 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 backyard birding shots for iNaturalist and eBird from Athens, Clarke 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  Close up of an American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis. Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center with wetlands. Friday, April 30, 2021 - I took a day off work and made an afternoon excursion to hike the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences. It was my first visit and I was really pleased to find such a well-preserved wild habitat within a 2 hour drive of my house, and so close to a populous city like August. It was a great habitat for wildlife and semi-aquatic reptiles, including a few alligators. Phinizy Swamp Nature Center; Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia.  Juvenile baby Eastern Gray Rat Snake, Pantherophis alleghaniensis, coiled in a tree found hiking at the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center with wetlands.  Common Raccoon, Procyon lotor, in marsh grass found hiking at the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center with wetlands.  Banded Watersnake, Nerodia fasciata, on a log at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center with wetlands.  Close up of sharp conical teeth and Integumentary Sense Organs of an American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis. Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center with wetlands.  Close up of a juvenile American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis in swamp water with duckweed. Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center with wetlands.   Eastern Mud Turtle, Kinosternon subrubrum, laying eggs in the leaves along hiking trail at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center with wetlands. The plastron is large and double hinged.  Banded Watersnake, Nerodia fasciata, on a log at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center with wetlands.  Juvenile baby Eastern Gray Rat Snake, Pantherophis alleghaniensis, coiled in a tree found hiking at the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center with wetlands.  Common Raccoon, Procyon lotor, in marsh grass found hiking at the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center with wetlands. 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  Bright yellow Prothonotary Warbler found birding along boardwalk hiking trail at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Protonotaria citrea is a migratory songbird found in eastern hardwood swamps. Friday, April 30, 2021 - I took a day off work and made an afternoon excursion to hike the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences. It was my first visit and I was really pleased to find such a well-preserved wild habitat within a 2 hour drive of my house, and so close to a populous city like August. It became quite warm (as is typical of Augusta) as the afternoon wore on, but I listed and photographed many species of birds, flora and other fauna. Phinizy Swamp Nature Center; Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia.  Carolina Wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus, in a tree found birding at the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center with wetlands.  Common Grackle perched on a Spanish Moss covered branch along boardwalk hiking trail at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Quiscalus quiscula is an iridescent blackbird with bright yellow eyes found in North America east of the Rocky Mountains.  Great Blue Heron flying with large open wings over water waves at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Negative copy space in photograph.  Bright yellow Prothonotary Warbler singing. Found birding along boardwalk hiking trail at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Protonotaria citrea is a migratory songbird found in eastern hardwood swamps.  Bright yellow Prothonotary Warbler found birding along boardwalk hiking trail at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Protonotaria citrea is a migratory songbird found in eastern hardwood swamps.
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
Large green American Bullfrog, Lithobates catesbeianus, being eaten by Banded Watersnake, Nerodia fasciata. Photographed at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA.
Walking along the feeder canal that runs through the middle of the Phinizy Swamp impounds, I heard the most pathetic frog calling. Looking into the green slime and bubbles, I saw an American Bullfrog twisting and turning, apparently drowning. But after my attention was fully fixed, I found the cause. A long, thin (and probably very hungry) Banded Watersnake was attached to the bullfrog’s leg!
Predator and prey both struggled for some time – the bullfrog to get away, the watersnake to swallow a meal that looked a bit too big. In the five minutes I watched, the watersnake was able to maneuver the frog in his mouth, swallow one back leg, and try to fold the other leg forward as it attempted to engulf the frog’s torso. It was getting late and I could not watch the end of the struggle. But knowing the unhinging jaws and stretching skin of the reptile, the frog’s struggle probably ended with the satisfaction of the watersnake’s appetite. Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia. 
Large green American Bullfrog, Lithobates catesbeianus, being eaten by Banded Watersnake, Nerodia fasciata. Photographed at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA.
Large green American Bullfrog, Lithobates catesbeianus, being eaten by Banded Watersnake, Nerodia fasciata. Photographed at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA.
