 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  I spotted the Orange-crowned Warbler again on December 3, 2018 and was able to get a much closer and more detailed photo in favorable light. Orange-crowned warbler bird, Vermivora celata, perched on a honeysuckle vine 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, 9:27 AM - the fog that hung around all day yesterday was definitely blown off by the chilly winds this morning. The sky was bright and blue, but the wind cutting and brisk. I didn't expect to see too many birds out facing these gales, much less a lifer! As I approached the entangled thickets along the firing range berm, several little birds were flitting in the brush out of the reach of the breezes. I quickly fixed my lens on one and realized I couldn't quite ID it; was it a new warbler for me? Sure enough! An Orange-crowned Warbler! Wikipedia states: Their breeding habitat is open shrubby areas across Canada, Alaska and the western United States. These birds migrate to the southern United States and south to Central America. They forage actively in low shrubs, flying from perch to perch, sometimes hovering. These birds eat insects, berries and nectar. The song of this bird is a trill, descending in pitch and volume. The call is a high chip. Walton County, Georgia  Life bird photograph of an Orange-crowned Warbler; Walton County, Georgia. November 26, 2018. 
0 Comments
 William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Psalm 26:7-8 That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving,  Great Blue Heron skimming over the waters of Lake Oconee. Greene County, Georgia. Thanksgiving Day - perhaps I should have been helping in the kitchen with the preparations, but I couldn't resist a mid-morning walk down to the boat launch onto Lake Oconee. I was able to add a few more bird species to my Greene County list.  A Carolina Wren singing in the fall foliage; Greene County, Georgia.  Chipping Sparrow; Greene County, Georgia.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Proverbs 30:18-19 There are three things which are too wonderful for me, Yes, four which I do not understand: The way of an eagle in the air, The way of a serpent on a rock, The way of a ship in the midst of the sea, and the way of a man with a virgin.  A young Bald Eagle soaring over the Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir in Walton County, Georgia. Wednesday, 12:36 PM - being off at noon for Thanksgiving Eve, I decided to visit the Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir. The reservoir opened in March 2018. It is in the southeastern unincorporated region of Walton County, Georgia, near both Social Circle. Over the last few months, I've had several people tell me that they'd heard about Bald Eagles regularly appearing there. I had to go and see for myself.  A Double-crested Cormorant diving out in the open waters of the Hard Labor Creek Reservoir. Being a large 1,370 acre area, there was no telling where the Bald Eagles would be, if there at all. I parked near the small fire station and walked down to the boat ramp. A little Grebe swam off to my right. Cormorants could be seen fishing in the distance. And amazingly, I didn't have to wait too long, two young Bald Eagles circled the skies just above the bridge.
If I had not seen the two at one time, I might have thought there was only one individual. It took some time to compare the splotches of white in the photographs to tell these individuals apart.  A Pied-billed Grebe swimming on a Georgia lake in fall season, 2018. Hard Labor Creek Reservoir in Walton County, Social Circle, GA. The pied-billed grebe Podilymbus podiceps is a species of duck like water birds. Other names of this grebe include American dabchick, dabchick, Carolina grebe, devil-diver, dive-dapper, dipper, hell-diver, pied-billed dabchick, pied-bill, thick-billed grebe, and water witch.  Pied-billed Grebe on Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir; Walton County, Georgia.  Pied-billed Grebe on Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir; Walton County, Georgia. Thursday, November 29 - a made another quick lunch-break trip down to the reservoir. I didn't see any of the eagles this time, but the firefighters at the fire station said they've seen two white-headed adults in addition to the immature birds I saw last week. I think I will recommend this location as an eBird Hot Spot! Cloud cover moved in around noon. High near 56. Calm wind.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Psalm 37:3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.  River Otter; Walton County, Georgia USA. November 2018. 