 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  Tuesday, 2:57 PM - Spring and summer months bring frequent, urgent calls across the 911 radio system for snakes inside people’s homes. One particular snake was quite large and worth some photography.  Animal Control Officer Nancy Hall was called out to a Church Street home in Monroe, Georgia by a frantic woman that had a snake in her kitchen. When she arrived, ACO Hall found this long, thick Black Rat Snake (Pantherophis) stretched all the way across the kitchen table! They are typically about 3 to 4 feet long, but this one was every bit of six feet, if not a foot longer. The two bulbous lumps in his belly showed he had just enjoyed a meal of some sort.  Black Rat Snakes make up about 90% of the snake calls we receive at Walton County Animal Control. Except for giving you a heart attack, they are completely harmless to people. They love to eat birds and birds eggs straight out of the nests. Therefore, they are agile climbers and can scale the side of a sheer brick home or straight up a tree’s bark. The babies and juveniles have a beautiful, distinct black and gray pattern that fades to black as the snake ages. The pattern can sometimes be faintly seen on the adults as well.  This big boy must have had a long life and story to tell. There were several scars along his girth. He was also quite the feisty fellow… perhaps that is how he survived a long life. At one point during the photoshoot, as he tried to slither off the stump into the leaf litter, I gained a stinging strike to my hand as he sunk his teeth into my fingers as I grabbed him mid-body. I released him in the woods behind the shelter after his photo session to continue his happy, rat-eating life. Walton County, Georgia 
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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  Eastern Box Turtle, Terrapene carolina. Tortoise with hinged shell. The plastron bottom of the shell is hinged, allowing the box turtle to completely close it shell. Walton County, Georgia, USA. Thursday, 8:16 AM - One of my co-workers brought in an Eastern Box Turtle that his German Shepherd had found and threw around like a chew toy. A few marginal scutes were broken off the front of his carapace, but it otherwise seemed okay. A few characteristics identified this nice specimen as a male. Male box turtles have more of a concave plastron then females. Their eyes also tend to be more red than the females. This particular guy had some strikingly red eyes… no Photoshop enhancements here! I took advantage of some time and took him out for a photoshoot. I couldn’t resist placing him on some upright posts nearby for that “Turtle on the Fencepost” shot.
 Tortoise with hinged shell. The plastron bottom of the shell is hinged, allowing the box turtle to completely close it shell. Walton County, Georgia, USA.  Tortoise with hinged shell. The plastron bottom of the shell is hinged, allowing the box turtle to completely close it shell. Walton County, Georgia, USA.  Tortoise with hinged shell. The plastron bottom of the shell is hinged, allowing the box turtle to completely close it shell. 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  Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica, perched on telephone wire with mud in beak to build a nest. North American Swallow. Their nests are often easy to spot under the eaves or inside of sheds, barns, bridges and other structures. Monroe, Walton County, Georgia, USA. Thursday, 2:04 PM - The Barn Swallows are frequently skimming just above the smooth pond water behind the shelter. Their constant perching on the eves of the fleet maintenance building next door means their tell-tale mud nests must be located in the vicinity. On this particular day, I noticed that each time I went out the back door of my office, a pair of swallows was on a bundle of wires going from our admin building to the shop next door. Taking the time to watch, I noticed they would leave and return with beaks-full of mud. They quickly began slapping that mud on top of the wire just under the gutter. In just a matter of hours a nest was well under way. It was totally completed by the end of the following day. “During the breeding season keep an eye on mud puddles, as Barn Swallows come to the ground to pick up mud and grass for nesting materials. Their mud nests are often tucked under the eaves of barns and stables, on structures near playing fields, or under bridges.” source  Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica, perched on telephone wire with mud in beak to build a nest. North American Swallow. Their nests are often easy to spot under the eaves or inside of sheds, barns, bridges and other structures. Monroe, Walton County, Georgia, USA.  Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica, perched on telephone wire with mud in beak to build a nest. North American Swallow. Their nests are often easy to spot under the eaves or inside of sheds, barns, bridges and other structures. Monroe, Walton County, Georgia, USA.  Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica, perched on telephone wire. Monroe, Walton County, Georgia, USA.  Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica, perched on telephone wire. Monroe, Walton County, Georgia, USA.  Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica, perched on telephone wire. Monroe, 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  Green Heron; Walton County, Georgia Thursday, 9:08 AM - On my trip to Illinois in the last week of May, between graduations and family get-togethers, I just barely had time to go on a few long runs. Two runs took me by Peter Exner Marsh in Huntley. The trails were flooded, but on the front edge of the preserve I spotted two large, gray Sandhill Cranes and two rusty-colored, gangly babies walking under their mothers’ long legs. But no camera on my runs. Back home in Georgia we have one of those rare, gorgeous days that almost simulated the wonderful weather in Illinois. A strong cool breeze uncharacteristically lacking humidity is blowing across the shelter pond. Large, billowing white clouds provide patches of shade as they roll across the bright blue sky. The morning temperature is in the cooler, upper sixties.  