 William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Proverbs 1:5 let the wise listen and add to their learning  The white-eyed vireo, Vireo griseus, is a small songbird. It breeds in the southeastern United States. Found in deciduous scrub, overgrown pastures, old fields, wood margins, streamside thickets, and mangroves. Photographed in June in Monroe, Walton County, Georgia, USA. Wednesday, 12:47 PM – "Listen. What was that?" Having heard a strange bird call by the firing range a few weeks back, I kept after the little bird until I spotted his spooky white eyes. I looked up this White-eyed Vireo and listened to the call a few times to commit it to memory for future reference. Birding by ear opens up entire new realms. Often, you can’t get a clear look on the myriads of little birds flitting about the bushes, but if you listen, you can certainly hear them all around. Bird lists get even longer if you can identify their calls. Walking by the firing range again today and listening to the various calls and songs, I could hear the little Vireo in a Bradford Pear tree. I did a little playback on my phone. He was listening and popped out to the edge of a branch long enough for a photograph! I have a few previous photos of White-eyed Vireos, but this one was finally close and clear enough for a high resolution shot. Glad he listened! Walton County, Georgia   
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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  Grey clouds over Pisgah National Forest mountains photographed from the back patio of the Biltmore Estate mansion in Asheville, North Carolina, USA. Appalachian Mountain Range and part of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, United States.  Grey clouds over Pisgah National Forest mountains photographed from the back patio of the Biltmore Estate mansion in Asheville, North Carolina, USA. Appalachian Mountain Range and part of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, United States.  Grey clouds over Pisgah National Forest mountains photographed from the back patio of the Biltmore Estate mansion in Asheville, North Carolina, USA. Appalachian Mountain Range and part of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, United States.  Grey clouds over Pisgah National Forest mountains photographed from the back patio of the Biltmore Estate mansion in Asheville, North Carolina, USA. Appalachian Mountain Range and part of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, 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  Purple Violet Orchid Flower in Biltmore Estate Conservatory Greenhouse  Yellow and Violet Orchid Flower in Biltmore Estate Conservatory Greenhouse  Yellow and Violet Orchid Flower in Biltmore Estate Conservatory Greenhouse  White Orchid Flower in Biltmore Estate Conservatory Greenhouse
 Purple Violet Orchid Flower in Biltmore Estate Conservatory Greenhouse  Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord. Haggai 1:3 May 25-28 - an extended weekend of relaxation and birding in the mountains of Waynesville, North Carolina. So much that it gets is own photo trek gallery page...
 William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, 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  My confusing "little yellow bird" turned out to be a Common Yellowthroat. Tuesday, 7:45 AM - An early morning birding walk while attempting to “break the twitch” of my iPhone pull. On the beaver wetlands area I watched a small yellow bird dart back and forth from the grasses and into a thicket of briars. It would never sit still long enough, or get close enough for a good photo. But after some back and forth with a fellow Oconee Rivers Audubon Society member, we settled on Palm Warbler and moved on. One month later, I received the following email: I am a volunteer regional data reviewer for eBird. My goal is to keep up with data submissions and try to ensure the accuracy of reports of rare and unusual species, as well as unusually high counts of common species. Thanks for photo-documenting this confusing drab warbler - it's actually a female Common Yellowthroat. Palm Warblers usually leave Georgia in the first half of May and by this stage would be in breeding plumage (so would have some streaks on the front and a red cap). Would you mind updating the species identification in the checklist below? Many thanks. I had no problem updating this checklist… for it was a new Life Bird for me! Walton County, Georgia  An ebird moderator helped me correct this initially misidentified Common Yellowthroat.  An ebird moderator helped me correct this initially misidentified Common Yellowthroat.  Carolina Chickadee  Eastern Phoebe  Northern Cardinal  Psalms 68:6 "God makes homes for those who are abandoned; He makes free those who are bound with chains."  Thursday, 1:23 PM – It is strange how it seems that dog breed impounds run in spurts. “Bigsby” is the fifth Boxer to come through the Walton County Animal Control shelter in the last few weeks! “Bigsby” was picked up stray by an animal control officer on May 14, 2018. The officer had no trouble “taking him in” when he ran right up to the truck looking to go for a ride! In the shelter, he was a bit of a barky and excited boy, but it must have all been to get outside. While outdoors during his photo session, he was the perfect subject: sitting on command, perking up at my funny noises. He was one of those quick and easy shoots I love so much! “Bigsby” was photographed for the Walton County Animal Control shelter on May 17, 2018 and put on the adoption website www.waltonpets.net.         