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. The pair of River Otter have now become bold enough to take to the main and upper retention ponds throughout the day. They either do not see me as they concentrate upon their fish, or are no longer bothered by my presence. I have had some great up-close opportunities of late. On Monday, November 21, one sat at the far end of the upper pond which is more secluded. He chewed and chewed and chewed away at a large bream fish that he held between his claws. On Tuesday afternoon, one was right at the close end of the upper pond near the driveway. He was diving as I approached, and perhaps didn't see me. I was able to stand within fifty feet of him as he repeatedly dove, caught small fish, and paused to chew them up and swallow them down. Perhaps they are preparing for a lean winter, but I am shocked at how much fish they can eat! Walton County, Georgia  River Otter eating fish on Georgia beaver pond  River Otter eating fish on Georgia beaver pond  River Otter; Walton County, Georgia USA. November 2018. 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.   William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Exodus 8:18 The magicians tried to produce gnats with their incantations but this time they couldn’t do it. There were gnats everywhere, all over people and animals.  The blue-gray gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea, is a very small songbird in the eastern and southwestern United States, and Mexico. They forage actively in trees or shrubs, mainly eating insects, insect eggs and spiders. Photographed in fall in Walton County, Monroe, Georgia USA. Monday, 4:05 PM - Even though eBird has it listed as a rare bird for this area during this time of the year, a little Blue-gray Gnatchatcher keeps popping up day after day. He is quite the proficient finder of insects! On the recent spotting, he was fittingly grasping a gnat in his mouth and attempting to gobble it down. On his second appearance, an inchworm wriggled in his little beak. Then at his third appearance, he was eating a string of bugs caught in a spider web. One website accurately describes what I observed when it wrote, “They forage actively in trees or shrubs, mainly eating insects, insect eggs and spiders. They may hover over foliage (gleaning), or fly to catch insects in flight (hawking).” Walton County, Georgia  Blue-gray Gnatcatcher eating a string of insects off a spider's thread. Walton County, Georgia. Monday, November 19, 2018.  The blue-gray gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea, is a very small songbird in the eastern and southwestern United States, and Mexico. They forage actively in trees or shrubs, mainly eating insects, insect eggs and spiders. Photographed in fall in Walton County, Monroe, Georgia USA.  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  Great Blue Heron with open beak bill, Georgia USA Great Blue Heron in swamp ecosystem. Photographed in fall in Walton County, Monroe, Georgia USA. 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. Monday, November 19 - It was a lucky lunch break for me, watching the River Otters close up, spotting a stately Great Blue Heron, and adding two more bird species to my Walton list, one being a lifer. I skipped the treadmill on my Monday lunch break because I was waiting on a rescue to arrive. Once the pup was picked up, I wandered to the upper pond and snuck through the brush to the back side. The two River Otters were there feeding on fish and didn’t notice my presence. White watching the Otters, a small hawk streaked across the sky and into a large pine. Based upon his size, I was pretty sure that this tiny raptor was a Sharp-shinned Hawk. My only previous photograph was of one I found deceased on the roadside. The second addition to my Walton list was the Dark-eyed Junco. Not a lifer for me, but my first photograph of one in Walton County. He was flitting amongst the dirt hills along with several Song Sparrows and Chipping Sparrows. The fog lifted around 11 AM, and made for a bright sunny afternoon.  Great Blue Heron in wetlands habitat, Georgia USA  Great Blue Heron in wetlands habitat, Georgia USA Great Blue Heron in swamp ecosystem. Photographed in fall in Walton County, Monroe, Georgia USA. 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.  Great Blue Heron in swamp ecosystem. Photographed in fall in Walton County, Monroe, Georgia USA. 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. Tuesday, November 20 Today: Sunny, with a high near 58. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.  One of the many abundant Carolina Wrens out singing in the bright sun. Walton County, Georgia. Wednesday, November 21 - Today was a half-day of work for Thanksgiving Eve. The phones were mostly silent, and having come in early, I was afforded a mid-morning bird break. As has happened before, several beautiful Wood Ducks blasted off from the secluded end of the upper pond. But this time I anticipated their presence and had the camera ready. I just wish I had a slightly faster shutter speed already dialed in. Even 1/1000 second is fast enough to freeze the fast launching Woodies! In noticed something down between the duckweed bog and beaver wetlands. Although I'd been here hundreds of times, usually twice a day, I have no idea how a large aerial yellow jacket nest had escaped my attention. Today: Sunny, with a high near 58.  