  Male mallard duck drake flying at camera landing on lake in Walton County, Georgia, USA. New Year's Eve. Fog, mist and showers. Not a good day for photography, but a good day for birding. I wanted one last good birding day for 2018. I tried to photograph as many birds as I could. Thirty-four bird species total and 1 River Otter. Walton County, Georgia
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  North American river otter Lontra canadensis swimming in a dirty pond in Walton County, GA. The river otter is a predator of fish and amphibians and is sometimes trapped for its fur pelt. It is found in and along the waterways and coasts of the United States. December 2018. Monday, 12:26 PM - Taking a walk through the trees surrounding the more secluded upper pond behind my office in Walton County, I again stumbled upon one of the North American River Otters that frequent our muddy brown Georgia pond. I had previously photographed this individual on another pond about a quarter mile away. How do I know it was the same otter? His left eye is damaged or has a cataract. Because of his vision impairment, he didn’t see me right away, but most definitely could smell me as I was standing only twenty feet away. He raised his body up out of the water, sniffing the air and snorting. As soon as he was convinced I was near, he shot under the bank and disappeared. I investigated a bit further and found a couple of entrances in the bank and just up on the shore. Most certainly this was a den site! And not too far from one open were several big piles of… you know. The river otter is a fish predator. Obviously these cold blooded bream were the main staple of this guy’s diet. Piles and piles of fish scales lay around the den entrance. Yes, that is river otter poop… or “scat” if you wish to be more scientific!  Pile of North American river otter feces found in Walton County, GA. The river otter is a predator of fish and amphibians and scales can be found in its droppings.  North American river otter Lontra canadensis swimming in a dirty pond in Walton County, GA. The river otter is a predator of fish and amphibians and is sometimes trapped for its fur pelt. It is found in and along the waterways and coasts of the United States. December 2018.  North American river otter Lontra canadensis swimming in a dirty pond in Walton County, GA. The river otter is a predator of fish and amphibians and is sometimes trapped for its fur pelt. It is found in and along the waterways and coasts of the United States. December 2018.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?" Job 12:7-9  Redhead and Ring-necked Ducks; Walton County, Georgia. Wednesday, December 26, 2018 - the numbers of Redheads and Ring-necks have been fluctuating a bit on the main retention pond. I counted 42 Redead and 4 Ring-necked today.  Redhead and Ring-necked Ducks; Walton County, Georgia.  Hooded Merganser; Walton County, Georgia. December 27, 2018. Thursday, December 27, 2018 - a male/female pair of Hooded Mergansers was swimming on the uppper retention pond. Cloudy, with a high near 51. East wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.  Downy Woodpecker; Walton County, Georgia. December 27, 2018. Saturday, December 29, 2018 - I went late afternoon to hike with my camera at Sandy Creek Nature Center in Athens, Georgia. It was unbelievable how flooded the entire area was. I have never seen it so covered in flowing, brown water. Most of the trails were underwater, except the higher Pine Ridge Trail.  Canada Geese at Sandy Creek Nature Center. This area near the Cook's Trail is rarely underwater.  A pair of Red-tailed Hawks perched on a tall snag at the intersection of Lexington Road and Winterville Road in Athens, Georgia.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. "Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is His work." Psalms 111:2 Off to Illinois for the holidays and, of course, my birding camera comes with me...  Life Bird: American Tree Sparrow. Photographed at Three Oaks Recreation Area on December 22, 2018. American Tree Sparrow perched in winter at Three Oaks Park in Crystal Lake, Illinois. McHenry County. Spizelloides arborea, also known as the winter sparrow, migrate into southern Canada and the United States to spend the winter. On Friday evening driving from O’hare airport in Chicago to my dad’s house in the suburbs, I spotted many gulls and pigeons over the busy interstates. Turning into my father’s subdivision in Crystal Lake, I spotted a couple of Mourning Doves on a rooftop and a flyoever of about 30 geese. Over the next few days I would see hundreds upon hundreds of Canada Geese. All through the day, but highest numbers before sunset, the calls of the geese sounded all through the air. At times it sounded like an invasion! When I awoke Saturday morning, I could hear the sounds of Robins. Looking