 Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. -- "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  Canoe kayak trail directional marker sign for the Round Top overnight shelter. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA. March 10, 2022. The first night of our three-day paddling excursion brought us to the Round Top Shelter. After paddling just over 8 miles on the Suwannee Canal, the junction of the purple canoe trail went off to our right and onto Chase Prairie. As we turned, the scene opened up onto a wide, beautiful prairie. The skies that had been overcast the entire day also opened up to a bright blue dome and an orange glowing sun lowering toward the horizon.  Golden Club Neverwet flowers, Orontium aquaticum, on Chase Prairie. Nature photography along purple canoe kayak trail to the Round Top Shelter. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA.  Great Egret fishing on flooded prairie with Golden Club Neverwet and Flattened Pipewort vegetation. Nature and birding photography along purple canoe kayak trail through Chase Prairie to the Round Top Shelter. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA.  American Alligator basking on a peat bed blowup covered in Maidencane grass. Wildlife photography along purple canoe kayak trail through Chase Prairie to the Round Top Shelter. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA.  American White Water Lily, Nymphaea odorata, lily pad and flower. Nature photography along purple canoe kayak trail through Chase Prairie to the Round Top Shelter. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA.  Golden Club Neverwet flowers, Orontium aquaticum, on Chase Prairie. Nature photography along purple canoe kayak trail to the Round Top Shelter. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA.  Gray Catbird, Dumetella carolinensis, perched in bushes and laurel leaf greenbrier. Nature and birding photography along purple canoe kayak trail through Chase Prairie to the Round Top Shelter. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA.  Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias, long-legged wading bird profile. Nature and birding photography along purple canoe kayak trail through Chase Prairie to the Round Top Shelter. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA. March 10, 2022.  Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias, long-legged wading bird profile. Nature and birding photography along purple canoe kayak trail through Chase Prairie to the Round Top Shelter. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA. March 10, 2022.  American White Water Lily, Nymphaea odorata, lily pad and flower. Nature photography along purple canoe kayak trail through Chase Prairie to the Round Top Shelter. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA.
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Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. -- "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 In March 2022 my daughter and I made a three-day, two-night paddle from the Suwannee Canal entrance, to the Round Top shelter, to Floyd's Island and back. All along the way I tried to photograph as many of the Okefenokee's inhabitants as possible. Day 1 Suwannee Canal (ORANGE TRAIL), Start to Mile 2 American Alligator swimming the blackwater swamp of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. Paddling the Suwannee Canal near mile 2 on March 10, 2022. SUWANNEE CANAL (ORANGE TRAIL), MileS 2 to 4 Flattened Pipewort plant, Eriocaulon compressum, in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA along the Suwannee Canal orange canoe trail.  American Alligator swimming the blackwater swamp of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. Paddling the Suwannee Canal near mile 4 on March 10 2022. SUWANNEE CANAL (ORANGE TRAIL), MILE 4 TO 5 Canoe Kayak mile marker 4 in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA along the Suwannee Canal orange canoe trail.  Gray Catbird, Dumetella carolinensis, perched in Fetterbush. Birding photography in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA along the Suwannee Canal orange canoe trail. In the mimidae mockingbird family.  Gray Catbird, Dumetella carolinensis, perched in Fetterbush. Birding photography in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA along the Suwannee Canal orange canoe trail. In the mimidae mockingbird family. SUWANNEE CANAL (ORANGE TRAIL) MILE 5 TO 6 American Alligator laying on a log in dark blackwater swamp with Spanish Moss. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA along the Suwannee Canal orange canoe trail.  American Alligator laying on a log in dark blackwater swamp with Spanish Moss. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA along the Suwannee Canal orange canoe trail. SUWANNEE CANAL (ORANGE TRAIL), MILE 6 TO 7 American Alligator laying in dark blackwater tannin swamp. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA along the Suwannee Canal orange canoe trail. SUWANNEE CANAL (ORANGE TRAIL), MILE 7 TO PURPLE TRAIL JUNCTION American Alligator submerged in blackwater swamp. Herping conservation wetlands photography along the Suwannee Canal orange canoe kayak trail. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA along the Suwannee Canal orange canoe trail.  American Alligator submerged in blackwater swamp. Herping conservation wetlands photography along the Suwannee Canal orange canoe kayak trail. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA along the Suwannee Canal orange canoe trail.  