Several beautiful Wood Ducks blasted off once again from the secluded end of the upper pond.  Although not high quality, I love this shot because it reveals the ruby crown that gives this Kinglet his name.  The fall sunshine beams through the pines behind this Hermit Thrush perched on a branch in fall. Walton County, GA. November 2018. The hermit thrush`s song has been described as `the finest sound in nature`.  Hermit Thrush, Catharus guttatus, songbird perched on a branch at sunrise in fall. Walton County, GA. November 2018. The hermit thrush`s song has been described as `the finest sound in nature`.  High key image of Hermit Thrush, Catharus guttatus, songbird perched on a branch at sunrise in fall. Walton County, GA. November 2018. The hermit thrush`s song has been described as `the finest sound in nature`.  Song Sparrow songbird perched on thorn brier with golden sunshine in Fall in Walton County, GA. November 2018. The song sparrow Melospiza melodia is a medium-sized American sparrow. Among the native sparrows in North America, it is easily one of the most abundant species.  My first photo of a Hairy Woodpecker in Walton County, GA.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Psalm 104:20 He sends the night and darkness, when all the forest folk come out.  Two bats swoop, twirl and dive after the evening insects at sunset in my backyard. (Photo-merge of two separate photographs taken during this session) Saturday, 5:00 PM - Watching all the various blackbirds fly past a waxing gibbous moon to their evening roosts before sunset: a flock of 100-plus Red-winged Blackbirds staging into their evening roost; twelve Black Vultures more casually soar into their nighttime evening abode; thirty or more Common Grackles cut across the sky. But two swoop and dive in my backyard feeding on the evening insects... wait, those aren’t birds!  A group of 100+ Red-winged blackbirds stage into an evening roost. Specs of red can be seen on many of their shoulders when enlarging the photograph.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. 1 Kings 18:45 And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain.  A trio of Ring-necked Ducks returned to the pond to mark the beginning of "duck season" on Walton Pond. Tuesday, November 13, 2018. Tuesday, November 13 - All day long on Monday was a cold, heavy rain. It never seemed to let up even for a minute. Needless to say, there was no birding photography for me! By Tuesday morning, it had rained so much that the fallen pine tree it the upper pond where the turtles normally bask was under water. Both the main and the upper ponds were very high. The surface area of the duckweed bog has at least doubled. But Tuesday afternoon, although still cold, wet and windy, the birds were out between showers. The first new ducks of the winter season arrived on the main pond. Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 55. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.  A male/female pair of Ring-necked Ducks; Walton County, Georgia. Tuesday, November 15, 2018. Thursday, November 15, 2018 - The rain continued all day Wednesday and today. Yet another new duck for the season appeared on the upper pond; a single male Hooded Merganser. He was a bit nervous with my presence, swam to the far end of the pond, and then took flight back toward me when he got to the other end. Fog/Mist, 43°F. A 20 percent chance of rain before 3pm. Cloudy, with a high near 47. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.  Male Hooded Merganser; Walton County, Georgia.  White-throated Sparrow; Walton County, Georgia. Thursday, November 15, 2018.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Revelation 22:2 ...and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.  A rare visit of a Red-winged Blackbird to my backyard bird feeder; Clarke County, Georgia. Sunday, November 11, 2018. It is fall here in Georgia (USA); one of the most beautiful times of the year. The hot weather finally breaks and the forest palette breaks forth in heartwarming tones of yellows, browns and reds. Every day of fall is a good reason to get out with your camera. Whether it is landscapes or wildlife, the brilliant hues of changing leaves create such wonderful photo backdrops and frames. But fall is more than for photography. Fall is to get out and enjoy; take a hike; walk a mountain path; enjoy an overlook. It is a time to get out and refresh the body with a lung full of fresh air. Local farms are alive with fall festivals, apple pickings, pumpkins, and corn mazes. Fall