 William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Matthew 24:28 And wherever the carcass is, there the vultures will gather.  Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) perched in roost dead tree. Athens, Clarke County, Georgia. USA. Sunday, 3:43 PM – I went for a birding walk through the wooded greenspace of my neighborhood between morning and evening church services this bright blue but chilly Sunday afternoon. Not spying too many other birds, it was basically a vulture walk. Standing camouflaged under the tall snags, the vultures would fly in to perch directly above my head; their wings sounding like flapping plastic trash bags as they not-so-gracefully landed. Every fall a mixed gathering of vultures descends upon our neighborhood. Thankfully they stay off the roofs but choose the several tall dead White Oaks to roost. There are two types of Vultures here in Georgia. The Turkey Vulture and the Black Vulture. If one has a clear eye on their head color, the difference is obvious. In the air when the head color isn’t as discernable, it is a little trickier. But size, color and how they hold their wings are good indicators. I was happy to get a shot of both species sitting side-by-side for comparison. I had to sneak into my neighbor’s yard to get closer. I could just hear them inside the house, “Honey, our crazy bird loving neighbor is in our yard again looking at vultures!” Oh well.  Turkey Vulture (left) and Black Vulture (right); Clarke County, Georgia. The following day (Monday, January 15) I was off from work for MLK Day. I sat alone next to my backyard fire pit watching over 30 vultures in the trees. Again, not a cloud in the clear blue sky. Yesterday’s strong winds have died down a bit and the vultures are soaring in squadrons across the sky. Dozens upon dozens in the trees; groups soaring overhead; loners perching and lifting off from the snags… a true “vulture party”!  Black Vulture, Coragyps atratus, perched in roost dead tree. Athens, Clarke County, Georgia. USA. Just after 5 PM the vultures begin leaving the snags one by one in varying intervals. After sitting silent in the setting sun for quite some time, it would then enter in the mind of one vulture, “my turn”, and it would lift off and sail away eastward. As they passed nearly directly over my head, I had plenty of opportunity to practice panning for flight shots. Just past 5:00 PM the treetops are still glowing orange in the setting sun, but all else has fallen into cool blue shadow. At 5:17 PM the last Black Vulture lifted off, and two minutes later the last Turkey Vulture took to the sky. Sunset is at 5:47 PM, my backyard fire is dying down and approximately 70 blackbirds fly high in the sky overhead from east to west, heading to their homes as I head into mine. Athens-Clarke County, Georgia  Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura, in flight in blue sky. New world vultures are carrion crows that eat corpses, dead animals and roadkill. Athens, Clarke County, Georgia. USA.  Many vultures roosting in trees. Red headed Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura, and Black Vulture, Coragyps atratus, carrion crow, perched in roost dead tree. Athens, Clarke County, Georgia. USA.  Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) perched in roost dead tree. Athens, Clarke County, Georgia. USA.  Black Vulture, Coragyps atratus, carrion crow, perched in roost dead tree. Athens, Clarke County, Georgia. USA.  Black Vulture, Coragyps atratus, carrion crow, perched in roost dead tree. Athens, Clarke County, Georgia. USA.  Red headed Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura, carrion crow, perched in roost dead tree. Athens, Clarke County, Georgia. USA.  Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura, in flight in blue sky. New world vultures are carrion crows that eat corpses, dead animals and roadkill. Athens, Clarke County, Georgia. USA.  Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura, in roost in dead trees in winter. New world vultures are carrion crows that eat corpses, dead animals and roadkill. Athens, Clarke County, Georgia. USA.
