 William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. -- Isa 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.  Canada Goose, Branta canadensis, in sunrise on blue pond, Walton County Georgia Tuesday, 8:14 AM - On occasion, there are magical moments in life: a beautiful sunset; a comforting moment; a relaxing cup of tea; a reunion with an old friend. They don’t happen all the time, but that’s what makes them magical. Early one morning I was at the animal shelter to shoot some dog adoption photos. A golden sunrise was hitting the ripples on the water of the retention pond out back. The warm orange glow of the sun reflected off the deep blue water in a harmony of natural, complementary colors. And almost as if beckoned, a family of Canada Geese gracefully cut across the water within the scene. Everything blazed orange in the rising rays of the sun. I’ve walked past this same scene many times. But on this occasion, it was a “magical moment” and I just happened to be there. Often, these magical moments may seem spontaneous or appear of their own accord. But can we as photographers “help create” these magical moments? We sure can! We can increase our chances of capturing a magical moment by being conscious of time and location. Be there for the “golden hour”. Sunrise and sunset times can be found easily on our smart phones. A compass on the same phone can even let us know the direction of the sun as it hits the horizon. If you walk the same area or park often, don’t let it become common and unnoticed. Think how a particular patch of woods, or pond, or trail would look under different light or conditions. Magical moments are magical, but we can have a hand in bringing the to fruition!  Canada Goose, Branta canadensis, in sunrise on blue pond, Walton County Georgia  Canada Goose, Branta canadensis, in sunrise on blue pond, Walton County Georgia
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I want to thank The Creation Club for posting this article on their website! The Creation Club was formed by David Rives Ministries to give gifted writers and contributors a place to share their content relating to Biblical Creation. Check out their website for tons of great content on Biblical creation.  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  Tufted Titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor, songbird perched in pine tree in Athens, Georgia, USA. Blue sky. Photo Taken On: December 30, 2017 "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was." James 1:23-24 Sunday, 12:09 PM - Every Sunday morning for the last few months during, a feisty little Tufted Titmouse flies up to the window during the preaching and repeatedly attacks his reflection. He believes the image to be a rival interloper invading his territory. Because the bird doesn’t like what he sees, he decides to fight the reflection. While I watched this aggravated avian, my pastor continued to preach from the book of James. In the letter, James describes the Word of God as a mirror that reflects what manner of men we are. We have our own self-image, but it is often very different than how others perceive us. And certainly, our image of ourselves is always quite different than how God sees us. But the Bible has a way of revealing who we really are; a true reflection, as in a mirror. Often, as the mirrors image comes into clear focus, we don’t like the image that we see, and like the Titmouse, we fight against that reflection.
When we see our true reflection in the mirror of the Word of God, let us not fight against it as the church Titmouse. Let us not walk away and “forget what manner of men we are.” But let us be doers of the Word, and as Today’s English Version translates, let us “submit to God and accept the Word that He plants in our hearts” (James 1:21 TEV). Another lesson learned if we will listen to what creation speaks!  A Tufted Titmouse battles his reflection in a church window. Athens, Georgia. February 5, 2017.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. Psalm 68:6 God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.  Lone Readhead drake duck on the shelter pond. Monday, 4:45 PM - A windy day, reported gusts up to 20 MPH, making the 52 degree temp seem much cooler. Earlier in the morning I spied the Mergansers diving while looking out my office window. A Kingfisher sat on the duck box on the close end of the pond. Later in the afternoon, a solitary Redhead drake floated out on the pond with his bill tucked in his wing against the chilly wind. Other years we had groups of up to 50 Redheads, but not this year. Other than the two around New Year’s Day, this is the only one I’ve seen. Although his head was tucked and he looked to be sleeping, he paddled further away from me as I watched from the bank. Walton County, Georgia Sunrise 7:32 AM; Sunset 6:02 PM Day length 10 hour, 30 minutes  Monday, February 6, 10:17 AM, the same , or a different loner, visits the pond again.  Monday, February 6, 10:17 AM, a Redhead swims with the Canada Geese.  Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. 