is also a time for birding. The fall migrations are underway and little feathered friends that don’t normally appear in your hometown may make quick cameos at your feeder. Brilliantly colored warblers sit as yellow ornaments in the changing trees. Simply put: get outside and enjoy fall… with our without your camera. I recently finished A Place Called Sweet Apple by Celestine Sibley. In this short book about moving to the Georgia countryside, the author laments, “Sometimes when I stand in the back door in the morning watching the sun come up and the moon go down I think of this with a sense of loss and regret: it’s so wasteful to live in a world you don’t [go out and] see.” Athens, Clarke County, Georgia  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 clouds broke and the day warmed to around 70 degrees. The turtles lined the pond banks and logs to bask. Walton County, GA. Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at 3:34 PM. Tuesday, November 6, 2018- A strangely warm 64° morning. Storms came through in the morning but the clouds broke and cleared towards lunch. I spotted another river otter on the flooded beaver wetlands behind the animal shelter last Tuesday afternoon. He didn't see me and didn't become alarmed. I watched him for several minutes as he chewed on a Leopard Frog just about 15 feet from me. He then swam right by my feet and moved along. Today: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 4pm, then a slight chance of showers. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 71.  White-throated Sparrow; Walton County, GA. Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at 11:28 AM.  Yellow-bellied Sapsucker; Walton County, GA. Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at 11:26 AM.  River Otter munching on a Leopard Frog; Walton County, GA. Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at 3:00 PM. Wednesday, November 7, 2018 - a bright, clear morning was overshadowed by advancing clouds by the afternoon. A bit of a birding walk on my lunch break gave me some needed stress relief and also added a Hermit Thrush to my Walton bird list. Today: Increasing clouds, with a high near 71. A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly after 2 PM.  Hermit Thrust. Not a 'life bird', but a photo first for me in Walton County. Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at 12:32 PM.  Yellow-bellied Sapsucker; Walton County, Georgia. Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at 12:26 PM. Thursday, November 8, 2018 - an absolutely beautiful fall day. A bit of a cool breeze; showers of golden leaves falling with each gust. Two young deer bounded off the upper pond at my approach.  Northern Mockingbird songbird, Mimus polyglottos. Photographed in fall, November 2018, Walton County, Georgia USA. The northern mockingbird breeds in southeastern Canada, the United States, northern Mexico.  Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura. Perched on a dead tree. Photographed in fall, November 2018, Walton County, Georgia USA. The turkey vulture is a scavenger and feeds almost exclusively on carrion.  Brown Thrasher songbird. Photographed in fall, November 2018, Walton County, Georgia USA. The brown thrasher Toxostoma rufum is a bird in the family Mimidae, which also includes the New World catbirds and mockingbirds.  Although not a rare bird, it is a rare occurance to see a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher here in Walton County so late in the fall.  Brown Thrasher; Georgia's State Bird. Walton County, Georgia. Thursday, November 8, 2018.  Psalms 68:6 "God makes homes for those who are abandoned; He makes free those who are bound with chains."  Black Mouth Cur dog rescue adoption photography. Need stock photos? Download from my gallery on www.dreamstime.com. 100% of funds support waltonpets adoption photography. Monday, 1:41 PM -“Hazel” was a sweet and social Black Mouth Cur mixed breed dog that came into the animal shelter on October 31, 2018. She was picked up with two cute puppies, possible her own. There is no telling if she escaped her owner’s yard, or was dumped out on the side of the country road where she was found. My guess is the latter since no owner ever came to the shelter to look for her. Her two puppies, cute and playful young pups, were rescued right away but “Hazel” wasn’t getting much interest from her initial kennel intake photograph. So it was time to go outdoors for a photography session! An overcast fall day provided the perfect lighting and backdrop for this pretty pup. Hopefully soon she’d be noticed and received into a new, loving home. No longer waiting on the side of the road, lost and waiting for her family to return. "Hazel" was photographed for the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Monroe, Georgia on November 5, 2018 and put on the shelter's adoption website www.waltonpets.net.. She was rescued on November 6 by Pound Puppies and Kittens Rescue! She was sponsored by pledges to the rescue from Anne R., Jeanette, Anne M, and Janet. Thanks all!  