 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  I’ve driven the same route home for six years now and had never seen this before. A large raptor with an unmistakable tail caused me to slam on my brakes and pull over. Just one mile before Good Hope on my drive east towards High Shoals, I spotted this beauty circling the skies. I have seen only one other Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus) during our trip to the Okefenokee Swamp but was not able to get a photograph. Though not the best shot, I’m glad I was able to get a photo of this one to add to my Life List page. I often consider how many wonders of God people pass by in ignorance each day? Too busy texting while driving to lift their eyes to the heavens and the wonderful world around them. Good Hope, Georgia
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 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  Black Vulture at Dawn in Walton County Georgia 8/13/2015. Photo #201508054 Knowing I’m about to teach a Creation Speaks class using the vulture, I rolled down my truck window to get a quick photo of this girl standing in rising sun just off Gene Bell Road in Walton County. She was waiting for me to move along so she could come back into the roadway and finish her breakfast of squished squirrel. Hey, don’t knock it; she’s simply doing what God created her to do. Would that we would do the same! (not "do the same" and eat roadkill, but "do the same" and do God's will for our lives!)
 William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, landscape, 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  Camouflage trail camera set on a tripod in the woods by a hunter. Remote game trail camera is a motion sensor triggered camera trap for scouting wildlife, deer for hunting or study.  I pulled the images off the Trail Camera that has been set behind the animal shelter for the last several weeks. Not too bad! 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. "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  Red-shouldered Hawk. Photo 201508053. 8/7/2015 A refreshingly cool morning; 68°. It hasn’t been this cool in quite some time. Sitting on my oasis patio, the sun is rising an orange radiance in the east to my left. A nearly full, silver moon still hangs in the blue sky in the west to my right. Our male Hummingbird takes repeated draughts at the nectar. A dog howls off in the distance; a mysterious call of the wild (with a bit of imagination). A bright red Cardinal and a rich blue Jay highlight the feeders in back. Goldfish swim under the drabbling pond fountain. Day Lilies and Knockout Roses colorfully border the oasis patio. Canada Geese briefly sound a fly-by in the distance. A Red-tailed Hawk decides to come in for a closer look; perhaps to see if there was an easy meal of House Finch or Mourning Dove at the bird feeders. Athens-Clarke 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. "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  Great Blue Heron wading in Lake Chapman in Sandy Creek Park Athens Georgia My daughter's best friend came over our house so we took her on a short canoe paddle at Sandy Creek Park here in Athens, Georgia. We spotted two Great Blue Herons. Blues are so typical here on Lake Chapman that the park has incorporated them into their logo. As we approached one Great Blue rather closely, he took to the air and flew off appearing to hover just above the water; his wing tips creating expanding circles atop the calm lake. We also encountered a juvenile Little Blue Heron, which I had not previously seen here.  Great Blue Heron in Tree on Lake Chapman in Sandy Creek Park Athens Georgia  Great Blue Heron wading in Lake Chapman in Sandy Creek Park Athens Georgia  Little Blue Heron; Lake Chapman in Sandy Creek Park Athens 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. -- "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
 William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, landscape, 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  Mother Black Bear defending two cubs staring at photographer in Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountain National Park
 William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, landscape, 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  Neighborhood White-tailed Deer eating landscaped vegetation. I love to see the neighborhood deer. It is good to know that we humans haven't been able to eradicate every habitat and animal on the planet yet. However, the deer love our Day Lilies. I wouldn't mind, except I paid money for them! And now I'm forced to spend more money on deer repellent to spray on the desired vegetation. I wish the deer would just be satisfied with the persimmon tree planted in our backyard. I mostly see does and fawns, but this morning at 6:30 AM on my way to morning prayer, I managed to spot a young buck still in velvet chowing down at the better landscaped yard up the street. I'm sure when my neighbor awakes they too will make trip to Lowes in frustration to purchase some repellent. Athens, Georgia  Neighborhood White-tailed Deer eating landscaped vegetation.  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  Great Egret fishing on pond in Walton County Georgia I managed to sneak up on a Great Egret (Ardea alba) fishing on the large pond behind the animal shelter during lunch break today. A bit further back in the wetlands behind the firing range, another Green Heron (Butorides virescens) was fishing from a stump. Walton County, Georgia  Green Heron; photo #201507069  Great Egret fishing on pond in 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. -- Jeremiah 27:5 'I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are on the ground, by My great power and by My outstretched arm, and have given it to whom it seemed proper to Me.  Red head Turkey vulture perched on barbed wire fence in Athens Georgia An idea for a Creation Speaks lesson has been brewing in my mind. Nearly every day I pass a vulture or two feasting on nasty road kill. It may be disgusting, but they are doing exactly what God has created them to do! What if we were as quick to obey God when He makes His will known to us? And I have to say, anything He asks us to do can't be near as bad as the job the Vultures have! With that thought in mind, I've stopped for shots of those common vulture feasts I used to drive past. One of those gatherings (below) happened to be on Winterville Road in Athens by my church. It was significant because just the morning before, my pastor was telling me about a suicide deer that crossed his path and messed up his car. The next morning the vultures were doing their job! Athens, Georgia UPDATE - The entire Creation Speaks lesson finally came together and was taught August 23, 2015.  Black Vulture feeding on roadkill Opossum. Gene Bell Road, Monroe, GA. Photo #201506004  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  Backyard Garden birding Athens Georgia Carolina Wren Enjoying some quiet, peaceful bird watching at my backyard feeder in the evening.
