 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  and yellow legs. Nephila clavata, the East Asian Joro spider has been introduced to the United States. First found in Georgia in 2014. Photographed in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia. Although it didn’t cause national hysteria like the beetle invasion of 1964 (or was it the Beatles and the British Invasion???), I did happen to hear about the Jorō Spider invasion of 2014. There were a few articles and blogs as this East Asian species was first discovered in Madison County, Georgia, not far from my home town of Athens. A University of Georgia article wrote, "The Jorō spider, native Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan, belongs to a group of large spiders known as golden orb-web weavers that make enormous, multi-layered webs of gold-colored silk. [Researchers] suspect the Jorō spider arrived accidentally as a hitchhiker either in shipping containers or among shipped packing materials such as pallets and crates or even on live plant material."  Female Joro Spider ventral view haning in a web. Long black and yellow legs. Nephila clavata, the East Asian Joro spider has been introduced to the United States. First found in Georgia in 2014. Photographed in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia. Introduced and invasive species often impact the native species and can even upset the balance of an entire ecosystem, such as the pythons in the Everglades. While Jorō Spider pose no threat to humans, it is unknown if they will adversely affect the native Yellow Garden Spider by competing in the same niche.  The native Yellow Garden Spider, Argiope aurantia, spinning prey in a web. Large spider with long legs, black and yellow abdomen. Common in the United States. Photographed in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia. In 2018 I began to see them pop up regularly in iNaturalist observations in Georgia. But it wasn’t until today that I found one in my own backyard. It was nearly impossible to miss. A strand of the thick web extended from the top of my backyard cypress, and about 15 to 20 feet at a downward angle and anchored to another lower bush. In the middle, suspended in a tangled web just above a Yucca, hung the ornately patterned female. A few days later I noticed a smaller spider “hanging out” with her. It was identified by other iNat users as the male of the species.  Large female and small male Joro Spider hanging in a web. Long black and yellow legs. Nephila clavata, the East Asian Joro spider has been introduced to the United States. First found in Georgia in 2014. Photographed in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia. There are now over 300 sightings of the Jorō Spider posted on iNaturalist in Georgia, and two in South Carolina. Who knows how far and wide this invasion will sweep, or if it will have as long lasting an impact as the British Invasion that forever changed the music landscape of the world! ONE MONTH LATER...October 8, 2020 - A month has passed and the Joro has weathered several storms, windy days and heavy downpours. She is more plump, and her network of webs is even more extensive.
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 Waltonpets Furtography Blog is an animal shelter pet photography blog of dog photography and cat photography at the Walton County Animal Control Shelter in Monroe, Georgia.  Sad looking brindle and white female Pitbull Terrier and Boxer mix breed dog outdoors on leash. Dog rescue pet adoption photo for humane society animal shelter. ©www.williamwisephoto.com. Stock sales support animal adoption website. “Brook” was a super-sweet stray that was picked up by an animal control officer on September 3, 2019. Although she had a lovable personality, it was quite hard to get a good photograph showing that tender personality. She had such a horrible ear infection that she was constantly shaking her head during the photo session. Thankfully, Atlanta Lab Rescue overnighted some ear medications to get her on the mend. Then, when no owner or adopters came for her, ALR came and rescued her on September 10, 2020!
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 I was flattered to be contacted directly and asked to join the Backyard Bio Project on iNaturalist. The project is "run by Exploring By The Seat of Your Pants encouraging the public, and especially classrooms to get out in nature observing and documenting the amazing wildlife near them!" I was excited to be a part of getting kids outdoors and educated so I wanted to participate as much as I could.  Tufted Titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor, songbird from North America perched in a tree. Birding photography in Walton County, Georgia USA. Before dawn, after a full moon, the day starts with an eerie observation of a Black Widow Spider under a window sill in Clarke County. Later in the morning, I went on a short birding walk near the animal shelter in Walton County, Georgia. - Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Heat index values as high as 98. 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 I was flattered to be contacted directly and asked to join the Backyard Bio Project on iNaturalist. The project is "run by Exploring By The Seat of Your Pants encouraging the public, and especially classrooms to get out in nature observing and documenting the amazing wildlife near them!" I was excited to be a part of getting kids outdoors and educated so I wanted to participate as much as I could. DAY 1 - SEPTEMBER 1 Black snake slithering across a gravel road. Eastern Ratsnake, Pantherophis alleghaniensis, is found in the eastern United States. Wildlife reptile photography in Walton County, Georgia on September 1, 2020. On my first short walk I came across some surprises. The morning sun was already warm. Quite quickly my shirt became damp with sweat in the Georgia humidity. I picked a spot in the shade and watched a tall tree and tangle of shrubs. Within just a few minutes, several species already appeared. The American Redstart was a nice sight that I wasn't really expecting. And walking back toward my office, there just so happened to be an Eastern Ratsnake crossing the gravel road. Great start to project! Can't wait to see what I'll find on day two! Walton County, Georgia SEPTEMBER 4, 5It was a busy Friday at work, so I didn't get any breaks. In the evening, I shot a couple birds in my Clarke County backyard. On Saturday I got a shot of the frog that has taken up residence in my outdoor koi pond. SEPTEMBER 9Had to pull over when I spotted this Common Nighthawk along the side of the road, as I’ve never seen one up close, only circling overhead. |
 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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