Green Heron; Walton County, Georgia While out near the Sheriff’s firing range taking photos of a Box Turtle, two Green Herons flush out of the duckweed bog to my left. Armed only with my 200 mm lens, I can’t get too close a shot. I’ve seen a Green Heron back here before, but never a pair sitting in the same tree. I head back to the office for a longer lens. Coming back ten minutes later after retrieving my 600mm lens from my office, one heron is gone and the other atop a tall Sweetgum Tree. He belts out a few harsh croaks while swaying back in forth in the strong breeze before flying off. Walton 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  A large, vibrantly blue bunting with an enormous silver bill and chestnut wingbars. The male Blue Grosbeak sings a rich, warbling song from trees and roadside wires. He and his cinnamon-colored mate often raise two broods of nestlings in a single breeding season. They are widespread but not abundant across the southern U.S., and are expanding their range. Blue Grosbeaks are heavily parasitized by cowbirds, which lay their own eggs in the grosbeak’s nests. Saturday, 8:01 AM – A gray, but brightening sky. A layer of lowering fog has filtered the sunrise. It’s a little damp, but 66°. Having a pre-run cup of coffee on my back patio. An Eastern Phoebe takes a bath in the dew-laden grass. Some of the usual birds are at the feeders: chickadees, cardinals, titmice… but a few unusual visitors have passed through this morning as well. First, a pale gray Opossum, his fine fur damp from the morning dew, ambles across the backyard. He trotted from near the firewood stack, off to the right and out into the woods behind my shed. Next, a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird stops for a quick drink at the nectar feeder. The last several years, the female hummers were “regular” visitors. But not so this year. I’ve only seen this male make occasional visits, such as this morning. And the last uncommon visitors were a pair of Blue Groskbeaks. My wife joined me with a cup of coffee when I saw some blue at the seed feeder. I quickly went inside for my telephoto and confirmed the sighting. I tried to tiptoe through the wet grass for a closer shot, but spooked them both off. Athens, Georgia  Female Blue Grosbeak; 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  Small green Carolina Anole. Other common names American green anole and red-throated anole. Athens, Georgia. USA Saturday, 4:21 PM - The day started off damp and gray after the thunderstorms last night. Although it was 65 degrees, it felt a tad cool on my back patio this morning. Still not seeing any regular appearances by the female Ruby-throated Hummingbirds this year; just an occasional male. The Chipping Sparrows have begun building a nest in Crepe Myrtle tree by my grill. My regular Anoles scurry around. How many green Carolina Anoles can I photograph on my back patio? As many as I want! Just because something is common, doesn't mean it isn't intriquing and wonderful to behold! I had fun watching this one. Instead of scurrying away from me, He kept doing his "push-ups" and enlarging his pink dewlap. It is obvious my back patio is his territory to protect. I'm glad he allows me some time to relax out here every once in a while! Athens, Georgia  Small green Carolina Anole. Other common names American green anole and red-throated anole. Athens, Georgia. USA  Small green Carolina Anole. Other common names American green anole and red-throated anole. Athens, Georgia. USA  Small green Carolina Anole. Other common names American green anole and red-throated anole. Athens, 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 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised. In many of my nature journal blog entries from Walton County I refer to the "upper pond." This is a smaller, more secluded pond that lies a few hundred yards past the main retention pond behind my office. Some of the more skittish birds are seen on this pond as it is less frequently disturbed by people.  Sunrise over one of my main birding spots behind my office in Walton County, Georgia. Friday, 7:38 AM.  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  Fox Squirrel; Oconee County, Georgia. Friday, 4:10 PM - While passing through Watkinsville on my back-roads drive home from work, another black squirrel caught my eye. I am used to only seeing the Eastern Gray Squirrels in my area. On my last encounter, I wasn’t quite ready and only managed some blurry shots. But this guy was different. He was standing on his rear legs under an oak tree on the right hand side of the road as I passed by. Wanting a better shot, I turned the truck around and headed back. Upon returning, he had crossed the road into the front yard of a nice, rustic, country home.  Black Fox Squirrel, Watkinsville, Georgia, USA. Surprisingly, he didn’t take off when I pulled into the gravel driveway. I fired a few shots from the open truck window. I didn’t want to push my luck, but I put it in park and opened my door. Still, he didn’t take off! I was then able to come around the front of the truck. He stood posed with an acorn in his mouth! This guy was so compliant I was able to pull use two lenses! He watched and waited while I switched to my 300mm lens. I really didn’t want to miss documenting this encounter! Not seeing many Fox Squirrels in my area, I thought my last encounter was a melanistic Eastern Gray. But after sharing my encounter on iNaturalist, I found that Fox Squirrels aren’t too rare for this area. Watkinsville, Oconee County, Georgia  Black squirrel with acorn in mouth. The black squirrel occurs as a melanistic subgroup of both the eastern gray squirrel and the fox squirrel. Watkinsville, GA, 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  Blue-gray Gnatcatcher; Georgia birding. Life bird.