 William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, landscape, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. -- Genesis 1:20 Then God said, “Let the waters swarm with fish and other life. Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind.”  Eastern Meadowlark; photo #201506003 On my way to work, just around the corning on Gene Bell Road. I'm surprised this Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) sat long enough for me to slow, roll down the window, and get a shot for my photography life list. He sits and sings... fittingly and characteristically over a meadow!
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. -- "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  Wooden boardwalk and deck over the springs at Magnolia Springs State Park in Georgia. The park is well known for this crystal clear springs that are estimated to flow 7 million gallons per day. Wildlife near the springs include alligators, turtles, and a variety of birds and fish. Magnolia Springs State Park in Georgia turned out to be a pleasant surprise. It is the perfect location for a wildlife photographer to bring the family along. For the photographer: Spanish Moss waving in the tall pines, a lake lined with lily pads sporting beautiful large white blooms, alligators, wading birds. For the family: nice campsites, a splash pad for the kids, canoe rentals.  Alligtor basking on bank in Magnolia Springs State Park Georgia Magnolia Springs State Park was a short, 2-night, quickly planned birthday trip to another Georgia State Park; our 21st State Park visit. Because the actual ‘days in the field’ were so short, it really seemed to emphasize the processes of planning, packing, pitching. I believe camping can build life skills in kids if you let them be a part of the process. There is a fine balance of preparation and thought that goes into a multi-day outdoor excursion. Each and every meal requires previous thought, you have to be sure to have enough, and you must even be careful not to over pack.  Panorama Shot of Large Basking Alligator shot in Magnolia Springs State Park Georgia We arrived on my birthday, which happened to be Memorial Day, and the park was packed with picnickers. However, as we entered the campground at the back half of the park, the grounds were now nearly vacated. It seemed everyone else had come for a 3-day weekend, Friday to Monday trip. But rather wishing to skip work than miss church, we took the Monday to Wednesday option and thus missed the crowds. We drove into the four “walk-in” tent sites and set up our solitary campsite. We were the only walk-in campers and had the area to ourselves. It was somewhat back in the woods off RV Central and gave a feeling of secluded camping, but with the amenities of a spigot and fire ring. One of the best parts of our trip was breakfast. Lunch and dinner might be less of an affair than those at home, but not breakfast. Not to be thwarted by a briefly malfunctioning propane canister, the aroma of eggs and bacon were quickly filling our little woodland retreat.  White phase Immature Little Blue Heron Magnolia Springs State Park Georgia The park itself turned out to be a pleasant little park. It isn’t a mountainous woodland retreat like some in north Georgia, but also didn’t have that small city park feel. The area was mainly flat and open with tall, longleaf pines standing throughout. Spanish Moss waved in the trees projecting a Heartland of the South feel. The lake wasn’t too large, but was rimmed with beautiful bright green lily pads with large white blooms that opened and closed corresponding to the heat of the day. Megan couldn’t wait to get into the canoe for a closer look and to hopefully have her daddy pick some of the beautiful blooms. We also had fun exploring the Civil War remnants of Fort Lawton while looking for the geocache coordinates encoded in the educational kiosks.  Young American Alligator basking on bank in Magnolia Springs State Park Georgia Being a somewhat busy state park, the wildlife was somewhat accustomed to humans and thereby made the photography easier. I knew there would be some alligators at the park, but it was better than I expected. They were more numerous, and larger, than I anticipated for a small spring and creek in this part of the state.  Young Alligator basking on bank in Magnolia Springs State Park Georgia The spring for which the park gets its name was truly an awe inspiring spectacle pumping out millions of clean, pure gallons of water each day. The water was so clear and you could clearly see the underwater cave from which the underground spring flowed. And I had probably never seen such a huge concentration of turtles in one small area. Definitely a nice park for a day visit or even a short camping trip.  Wooden sign at the springs at Magnolia Springs State Park in Georgia. The park is well known for this crystal clear springs that are estimated to flow 7 million gallons per day. Wildlife near the springs include alligators, turtles, and a variety of birds and fish.  Alligtor basking on bank in Magnolia Springs State Park Georgia  Large American Alligator swimming in the swamp at Magnolia Springs State Park 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. -- Hosea 2:18 In that day I will also make a covenant for them With the beasts of the field, The birds of the sky, And the creeping things of the ground. And I will abolish the bow, the sword, and war from the land, And will make them lie down in safety.  Backyard garden yellow day lily flowers with blue background. Athens, Georgia. 7:53 AM - just enjoying a peaceful, early, Sunday morning cup of coffee on my back patio; my eye caught by a beautiful backlit golden glow of sunrise on the Yuccas and Day Lilies.  Backyard garden green Yucca fronds with blue background. Athens, 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. -- Isaiah 24:1-6 The earth mourns and withers, the world fades and withers, the exalted of the people of the earth fade away. The earth is also polluted by its inhabitants, for they transgressed laws, violated statutes, broke the everlasting covenant. Therefore, a curse devours the earth, and those who live in it are held guilty. Therefore, the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left.  American Crow against blue sky and clouds in Monroe Georgia While visiting my brother-in-laws house in Lawrenceville, I decided to take a walk after a large lunch. From over my shoulder I heard loud, disturbing screeching and squawking from a young bird. As I turned, coming up over my head was a large American Crow flying with two screeching Mockingbirds in pursuit. Hanging from the Crows beak were the long, dangling legs of a baby Mockingbird. I had read that Crows and Jays would raid other birds’ nests and make meals of their young, but this was the first time I had directly observed it. All flew out of site and I never saw the end of the spectacle. Lawrenceville, 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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