 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 Rufous Sided Towhee bird, Pipilo erythrophthalmus. Athens, Georgia, USA. Easter Sunday, 3:03 PM - We had a nice sunrise service in the woods this morning at 6:30 AM. During the short sermon, the birds awoke and provided a musical background. This was our church's first outdoor sunrise service. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands... Acts 17:24 After morning service, I had a chance to relax in my backyard. It turned out to be a very nice, warm, day; perfect for catching a short nap. I like to record when I have a chance to relax. I am frequently complaining about the hectic pace of life and saying I “never” get to relax. Taking note reminds me that “always” might be too strong a word. Athens, Georgia Forecast: mostly sunny, high 82°. Calm wind. Clear tonight, low 58°
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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  Green Anole "chameleon" lizard. Anolis carolinensis. Anolis, or anoles, is a genus of iguanian lizards belonging to the family Dactyloidae. Athens, Georgia, USA. April 15, 2017 Saturday, 9:11 AM - It is a little bit chillier this morning, about 57° at 7:00 AM. I fired up the patio heater to break the chill during my morning cup of coffee. Last summer must have been a good egg laying season for my back patio Green Anoles. I have seen at least four different Anoles scurrying across the foliage like little dinosaurs. One frequents the fronds of the Yucca to soak in morning rays. Clarke County, Georgia  Green Anole common chameleon lizard on Yucca leaf. An arboreal lizard found primarily in the southeastern United States. Photographed in Athens, GA, USA. April 22, 2017. Photo #201704047_DT91619469  Green Anole common chameleon lizard on Yucca leaf. An arboreal lizard found primarily in the southeastern United States. Photographed in Athens, GA, USA. April 29, 2017. (Photo #201704050)  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation.  A daylily is a flowering plant in the genus Hemerocallis. Athens, Georgia, USA. Botanical garden. Friday, 7:56 AM - Nice to have a day off from work (Good Friday holiday). I hung a new, glass hummingbird feeder first thing this morning, though I have not seen any hummingbirds return since the quick flyby of a male on Sunday evening. The first of the Day lilies has bloomed by the turtle pond. It looks like several more will burst forth on the rest this weekend. I found an eggshell on the front sidewalk. Perhaps the Phoebe’s eggs have hatched and she carried the shell away from the nest so as not to alert predators. I’ve also spotted two Phoebe’s on the gutter above the nest; perhaps making food runs. The Bluebird pair in back are also making insect runs into their nest boxes. Athens, Georgia  A daylily is a flowering plant in the genus Hemerocallis. Athens, Georgia, USA. Botanical garden.  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 Phoebe in a moss lined nest; Clarke County, Georgia. Sunday, 3:49 PM - Although it is the Barn Swallows that are busy about the posts on my neighbors’ front porches, it is an Eastern Phoebe that has once again attempted a nest on our front patio. Two years ago, the nest was destroyed before completion. Last year, the attempt appeared to be successful but was blown down by strong winds several weeks later, leaving unhatched eggs to perish under the overturned nest on the ground. This year’s nest seems of fine construction, neatly padded with fresh green moss, and has so far withstood one very windy day. The Phoebe sits on her nest quite a bit. Perhaps the eggs are already there. She cocks her head as I come out the front door, and usually takes flight quite quickly. Last Saturday, while doing yardwork, I set up my ladder next to the juniper tree to get a higher angle photo into her nest. Each time I climbed the ladder, she would fly off, and all I got was a poor shot with flash. Today I used a longer lens to stay out of her flight zone. I managed a little more naturally lighted photo. Athens, Georgia  Update: By the week of April 17, three hatchlings were sticking their heads up out of the nest. A little later, they were too big to fit in the nest together and sat a few days on the ledge. They finally fledged on April 28 and left the comforts of our front porch!  April 22, 2017, 8:44 AM.  April 27, 2017, 6:18 PM.  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  Ring-necked ducks visit a small pond in Walton County, Georgia. Tuesday, 3:45 PM - Two female Ring-necked ducks made a surprise appearance on the pond. They weren’t here yesterday, and were gone the following day. They kept their distance, so I had an opportunity to try out the 1.4x teleconverter with the Sigma 600mm lens. I found that autofocus was virtually unreliable with the teleconverter. I’m not sure if it was the lack of contrast from the bright sun on water, or some other issue.