William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders 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 six inch carapace plastron Common Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina, in muddy swamp water puddle. May in Walton County, GA. nnThe common snapping turtle is noted for its combative disposition when out of the water with its powerful beak-like jaws, and highly mobile head and neck hence the specific name serpentina, meaning `snake-like`. Thursday, 3:48 PM – Last evening on my drive home from work I pulled a 6” Common Snapping Turtle out of the roadway on Highway 186. Thankfully I got to him before a large truck did! He spent the night in the back of my pickup truck and got a photo session the next day. Taking him to a shallow mud puddle out back, I laid on my belly and got some neat shots at that perspective. He was just as feisty and snappy as the big ones, but didn’t seem as threatening being only the size of my hand. Still, I was sure to keep my fingers away! Walton County, Georgia  Large six inch carapace plastron Common Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina, in muddy swamp water puddle. May in Walton County, GA. nnThe common snapping turtle is noted for its combative disposition when out of the water with its powerful beak-like jaws, and highly mobile head and neck hence the specific name serpentina, meaning `snake-like`.  Large six inch carapace plastron Common Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina, in muddy swamp water puddle. May in Walton County, GA. nnThe common snapping turtle is noted for its combative disposition when out of the water with its powerful beak-like jaws, and highly mobile head and neck hence the specific name serpentina, meaning `snake-like`.  Large six inch carapace plastron Common Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina, in muddy swamp water puddle. May in Walton County, GA. nnThe common snapping turtle is noted for its combative disposition when out of the water with its powerful beak-like jaws, and highly mobile head and neck hence the specific name serpentina, meaning `snake-like`.  Large six inch carapace plastron Common Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina, in muddy swamp water puddle. May in Walton County, GA. nnThe common snapping turtle is noted for its combative disposition when out of the water with its powerful beak-like jaws, and highly mobile head and neck hence the specific name serpentina, meaning `snake-like`.  Large six inch carapace plastron Common Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina, in muddy swamp water puddle. May in Walton County, GA. nnThe common snapping turtle is noted for its combative disposition when out of the water with its powerful beak-like jaws, and highly mobile head and neck hence the specific name serpentina, meaning `snake-like`.  Large six inch carapace plastron Common Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina, in muddy swamp water puddle. May in Walton County, GA. nnThe common snapping turtle is noted for its combative disposition when out of the water with its powerful beak-like jaws, and highly mobile head and neck hence the specific name serpentina, meaning `snake-like`.  Large six inch carapace plastron Common Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina, in muddy swamp water puddle. May in Walton County, GA. nnThe common snapping turtle is noted for its combative disposition when out of the water with its powerful beak-like jaws, and highly mobile head and neck hence the specific name serpentina, meaning `snake-like`.  Large six inch carapace plastron Common Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina, in muddy swamp water puddle. May in Walton County, GA. nnThe common snapping turtle is noted for its combative disposition when out of the water with its powerful beak-like jaws, and highly mobile head and neck hence the specific name serpentina, meaning `snake-like`.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.  Belted Kingfisher, May 21, 2018 On my morning walks before my 8:00 AM start time, I've been hearing a Belted Kingfisher on the upper pond and near the duckweed bog. I’ve been seeking him out , back-and-forth, back-and-forth, looking for the good, close up, high resolution photo. But so far I've only managed a few decent shots from a distance. My first poor photo was on Thursday, May 17. I had another, closer opportunity on May 21. One of these mornings I’ll seek him out and get up on him! Walton County, Georgia  Belted Kingfisher, May 21, 2018  Belted Kingfisher, May 17, 2018.