outside, there were hundreds of them! In the trees, chasing each other, on the ground, everywhere! A comical group of mixed age individuals congregated around the outlet of the neighbor’s sump pump pipe, leaping in alarm each time the waters gushed forth, then returning to lap up the water. Juncos, sparrows and finches mobbed the feeders in the neighbor’s backyard. And a few cameos were made by woodpeckers and a White-breasted Nuthatch (but I was hoping for a Red-breasted lifer!). But the next three mornings: nothing. I sat for over an hour watching the feeders on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and not a single visitor. Of the hundreds of Robins just hours earlier, now there were none. It is baffling to me how there could be so many birds one day, and zero the next.  Life Bird: Black-capped Chickadee. Peter Exner Wildlife Preserve. Saturday, December 22, 2018. After the Robin counting, I snuck away first to the Peter Exner Wildlife Preserve near my brother’s house. It wasn’t overloaded with birds or other critters, but over the course of a 2 mile walk I did manage to photograph two life birds I had been looking for: Black-capped Chickadee and Red-breasted Nuthatch. The Chickadees were easy, flitting just about everywhere. On a path through some trees I first heard a nuthatch and was able to draw him in with playback.  Life Bird: Red-breasted Nuthatch. Photographed at Peter Exner Wildlife Preserve. Saturday, December 22, 2018. Leaving Exner, I drove over to the lakes created in the old rock quarry. The Three Oaks Recreation area has turned out to be a beautiful spot for summertime fun and decent place for birding. There are paths, docks, gazebos and a good bit of unfrozen water. I was able to get a few more lifer’s here today and when I went back on Monday. The first was the American Tree Sparrow. The second was a bit harder to discern. Far across the water floated some black and white ducks. The distance and the glare of the bright sun made things hard to see. But zooming in the photo and using process of elimination, I narrowed it down to a group of Common Mergansers. This was backed by recent listings from other birders in the area as well.  Life Birds: a poor shot of Common Mergansers on the other side of the lake at Three Oaks Recreation Area.  Life Bird photo: Herring Gull. Three Oaks Recreation Area.  Creation Speaks is a Biblical teaching ministry that uses nature writing and photography to glorify our Creator and teach the truth of creation. “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?" Job 12:7-9  Great Blue Heron on landfill tire pile, Georgia As wildlife photographers, we strive to get those natural shots of wildlife in their wild surroundings. But it is a sad commentary on our lack of care for this planet when a landfill is the “natural habitat” for our wildlife. What a contrast! The Beauty? A gorgeous feathered avian in bright breeding plumage. The Beast? This perfect creature living amongst the huge mountains of trash in our landfills. Don’t believe me? Look at the bird walk schedule for your local Audubon Society. I guarantee that at least one walk per year is at the county landfill! Pollution, trash, smog, window strikes... we've created a harsher environment for wildlife than their regular "wilder" habitats! "...the land is as the garden of Eden before them, but behind them a desolate waste; yea, and nothing shall escape them." — Joel 2:3  Great Blue Heron close up portrait, Walton County, Georgia When the Creator placed man upon this planet, God gave man the responsibility to “dress and to keep it.” As with any language, Hebrew words can have a wide range of meanings. In addition to the words dress and keep, as used by the King James Bible translators, the words are also translated in other areas as to guard, to watch, to observe, to serve, to preserve and to protect. Therefore, God has not only put man in the garden to observe it, but could we say that man was placed in the garden and has a responsibility as stewards to preserve it? Yes, it may be true that some of the biggest bird lists, prize wildlife photos and rare bird sightings come from local landfills. I am at least glad that wildlife is adapting to our mess. But what about those species that don’t adapt? We may try get a better camera angle, or crop in close to cut out that unsightly urban habitat. But why not leave it in the photo? Perhaps that shot of Beauty and the Beast will be a wakeup call to do what you can to clean up and cut back! Can we look into their eyes and do nothing?  Birds Eye View, Great Blue Heron close up Extreme close up photo of Great Blue Heron showing detail in feathers, beak, eye, crown, lore, iris.  Odd front view of a Great Blue Heron showing both eyes. Walton County, Georgia.  