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. -- Psalm 84:3 "Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God."  Female Eastern Bluebird, Sialia sialis, searches birdhouse nest box, in a backyard garden arbor birdhouses. Athens, Georgia, USA. Sunday, 7:30 AM – On an early morning walk around the block, I found the Red-shouldered Hawk sitting once again on the same fence on Hummingbird Trail that I saw at this same time last weekend. It must be a habit of his to hunt from this perch. Back home enjoying a cup of coffee on the back patio, the Cowbirds again made a showing. This time a larger group of both males and females visited the backyard feeder and perched side by side on the swingset. A pair of Eastern Bluebirds are busy throughout the backyard. A bright colored male sat high in the persimmon tree, which just today began to bud. He then flew to, and entered, the small birdhouse on the post near the fire pit. Perhaps this would be their choice for this year’s nest box? Nope. For he emerged with a beak-full of nesting material. But to which box would he carry it?  Female Eastern Bluebird, Sialia sialis, searches birdhouse nest box, in a backyard garden arbor birdhouses. Athens, Georgia, USA. Later in the afternoon, the more drably colored female made several staging runs from the Persimmon to the Crepe Myrtle, not far from where I sat. When she gained the confidence, she proceeded to the triple birdhouses over the turtle pond. Which would be her choice? Door #1, door #2, or door #3? She entered the house on the right. Throughout the course of the afternoon she made runs from the backyard, to the Persimmon, to the Crepe Myrtle, to the top of the three houses. Each time cautiously peering about before entering the right hand house. It seems the right hand house is her choice. Or is it? Best-Ever Backyard Birding Tips writes, “Sometimes the birds will spend a lot of time at one box and seem like they’re going to use it, but then they move on to a different one. Even their removing old nest materials from a box doesn’t necessarily mean that’s the one they intend to use. You’ll only know a pair has chosen a box for sure when they begin carrying nest material into the box, not out of it.” So we will wait and see... Athens, Georgia  Female Eastern Bluebird, Sialia sialis, searches birdhouse nest box, in a backyard garden arbor birdhouses. Athens, Georgia, USA.  Female Eastern Bluebird, Sialia sialis, searches birdhouse nest box, in a backyard garden arbor birdhouses. Athens, Georgia, USA.  Male Eastern Bluebird, Sialia sialis, searches birdhouse nest box, in a backyard garden arbor birdhouses. 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  Marbled Salamander, Ambystoma opacum, a species of mole salamander found in the eastern United States. Athens, Georgia, USA Saturday, 3:00 PM – First day of April. It is a clear, blue, cloudless sky; occasional breeze and perfect upper-70’s temperature. It is definitely spring now. On Thursday afternoon I was startled to notice there were green leaves on trees that were bare just the day before. Earlier this week I noticed the Crepe Myrtles on the sides of my back patio had tiny buds. Today they have sprouts nearly an inch long. I was poking around my backyard, looking at what was beginning to grow, noting what needs a little clean up. When I lifted the cover of the foot deep hole that contains my septic filter, down in the cool mounds of dirt a Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) sat curled in a ball. I closed the lid and went inside for my camera.  Marbled Salamander, Ambystoma opacum, a species of mole salamander found in the eastern United States. Holding in palm of hand. Athens, Georgia, USA Going back to get him, I was surprised at how quick the little amphibian was in retreating into a small hole. I was able to pull him out and soon found my fingers covered in a thick, sticky, white secretion. Woe to the predator that tries to munch on this little guy. I’m sure the secretion would not only be foul tasting and sticky on the tongue, but actually also poisonous. I washed the dirt off the salamander and put him on a patch of moss for some macro-photography with my 40mm micro lens. Athens, Georgia  Marbled Salamander, Ambystoma opacum, a species of mole salamander found in the eastern United States. Athens, Georgia, USA  Marbled Salamander, Ambystoma opacum, a species of mole salamander found in the eastern United States. Athens, Georgia, USA  Marbled Salamander, Ambystoma opacum, a species of mole salamander found in the eastern United States. Athens, Georgia, USA  Marbled Salamander, Ambystoma opacum, a species of mole salamander found in the eastern United States. Athens, Georgia, USA  Marbled Salamander, Ambystoma opacum, a species of mole salamander found in the eastern United States. Athens, Georgia, USA  Marbled Salamander, Ambystoma opacum, a species of mole salamander found in the eastern United States. Athens, Georgia, USA  Marbled Salamander, Ambystoma opacum, a species of mole salamander found in the eastern United States. Athens, Georgia, USA  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 Why Red?My backyard bird feeder is always alive with flashes of red. The Northern Cardinals are daily visitors for free helpings of sunflower seeds. As one catches my eye, I ponder, why red?  Red male Northern Cardinal, backyard birding, Monroe, Walton County, Georgia, USA Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Most animals blend into their surroundings. But not the Cardinal. He flashes about in a scarlet garment heralding his presence for all to see. Why would a small bird, an easy prey, want to wear such colors? As I meditate what creation would speak, red conjures two images: the stain of sin and the source of salvation. THE STAIN OF SIN...Red catches our attention, and normally for something of which we must take heed. We use it on our warning signs and labels; red hangs at every intersection to prevent disorderly collisions. In Isaiah 1:18, red is used as a bold simile illustrating the blatant sins of the people. All that they do and say is stained with the crimson of sin. Although sin may blend in as the “norm of society”, it stands out to God’s eyes. Isaiah the preacher points out this scarlet warning sign, and begs the people to heed the warning and repent. THE SOURCE OF SALVATION...But another profound Biblical use of the color red is that of blood. From the blood of Abel, through the atoning sacrifices of the Israelites; of the thread in the window which saved Rahab and her entire family, to the saving Blood shed upon Calvary’s cross, the entire Bible is stained red with blood.