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 William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. 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, January 10, 2018 - the first three Redhead ducks arrive for the season Daily Redhead counts this season:
 The following day, Thursday, January 11, one more male arrived to join the trio. But the drizzly gray day kept the camera away. Wednesday, January 10, 2018; 8:15 AM - The holiday season is often about reuniting with relatives that we haven’t seen in quite some time. Some of those relatives are enjoyable; but some make the hair on our neck stand up when we hear their voice. But there are also those beloved family members who truly make our hearts leap for joy when we see them again for the Christmas holidays. One of those loved ones that I enjoy the return of each year are the Redhead ducks. Just after the new year, for at least the last four or five years that I’ve observed, Redhead ducks return to the retention pond behind the animal shelter here in Walton County; some years arriving as early as the 2nd of January. So far this year I’ve gone out every day to see if they arrived. No such luck. But this morning, although a little bit later than other years, my heart had a leap for joy as I spotted a few small ducks diving on the far end of the pond. Our resident Mallards are dabblers, no divers. So I knew it wasn’t them. As I snuck closer, they performed a synchronized dive I knew the Redheads had returned for another season. It was just a trio; two red-headed males and one brown female. I was excited but I had work to do. Seven more new dogs had arrived and I was way behind. On my lunch break I skipped my treadmill session and grabbed my tripod and Tele converter and headed up to the pond. I spent the entire hour trying to grab some photos. Walton County, Georgia  Tuesday, January 16, 2018 - After a three day weekend I was anxious to come back to work to see if any more Redheads had gathered on the shelter pond. As I arrived, I caught a glimpse through the trees of a larger gathering of ducks on the pond. Instead of driving straight to the front office, I rode around the backside to the pond. What a wonderful sight: 30 redheads! A good mixture of males and females.  January 18, 2018, 9:50 AM - Arriving at the animal shelter just after 8 AM because of a late start due to ice, I drove around back to the pond. Out on the water were about 25 redheads. I didn’t get an exact count but the numbers looked a little bit lower than Tuesday.  January 19, 2018 - Friday, 4:20 PM. Still a strong 26 Redheads on the shelter pond.  January 23, 2018 - 37 Redheads. Just a few down from yesterday's highest count of 46. January 30 - Lunchtime. I hid behind a tire behind the Fleet Maintenance shop for 20 minutes waiting for the Redheads to come near me from across the other side of the pond. Lots of sun, but not too much warmth from it today. 43°, wind chill 30°. The west-northwest wind about 8 mph. Approximately 21 Redheads still swim on the shelter pond.  January 30, 2018 - Redhead duck, Aythya americana, waterfowl flock on an open water blue lake. These sociable ducks molt, migrate, and winter in huge flocks where winter numbers can reach the thousands. Similar appearance to Canvasback duck. Photographed on wildlife birding hike in Walton County, Georgia, USA.  January 30, 2018 - Redhead duck, Aythya americana, waterfowl flock on an open water blue lake. These sociable ducks molt, migrate, and winter in huge flocks where winter numbers can reach the thousands. Similar appearance to Canvasback duck. Photographed on wildlife birding hike in Walton County, Georgia, USA.  January 31, 2018 - Redhead duck, Aythya americana, waterfowl flock on an open water blue lake. These sociable ducks molt, migrate, and winter in huge flocks where winter numbers can reach the thousands. Similar appearance to Canvasback duck. Photographed on wildlife birding hike in Walton County, Georgia, USA.  January 31, 2018 - Redhead duck, Aythya americana, waterfowl flock on an open water blue lake. These sociable ducks molt, migrate, and winter in huge flocks where winter numbers can reach the thousands. Similar appearance to Canvasback duck. Photographed on wildlife birding hike in Walton County, Georgia, USA. Thursday, February 15, 2018 – 12:12 PM – only one Redhead Duck left on the pond; a red-headed drake. He was hanging out on the bank near the “mutt ducks” for company and allowed me to get fairly close. The next day, February 16, was the last day that I saw him. Unless they make a return, the 2018 Redhead season has come to a close.  2/15/18, the last Redhead on the pond  2/15/18, the last Redhead on the pond  2/15/18, the last Redhead on the pond  On February 16, 2018, the last Redhead Duck left the pond for the 2018 season. See you next year!  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Zechariah 14:8 What a Day that will be! Fresh flowing rivers out of Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea, half to the western sea, flowing year-round, summer and winter!  Red-shouldered Hawk, Buteo lineatus, raptor perched on branch. Monroe, Walton County, Georgia. USA. Common Bird of Prey in North America. Tuesday, 10:32 PM . What a difference a day makes. No frozen fingers today. Just after 10 AM and it is already 48°. The thin layer of ice that nearly covered the entire shelter pond has begun its retreat. All of the Sparrows that were limited to rustling in the leaves because of the chilly wind yesterday are now feeding in groups across the open, grassy spaces. The beaver have been quite busy on the small ephemeral stream behind the shelter which is typically fairly dry, serving only has a run off ditch when the pond is full. At least five dams have been erected; the lower dams are an impressive 35 feet long, while the upper dams are shorter but much taller, approximately 4 to 5 feet high, making tiered ponds of differing levels.  Red-shouldered Hawk, Buteo lineatus, raptor perched on branch. Monroe, Walton County, Georgia. USA. Common Bird of Prey in North America.