Wilderness area canoe kayak trail directional sign. Permit Required Beyond This Point, No Motors. Along the Purple Trail on Chase Prairie, headed to the Round Top overnight shelter platform. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA along the Suwannee Canal orange canoe trail. The only campground within the Okefenokee Swamp is at the Stephen C Foster State Park on the western side of the swamp. But if you want a wilderness camping experience within the interior of the Okefenokee, you’ll need a Wilderness Camping Permit. And during peak seasons, they can be a challenge to obtain.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service maintains a permit hotline to book overnight reservations. It may seem a bit primitive in our modern times to call on a telephone and speak to an actual person rather than book online, but the complexity warrants the current procedure. There are several overnight shelters within the refuge, and a few routes to reach each one. Availability is based on the number of nights you wish to paddle, the availability of overnight platforms, and the route you wish to take (i.e. point-to-point or out-and-back). Having a human being answer the phone truly helps schedule the best available routes. Exactly two months to the day prior to our March 2022 trip, I started ringing the line to the Okefenokee NWR permit hotline promptly at 7:00 AM. After a couple tries, the phone was answered by a cheery staff member! I told her our range of dates and basic plan. She then suggested one night on Round Top, and a second on Floyd's Island. I was quite excited to get that two-night permit and thankful to the staff member who helped arrange it. Just remember, call first thing in the morning and exactly two months prior to your planned trip. Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. -- "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  Panoramic view of Chase Prairie from the Round Top canoe kayak shelter dock. Water lily pads, cypress trees, Spanish Moss, sunset and blue sky. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA. March 10, 2022. An evening and overnight at the Round Top Shelter on Chase Prairie; Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia.  Panoramic view of Chase Prairie from the Round Top canoe kayak shelter dock. Water lily pads, cypress trees, Spanish Moss, sunset and blue sky. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA. March 10, 2022.  Pig Frog, Lithobates grylio, swimming in dark tannin blackwater of the Okefenokee Swamp at the Round Top Canoe Shelter on Chase Prairie. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia, USA.  Pig Frog, Lithobates grylio, swimming in dark tannin blackwater of the Okefenokee Swamp at the Round Top Canoe Shelter on Chase Prairie. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia, USA. Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. -- "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 young juvenile American Alligator laying on peat and lily pads along Swamp Island Drive in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 9 2022. From our home in Athens, Georgia, the drive to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is about five hours. Even if we start early, it is mid-afternoon when we arrive. There typically isn’t enough time left in the day to go out on the water. So when visiting the eastern side of the Swamp at the Suwannee Canal entrance, as we did in March 2022, our first order of business is a drive along the Swamp Island Wildlife Drive. This seven-mile drive winds through a beautiful landscape of upland Slash Pine and Saw Palmetto. With car windows down and the MPH at a near crawl, my eyes are always scanning for a Red-cockaded Woodpecker (one day!). Occasionally, Sandhill Crane walk down the middle of the paved drive, and juvenile alligators can always be spotted in the roadside borrow ditches. To the excitement of the first-time visitor, there is often an adult female alligator at the small pond along the roadway, and many times a larger gator basking roadside before reaching the loop. Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  Large Cottonmouth Water Moccasin Viper coiled in the water in the Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia USA. Chesser Island Ridley's Trail in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 9 2022. Excerpt from the 1875 Okefenokee Exploration by The Atlanta Constitution: "Now our knees began to feel weak, and tremble beneath the weight upon them; and indeed, we became so thoroughly exhausted that we trudged on and on, with the greatest indifference as to danger of any kind. At one time one of the party trod on a moccasin, and his comrade next behind called to him that he was on a snake, but he did not seem to care, and moved slowly on without looking back, and carelessly asked if he had hurt it! "This was an actual occurrence, and the man shudders now when he thinks of his own carelessness and of the danger of being bitten by that deadly serpent in that dismal wild far from home, and from physicians! If there were any objects of interest in this most hideous part of the swamp, I was too near “wearied unto death” to appreciate it. No, we longed to place our feet again upon terra firma, and our sole idea was to this end." - The Atlanta Constitution, September 23, 1875. In 1875, The Atlanta Constitution published the dramatic headline: “We now announce to our readers, and the people of Georgia, that we are fitting up an expedition for a complete and thorough exploration of Okefinokee. The full details of the plan and expedition will be published soon – if they come out alive.” Over the next months, the paper released many exciting stories from the Okefenokee Swamp. Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. -- "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  American Alligator foot, scales and claw in the Okefenokee Swamp along the Chesser Island Boardwalk Trail in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 9 2022. What lurks beneath those waters? That question rolls in the mind as one attempts to peer through the blackwater of the Okefenokee Swamp. The swamp creatures may not be visible in plain sight, but you know they are there. You squint your eyes to look into the dark mirror, but only see the reflection of the dense vegetation and skies above. A dark, monster-like, scaled foot and claw breaking the sphagnum laden surface give only a creepy clue to what may lie below the swamp waters.  American Alligator foot, scales and claw in the Okefenokee Swamp along the Chesser Island Boardwalk Trail in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 9 2022. The Chesser Island Boardwalk is one of most frequented paths by human visitors to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia. And it usually doesn't disappoint! Often, along the way, there are birds, lizards, insects and a snake or gator or two to view. But you have to keep you eyes scanning and searching the details. Other than the birds, the critters may not be right in the open. But a glistening scale from a slithering serpent, or a strange looking object poking from the water has to catch the eye and alert your senses to the presence of a swamp inhabitant. I have often found a medium-sized American Alligator along the first half of the boardwalk. Being creatures of habit, I wouldn't doubt if this is the same gator on multiple visits. On this particular occasion, his clawed foot breaking through the waters along the trail were my first clue to his presence. Being practically right on top of the gator, I got some close-up detail shots of its foot and scales with those surprisingly long claws. Chesser Island Boardwalk; Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 9, 2022. Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. -- "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 young juvenile American Alligator laying on peat sphagnum along Swamp Island Drive in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 9 2022. The trails, wildlife drive and guided boat tours at the Suwannee Canal entrance (on the eastern side) of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge make this a great entry spot for a one-day introduction to the Okefenokee. But if you have more than a day, there is plenty more to explore. But where do you spend the night? Being a wildlife refuge that is primarily managed for wildlife, there is only one campground within the Okefenokee: the Stephen C Foster State Park on the western side. There are also overnight platforms within the interior but they require permits obtained 2 months in advance. However, right outside the gate of the Suwannee Canal entrance is a private campground called Okefenokee Pastimes. I had passed this campground entrance many times but had never looked into a stay. I typically stayed at Stephen C Foster or Laura S Walker State Parks. Needing an early morning start for our multi-night paddling trip in March 2022, I decided to try Okefenokee Pastimes… and I wasn’t disappointed. In order to avoid setting up and breaking camp, I booked one of the camper cabins. This little cabin was plenty of room for my daughter and I. In fact, we could have fit two more people on the full size bed and bunk bed! The campground was clean and quiet, and the staff were very hospitable. And the fresh chocolate chip cookies handed to us at check-in certainly sealed the deal. I’ll be staying at Okefenokee Pastimes again when the need arises! Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. -- "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  Cottonmouth Water Moccasin Viper coiled in the water in the Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia USA. Chesser Island Boardwalk Trail in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 9 2022. A handful of observations along the Chesser Island Boardwalk Trail, Deerstand Trail, Homestead Trail and Ridley's Island Trail in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 9, 2022.  Cottonmouth Water Moccasin Viper coiled in the water in the Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia USA. Chesser Island Boardwalk Trail in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 9 2022.  