Though I may be pushing things by stretching the color of a bird into a mini-sermon, I’d rather have the red Northern Cardinal remind of the warning of sin and of the hope of salvation, than to stand for a red-robed religious official for whom it is said the Cardinal is named!
 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, Sitta pusilla, nest cavity, backyard birding, Monroe, Walton County, Georgia, USA Thursday, 12:27 PM - A flurry of back and forth flights directed my eye to a tree stump on the water’s edge of the shelter’s upper pond. Brown-headed Nuthatches (Sitta pusilla) were making runs to a small opening in the stump and disappearing in the shadowy hole. Zooming in, I saw the incoming flights carried small pieces of leafy-like material, while the outgoing flights were empty beaked. They had found a nice cavity to build their nest!  Brown-headed Nuthatch bird, Sitta pusilla, at nest cavity in dead tree. Walton County, Monroe, Georgia. Native to the forests of the southeastern United States. Both the male and female will excavate the nest cavity, which is usually in a dead tree or fence post about 5 feet off the ground. Nesting material includes grass, feathers, pine seed wings, hair and bark shavings. Once the nest is complete, the pair, or the female alone, will roost in the cavity before the eggs are laid, and throughout the nesting period. The nest is usually attended by more than the female/male pair as family groups, typically young males, will assist at the nest. The following day, I returned to the nest site. Several nuthatches were still busy with out-and-back flights while one remained in the cavity most of the time. Instead of a shaky monopod, this time I was prepared with a tripod and cable release trigger. I also brought a strong flashlight to position under the branch to throw just a little light on the cavity that is placed on the shady underside of the tree trunk. The difference may be almost imperceptible, but look much better to me! Walton County, Georgia  Brown-headed Nuthatch bird, Sitta pusilla, at nest cavity in dead tree. Walton County, Monroe, Georgia. Native to the forests of the southeastern United States.  Brown-headed Nuthatch bird, Sitta pusilla, at nest cavity in dead tree. Walton County, Monroe, Georgia. Native to the forests of the southeastern United States.  Brown-headed Nuthatch bird, Sitta pusilla, at nest cavity in dead tree. Walton County, Monroe, Georgia. Native to the forests of the southeastern United States.  Brown-headed Nuthatch bird, Sitta pusilla, at nest cavity in dead tree. Walton County, Monroe, Georgia. Native to the forests of the southeastern United States.  Brown-headed Nuthatch bird, Sitta pusilla, at nest cavity in dead tree. Walton County, Monroe, Georgia. Native to the forests of 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. "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." Revelation 4:11  Sick Virginia Opossum, Didelphis virginiana. North American opossum, possum. Marsupial. Monroe, Georgia, Walton County, United States of America. Tuesday, 3:48 PM - I wandered out behind the shelter to read the latest draft of my Okefenokee Journal aloud. Proof-reading orally tends to help the flow of my sentences and ideas. While pacing back and forth, a Virginia Opossum came up over a small pile of stone and brush within just a few feet of me. It looked in rough shape: a cataract in one eye, labored breathing, excess saliva on the front arm, mucous in the nose. It was quickly apparent that it was struggling. As it slowly staggered down the small hill, it fell over a few times, revealing a single hairless baby clinging to her belly just outside the pouch. She tried to pull herself up a few times, but finally just laid down in the clover to rest. Rabies isn’t typical in Opossums, so I don’t know what was wrong with her. But it seemed she was close to passing. I wasn’t sure if I should let her be and let nature take its course, or ease her passing. As I debated to intervene or not, a single, large black fly buzzed about waiting to perform his role in the course of nature. Walton County, Georgia  Baby Opossum in pouch  Sick Virginia Opossum, Didelphis virginiana. North American opossum, possum. Marsupial. Monroe, Georgia, Walton County, United States of America.  Sick Virginia Opossum, Didelphis virginiana. North American opossum, possum. Marsupial. Monroe, Georgia, Walton County, United States of America.  Sick Virginia Opossum, Didelphis virginiana. North American opossum, possum. Marsupial. Monroe, Georgia, Walton County, United States of America.