contact me here: 

Stock Photos & Images
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. 
Picture
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!  
  • Home
  • Shelter Photography
    • 2019 Shelter Photography
    • 2020 Shelter Photography
    • 2021 Shelter Photography
    • 2022 Shelter Photography
    • 2023 Shelter Photography
    • 2024 Shelter Photography
    • 2025 Shelter Photography
  • Nature Photography
    • Film Days
    • 2008-2011
    • 2012
    • 2013
    • 2014
    • 2015
    • 2016
    • 2017
    • 2018
    • 2019
    • 2020
    • 2021
    • 2022
    • 2023
    • 2024
    • 2025
    • Texas Deer "Hunts"
    • Okefenokee Swamp >
      • Okefenokee Contact Sheet
    • Cades Cove GSMNP
    • GA State Parks
    • Tucson Sweetwater Wetlands
  • Creation Speaks
  • Disney
  • Blogs