 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  Two Common Grackles involved in a territorial fight. Walton County, GA. Monday, 10:09 AM - Long, strong pointed weapons engaged in battle... scrapping, grabbing, pinning to the ground... exertions of force and dominance. No, this wasn’t the inside of the Amphitheatrum Flavium in Rome, but the grass just outside the back door of my office. Two Common Grackles engaged in combat, hardly noticing my appearance. One source states, “Dominance disputes may be resolved by physical combat including bill-fencing, pecking and clawing.” That is putting it mildly! Just after they flew off, a coworker observing the battle along with me said, “You don’t see that every day.” Walton 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  Blue Jay songbird perched on railroad ties. Cyanocitta cristata. Blue and gray feathers. Walton County, Monroe, Georgia. USA A very bright, warm, sunny afternoon just before quitting time. I took a walk up to the Sheriff's firing range for some quick birding. A mockingbird stood panting in the heat on a dirt pile, and hopping around on the pile of railroad ties was a beautiful Blue Jay. Many birders consider these guys to be bullies or pests because they may eat the eggs of other birds. This particular individual seemed more content to spy out insects in the grass from a perch, hop down for a bite, then hop back up to scan the green blades for more. I sat a couple of minutes and watched him forage. -Walton County, Georgia  Northern Mockingbird songbird, Mimus polyglottos, on grassy hill, Walton County, Monroe, 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  Green Anole lizard; Clarke County, Georgia. The Green Anoles uses the pink dewlap in establishing territory. He will also bob up and down, or do push-ups, as part of this territorial display.
 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  Great Blue Heron; Walton County, Georgia. Wednesday, 11:14 AM - On one of my million trips between the admin office and the kennels, I saw a Great Blue Heron fishing on the other side of the shelter pond. I ran back in for my long lens and teleconverter. I was in for a treat… as soon as I lifted my glass, he brought a rather large bream up out of the water. It looked way too big for him to swallow, but it was gone in two gulps! At that distance, the photo quality wasn’t so great, especially since the Heron was backlit. But still a fun sight to see! Walton County, Georgia  Great Blue Heron; Walton 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  Wild Carrot, Daucus carota, white Queen Anne`s Lace wildflower. Also known as wild carrot, bird`s nest, bishop`s lace. An herbaceous weed found throughout Walton County, Monroe, Georgia, USA Wednesday, 8:39 AM - I guess it is a “weed”, but Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota) sure is pretty. What a beautiful, large white bloom, intricately formed by hundreds of smaller white blooms. In addition to looking like lace, many websites state that it earned its common name from a legend that Queen Anne of England (1665-1714) pricked her finger and a drop of blood landed on white lace she was sewing. These springtime blooms have popped up all along the roadsides and fields here in Georgia. There are many along the edges of the shelter pond that frequently get mowed down. Is something really a “weed” just because we say it is? Walton County, Georgia  Wild Carrot, Daucus carota, white Queen Anne`s Lace wildflower. Also known as wild carrot, bird`s nest, bishop`s lace. An herbaceous weed found throughout Walton County, Monroe, Georgia, USA  Wild Carrot, Daucus carota, white Queen Anne`s Lace wildflower. Also known as wild carrot, bird`s nest, bishop`s lace. An herbaceous weed found throughout Walton County, Monroe, 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. "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  American Robin redbreast bird, Turdus migratorius, thrush. Backyard birding in Monroe, Walton County, GA, USA. An American Robin hops by as I take outdoor photos of the animal shelter dogs needing adoption. It was either curious, or looking to photo-bomb our pet photo session!
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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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