Black Mouth Cur dog rescue adoption photography. Need stock photos? Download from my gallery on www.dreamstime.com. 100% of funds support waltonpets adoption photography.  Black Mouth Cur dog rescue adoption photography. Need stock photos? Download from my gallery on www.dreamstime.com. 100% of funds support waltonpets adoption photography.  Lost dog on the side of the road Female not spayed Black Mouth Cur outdoors on leash in fall. Sad puppy eyes. Dog rescue pet adoption photograph for Walton County Animal Control humane society shelter, Monroe, Georgia USA. Need stock photos? Download from my gallery on www.dreamstime.com. 100% of funds support waltonpets adoption photography.  Black Mouth Cur dog rescue adoption photography. Need stock photos? Download from my gallery on www.dreamstime.com. 100% of funds support waltonpets adoption photography.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Psalm 91:3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler,  The Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) is a very small perching bird found throughout North America. Recently returned to Monroe, Walton County, GA with the fall migrations. The kinglet is migratory, and its range extends from northwest Canada and Alaska south to Mexico.  Outdoor stray cat catching birds in Walton County, Georgia. Third eyelid is visible indicating illness such as feline immunodeficiency virus FIV or Feline leukemia virus FeLV. Feral or unowned cats are responsible for an estimated 69% of all cat-killed birds in the U.S. Wednesday - As I was out for a brief wildlife photography walk this morning, I found I was not the only one interested in capturing some little birdies! Sure, my goal is to capture them on camera, but her goal is to capture them in her mouth! A female feral cat was stalking the tiny Ruby-crowned Kinglets that had recently arrived in Georgia upon the winds of fall migration. Being a lover of all animals, my opinion on feral cats goes back and forth. They are here because of us. By no fault of their own, they now must scratch out a living almost like any other wildlife species. So should we be trapping and euthanizing them just because they are “non-native”? Don’t they have a right to life too? On the other hand, many studies have shown the amount of damage that stray and owned free-roaming cats can have upon populations of birds and reptiles. I hate it when I see cats staked out to ambush birds at feeders. But isn’t that just nature; survival of the fittest? Or do we have an obligation to protect native wildlife from the threats of introduced species? And what about the life of a feral cat? It isn’t really an easy existence. This one in particular looks a bit ill. Her third eyelid is showing, which is sometimes an indicator of illnesses such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or Feline leukemia virus (FeLV). Are we really doing them a service with our trap-neuter-release programs? Like many other issues, there are so many sides to the feral cat issue. I suppose your conclusion will be decided by your feeling toward cats, your position on wildlife conservation… and many might not even care at all. I suppose there will never be a correct answer... but it's food for thought. Walton County, Georgia  Another feral cat photographed Monday, November 5, 2018. This one looks like a pregnant female.  Monday, November 5, 2018 at 9:22 AM. Spotted a Golden-crowned Kinglet on the flooded beaver wetlands this morning. Walton County, GA.  Monday, November 5, 2018 at 9:22 AM. Spotted a Golden-crowned Kinglet on the flooded beaver wetlands this morning. Walton County, GA.  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  Monday, October 29, 2018 at 9:18 AM. A gorgeous waning gibbous moon still hangs in the sky this monring. Walton County, GA. Monday, October 29, 2018 - a beautiful, bright and breezy day for birding walks! The sun has brief opportunities to warm my back between the gusts of cooler air. A Belted Kingfisher makes impressive swoops and dives on the current over the main pond. Before leaving for the day, I had the priviledge of watching a Downy Woodpecker clear out an old nest cavity in a low snag over the duckweed bog. I watched for about ten to fifteen minutes. The little Downy was too occupied to care about my presence. Sunny, with a high near 70.  Monday, October 29, 2018 at 9:26 AM. A Carolina Wren sings from the thickets. Walton County, GA.  Monday, October 29, 2018 at 4:16 PM. A pretty "cranberry dipped" male House Finch.  Monday, October 29, 2018 at 4:16 PM. The calls of a pair of Eastern Towhees travels through the afternoon air. Walton County, GA.  