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  Eyes and head of a juvenile American Alligator swimming in Greenfield Lake park in Wilmington, Hanover County, North Carolina USA. Spring is coming! It’s time for the daffodils to bloom, the birds to begin migrating, and the nature photographers to get the equipment ready. But it’s also time for spring marathons! Okay, maybe running extra long distances doesn’t fit in with your lifestyle. But somehow running marathons became another one of my excessive, out-of-balance hobbies. My daughter and I drove up to North Carolina for the annual Wilmington Marathon. The race begins at sunrise near the waves and dunes of Wrightsville Beach. After crossing several bridges, the course heads for downtown Wilmington and, after twenty-six miles, it ends at the convention center. Along the route the race loops Greenfield Lake, a great park for wildlife and birding photography. Knowing that I wouldn’t be carrying my heavy DSLR and telephoto lens during a four-hour run, I went with my daughter for a walk at Greenfield Lake the day before the race. I’ve previously photographed several alligators in the lake and hoped to get some more. Although sunny, it was still a tad cool and breezy, so I only spotted two juvenile alligators, but a myriad of birds. There are always egrets, herons, cormorants, ibis and other water birds at the lake. And the waters are full of turtles! A paved path through well-maintained gardens circles the lake. Playgrounds and gazebos make it a popular place for family outings… and a marathon! The next day, by the time we hit Greenfield Lake during the marathon, we had already run over 17 miles. My daughter was totally spent and I don’t think the beauty of Greenfield Lake registered much in her mind like it had the day before. As I ran, I tried to concentrate on the trees, Spanish moss, flitting birds and budding plants. The solace of the lake and its picturesque view helped me to divert some of the pain developing in my legs. I’m thankful that some of the marathon course wound its way through this park. But I was even happier when the 26.2 miles finally ended and that medal was in hand! Greenfield Lake, Hanover County, North Carolina. 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 Ruby-crowned Kinglet bird, Corthylio calendula, bird perched on a branch. Wildlife birding photography in Monroe, Walton County, Georgia USA. My New Year’s resolution for 2022 was to finish uploading to iNaturalist my hundreds of my older observations that were made prior to joining iNat in 2018. I also resolved to, month-by-month, improve the narratives of older nature journals and post those in the iNat journal as well. In the past, staring at computer folders of thousands of photos and hundreds of unfinished field notes, it seemed it couldn’t be done and only some progress was made. The only way to get through all those old observations was to not make new ones. There was no way to simultaneously work on the old, and continue to upload the new. Other than an outing to Phinizy Swamp on January 1, and a quick trip to add a lifer Canvasback, I made a sacrifice and really limited my usual backyard photography the first weeks of 2022. But how could I resist the 2022 Great Backyard Bird Count! For day one of the 2022 GBBC, I managed to slip out of the animal shelter where I work for a late afternoon lunch break. It was sunny with a bit of cloud cover, making for some good lighting for photography. The wind was pretty brisk and chill, which limited the birds’ activity some, but not completely. Passing by the spot where my feeders have hung empty for several weeks, I was surprised to find a bustle of activity in the dry, tangled briers below. Several Song Sparrows and White-throated Sparrows flitted about. I gave a little pishing and out popped a very inquisitive Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Down by the beaver swamp, a trio of Wood Ducks whistled off into the air before I even knew they were there. And, of course, the boisterous calls of Carolina Wrens filled echoed across the grounds while dozens of vultures circled in the winds high overhead. In all, a tally of 18 taxa on a 30 minute walk. Not too impressive, but at least I got outside for day one of the Great Backyard Bird County. Walton County, Georgia. February 18, 2022.  Small Ruby-crowned Kinglet bird, Corthylio calendula, bird perched on a branch. Wildlife birding photography in Monroe, Walton County, Georgia USA. Day 2, February 19, 2022Sunny morning with a bright light blue sky, but a brisk breeze and frost on the rooftops. I filled my backyard feeders, put on a coat and a hat, and sat 30 minutes for a morning count on the back patio for day two of the Great Backyard Bird Count. Clarke County, Georgia DAY 3, FEBRUARY 20, 2022Clarke 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  Male green head Mallard drake swimming on the retention pond with reflection and ripples in the water. Anas platyrhynchos is a dabbling duck. Birding photography behind the animal shelter in Monroe, Walton County, Georgia. January 19, 2022. My eBird alert for a species I didn't have in Walton County went off! A Canvasback had been listed by several users at the Braswell Church Road cattle ponds hotspot, so I had to go hunt it down. Upon arrival, the ducks were all at such a distance I couldn't really see them clear. So I fired away and scanned the shots back at home. Luckily, I got the Canvasback! 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  Close up of large American Alligator. Phinizy Swamp Nature Park Center for Water Sciences in Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia USA on January 1, 2022. In the northwestern corner of Phinizy Swamp, across the wooden bridge that crosses the oxbow lake marsh, is the "Equalization Pond". I assume it is a bit deeper water than the wetland cells, and therefore houses a variety of wildlife. There is always a fairly large gator or two out in the open and up close for some good photographs. A short wooden fence surrounds the pond and can obscure the banks. So you occasionally have to slow down and peer down over the fence along the water’s edge. On my last trip to Phinizy, I nearly passed by one large alligator. It was only several yards from me, but hidden by the fence and bank. Climbing up on the fence a bit, I was able to shoot down and get some great detail photographs of those water-tight crocodilian scales and armor. New Year's Day at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; Richmond County, Georgia  Close up detail of large American Alligator osteoderms, or epidermal scutes scales. Phinizy Swamp Nature Park Center for Water Sciences in Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia USA on January 1, 2022.  