 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  Common Grackle, Quiscalus quiscula, blackbird perched in a cypress tree. Birding photography in Orange County, Florida on Hourglass Lake at Disney Pop Century Resort. Our family spent June 26 to July 4 in Disney for a summer vacation. Each morning while waiting on the others to get up, I spent some time photographing birds and other critters around the Pop Century Resort to upload to eBird and iNaturalist. I even added a life bird: the Limpkin.
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 Rescue Furtography Blog is an animal shelter pet photography blog of dogs and cats photography for adoption at the animal control shelter.  Young German Shepherd dog outside in the sun on leash wagging tail. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for local humane society animal shelter. Stock sales support adoption website. "Rocky" was picked up stray by an animal control officer on June 22, 2021. No owner came looking for him and he was rescued by Atlanta Lab Rescue on June 25! He was sponsored by donations to the rescue from Barbara and Anne.  Young German Shepherd dog outside in the sun on leash wagging tail. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for local humane society animal shelter. Stock sales support adoption website.  Young German Shepherd dog outside howling and barking. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for local humane society animal shelter. Stock sales support adoption website.  Animal Shelter Furtography is my collection of pet photography from the humane society animal shelter to find new homes dogs and cats needing rescue or adoption. The photographs are posted on several national pet adoption websites.  Happy female white Bull Terrier and American Pitbull Terrier dog with big ears sitting down outside on leash. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for local humane society animal shelter. Stock sales support adoption website. "Ne Ne Licks" was a happy Bull Terrier / Pitbull Terrier mix breed dog that was turned in as a stray to the animal control shelter on June 4, 2021. The shelter left messages at the number on the file with the microchip company but no owner ever came forward to claim her. She was adopted into a new family on June 18, 2021.  Happy female white Bull Terrier and American Pitbull Terrier dog with big ears sitting down outside on leash. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for local humane society animal shelter. Stock sales support adoption website.  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  Two juveniles American Alligators swimming in duckweed bog at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. Part of the ACE Basin refuges supported by Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The day was getting late, the humidity was getting high, and my feet were getting tired. But as I passed a canal along the Boynton Trail at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, I saw a splash from the corner of my eye and heard that wonderful little chirp. Baby gators! I could see about fourteen babies in the pod... and hear several more. Two were larger sized - perhaps from last year's clutch. I didn't get to photograph them all, but was careful not to post duplicates on iNaturalist. Donnelley Wildlife Management Area; Colleton, South Carolina, USA.  Baby juvenile American Alligator swimming in duckweed bog at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA.  Baby American Alligators swimming in duckweed and pennywort bog at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. 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  Anhinga darter bird on the bank of the marsh at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. Part of the ACE Basin refuges supported by Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Although my primary reason for choosing Donnelley WMA for a day trip was alligators, I knew from iNaturalist users there would be plenty of birding photography opportunities as well. And I wasn't let down! I was able to add 17 new species to my South Carolina list. Donnelley Wildlife Management Area; Colleton, South Carolina, USA.  Female Red-winged Blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus, perched on cane pole on the bank of the marsh at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA.  Green Heron, Butorides virescens, long legged wading bird on the bank of the marsh at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. Part of the ACE Basin refuges supported by Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. 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  Turkey Vulture buzzard eating dead armadillo road kill at the Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. Part of the ACE Basin refuges supported by Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Coming around the corner of one of dirt roads that runs through the Donnelley Wildlife Management Area in South Carolina, I interrupted a Turkey Vulture scavenging an afternoon lunch. I would much rather have photographed the Cottonmouth alive! Donnelley Wildlife Management Area; Colleton, South Carolina, USA. 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  American White Water Lily pad in swamp bog. Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. Part of the ACE Basin refuges supported by Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. I wanted a place to get away for a day. It had to be within four hours, have alligators, and have plenty of trails to fill an entire day. Donnelley Wildlife Management Area in Colleton County, South Carolina fit the bill. Following observations on iNaturalist, I pinpointed Donnelley WMA as an alligator hotspot. I messaged a couple of iNat users that frequent the area and got some great tips. Although it is primarily managed for hunting, it was a great habitat for non-game species as well. I woke up at 4:30 AM and was within the WMA by 8:30. I first drove the loop, stopping in a few locations to photograph a couple of gators. I finally parked and got out on Blocker Run Road alongside two large bodies of water where most of the alligator activity takes place. I wasn’t disappointed. I spent several hours walking the berms between the old rice fields getting my fill of long-legged wading birds and American Alligators. Later in the afternoon I walked out to the Tupelo Swamp and circled the entire Boynton Trail. The intermittent clouds blocked the sun, but the low country humidity made my feet stumble by late afternoon. I left Donnelley around 4 PM, just before the thunderstorms rolled in. It was a beautiful place with a variety of habitats, and I’m sure to return! Donnelley Wildlife Management Area; Colleton, South Carolina, USA.  Eastern Gray Squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis, climbing Live Oak tree covered in Spanish Miss at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. Part of the ACE Basin refuges supported by Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.  American Alligator swimming submerged in swamp bog. Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. Part of the ACE Basin refuges supported by Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.  Anhinga darter bird on the bank of the marsh at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. Part of the ACE Basin refuges supported by Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.  Green Anole chameleon lizard, Anolis carolinensis, on a branch at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA.  Great Blue Heron long legged wading bird on the bank of the marsh at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. 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  American Alligator submerged swimming in water at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. As soon as I exited my car at the Donnelley Wildlife Management Area in South Carolina, I knew it was going to be a good day! The morning was still calm and peaceful. But I as walked closer to the water, a large splash broke the glass surface of the marsh. A large American Alligator came up out of the water crunching a blue crap in its jaws! As I continued to hike the next six hours, the website was completely accurate in stating that the WMA hosts hundreds of gators. Over the course of my wanderings, I photographed 112 individual alligators within Donnelley WMA. It was a great day for gator photography! Donnelley Wildlife Management Area; Colleton, South Carolina, USA.  Young American Alligator basking at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. Part of the ACE Basin refuges supported by Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.  Adult American Alligator swimming in duckweed bog at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. Part of the ACE Basin refuges supported by Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. 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  American Alligators footprint track in the mud on the bank of the marsh at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. Part of the ACE Basin refuges supported by Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Even if you never actually laid eyes upon an alligator at Donnelley WMA (which is virtually impossible), their evidence was all throughout the habitat. From tail drags and footprints in the mud, to multiple piles of clay-like droppings, the signs of crocodilians was everywhere! Donnelley Wildlife Management Area; Colleton, South Carolina, USA. 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  Blue Dasher Dragonfly at Donnelley WMA, South Carolina, USA Donnelley Wildlife Management Area; Colleton, South Carolina, USA.  Needham`s Skimmer dragonfly, Libellula needhami, in the marsh at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area in Connelley County, South Carolina.  Eastern Pondhawk Dragonfly, Erythemis simplicicollis, on a cattail leaf in Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, South Carolina. Odonata. 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  Close up portrait of Scarlet Snake, Cemophora coccinea. Red, black and yellow bands sometimes mistaken for venomous Coral Snake. Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. Part of the ACE Basin refuges supported by Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The sun was climbing higher and brighter. The humidity and warm, stifling air was already bearing down on me, causing my feet to stumble through the thorns, briers and saw palmetto. I had been pushing through South Carolina low-country scrub for several hours already. I was thankful to escape the bush and come out onto a dirt road that cut through the Donnelley Wildlife Management Area. As I walked through this shady mixed forest of hardwood and pine, I didn’t feel like lifting my heavy lens to shoot any birds. I just walked with my head looking down toward the ground. And that’s when I spotted it…!  Scarlet Snake, Cemophora coccinea, coiled on the ground. Red, black and yellow bands sometimes mistaken for venomous Coral Snake. Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. Part of the ACE Basin refuges supported by Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. A glint of color caught my eye amongst all the green vegetation lining the road. A snake! My normal reaction was to reach down and grab it. But the colors were red, black and yellow. I had to take a moment to calculate this one before grabbing. But I quickly recognized it as the harmless pattern of a non-venomous variety. I reached down and quickly grabbed this small Scarlet Snake. The thought that gave me pause was the possibility of the venomous Coral Snake. Also a beautiful snake of red, black and yellow… but with a deadly bite! I know there are rhymes to help remember the difference. “Red on yellow kill a fellow…” or is it, “Red on black…” or… I just remember that if the black separates the colors, you’re okay.  Scarlet Snake, Cemophora coccinea, coiled on the ground. Red, black and yellow bands sometimes mistaken for venomous Coral Snake. Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. Part of the ACE Basin refuges supported by Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.  Close up portrait of Scarlet Snake, Cemophora coccinea. Red, black and yellow bands sometimes mistaken for venomous Coral Snake. Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Colleton, South Carolina, USA. Part of the ACE Basin refuges supported by Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. This cute little snake was quite docile and calmly sat in my hand as I switched from my 600mm lens to a macro lens. A beautiful find! The first I’ve found in my thirty years of herping (snake hunting). Donnelley Wildlife Management Area; Colleton, South Carolina, USA. 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  Eastern Black Ratsnake crawling inside a kitchen sink and flicking forked tongue. Nuisance wildlife animal control call in Loganville, Walton County, Georgia. Pantherophis is a a nonvenomous constrictor colubrid found in the Eastern United States. Eastern Black Ratsnake pulled from inside a kitchen on an animal control call in Loganville, Walton County, Georgia. Walton County, Georgia.  Eastern Black Ratsnake crawling inside a kitchen sink. Nuisance wildlife animal control call in Loganville, Walton County, Georgia.  Eastern Black Ratsnake flicking forked tongue crawling over watch on arm. Walton County, Georgia. Pantherophis is a a nonvenomous constrictor colubrid found in the Eastern United States.  Eastern Black Ratsnake flicking forked tongue crawling over arm. Walton County, Georgia. Pantherophis is a a nonvenomous constrictor colubrid found in the 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 Some iNaturalist and eBird observations made throughout the month of June, 2021 in Walton and Clarke Counties, Georgia. |
 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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Donations help support the animal shelter adoption photography equipment and adoption website hosting and domain fees. Thanks for your support!
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