Great Blue Heron on landfill tire pile, Georgia. The great blue heron Ardea herodias is a large wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae, common near the shores of open water and in wetlands over most of North America and Central America.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. "Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is His work." Psalms 111:2  Monday, December 17, 2018. White-throated sparrow backlit by sunrise on chilly blue winter morning in Georgia, USA. The white-throated sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis, migrates to the southern and eastern United States. It stays year round in the Atlantic provinces of Canada. Alongside some other species such as the cardinal, dark-eyed junco, song sparrow and chickadees, this species ranks among the most abundant native birds during winter in eastern North America. I can't explain it, but getting out with my camera just to see what I can see brings me endless joy and pleasant distraction each day. Each day is like a treasure hunt... you may find something new, or delight in something "old".  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?" Job 12:7-9  Soaring Turkey Vulture; Clarke County, Georgia. The gathering of Black Vultures and Turkey Vultures is on the rise in our neighborhood greenspace. Tonight there were more than 100 birds perched throughout the area. In the morning they have taken to some rooftops to gather warmth.    William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders 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  The River Otter with the damaged left eye was swimming in the open on the main retention pond in the afternoon of Tuesday, December 11, 2018. Tuesday, December 11 - The sun came out, the air warmed up and everybody was out enjoying themselves... even the birds and wildlife! I only had to travel fifty yards out my office back door to see herons, otters, ducks and more. A big day of birding: 28 species! Walton County, Georgia  River Otter swimming in Georgia pond. Photographed in December in Walton County, GA, USA. The North American river otter Lontra canadensis, also known as the northern river otter or the common otter, is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the North American continent found in and along its waterways and coasts.   Great Blue Heron bird on Georgia Pond. Large spear like bill. The great blue heron Ardea herodias is a large wading bird common near the shores of open water and in wetlands over most of North America. Photographed in December in Walton County, GA, USA.  Great Blue Heron Georgia Great Blue Heron bird fishing on Georgia lake. The great blue heron Ardea herodias is a large wading bird common near the shores of open water and in wetlands over most of North America. Photographed in December in Walton County, GA, USA. Thursday, December 13, 2018 - the clouds have rolled back in and rain is returning tonight, but another day of high numbers: 26 species total! The river otter was swimming on the upper pond again. Cloudy, with a high near 53. East wind around 5 mph.  A Mallard drake and hen pair huddled up on a cool afternoon; Walton County, Georgia.  The ever-present and ever-energetic Carolina Wren. Walton County, Georgia.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. "Even the stork that flies across the sky knows the time of her migration, as do the turtledove, the swallow, and the crane. They all return at the proper time each year." Jeremiah 8:7  Ring-necked and Redhead drakes arrived several weeks earlier this season the main retention pond. Walton County, Georgia. Wednesday, December 12, 2018. Monday, December 10 - I was quite surprised on Monday morning when I took a morning bird walk to find a bunch of ducks on the main retention pond. For the past several years the Redheads had always arrived after January 1. It was also strange to see 20 Redhead drakes and no hens. There were several Ring-necked ducks and Hooded Mergansers mixed in as well. Clouds, fog, mist and light rain. Tuesday, December 11 - While some left, there were still 11 Redhead drakes, 5 Ring-necked Ducks, and 3 Hooded Mergansers on the pond this morning. Sunny, with a high near 51. West wind around 5 mph.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. "Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is His work." Psalms 111:2  One of several Golden-crowned Kinglets flitting near the boat launch of the Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir in Walton County, Georgia. On my Friday lunch break I made another trip to the Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir. What a blessing to have this new lake so close to my office. I can get there in about 12 minutes, relax and shoot for about 30 minutes, and then head back. From the bridge, I could only see one duck out on the water. It too far for a quality photo, but I could see it was a lone Ring-necked. Duck. From the boat launch I spotted a Pied-billed Grebe diving in the distance. I was amazed by how many kinglets, both Ruby-crowned and Golden Crowned were in the pines near the boat launch. I even hit a life bird! A Brown Creeper was creeping up the side of a pine. Walton County, Georgia  Life Bird! This Brown Creeper was exploring the crevices of a pine near the boat launch of the Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir.  