 Red-tailed Hawk, Buteo jamaicensis, gliding in air flight photo over pine tree tops. Monroe, Walton County, Georgia. USA. Later in the day, most of the clouds broke away to a blue sunny day, and unbelievably warm, 64°… even warmer than this morning’s forecast! Just before going home I snuck up on a Great Blue Heron fishing in the warm weather at the northern end of the shelter pond. Walton County, Georgia  Large Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias, wading bird in Walton County pond in Georgia spear fishing. Monroe, Georgia. USA.  Large Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias, wading bird in Walton County pond in Georgia spear fishing. Monroe, Georgia. USA.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Deuteronomy 15:10-11 The way you handle matters like this triggers God’s blessing in everything you do, all your work and ventures. Note: When I first posted this specimen, I believed it to be a Little Brown Bat, Myotis lucifugus. But the concensus on iNaturalist is that the correct identification is Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/17865393  Brown Bat picked up by animal control for rabies fear. Monroe, Walton County, Georgia. Little Brown Bat, Myotis lucifugus, and Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus, are common bats of North America. Tuesday, 11:34 AM – Working with animal control gives me front row seats to some great critter encounters. On January 8, a resident of Davis Street in Monroe, Georgia called 911 when she found a bat in her bathroom sink. Upon arrival, the officer found the bat just where the caller said. It apparently couldn’t fly and was unsuccessfully trying to climb up the porcelain walls to freedom. Knowing I love this kind of stuff, the officer brought the bat back to the office. The following day took this Brown Bat out for a photo shoot. He was quite alert and spunky, constantly baring his teeth and making those high-pitched squeaks typical of bats. He didn’t appear ill, but didn’t try to fly off. Using the 40 MM macro lens, some very sharp teeth were revealed in the photos.  Big Brown Bat picked up by animal control for rabies fear. Monroe, Walton County, Georgia. Little Brown Bat, Myotis lucifugus, and Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus, are common bats of North America. Just six days later, another bat story made national news. A 6-year-old boy in Orlando, Florida died shortly after being scratched or bitten by a bat. His father had reportedly found the bat and placed it in a bucket. Although he was warned not to, the child reached in and was bitten or scratched. Unfortunately, the boy was not taken for rabies post-exposure treatment until it was too late and he succumbed to the fatal virus. Over my twenty years in animal control, we have sent many bats for rabies testing. The percentage that come back positive has been very low. So I was shocked to read this story. Of course, I used Kevlar lined gloves during my bat photo session, but perhaps I should have been just a little more cautious. Sometimes we can get a little too comfortable with the familiar. Walton County, Georgia  Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus; Walton County, Georgia.  Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus; Walton County, Georgia.  Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus; Walton County, Georgia.  Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus; Walton County, Georgia.  Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus; Walton County, Georgia.  Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus; Walton County, Georgia.  Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus; Walton County, Georgia.  Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus; Walton County, Georgia.  Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus; Walton County, Georgia.  Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus; Walton County, Georgia.  Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus; Walton County, Georgia.  Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus; Walton County, Georgia.  Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus; Walton County, Georgia.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Job 38:30 For the water turns to ice as hard as rock, and the surface of the water freezes.  Winter Wren bird, Troglodytes hiemalis, in bare winter tree sticks in Monroe, Georgia, USA. Monday, 10:53 AM – I was hoping to add some new birds to my photo life list this year; and it has started off well! I took a quick walk up to both shelter ponds just before lunch. Both are near entirely frozen over; the ice being thick enough to withstand the blow of a softall sized rock! That doesn’t happen very often here in Georgia. Although there is small opening of unfrozen water on each, the chances of new ducks arriving are decreased, at least for today.  Shattered ice on the surface of a frozen lake, like broken glass. Winter ice skating pond. My fingers beginning to freeze, I took just a quick jaunt down by the duckweed bog. I could hear the wrens and sparrows rustling in the grasses and around the tall narrow opening in one stump. But when of the wrens popped up into view, it wasn’t the typical Carolina Wren normally seen here. With a little searching in the field guide, and a confirmation from the Merlin Bird ID app, a Winter Wren, Troglodytes hiemalis, was added to my list! The Cornell Lab of Ornithology website perfectly and poetically described this little bird: In the tangled understory of eastern forests, a tiny ball of energy lets loose with a rich cascade of bubbly notes. This songster is none other than the Winter Wren, shaking as it sings its astoundingly loud song.  Brown Winter Wren bird, Troglodytes hiemalis, in bare winter tree sticks in Monroe, Georgia, USA.  Winter cracks in frozen ice pond surface. Shattered ice on the surface of a frozen lake, like broken glass. Winter ice skating pond. No ice skating. Walton County, Georgia  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Deuteronomy 4:19 And when you look up into the sky and see the sun, moon, and stars—all the forces of heaven—don’t be seduced into worshiping them. The Lord your God gave them to all the peoples of the earth.  Mallard Duck hen and drake; Walton County, Georgia. Support animal shelter adoption photography by downloading this photo at www.dreamstime.com. Wednesday, 12:12 PM - You would think it would be warmer when the earth is closer to the sun. But even though the earth is at its perihelion today, there is actually snow in Savannah and a powerful nor'easter is expected to bring snow and ice to coastal locations of the Southeast, Middle Atlantic, Northeast, and into New England today and tomorrow. It is a crisp 35° here in Monroe with occasional chilly breezes. I take a quick lunch break walk up to the shelter ponds; my first in quite a while. There is nothing but the resident Mallards on the main pond. The cold hasn’t driven down the ducks yet. The mallards are no longer in their drab garb, but have the beautiful green heads of breeding plumage.  Blue Jay, Cyanocitta cristata, perched on bare winter tree in sticks. Walton County, Georgia, USA. Need stock photos? Support my animal shelter work by purchasing at www.dreamstime.com. 100% of funds support pet adoption photography.
 William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
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 All content is ©williamwisephoto.com. Please don't steal images. My images are available at dreamstime.com. Stock sales go into the shelter photography program.
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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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