Close up of large American Alligator rear leg, foot, scales and claws. Phinizy Swamp Nature Park Center for Water Sciences in Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia USA on January 1, 2022. 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 Egret standing along cattail marsh wetland wastewater treatment cell. Ardea alba is a large white heron. Birding photography at Phinizy Swamp, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. January 1, 2021. Phinizy Swamp Nature Park is a great place! Perhaps because I live over an hour away in Athens, I had no idea it even existed. But when I joined iNaturalist, I began seeing all kinds of great photographs being posted! Living in the Piedmont, I typically had to drive several hours to find some good wetlands habitat. I was happy to find this great place call Phinizy Swamp! On any visit, the long-legged waders are present. Ibis, herons, egrets and a variety of other waterfowl love the wetland cells. It is some great habitat for them. On my last January visit, it was definitely a gathering of the greats: Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons. There were dozens and dozens of stately white Great Egrets standing in marshes. The Great Blues were a bit more tricky to find, and in less abundance. The Great Egret, Ardea alba, is found throughout the world in tropical or warm climes. Being all white and standing at 1 meter tall, it often stands out among the green reeds of the wetlands it inhabits. The Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias, is a bit taller, but its gray and blue coloration make it blend in with its surroundings a bit better. Both wade through the shallow marsh waters with their long legs hunting for a wide variety of food, including fish, snakes, frogs, dragonflies and crustaceans. With plenty of these prey items available as well, Phinizy Swamp is a great place for the gathering of the Greats! New Year's Day at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; Richmond County, Georgia  Great Egret standing along cattail marsh wetland wastewater treatment cell. Ardea alba is a large white heron. Birding photography at Phinizy Swamp, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. January 1, 2021. William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  Large American Alligator basking in the sun at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park in Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia USA on January 1, 2022. Even though it was January, the forecast called for a warm day. The high at home was going to be 75, but over in Augusta it was to be a sunny 80 degrees! Perhaps this warm January day was going to be good for herping. By the time I arrived, the clouds had burned off and the temperature was already rising. I knew I would soon regret my choice of a long-sleeved thermal shirt. A few hikers were already at the Phinizy Swamp Nature Center when I arrived. And when I reached the first wetland cell hopes got even higher for a great ‘gator day. Right away I spotted three alligator laying on the marsh grasses in the sun. By the end of my 7.5 mile hike, I photographed over 20 alligators, eight snakes and many turtle. Human, bird and reptile alike were loving this warm, first of January spring like day! New Year's Day at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; Richmond County, Georgia  Large American Alligator basking in the sun at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park in Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia USA on January 1, 2022.  Yellow-bellied Slider Turtle, Trachemys scripta, swimming in green duckweed algae muck in marsh bog. Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences in Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy is an environmental wetlands wastewater treatment facility and waterfowl impound.  Large American Alligator basking in the wastewater clarification pond at Phinizy Center for Water Sciences in Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia USA on January 1, 2022.  Large adult American Alligator laying in water at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences in Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy is an environmental wastewater treatment facility and waterfowl impound.  Banded Watersnake, Nerodia fasciata, coiled on cattail reeds in a marsh. Herping at Phinizy Swamp, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA  Banded Watersnake, Nerodia fasciata, coiled on cattail reeds in a marsh. Herping at Phinizy Swamp, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA  Banded Watersnake, Nerodia fasciata, coiled on a cypress log basking in the sun. Herping at Phinizy Swamp, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA  Banded Watersnake, Nerodia fasciata, coiled on a cypress log basking in the sun. Herping at Phinizy Swamp, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA |
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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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