 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 American Goldfinch birds, Spinus tristis, feeding each other on a branch at Exner Nature Wildlife Preserve in McHenry County, Illinois. The goldfinch is a migratory bird in North America. My aging father went into assisted living one year ago, in August 2020. It wasn’t long and Alzheimer’s had tightened its grip, moving him to memory care by last December. Over the last few months, his sentences have become shorter and shorter, and his body weaker and weaker. To make the most of these last years, my wife and I have been trying to get to Illinois every few months to visit him. Our meetings this week were short, but sweet. Being able to sit with him for only an hour per day, I was afforded some solace in birding and wildlife photography. As usual, I went for a morning hike at the Peter Exner Nature Preserve near my brother’s house in Huntley, Illinois.  American Goldfinch, Spinus tristis, song bird perched on a branch at Exner Nature Wildlife Preserve in McHenry County, Illinois. The goldfinch is a migratory bird in North America. I was amazed at the number of American Goldfinches flitting across the fields. Their cheerful calls and bright colors were enough to lighten any dark mood. The American Goldfinch, Spinus tristis, is a bright gold migratory songbird of North America. It has an affinity for seeds and is often found in pastures and meadows plucking at the seed heads and will readily visit a thistle sock feeder. The morning mood was also uplifted by the happy whistles of the Black-capped Chickadee. Poecile atricapillus is a small songbird named for its chick-a-dee-dee-dee call. I found it in the more wooded areas of the Exner Marsh, rather than the open fields along with the Goldfinches. They are reportedly a non-migratory species and move only slightly within their ranges in the northern United States and Canada. I was also cheered by lifers. I added the Northern Waterthrush and Warbling Vireo, bringing my world lifelist to 245 species. I also added 8 new species to my Illinois list. Always a spark of joy for a birder! Exner Nature Preserve; McHenry County, IL. August 26, 2021.  Black-capped Chickadee, Poecile atricapillus, song bird perched on a branch at Exner Nature Wildlife Preserve in McHenry County, Illinois. Black-capped Chickadee is a small non-migratory bird in North America. It is the state bird of Massachusetts and Maine.  Monarch Butterfly on a branch at Exner Nature Wildlife Preserve in McHenry County, Illinois. Danaus plexippus  Black-capped Chickadee, Poecile atricapillus, song bird perched on a branch with leaves at Exner Nature Wildlife Preserve in McHenry County, Illinois. Black-capped Chickadee is a small non-migratory bird in North America. It is the state bird of Massachusetts and Maine.  American Goldfinch, Spinus tristis, song bird perched on a branch at Exner Nature Wildlife Preserve in McHenry County, Illinois. The goldfinch is a migratory bird in North America.
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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  Close up macro photo of Differential Grasshopper, Melanoplus differentialis. Agricultural crop insect pest found throughout northern Mexico, the central United States and Canada. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia, USA This just looked like a cool thing to photograph! Walton County, Georgia. 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 Garter Snake, Thamnophis sirtalis, flicking forked tongue. Harmless non-venomous snake found in the eastern United States. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia, USA Removed from a house on an animal control call. Walton County, Georgia. Walton County, Georgia.  Eastern Garter Snake, Thamnophis sirtalis, flicking forked tongue. Harmless non-venomous snake found in the eastern United States. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia, USA  Eastern Garter Snake, Thamnophis sirtalis, flicking forked tongue. Harmless non-venomous snake found in the eastern United States. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia, USA  Eastern Garter Snake, Thamnophis sirtalis, flicking forked tongue. Harmless non-venomous snake found in the eastern United States. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia, USA   Eastern Garter Snake, Thamnophis sirtalis, flicking forked tongue. Harmless non-venomous snake found in the eastern United States. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia, 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; Big Sandy Creek Marsh, Walton County, Georgia. My eBird alerts went off for a couple of species I didn't have on my Walton County list. So at lunch time, I had to go on a chase for an Anhinga at the Big Sandy Creek Marsh and some Cliff Swallows under the bridge of the reservoir. Got both! Walton County, Georgia.  Cliff Swallow. Hard Labor Creek Reservoir; Walton County, Georgia. |
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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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