 Mean, vicious Blue and White bluenose pitbull snarling, growling and showing teeth with blood behind a chain link fence in animal shelter dog pound for rabies quarantine. Not every dog in the animal shelter is too enthusiastic to have its photo taken.
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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
Long black Eastern Ratsnake, Pantherophis alleghaniensis, coiled on a dead tree in a Walton County, Georgia forest. Eastern/Gray Ratsnake Complex are found in eastern United States.
Spring has arrived! It is one of my favorite seasons, not because of the change in weather, but because of the emergence of our reptilian neighbors. I’d been waiting for our first animal control snake call to come over the radio from 911, ready to spring into action.
Toward the end of March, it came. “Meet complainant in Loganville reference six foot snake in the garage.” Upon arrival, I was met by a gentleman that signaled me toward his neighbor’s house with a greeting of, “I think it’s a King Snake!” My excitement level was raised at the prospect. 
Eastern Black Rat Snake coiled on the ground in Georgia woods
Entering the garage, an elderly gentleman and his wife pointed toward a five-gallon bucket in the corning. Wrapped around the edge was a nice Eastern Ratsnake. Hanging down from my hand, the homeowner took a photo and heaped all sorts of blessings upon me and my family. It was probably just over four-feet long.
Eastern Ratsnakes are the most common snakes I pick up on animal control calls. This caller’s home was surrounded by beautiful woods and natural landscaping. No wonder this Ratsnake wanted to live there! We have a brief photo session before releasing him to a less inhabited area. Friday, March 26, 2021. Walton County, Georgia. 
Long black Eastern Ratsnake, Pantherophis alleghaniensis, coiled on the ground in Walton County, Georgia forest. Eastern/Gray Ratsnake Complex are found in eastern United States.
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  Friday, March 26, 2021. Small Tufted Titmouse songbird, Baeolophus bicolor, bird perched sideways on a branch. Birding photography in Walton County, Georgia, USA. The Tufted Titmouse is native to North America.  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 and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "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 Grand Prairie from the Swamp Island Drive Boardwalk Trail observation tower. Suwannee Canal Recreation Area; Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia, USA. Wildlife photography along the Swamp Island Drive Boardwalk Trail in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 6, 2021.  Southern Cricket Frog, Acris gryllus, on a lily pad in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. Chesser Island Boardwalk Trail hiking.  Pickerelweed aquatic plant, Pontederia, rising above tannin blackwater of the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, USA. Photographed near Big Water Lake along the Middle Fork Suwannee River.  Pickerelweed aquatic plant, Pontederia, rising above tannin blackwater of the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, USA. Photographed near Big Water Lake along the Middle Fork Suwannee River.  Sleepy Barred Owl with eyes closed perched on a Spanish Moss covered branch along Okefenokee Swamp Boardwalk Trail, Georgia USA. Swamp Island Drive nature trail. Strix varia is know by swampers as the Deer Owl or Hoot Owl.  Sleepy Barred Owl with eyes closed perched on a Spanish Moss covered branch along Okefenokee Swamp Boardwalk Trail, Georgia USA. Swamp Island Drive nature trail. Strix varia is know by swampers as the Deer Owl or Hoot Owl.  Sleepy Barred Owl with eyes closed perched on a Spanish Moss covered branch along Okefenokee Swamp Boardwalk Trail, Georgia USA. Swamp Island Drive nature trail. Strix varia is know by swampers as the Deer Owl or Hoot Owl. 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 and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "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  Ridge of tranverse rows of epidermal scutes along the back of an American Alligator. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, USA. Photographed along the Suwannee Canal Recreation Area. Since it was my daughter's first visit to the eastern entrance at the Suwannee Canal Recreation Area, we took the guided boat tour. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 6, 2021. 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 and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "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 Friday - our return trip from Big Water down the Middle Fork Suwannee River continues. This is the leg between mile marker 24 and 25... The section between mile markers 25 and 26... - Sunny, with a high near 72, with a low around 48. Northeast wind 3 to 7 mph. 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 and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "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 swimming in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. Canoe wildlife photography trip along the Middle Fork Suwannee River between mile marker 24 and the Big Water overnight canoe shelter. Friday, 11:00 AM - after packing up camp and loading our canoe, we made the five hour return trip back down the Middle Fork Suwannee River (red trail). It was another clear, beautiful sunny day and many, many alligators were emerging from the waters along the way. - Sunny, with a high near 72, with a low around 48. Northeast wind 3 to 7 mph. There are other inhabitants of the great Okefenokee, but the alligator is by far the most obvious spectacle.
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 and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "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
I love alligators. I love photography. So there’s nothing I love more than alligator photography!
Large American Alligator basking on a log at the Big Water overnight canoe shelter; Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA. Scales and epidermal scutes visible. Okefenokee Swamp is a blackwater swamp wetlands habitat on the Georgia Florida border, USA.
Huge, intimidating, armored beasts all decked out in bony spikes and dark leather – they are the rock stars of the reptile world! And I'm the paparazzi that follows them. What exhilarating photo subjects (sure beats baby photography!). Most of the time the gators lay there or slowly slide into the swamp water as you pass by. But occasionally they will make a dramatic, thrashing dive just to emphasize the super stars they really are.