1 Corinthians 8:6  Green Mallard Drake on Blue Pond in Walton County Georgia, duck hunting unlimited Thursday, 4:20 PM – It has still been so warm! The daffodils began to sprout this past weekend and are now about four to five inches tall; one grouping in my backyard has yellow blooms already! I called about repair on my failed 70-300 mm lens… $275 minimum! Not worth it for an already old lens. Since I use that lens for just about everything, dog and wildlife photos alike, I ordered a 28-300 mm used lens and it came in yesterday afternoon. I haven’t had much chance to use it yet, but so far so good. It is not nearly as long and cumbersome as the 70-300, so it is easier to handle, and easier to move around without banging it on things. It also seems much quieter and faster with the auto-focus, but doesn't lock on my subject as quickly. As far as image quality and sharpness, I haven’t noticed a difference yet. The only thing to practice shooting with the lens are the resident Mallards. I walked up to the pond to try and give it another test. All the ponds are so high and the “duckweed bog” behind the Sheriff’s firing range is refilled as well. The beavers have done a great job of keeping the culvert blocked. The other beauty of this new lens (which is actually used… making it somewhat more affordable) is the ability to go wider angle at 28 mm verses the 70 mm of the old lens. I can zoom in to 300 mm to shoot a bird or dog close up, then zoom out to 28 mm for a landscape shot or full-body dog shot. If it is sharp at all focal lengths, it is a good replacement. Walton County, Georgia Sunrise 7:34 AM; Sunset 5:58 PM Day length 10 HR, 24 MIN Clouds increasing; high 58/low 43  Fairly sharp close-up on a Song Sparrow.  Mallard Drakes on the shelter pond.  Re-filled "Duckweed Bog". Wide angle shot on new zoom lens.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. Isaiah 34:15 There shall the great owl make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather under her shadow: there shall the vultures also be gathered, every one with her mate.  Hooded Merganser drake and Mallard pairs feeling the effects of spring... Tuesday, 3:56 PM – Just a quick walk up to the shelter pond on a sunny afternoon before going home for the day. Although it is still only January, it feels like spring is in the air! The Hooded Mergansers are beginning their breeding displays… the Mallard drakes are trailing the hens and getting aggressive toward one another. A Great Blue Heron seems to come to the pond many afternoons after the Public Works employees all leave for the day. He is quite skittish and takes flight as soon as he sees anyone. I was able to sneak fairly close, edging myself closer and hiding behind vehicles each time he plunged his sharp bill in the pond to spear a fish. Walton County, Georgia  Hooded Merganser hen.  The male Hooded Mergansers are beginning mating displays.  Hooded Mergansers pairing up.  Sneaking up on a fishing Great Blue Heron  The stately Great Blue Heron.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. -- Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. Isaiah 40:28  White-throated Sparrow Thursday, 9:08 AM – It seems it has been a little while since I’ve had the time to walk up by the shelter ponds. It is still so warm at 55° for a January morning; billowy clouds in a blue sky passing over the sun and diffusing the light for some decent photography. A female Merganser sits on the pond. Several small birds flit in and about the dried vines: White-throated sparrows, a Ruby Crowned Kinglet (too fast to focus), and Cardinals. I managed a decent shot of the White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) to update my Photography Life List. The vibration reduction on my long lens is getting worse, causing violent shaking at times. This is a true bummer for me. Walton County, Georgia  Habakkuk 3:19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.  Eight-point Whitetailed Deer buck in low, pre-dawn light. 1/60 sec; f/5.6; 300mm; ISO 6400 Tuesday, 7:41 AM - Looking out the to the meadow behind my house while eating breakfast, I spotted some deer grazing. While this is no strange occurrence, what I saw on their heads was a bit out of the ordinary. Two large racks. One was a six-point buck with a spread just a couple inches shy of his ear spread. The other was a larger 8-pointer; quite a big fellow! I have never seen such well-endowed antlers near my home in the eight years I have lived here. These two boys are near on par with my Texas Whitetails photographs! I quickly went to my camera and walked slowly through the backyard to the pasture fence. Because it was overcast and the sun had not yet risen above the horizon, I boosted the ISO 6400 to make the shot possible. The low light, and all the “noise” generated at that high of an ISO didn’t produce a trophy photograph, but well documented these two trophy bucks.... trophy bucks at least for my neighborhood. Athens, Georgia  Six-point Whitetailed Deer buck in low, pre-dawn light. 1/60 sec; f/5.6; 300mm; ISO 6400  Spotted again February 4, 2017 early in the morning passing through. It seems a habit for them.  Job 39:26 “Is it your wisdom that makes the hawk soar and spread its wings toward the south?"  