Monday, October 29, 2018 at 4:16 PM. The calls of a pair of Eastern Towhees travels through the afternoon air. Walton County, GA.  Monday, October 29, 2018 at 4:28 PM. A Downy Woodpecker re-excavates an old nest cavity. Walton County, GA.  Monday, October 29, 2018 at 4:28 PM. A Downy Woodpecker re-excavates an old nest cavity. Walton County, GA Tuesday, October 30, 2018 Today: Sunny, with a high near 71.  Tuesday, October 20, 2019 at 8:57 AM. Every day this week a pair of Belted Kingfishers fly back and forth amongst the ponds. Walton County, Georgia.  Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at 9:15 AM - a bright Pine Warbler matches the fall colors of late October. Walton County, Georgia.  Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at 9:15 AM - a bright Pine Warbler matches the fall colors of late October. Walton County, Georgia.  Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at 9:24 AM - although quite abundant throughout the summer, this is the first American Goldfinch I've seen in several weeks. Walton County, Georgia.  Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at 9:24 AM - although quite abundant throughout the summer, this is the first American Goldfinch I've seen in several weeks. Walton County, Georgia. Wednesday, October 31 - dozens and more of Yellow-rumped Warblers have returned. The thickets in front of the animal shelter are full of their flitting! Also being to see larger and larger flocks of Common Grackles coming together. House Finches, Song Sparrows and Chipping Sparrows galore too! Today: mostly sunny, with a high near 76.  Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at 9:42 AM. Tufted Titmouse; Walton County, Georgia Thursday, November 1 - six Wood Ducks flushed off the water on the secluded northern end of the upper pond. They were in the air and gone before I could even think about raising my camera. Cloudy, with a high near 74.  Thursday, November 1, 2018 at 10:52 AM. Northern Cardinal. Walton County, Georgia. Friday, November 2 - It’s a warm but overcast and rainy morning. Trying for a bird walk between rain showers. But is soon as I go out, it starts to drizzle again. By lunch time the rain has moved on and the temp begins to drop. Today: Cloudy, with a high near 64. Showers likely before noon, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between noon and 5pm,  Friday, November 2, 2018 at 12:20 PM. Ruby-crowned Kinglet; Walton County, Georgia.  Friday, November 2, 2018 at 9:31 AM. The Downy Woodpecker I watched excavating a nest cavity on Monday this week was still the hole! Walton County, Georgia  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Jeremiah 8:7 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.  The blue-headed vireo (Vireo solitarius) is a Neotropical migrating song bird found in North and Central America. This was my first photo of a Blue-headed Vireo in Clarke County, GA. Saturday, 8:43 AM - one of my favorite fall migrants arrived in my backyard over the weekend. The White-throated Sparrow should stay on until spring. Clarke County, Georgia   William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made...  Timber Rattlesnake coiled up to strike camouflaged in forest leaves. The timber rattlesnake, canebrake rattlesnake or banded rattlesnake Crotalus horridus, is a species of venomous pit viper endemic to the eastern United States. Was crossing a road in Greensboro Georgia on October 27, 2018. Saturday, 1:37 PM - The “adder’s fork” is not only a potent ingredient in the witch’s brew, but a scary sight for most people any day of the year! Perhaps our over-the-top herpeto-phobia originated with that subtle whispering and fruity temptation dangled before our mother in Paradise. Or maybe it is just the thought of that stealthy, silent, venom-laced strike from the grass that makes the heart skip a beat. But for the reptile enthusiast, the hairs raise on the back of the neck in excitement rather than fear when encountering those elusive adders. I had the privilege of a "canebrake confrontation"... a beautiful (yes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder!), three-foot Timber Rattlesnake near Greensboro, Georgia USA. It was slowly crossing the road on a chilly afternoon. Much to my parent’s chagrin (for this robust rattler was near the entrance of their neighborhood), instead of repeatedly running him over, I helped him out of the road and snapped a few shots before coaxing him off safely into the woods. (There’s another lesson: always have your camera with you and ready!) Greene County, Georgia USA     |
 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.
|
In December 1993 I came to know the Designer and Creator of this wonderful planet and its creatures: Jesus Christ.
|
Donations help support the animal shelter adoption photography equipment and adoption website hosting and domain fees. Thanks for your support!
|