Large green American Bullfrog, Lithobates catesbeianus, being eaten by Banded Watersnake, Nerodia fasciata. Photographed at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, 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  Green Arrow Arum plant, Peltandra virginica. Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center with wetlands. Friday, April 30, 2021 - I took a day off work and made an afternoon excursion to hike the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences. It was my first visit and I was really pleased to find such a well-preserved wild habitat within a 2 hour drive of my house, and so close to a populous city like August. Phinizy Swamp Nature Center; Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia.  Great Blue Skimmer, Libellula vibrans, dragonfly along hiking trail at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center with wetlands.  Great Blue Skimmer, Libellula vibrans, dragonfly along hiking trail at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center with wetlands.  American Sycamore tree leaf, Platanus occidentalis. Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center with wetlands.  American Bird Grasshopper, Schistocerca americana, on blackberry briar with thorns at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences, Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia USA. Phinizy Swamp is an environmental education center with wetlands. Not considered a severe agricultural pest.  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.  Female tan and white brindle Pitbull and Hound mix breed dog. Pet adoption rescue photo for humane society animal control shelter. Stock sales support pet adoption website. "Ellie" was a small, brindle Pitbull mix surrendered to the animal shelter by her owner on April 21, 2021. She spent a week in the shelter before she was rescued by The DAWG Squad Rescue on April 29, 2021.  Female tan and white brindle Pitbull and Hound mix breed dog. Pet adoption rescue photo for humane society animal control shelter. Stock sales support pet adoption website.  Female tan and white brindle Pitbull and Hound mix breed dog. Pet adoption rescue photo for humane society animal control shelter. Stock sales support pet adoption website.  Female tan and white brindle Pitbull and Hound mix breed dog. Pet adoption rescue photo for humane society animal control shelter. Stock sales support pet 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  American Robin bird perched on a branch. Birding photography from Walton County, Georgia forest in eastern United States. April 20, 2021. A collection of birding photograpy for eBird and iNaturalist from the month of April, 2021 in Walton and Clarke 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  Great Blue Heron wading on the bank of Lake Oconee in Greene County, Georgia, USA. Ardea herodias is a large wading bird with gray and blue breeding plumage, long beak, long legs. My good friend is training for a triathlon and needed an open water swim in his wetsuit. I accompanied him in my canoe on Lake Oconee, from the boat launch at my parents house in Del Webb. iNat link: 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  Female Red-winged Blackbird in march grass at Veterans Acres Park Nature Center in Crystal Lake, McHenry County, Illinois, United States. Agelaius phoeniceus is found in most of North America. I made an April visit to Illinois to attend my cousin’s funeral and see my father now in a memory care assisted living center. Just before leaving, my brother and sister-in-law took my wife and me to Veteran’s Acres Park for a short nature hike. Crystal Lake, McHenry County, Illinois  Canada Goose wading in the water at Veterans Acres Park Nature Center in Crystal Lake, McHenry County, Illinois, United States.  Female Canada Goose sitting on nest with eggs at Veterans Acres Park Nature Center in Crystal Lake, McHenry County, Illinois, United States. Branta canadensis is a large migratory goose.  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.  Cute scruffy wire-haired little lap dog, tan terrier mixed breed with head tilt for adoption in the humane society animal shelter. "Devon" was turned in stray to the animal shelter on April 5, 2021. He was a nippy little guy, but dang he sure was cute! He was rescued by Pound Puppies N Kittens Rescue on April 8, 2021. He was sponsored by a pledge to the rescue from Anne.
 Mean, vicious Blue and White bluenose pitbull snarling, growling and showing teeth with blood behind a chain link fence in animal shelter dog pound for rabies quarantine. Not every dog in the animal shelter is too enthusiastic to have its photo taken.
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
Long black Eastern Ratsnake, Pantherophis alleghaniensis, coiled on a dead tree in a Walton County, Georgia forest. Eastern/Gray Ratsnake Complex are found in eastern United States.
Spring has arrived! It is one of my favorite seasons, not because of the change in weather, but because of the emergence of our reptilian neighbors. I’d been waiting for our first animal control snake call to come over the radio from 911, ready to spring into action.
Toward the end of March, it came. “Meet complainant in Loganville reference six foot snake in the garage.” Upon arrival, I was met by a gentleman that signaled me toward his neighbor’s house with a greeting of, “I think it’s a King Snake!” My excitement level was raised at the prospect. 
Eastern Black Rat Snake coiled on the ground in Georgia woods
Entering the garage, an elderly gentleman and his wife pointed toward a five-gallon bucket in the corning. Wrapped around the edge was a nice Eastern Ratsnake. Hanging down from my hand, the homeowner took a photo and heaped all sorts of blessings upon me and my family. It was probably just over four-feet long.
Eastern Ratsnakes are the most common snakes I pick up on animal control calls. This caller’s home was surrounded by beautiful woods and natural landscaping. No wonder this Ratsnake wanted to live there! We have a brief photo session before releasing him to a less inhabited area. Friday, March 26, 2021. Walton County, Georgia. 
Long black Eastern Ratsnake, Pantherophis alleghaniensis, coiled on the ground in Walton County, Georgia forest. Eastern/Gray Ratsnake Complex are found in 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  Friday, March 26, 2021. Small Tufted Titmouse songbird, Baeolophus bicolor, bird perched sideways on a branch. Birding photography in Walton County, Georgia, USA. The Tufted Titmouse is native to North America.  Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "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  Panoramic view of Grand Prairie from the Swamp Island Drive Boardwalk Trail observation tower. Suwannee Canal Recreation Area; Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia, USA. Wildlife photography along the Swamp Island Drive Boardwalk Trail in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 6, 2021.  Southern Cricket Frog, Acris gryllus, on a lily pad in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. Chesser Island Boardwalk Trail hiking.  Pickerelweed aquatic plant, Pontederia, rising above tannin blackwater of the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, USA. Photographed near Big Water Lake along the Middle Fork Suwannee River.  Pickerelweed aquatic plant, Pontederia, rising above tannin blackwater of the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, USA. Photographed near Big Water Lake along the Middle Fork Suwannee River.  Sleepy Barred Owl with eyes closed perched on a Spanish Moss covered branch along Okefenokee Swamp Boardwalk Trail, Georgia USA. Swamp Island Drive nature trail. Strix varia is know by swampers as the Deer Owl or Hoot Owl.  Sleepy Barred Owl with eyes closed perched on a Spanish Moss covered branch along Okefenokee Swamp Boardwalk Trail, Georgia USA. Swamp Island Drive nature trail. Strix varia is know by swampers as the Deer Owl or Hoot Owl.  Sleepy Barred Owl with eyes closed perched on a Spanish Moss covered branch along Okefenokee Swamp Boardwalk Trail, Georgia USA. Swamp Island Drive nature trail. Strix varia is know by swampers as the Deer Owl or Hoot Owl. Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "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  Ridge of tranverse rows of epidermal scutes along the back of an American Alligator. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, USA. Photographed along the Suwannee Canal Recreation Area. Since it was my daughter's first visit to the eastern entrance at the Suwannee Canal Recreation Area, we took the guided boat tour. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 6, 2021. |
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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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