The alligators in this video were found along the Middle Fork Suwannee River in the middle of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge on May 5, 2021. My daughter is in the back of our canoe operating the trolling motor while I sit in the bow for a premium show as we glide through the tannin blackwater of this great 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 and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "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  River Cooter Turtle, Pseudemys concinna, basking on a log in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, USA. Photographed near Big Water Lake along the Middle Fork Suwannee River. Friday, 2:20 PM - Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. Paddling southward between mile markers 28 and Minnie's Lake. - Sunny, with a high near 72, with a low around 48. Northeast wind 3 to 7 mph.  River Cooter Turtle, Pseudemys concinna, basking on a log in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, USA. Photographed near Big Water Lake along the Middle Fork Suwannee River. 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 and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "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 on a log at the Big Water Lake; Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA. Friday, March 5, 2021 - Okefenokee Swamp Suwannee River Middle Fork between Mile Marker 26 and Minnie's Lake. The southbound return trip to Stephen C Foster campground after a night at the Big Water canoe shelter. - Sunny, with a high near 72, with a low around 48. Northeast wind 3 to 7 mph.  Large American Alligator basking on a log at the Big Water Lake; Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA. Spatterdock Lily Pads and Maidencane swamp ecosystem. Okefenokee Swamp is a blackwater swamp wetlands habitat on the Georgia Florida border, USA.  Large American Alligator basking on cypress log on Big Water Lake with mouth gaping gular throat pouch, showing teeth. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is a blackwater swamp wetlands habitat on the Georgia Florida border, USA.  Young Little Blue Heron hiding in Cypress Swamp. Egretta caerulea is a small wading bird like an egreat. Birding in Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, a blackwater swamp wetlands habitat on the Georgia Florida border, USA.  Young Little Blue Heron hiding in Cypress Swamp. Egretta caerulea is a small wading bird like an egreat. Birding in Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, a blackwater swamp wetlands habitat on the Georgia Florida border, 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 and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "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
Young Cottonmouth viper found crossing the road while bike riding on The Sill Recreation Area; Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia.
The creatures come out at night... Well, in the Okefenokee Swamp they are out in the day as well! But night time wildlife hunting can be a whole new area of fun.
After a full day of paddling, it is good to stretch the legs. My daughter and I first walked a bit around the Stephen C Foster State Park campground, but then jumped on our bikes for a sixteen mile round trip ride out to The Sill Recreation Area. I had shown her some posts from other iNaturalist users finding Cottonmouths crossing the road at night and she wanted to be a part! After a long ride to the Sill, our efforts were rewarded!
Brilliant star-scapes over the Okefenokee Swamp. Stephen C Foster is a certified Dark Sky Park.
The long stretch of Hwy 177 dead-ends at the Stephen C Foster State Park on the western side of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia.
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 and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "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  Early morning waning gibbous moon hangs over the Big Water overnight camping platform shelter in the Okefenokee Swamp. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. Friday, March 5, 2021 - a beautiful, calm and peaceful blue sky awakened us after a good night's sleep at the Big Water shelter. A waning gibbous moon hung in the sky as the sun rose over the cypress and Spanish Moss in the east. A few visitors greeted us on the canoe platform, including two alligators. Perhaps these were the two we saw slink off the platform and into the water when we arrived the previous evening.  Sunrise at the Big Water overnight camping shelter in the Okefenokee Swamp.  Big Water overnight camping platform shelter in the Okefenokee Swamp. Camping is by permit reservation only. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia.  Tall Bald Cypress Trees and Spanish Moss at the Big Water overnight camping platform shelter in the Okefenokee Swamp. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia.
 American Alligator lurking in the swamp water at the Big Water overnight camping platform shelter in the Okefenokee Swamp. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. 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 and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "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, Alligator mississippiensis, swimming in dark tannin swamp water near spatterdock lily pads, Golden Club and Maidencane. Photographed on the Middle Fork Suwannee River in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia and Florida, USA. Friday, March 5, 2021 - return trip from overnight on the Big Water shelter. Middle Fork Suwannee River between mile marker 28 and Billy's Lake.  Young alligator basking in the sun on a moss covered log in a cypress swamp. Alligator mississippiensis. Photographed on the Middle Fork Suwannee River in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia and Florida, USA.  Golden Club Neverwet plant, Orontium aquaticum, with flowers in the swamp. Photographed paddling on the Middle Fork Suwannee River canoe kayak trail in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia and Florida, USA.  Large American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis, swimming in dark tannin swamp. Photographed on the Middle Fork Suwannee River in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia and Florida, USA.  Large American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis, swimming in dark tannin swamp. Photographed on the Middle Fork Suwannee River in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia and Florida, 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 and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "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 on a log gaping throat pouch; Big Water Lake, Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA. From naturalist Francis Harper’s journal during his first visit to the Okefenokee Swamp in May 1912:
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 and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "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 of American Alligator visible above the blackwater of the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, USA. Photographed near Billy`s Lake along the Suwannee River. The relatively swift downstream current of the Middle Fork Suwannee River brought us all the way back south to Billy's Lake in less than five hours. We entered Billy's Lake about 3:30 under full sun (which typically makes for poor photography). Amanda moved the canoe along fairly swiftly as I scanned left and right to shoot any and every gator I saw. - Sunny, with a high near 72, with a low around 48. Northeast wind 3 to 7 mph.  Eyes of American Alligator visible above the blackwater of the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, USA. Photographed near Billy`s Lake along the Suwannee River.  River Turtle, Pseudemys concinna. Paddling canoe along Suwannee River Canal; Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, 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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