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. "If you come across a bird’s nest beside the road, either in a tree or on the ground, and the mother is sitting on the young or on the eggs, do not take the mother with the young... so that it may go well with you and you may have a long life." Deuteronomy 22:6  Three tiny baby Chipping Sparrow songbird chicks in a nest. Month of May, Athens GA. The chipping sparrow, Spizella passerina, is a species of American sparrow, a passerine bird in the family Passerellidae. It is widespread, fairly tame, and common across most of its North American range. Wednesday, 1:15 PM - The rain has come and continues off and on throughout the day. I’m home early for Megan‘s middle school awards ceremony and have two opportunities for BYOB (Birding-Your-Own-Backyard). Babies are everywhere! No, I’m not talking about all the recent births in our church. But of all the bird babies in my backyard. For a few days I’ve heard the light chirping of nestlings as diligent Chipping Sparrows parents make bug-runs back and forth. I track them down in the Sky Pencil bush at the corner of my house. Three babies crammed into a tiny nest! Later, underneath the birdfeeder, I spot an ugly gray bird with black wings scraping through the mulch. Then out pops a female Towhee mom and “spoon-feeds” the little fledgling! Not long after, the usual Downy Woodpecker is all of the sudden being trailed by a second Downy. Has it found a mate? But again, I see one feed the other I realize it is yet another fledgling in my backyard. The bird parents are busy, busy, busy with all the birdie babies in my backyard. Athens, Clark County, Georgia  Pair of adult Chipping Sparrow parents perched on wooden fence with insects in mouth to carry back to fledglings in the nest. Backyard birding photography in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia, USA. Spizella passerina is a small passerine song bird found in North America.  Three tiny baby Chipping Sparrow songbird chicks in a nest. Month of May, Athens GA. The chipping sparrow, Spizella passerina, is a species of American sparrow, a passerine bird in the family Passerellidae. It is widespread, fairly tame, and common across most of its North American range.  Eastern Towhee fledgling  Eastern Towhee fledgling and its mother  Downy Woodpecker fledgling and its parent.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Psalm 124:7 Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.  Tuesday 7:44 AM - This tom has a reason to rejoice and strut his stuff. He has made it through (almost) one of the longest Turkey seasons and lives to brag about it! As I drove into work, I saw a gathering of Wild Turkey in a field off to my left where I’ve frequently seen the gobblers. But today, a male was really giving a show to several females. This boy was all fired and decked out in puffed plumage, red wattle, and widespread fan. Not only was he impressing the gathering of females, but he made me pull over to get some photos! Because of high reproduction in 2016, the GA Department of Natural Resources predicted a “good supply of vocal 2-year old gobblers across much of the state in 2018,” and allowed an extended hunting season from March 24 through May 15; each hunter being allowed a bag limit of three gobblers. So this Tom had about 12 more hours and then smooth sailing until next season. Walton County, Georgia   William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Genesis 30:8 Then Rachel said, “I have had a great struggle with my sister, and I have won.” So she named him Naphtali.  Goose fight. An angry mother Canada Goose hen chases off a rival goose from her chicks. Photographed in May in Walton County, Monroe, GA, USA. Tuesday, 3:40 PM - This afternoon I observed a real goose fight. The two Canada Goose families were resting near each other in the shade on the northern end of the pond. As I approached, the goslings startled and ran down into the pond, the two families of goslings mixing together. Almost immediately, one of the parents of the smaller goslings began to chase and attack the larger goslings. This prompted a parent of the larger goslings to fly over and attack that adult! It took about two minutes until both families sorted themselves out and swam into the pond in their respective family groups. Walton County, Georgia  Goose fight. An angry mother Canada Goose hen chases off a rival goose from her chicks. Photographed in May in Walton County, Monroe, GA, USA.  Canada Goose hen swimming on blue water lake with five fuzzy yellow goslings that are four weeks old, hatched April 20. Photographed in May in Walton County, Monroe, GA, USA.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Proverbs 26:2 Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so a hastily spoken curse does not come to rest.  Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica, sitting on barbed wire fence of Walton County jail in Monroe, GA. The barn swallow is the most widespread species of swallow in the world. It is a distinctive passerine bird with blue upperparts, a long, deeply forked tail and curved, pointed wings. Tuesday, 3:33 PM – All day long for the last few weeks I’ve seen the swallows darting and fluttering over the surface of the pond. In snatching up insects, they leave concentric ripples in the water’s surface. I just assumed that all the darting swallows were the Barn Swallows that are currently nesting by my office back door. But after identifying a Rough-winged Swallow at my house the other evening, I took a closer look at these here at the animal shelter. Sure enough, there are two species of swallows skimming the pond surface each day! Barn Swallows and Rough-winged Swallows! Walton County, Georgia  Northern rough-winged swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis  Barn Swallow on her mud nest under the roof eve outside my office door  Northern rough-winged swallow  Psalms 68:6 "God makes homes for those who are abandoned; He makes free those who are bound with chains."  