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder 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.  Tufted Titmouse bird, Baeolophus bicolor, chickadee family, backyard birding, Athens, Georgia Saturday - 7:50 AM Getting a chance to enjoy a sunrise with a cup of coffee on my back patio once again. 56 degrees, but the heater brings it up into the comfortable sixties. Two Eastern Bluebirds landed on the string lights over the turtle pond. Lidia said they were looking into the triple decorative birdhouses last week. Perhaps they will decide to nest in one this season. It may be a mess being right over the pond, but quite a thrill to have them just twenty feet from our patio chairs. 5:30 PM – I got to do my first backyard birding session with the Sigma 600mm. I sat quite a long time before any birds came. Other than a Robin and Ruby-crowned Kinglet, I shot the usual: Titmouse, Chickadee, Cardinal. 7:05 PM – On the back patio again. What a privilege: three occasions to relax in one day! It is strange to be so light so late in the day. A nice sunset glow illuminating the long grasses in the meadow behind the house. A Towhee sounds off regularly; most of the other birds have silenced already. Athens, Georgia Forecast: mostly cloudy, high near 75°. Chance of showers tonight; possible thunderstorm.  American Robin thrush songbird, Turdus migratorius , red breast, backyard birding, Athens, Georgia, USA  Carolina Chickadee song bird, Poecile carolinensis, backyard birding, Athens, Georgia, USA  Male Red Northern Cardinal bird, Cardinalis cardinalis, backyard birding, Athens, Georgia, USA  Tufted Titmouse bird, Baeolophus bicolor, chickadee family, backyard birding, Athens, Georgia  Male Red Northern Cardinal bird, Cardinalis cardinalis, backyard birding, 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. “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  Mourning Dove bird, Zenaida macroura, rain dove, turtle dove, Walton County, Monroe Georgia, United States of America Friday, 12:39 PM - Just as a brief break to keep the kettle from boiling over, I strolled out behind the shelter to the upper pond during lunch break. After last week’s hail and dip into frosty overnight temps, today is a beautiful, blue, sunny, 70 degree sky. A lone Mourning Dove sat peacefully perched on a budding Bradford Pear tree. Take a deep breath. It’s Friday!
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.  Job 38:22 Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, which I have reserved against the time of trouble,against the day of battle and war? Tuesday, 7:06 PM - Hail! I have lived in Athens, Georgia for twenty-six years and don’t remember a hail storm like this! It came down in two rounds, each lasting at least five to ten minutes. The cracking was so hard upon the windows, I thought for sure the glass would break at any minute. Several large pieces bounced through the yard as the high winds pummeled the pieces into the ground. The poor landscaping really took a beating; one gutter came partially detatched; and the winds blew a two or three inch deep pile of “chopped ice” into the corner by the front porch. Athens, Georgia  Monday, March 20, 2017 - Today is the vernal equinox, or first day of spring. The sun crosses the celestial equator (north to south). Day and night length are nearly equal (hence, the Latin name 'equinox' meaning 'equal night'). The tilt of the earth's axis is perpendicular to the sun's rays. Forecast: sunny, high 72.  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  Dead White-tailed Deer road kill carcass of skeleton ribs, spine and bones picked bare by scavenger vultures and carrion crows. Walton County, Georgia. Friday, 5:22 PM - On Tuesday this week, on my ride home from work, I noticed a roadkill deer to my right as I drove out of Good Hope. It was surrounded and covered by a wake of Turkey Vultures. On Wednesday afternoon, several Black Vultures sat upon the carcass, sticking their heads between the bones. On Thursday, a couple of crows were present at the feast. Today, nothing but a perfect skeleton was left.
I was amazed to see how quickly and efficiently the carrion crows could clean a carcass. This may seem like a morbid, useless observation. But forensic scientists study vultures to help find and gain clues from bodies from crimes. Walton County, Georgia |
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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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