A Ruby-crowned Kinglet at the Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir. The ruby-crowned kinglet Regulus calendula is a very small bird found throughout North America. The kinglet is migratory, and its range extends from northwest Canada and Alaska south to Mexico.  Golden-crowned Kinglet songbird at the Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir in Walton County, GA. The golden-crowned kinglet Regulus satrapa is a very small songbird. Their breeding habitat is coniferous forests.  Golden-crowned Kinglet songbird at the Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir in Walton County, GA. Golden-crowned kinglet is a widespread North American bird, breeding in many US states, and over much of Canada, and wintering across much of the continent south to Florida, Texas and Mexico.  Waltonpets Furtography Session is an animal shelter pet photography blog of dog and cat adoption photography at the Walton County Animal Control Shelter in Monroe, Georgia. Psalms 68:6 "God makes homes for those who are abandoned; He makes free those who are bound with chains."  Large unneutered male red brindle Boxer Mastiff Pitbull dog outdoors on leash with red collar. Dog rescue pet adoption photo for Walton County Animal Control humane society shelter. “Bear” is a happy boy! He was picked up stray by a Walton County Animal Control officer on November 30, 2018. He had on a bright orange collar, but no tag or chip to find his way home. He sat through the weekend and when no owner came forward, he got his “glamour photos” done on December 3, 2018. “Bear” seemed like one of those guys that nothing could get him down. He was always enthusiastically barking at his kennel when staff arrived so he could go out for a walk. Sometimes, in his excitement, he’d take us for a walk! “Bear” was shot with that wonderful 70-200mm f/2.8 lens which really brought out his golden eyes. His red brindle coat and the brown pine needles behind him made for a great fall feel to his photograph.      William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders 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  Orange Crowned Warlber; Walton County, Georgia. Monday, December 3, 2018. Orange-crowned warbler bird, Vermivora celata, perched on a brown fall background in Walton County, GA in late fall. These birds migrate to the southern United States and south to Central America. Orange-crowned Warblers sometimes visit feeders for suet, peanut butter, or sugar water. Monday, December 2, 2018 Sunny, with a high near 63. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.  ; Walton County, Georgia. Monday, December 3, 2018. Tuesday, December 4, 2018 Sunny, with a high near 51. West wind 5 to 10 mph.  Field Sparrow; Walton County, Georgia. Tuesday, December 4, 2018. Thursday, December 6, 2018 Forecast: 25 / 49 °F  Carolina Wren; Walton County, Georgia. Thursday, December 6, 2018. Perched Carolina Wren songbird singing at sunrise in Walton County, GA. The Carolina wren Thryothorus ludovicianus is a common species of wren that is a resident in the eastern half of the United States of America. Friday, December 7, 2018  Although this Blue-headed Vireo isn't a life bird for me, it was nevertheless exciting to see this morning being a photo first for my Walton list. Friday, December 7, 2018. Walton County, Georgia.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. "Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is His work." Psalms 111:2  Rooftop Turkey Vultures in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia. Sunday, 8:29 AM - Every Thanksgiving is turkey time! And not just for the plump game bird that ends up the center of the feasting table, but the Turkey Vultures as well. Late fall the Black Vulture and Turkey Vulture numbers begin to increase as they roost in the snags of our neighborhood greenspace. As the trees become full, a few take to the tops of the houses. Fog/Mist 64°F. A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly before 2pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 73. .  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, landscape, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Genesis 2:20 So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field.  