Another Week of Walton Birding

William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, landscape, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders 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

"...the brave little bird ever beside them, singing with sweet human tones among the waltzing foam-bells, and like a blessed evangel explaining God's love." - John Muir

White-throated Sparrow songbird, Georgia USA White Throated Sparrow fall migration songbird in Monroe, Walton County, GA. The white-throated sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis is a passerine bird of the American sparrow family. In winter, this species migrates to the southern and eastern United States. It stays year round in the Atlantic provinces of Canada. Photographed in fall of 2018.

Monday, November 26 - the fog that hung around all day yesterday was completely blown off by the chilly winds. The sky was bright and blue, but the wind was cutting and brisk. I didn't expect to see too many birds out facing these breezes, but I was wrong!

Sunny but very windy. High near 50. 
​West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Sunrise Today:7:16 am; Sunset Today: 5:25 pm
Daylight Hours: 10 hours, 9 minutes (-1m 11s)
Moon: 85% Waning Gibbous

Eastern Towhee songbird on windy fall day, Georgia USA Eastern Towhee, Pipilo erythrophthalmus, with fluffed feathers on chilly fall day; November 2018 in Walton County, GA. The eastern towhee occurs throughout the eastern United States and southeast Canada.

A silly Palm Warbler appears as if he is looking at me from between his legs!

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Tuesday, November 27 - Once again a bright, clear blue sky but very chilly winds. Frost persists in the shady areas and a few of the small puddles have a crystal thin layer of ice on top of them. Currently 35°F. 

Today: Sunny, with a high near 44.
​West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Sunrise Today: 7:17 am; Sunset Today:5:25 pm
Daylight Hours: 10 hours, 7 minutes (-1m 9s)
Moon: 76% Waning Gibbous

Thirty-two Canada Geese were swimming on the upper pond at sunrise. As I circled the pond, they took to the sky for another pond.

Thirty-two Canada Geese were swimming on the upper pond at sunrise. As I circled the pond, they took to the sky for another pond.

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Wednesday, November 28 - the bright clear skies are continueing, but so is the cold and wind! The birding lists have been a bit shorter this week. I suppose it is because many of the birds are out of sight seeking sheltered spots out of the breezes... or because the cold drives me back indoors more quickly!  

Today: Sunny, with a high near 46. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Moon: 65% Waning Gibbous
Sunrise Today:7:17 am
Sunset Today: 5:24 pm
Daylight Hours: 10 hours, 6 minutes (-1m 6s)

Two Red-tailed Hawks cut through the sky over the main retention pond and into the tops of some Loblolly Pines at the northern end of the pond. They eventually flew off north, persuaded by the harassment of some Blue Jays.

Three Killdeer briefly circled over the main retention pond. Walton County, Georgia.

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Thursday, November 29 - It has warmed up a bit and the chilly winds have died down. The bright morning sun was overshadowed by cloud cover that moved in around noon.

High near 56. Calm wind.
Sunrise Today:7:18 am; Sunset Today: 5:24 pm
Daylight Hours: 10 hours, 5 minutes (-1m 4s)
Moon: 54% Waning Gibbous

White-throated Sparrow; Walton County, Georgia.