Red shouldered Hawk, Buteo lineatus, raptor, bird of prey, Walton County Georgia Tuesday, 1:14 PM - A bright blue, sunny sky with a touch of warmth has returned after the last few days of cold temperatures. Our impending snow storm predicted for last Friday turned out to be only a light dusting of powder and, thankfully, no ice. By mid-afternoon, the day continued to warm up. Two Red-shouldered Hawks were perched over a drainage ditch and scanning the ground for rodents. Buteo lineatus is a medium-sized hawk that resides here in the eastern United States. They aren’t quite as large as the Red-tailed Hawk, but are quite conspicuous, especially while the leaves are off the trees. This pair allowed me a surprisingly close approach. I was able to walk so close that a full extension of my zoom lens wasn’t even needed. But just my luck, such a beautiful opportunity for close up shots of two beautiful raptors and they were, of course, backlit by the bright sun.  Red shouldered Hawk perched on a branch in Walton County, Georgia. Buteo lineatus is a medium-sized raptor bird of prey in eastern North America. Backlighting can be used for effect, such as silhouette shots, but otherwise makes it difficult to photograph properly . Either the subject will be properly exposed but the bright background will be blown out, or the background will look good but the subject too dark to discern detail. It is best to change your position to realign the sun, or to place a darker object such as a tree or hill behing the subject to mute the bright sky. Also, a bit of post-processing work can sometimes salvage the photograph, but is often apparent if the shadows are boosted too much. I was worried my shots wouldn’t come out because of the backlighting. But it isn’t always about the photography. I was still able to watch these two beautiful raptors for a few minutes and observe their behavior. One took off as I pressed in a tad closer, but the other remained on its perch just above me for quite some time. The chilly air caused me to retreat before it did. Walton County, Georgia.  Red shouldered Hawk sitting in tangle of trees in Walton County, Georgia. Buteo lineatus is a medium-sized raptor bird of prey in eastern North America.  Red shouldered Hawk, Buteo lineatus, raptor, bird of prey, Walton County Georgia  Jeremiah 8:7 The stork knows the time of her migration, as does the turtledove, the crane, and the swallow. They all return at God’s appointed time each year...  Wednesday, 11:22 AM - Once again, marking the New Year, the Redhead Ducks (Aythya americana) have descended upon the shelter pond. Each year, just after we return from the New Year holiday break, they come in like clockwork. Today marks the arrival of the first two males. The Redheads are a species of diving ducks. For two or three months each year I watch them as they make their quick, diving leap forward, bending their necks downward, and smoothly disappearing below the surface. They dive to feed on seeds, rhizomes, tubers of pondweeds, water lilies, and grasses. They also feed on aquatic insects and small fish. While watching the newcomer Redheads, a Belted Kingfisher landed on a duck next box on the opposite end of the pond to watch me. 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. "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  Early morning Great Egret. The sun had not yet come up and the low light forced too slow a shutter speed (1/80 sec). Not a great photo, but perfect for nature journaling. Friday, 7:43 AM - I have so many shots from the shelter ponds posted that it may seem that they are always teeming with wildlife. Yesterday afternoon, in fact on most days, there was nothing to see. Strong winds had come in with the advancing cold front and I assume all the birds had taken refuge someplace.
But this morning, on the same pond, just 15 hours later, there was quite a bit of activity: a Great Egret sat huddled in the cold, knee-deep in the water; a Great Blue Heron took flight as soon as it spied my vehicle, landing on the opposite end of the pond; and a Kingfisher was perched upon one of the duck boxes. All this before sun-up! Don’t write off areas as “there’s nothing there.” I make daily walks up to the ponds and more often find nothing to shoot. But the best way to build a portfolio of wildlife shots is to get outdoors as often as possible, even making repeated visits to the same areas, and always have your camera ready. 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. "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  Carolina Wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus, songbird perched singing, passerine bird, Walton County Georgia Tuesday, 3:54 PM – after gorging myself at our office Christmas party, I had to go for a walk. It’s a cool 46°, overcast. The lone female Hooded Merganser is up at the main pond; also a skittish Great Blue Heron. I managed again to peak the curiosity of a wren by playing a recording at the duckweed bog. Not only did he come to investigate, but took a perch and sent out a rival tea-kettle tea-kettle tea-kettle toward the unseen intruder in my MP3 player. Walton County, Georgia  Carolina Wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus, songbird perched singing, passerine bird, Walton County Georgia  Carolina Wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus, songbird perched singing, passerine bird, 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. -- Psalms 104:19-20 He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down. Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.  