Although I've seen the loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) perched on wires in the past, I won't count a species until I photograph it. This was a life bird photo I was hoping to catch on my visit to the Braswell Church Road eBird Hotspot. The Loggerhead Shrike is the only member of the shrike family endemic to North America Tuesday - on my way home from work I took a 5 mile diversion to ride past the pastures and ponds on Braswell Church Road in Walton County, Georgia. This is a bit of an out-of-the-way rural area, so how did I find out about it? When I finally ditched the flip-phone and upgraded to a smartphone in November 2017 (happy anniversary!) I entered into a whole new realm nature enthusiasm: bird listing! All the features of eBird – life lists, yard counts, checklist totals, birding streaks, top 100 eBirders – walked lock-step with my type-A personality! Okay, so how did that bring me to some pungent, manure-rich soils in the country looking for birds? eBird Hotspots! Hotspots are existing public locations where many birders are entering data… and they are all conveniently marked and mapped on the eBird app! Walton County, Georgia  An Eastern Phoebe, Sayornis phoebe, songbird perched on barbed wire fence of a pasture on a Braswell Church Road cattle farm. November 2018 in Walton County, GA. This tyrant flycatcher breeds in eastern North America, although its normal range does not include the southeastern coastal United States.  Several Eurasian Collared-Doves perched along the fences of the cattle barns on Braswell Church Road, an eBirding Hotspot.  Loggerhead Shrike perched on pasture barbed wire fence. It is nicknamed the butcherbird after its carnivorous tendencies, as it consumes prey such as amphibians, insects, lizards, small mammals and small birds, and some prey end up displayed and stored at a site, for example in a tree.  Loggerhead Shrike; Walton County, Georgia. Due to its small size and weak talons, this predatory bird relies on impaling its prey upon thorns or barbed wire for facilitated consumption.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, landscape, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. "Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is his work." Psalms 111:2 "...the brave little bird ever beside them, singing with sweet human tones among the waltzing foam-bells, and like a blessed evangel explaining God's love." - John Muir  White-throated Sparrow songbird, Georgia USA White Throated Sparrow fall migration songbird in Monroe, Walton County, GA. The white-throated sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis is a passerine bird of the American sparrow family. In winter, this species migrates to the southern and eastern United States. It stays year round in the Atlantic provinces of Canada. Photographed in fall of 2018. Monday, November 26 - the fog that hung around all day yesterday was completely blown off by the chilly winds. The sky was bright and blue, but the wind was cutting and brisk. I didn't expect to see too many birds out facing these breezes, but I was wrong! Sunny but very windy. High near 50.  Eastern Towhee songbird on windy fall day, Georgia USA Eastern Towhee, Pipilo erythrophthalmus, with fluffed feathers on chilly fall day; November 2018 in Walton County, GA. The eastern towhee occurs throughout the eastern United States and southeast Canada.  A silly Palm Warbler appears as if he is looking at me from between his legs! Tuesday, November 27 - Once again a bright, clear blue sky but very chilly winds. Frost persists in the shady areas and a few of the small puddles have a crystal thin layer of ice on top of them. Currently 35°F. Today: Sunny, with a high near 44.  Thirty-two Canada Geese were swimming on the upper pond at sunrise. As I circled the pond, they took to the sky for another pond.  Thirty-two Canada Geese were swimming on the upper pond at sunrise. As I circled the pond, they took to the sky for another pond. Wednesday, November 28 - the bright clear skies are continueing, but so is the cold and wind! The birding lists have been a bit shorter this week. I suppose it is because many of the birds are out of sight seeking sheltered spots out of the breezes... or because the cold drives me back indoors more quickly! Today: Sunny, with a high near 46. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.  Two Red-tailed Hawks cut through the sky over the main retention pond and into the tops of some Loblolly Pines at the northern end of the pond. They eventually flew off north, persuaded by the harassment of some Blue Jays.  Three Killdeer briefly circled over the main retention pond. Walton County, Georgia. Thursday, November 29 - It has warmed up a bit and the chilly winds have died down. The bright morning sun was overshadowed by cloud cover that moved in around noon. High near 56. Calm wind.  White-throated Sparrow; 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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