 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 Ibis, Eudocimus albus, foraging in shallow water. Birding wildlife photography at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia. A day off!!!! I made a morning trip to Phinizy Swamp Nature Center in Richmond County for some birding and wildlife photography. I knew it would be unbearably hot and humid, but I couldn't resist a short drive to Augusta to get away. I brought my mountain bike this time to cover the ground around the water impounds more quickly. Richmond County, Georgia.  Common Gallinule moorhen, Gallinula galeata, water bird swimming in Phinizy Swamp Nature Center, Augusta, Georgia. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center and water science lab with wetlands, marsh and ponds in Richmond County.  Tricolored Heron, Egretta tricolor, long legged swamp and coastal wading bird in a marsh. Birding photography in Phinizy Swamp Nature Center, Augusta, Georgia. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center and water science lab with wetlands, marsh and ponds in Richmond County.  Tricolored Heron, Egretta tricolor, long legged swamp and coastal wading bird in a marsh. Birding photography in Phinizy Swamp Nature Center, Augusta, Georgia. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center and water science lab with wetlands, marsh and ponds in Richmond County.  Large Yellow Garden Spider, Argiope aurantia, in web. Birding wildlife photography at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia.  These giant Golden Silk Spider orbweavers were EVERYWHERE throughout the park. Most were up high above the trails, but I still had to keep a keen eye as I rode through the paths on my bicycle. wildlife photography at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia.  Orange Gulf Fritillary Passion Butterfly, Agraulis vanillae, at Phinizy Swamp Nature Center, Augusta, Georgia. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center and water science lab with wetlands, marsh and ponds in Richmond County.  Southern Black Racer snake, Coluber constrictor, slithering in the grass at Phinizy Swamp Nature Trail Center, Augusta, Georgia. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center and water science lab with wetlands, marsh and ponds in Richmond County.  Little Blue Heron, Egretta caerulea, long legged swamp and coastal wading bird in a marsh. Birding photography in Phinizy Swamp Nature Center, Augusta, Georgia. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center and water science lab with wetlands, marsh and ponds in Richmond County.  Seven Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, Dendrocygna autumnalis, on a wood fence around a pond at Phinizy Swamp Nature Center, Augusta, Georgia. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center and water science lab with wetlands, marsh and ponds in Richmond County.  Coastal Plain Cooter Turtle, Pseudemys concinna subspecies floridana basking on a log at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, Georgia. A freshwater turtle found in the southeastern United States.
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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  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. 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. 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 random eBird and iNaturalist observations from July 2021. 
Rescue Furtography Blog is an animal shelter pet photography blog of dogs and cats photography for adoption at the animal control shelter.
Happy Labrador and Australian Shepherd mixed breed dog outside on leash wagging tail and panting tongue. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal shelter. Stock sales support pet adoption websites.
Apollo was picked up stray by an animal control officer on June 29, 2021. He was a happy boy that was always wagging his tail. He had a pet photography session on July 7 and was adopted two days later! ​
Happy Labrador and Australian Shepherd mixed breed dog outside on leash wagging tail and panting tongue. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal shelter. Stock sales support pet adoption websites.
Happy Labrador and Australian Shepherd mixed breed dog outside on leash wagging tail and panting tongue. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal shelter. Stock sales support pet adoption websites.
Happy Labrador and Australian Shepherd mixed breed dog outside on leash wagging tail and panting tongue. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal shelter. Stock sales support pet adoption websites.
 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.  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. |
 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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