Saturday, 5:02 PM - Nearing dusk, I filled my backyard feeders with black oil sunflower seeds and peanut suet. I sat close by to photograph any visitors, but it was a bit too late in the day, and perhaps already a bit too chilly at fifty degrees. Only a Downy Woodpecker flew in for a mouthful of suet, but quickly retreated when he heard my shutter click. Across the street in the trees and snags of the neighborhood green space, several vultures occupy their evening roosts in limbs like some sort of macabre Christmas tree decorations. As the light fades, they leap off one by one, and sometimes in pairs or triplets, and effortlessly soar southward over my house and into the woods beyond the pasture to roost for the night.  Vulture Roost at Dusk. I take advantage of the quiet moment in my own backyard roost to survey my surroundings. All the grass in my yard and the meadow behind have turned a dormant brown; the leaves are all off the Crepe Myrtles, Sweetgums and Black Cherries; the three young Water Oaks hold onto about 15% of their leaves, now a mottled pale green and yellow; the Day Lilies have long since wilted and the lantanas are bare sticks reaching skyward like the roots of an overturned shrub. The pines have all dropped their rusty needles and are now needled out in fresh green cover for the overwintering birds. Small “sweetgumballs” hang silhouetted against the darkening horizon. I love the solitude and peace that can be reached in my own backyard. Although I’d love to be camping, I can still find a refuge even if the activities of life do not allow a getaway. I end the evening with a roaring fire in the backyard fire pit. Our backs feel the chill of the night air, but our faces are bright and warm. Athens, Georgia  Eastern Gray Squirrel  Vulture in a snag at dusk.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. -- Psalms 72:18-19 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!  Female Hooded Merganser; December 14, 2016. Wednesday, 4:22 PM – After two days of dense fog and low light, the sun has finally returned! It is also a nice, jacketless, 57°. A lone, female Hooded Merganser is up on the main shelter pond. She initially didn't notice my presence and came in close while following the resident Mallards. To my joy, she made about four or five "croak" calls while I observed and shot. Walton County, Georgia  I, too, feel like I croaked in regards to my shooting today! Of over forty shots of this Merganser, all but 2 really stunk: out of focus, over-exposed, motion blurred… not sure what the heck is going on. Of the two decent shots posted here, they aren’t even too sharp.
I have spent some spare time in the last few days reading photography blogs and tutorials. Reading all the f-stop, ISO and shutter speed tweaking tips has got my mind in such a corkscrew that even the simple shots are now too complex. And using my new (self-refurbed) monopod has made me feel like a big, clunky, uncoordinated mess! I've adjusted settings on my camera so many times in the last months I have no idea where I'm at now! I should have never dove into the manuals and tutorials! Sometimes the technical stuff drives the fun away from photography! But, there is always turbulence before you reach the higher altitudes!  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, landscape, 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  Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos, fluffed up against a chilly breeze. Walton County, Monroe, Georgia. Friday, 3:00 PM - Although quite bright and sunny, it is a bit too breezy and chilly to be going up to the ponds in short sleeves like I am. The shelter ponds have refilled a bit from the recent rains. The resident Mallards are dabbling on the far end of the pond, but all else seems still and quiet. However, in a large tangled knot of dry vines near an old trailer, my eye is caught by the fluttering about of a few birds. They are silent, no chipping or cheeping, but just flitting about. A Towhee popped up for just a few seconds; then a Song Sparrow; followed by a Mockingbird. I could also make out a Brown Trasher in the thicker, lower branches. I’m guessing this mixed group of Passerines utilize the tangle of brambles as shelter from the chilly wind. But what struck me was their silence. None, not even the normally boisterous Mockingbird were making any sounds. Just the sounds of a chilly breeze rustling dry leaves and grasses. The chill cut my observation time and sent me back to my office to await the 5 PM whistle. Walton County, Georgia  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, landscape, 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  Male Hooded Merganser on the main pond behind the animal shelter. Photo #201611235. Wednesday, 8:29 AM - I was finally able to purchase some replacement parts for a monopod I scavenged from the trash on the sidelines of Sandford Stadium. I found it after a UGA Football game last year when our church was participating in the stadium cleanup program. It must have been tossed by a sports photographer whose company would readily purchase him another. Brand new, the Manfrotto monopod, ball head, and quick release plate are over $200. I ordered $35 of parts to repair it... and it really does help steady the camera for better shots of wildlife and shelter dogs when using a long lens. One man's trash is another man's treasure! |
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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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