Monday, 9:30 AM - “Malcolm” was a happy young pup that was brought to the Walton County Animal Control shelter on May 8, 2018. The people that brought him in said he had been sick. The shelter staff gave him a deworming and vaccine as soon as he came in. He was kept in a quiet isolation area, but never showed any signs of illness. On May 14 he hit the adoption floor and was ready for photos! When it came time for his photo session, Malcolm was obviously distracted by the activity up by the shelter. He just wanted to quit with the pictures and go off and play! (It’s that very same behavior that keeps me away from doing child portraits! Lol). Even with all my tricks of barking, panting, throwing pine cones in the air, and squeeking my dog toy, it was tough to get him to look at the camera for more than a split second. “Malcolm” was photographed for the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Monroe, GA on May 14, 2018. He was placed on the shelter’s adoption website, www.waltonpets.net.      Psalms 68:6 "God makes homes for those who are abandoned; He makes free those who are bound with chains."  2 Corinthians 9:7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” Monday, 9:09 AM - “Bocephus” was a handsome hound dog picked up stray by a Walton County Animal Control officer on May 8, 2018. He had a hunter orange collar and dragging a 5 foot black leash, so he had to have belonged to somebody. But no owner came forward. Not sure if he was a lost hunting dog, or got away from somebody’s house. As is my luck when I really like a dog, he tested heartworm positive. But thankfully Anne, Lane and Audrey had already posted pledges for his rescue before his hold even expired. And not long after posting his new photos, Katharine pledged $250! I can’t underemphasize how much those pledges help dogs like “Bocephus.” It is overwhelming at times the number of people pledge their hard-earned money to get these pups another life in a rescue. Not only do we get the occasional sponsor that posts from across the web, but there is a core group of donors that sponsor nearly every dog in our little shelter. It goes without saying that we wouldn’t have near as much success re-homing so many dogs if it weren’t for these great, large-hearted people that give week after week to see our dogs saved. Thank you all! “Bocephus” was photographed on May 14, 2018 for the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Monroe, GA and put on the shelter’s adoption website, www.waltonpets.net.     William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.  Two Green Carolina Anole lizards, Anolis carolinensis, breeding. May in Athens, GA. An arboreal anole lizard native to the southeastern United States. Other common names include the American green anole, American anole, and red-throated anole. It is also sometimes referred to as the American chameleon due to its ability to change color from several brown hues to bright green Sunday, 4:45 PM - I’m almost a bit embarrassed to post the photos of this private moment between two Carolina Green Anoles on my back patio. When I first spotted them on the tiki torch, I thought it was a lizard quarrel, for one had a solid bite upon his the other’s neck. But upon closer examination I realized I was wrong. Sometimes “love” in the animal kingdom isn’t all about comfort, tenderness and affection. But isn’t it that way with us too? Our marriage relationships have their share of quarrels and disagreements. Any outside observer of one of those "discussions" might assume the couple hate each other. But that is all a part of love. As Bob Weir with the Grateful Dead sang, ”Did you ever waken to the sound of street cats making love? You guess from the cries you were listening to a fight. Well you know, hate’s* just the last thing their thinking of. They’re only trying to make it through the night.” *My modification from “haste” to “hate’s”  Two Green Carolina Anole lizards, Anolis carolinensis, breeding. May in Athens, GA. An arboreal anole lizard native to the southeastern United States. Other common names include the American green anole, American anole, and red-throated anole. It is also sometimes referred to as the American chameleon due to its ability to change color from several brown hues to bright green
 Green Carolina Anole lizard, Anolis carolinensis, extending red dewlap. May in Athens, GA. An arboreal anole lizard native to the southeastern United States. Other common names include the American green anole, American anole, and red-throated anole. It is also sometimes referred to as the American chameleon due to its ability to change color from several brown hues to bright green |
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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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Donations help support the animal shelter adoption photography equipment and adoption website hosting and domain fees. Thanks for your support!
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