 William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Matthew 5:36 Don't even swear, 'By my head!' for you can't turn one hair white or black.  Friday, 5:23 PM - Passing through Watkinsville on my way home from work, just across from the Jittery Joe’s coffee shop, I saw this Eastern Gray Squirrel. He was just hopping along like nothing special. But I immediately took note of his color. He was much more blonde looking than they typical Eastern Gray Squirrels. Therefore, being a possible leucistic squirrel, it was worth a photograph! Leucism is defined as a condition in which there is partial loss of pigmentation in an animal resulting in white, pale, or patchy coloration of the skin, hair, feathers, scales or cuticle, but not the eyes. It differs from albinism in which there is no dark pigment at all, the animal appears pure white, and even the eyes appear red. Leucisitic animals may have some dark pigments and the eyes are the normal color. I don't know if this little one was a true leucistic, but definitely appears more blonde than the typical Eastern Gray Squirrel. Comparing photographs, it is obvious that he is missing the black hairs on the tail and head. Oconee County, Georgia USA   Typically colored Eastern Gray Squirrel. Walton County, GA. October 5, 2018.
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 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.  Friday, 4:12 PM - I wasn’t expecting to see many birds at all on this cold and rainy day, much less a Life Bird! Up by the “duckweed bog” that has been flooded out by busy beavers, two sparrows called out from the tangle of brambles. Song Sparrow and Chipping Sparrow… so I thought. Instead of dismissing and deleting the files, I took a closer look when back at my computer. Turns out my “Chipping Sparrow” was actually a Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) recently returned to town with the fall migrations. Walton County, GA   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.  Common Yellowthroat. Monday, October 22, 2018 at 9:22 AM. Walton County, GA.  Tennessee Warbler. Monday, October 22, 2018 at 10:37 AM. Walton County, GA.  Palm Warbler. Monday, October 22, 2018 at 10:34 AM. Walton County, GA.  Yellow-rumped Warbler. Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at 9:11 AM. Walton County, GA.  Tennessee Warbler. Thursday, October 25, 2018 at 12:29 PM. Walton County, GA  Yellow-rumped Warbler. Thursday, October 25, 2018 at 12:29 PM. Walton County, GA  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Psalsm 111:2 Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is his work.  Song Sparrow. Monday, October 22, 2018 at 4:43 PM. Walton County, GA.  House Wren. Monday, October 22, 2018 at 4:44 PM. Walton County, GA.  Indigo Bunting. Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at 9:17 AM. Walton County, GA.  My first Cooper's Hawk photographed in Walton County, GA. Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at 4:31 PM.  Chipping Sparrow. Wednesday, October 24, 2018 at 9:34 AM. Walton County, GA.  The Ruby-crowned Kinglets made their fall migration appearance this week! Thursday, October 25, 2018 at 10:17 AM. Walton County, GA  Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Thursday, October 25, 2018 at 12:29 PM. Walton County, GA.  Much larger flocks of House Finches have been present this week. Thursday, October 25, 2018 at 10:20 AM. Walton County, GA.  House Wren. Thursday, October 25, 2018 at 10:20 AM.  Song Sparrow; Friday, October 26, 2018 at 4:09 PM. Walton County, GA.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Isaiah 41:18 I will open up rivers for them on the high plateaus. I will give them fountains of water in the valleys. I will fill the desert with pools of water. Rivers fed by springs will flow across the parched ground.  River otter basking on a tree stump in a beaver wetlands habitat in Monroe, Walton County, GA. 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. Oh the joys of getting off the beaten path for a photo adventure! While most of us would love to get away to exotic destinations, the reality is that unless we are independently wealthy, we are simply stuck in our jobs day after day. However, our photography need not stagnate. There are often hidden gems right in our own backyards; gems that are often overlooked because of the “sin of familiarity.” I’m privileged to work in a fairly rural town and two have three large retention ponds and a small patch of woods not far out my office back door. And even though it is all very familiar to me, I still take at least one walk per day to see what is there. And sometimes I find a surprise! A few years ago, beavers returned to the area and began damming up the small creeks between the retention ponds. Their diligent efforts have made quite a wetlands habitat out of the area. The result? River Otters! I have gone out morning after morning and had never seen them before. But this morning was like a Christmas morning surprise! Don’t get caught in the trap of keeping the camera packed away while you dream for a day off to have an adventure. Find what is close by, and even though you’ve walked there a hundred times before, go again. You never know what you might find! Walton County, Georgia     Need stock photos? Download from my gallery on www.dreamstime.com. Funds support waltonpets adoption photography. Tuesday, November 6, 2018 - I spotted one of the River Otters again swimming on a different beaver pond. It was munching on a Leopard Frog. It looks like it's left eye is damaged or has a cataract.       William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Psalms 104:24 -- O LORD, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions;  An American Kestrel perched on a telephone wire over Barnett Shoals Rd; Athens, GA. Friday, 4:58 PM - it was a casual ride home from work but I nearly wrecked my truck pulling a fast u-turn on Barnett Shoals Road to capture a beautiful rust and blue Kestrel near the horse pasture on Barnett Shoals Road. I just wish the backdrop weren't a blown out overcast sky. But he got nervous and flew off as I tried to preposition my vehicle. Clarke County, GA  An American Kestrel taking off from a telephone wire over Barnett Shoals Rd; Athens, GA.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Matthew 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.  A Cape May Warbler bird perched on a branch during October fall migration in Monroe, Walton County, GA. The Cape May warbler (Setophaga tigrina) is a species of New World warbler. It breeds in northern North America. Tuesday, 8:46 AM - Sitting at 99 species for Walton County for the past few days had me wondering all weekend, what would be my 100th Walton bird? Will it be something exciting? Will it also be a life bird? Oh, the excitement of a birder! (lol) The arrival of autumn has brought cooler mornings and later sunrise. But it has also brought warblers! After finishing my morning duties, I took a quick walk to the upper retention pond. After nailing decent shots of a Northern Flicker and a Pileated Woodpecker, I was about to head back, but I had “that feeling.” Just a moment longer, I told myself. On a sudden, a small yellow bird appeared (until I learn them, that is my first general description for all warblers). Having no idea which warbler he was, I fired away and identified anyway. When the Merlin app kept spitting back “Cape May Warbler”, I was excited. An email to an expert confirmed my prize. So, something fairly rare became not only my 100th Walton species, but another life bird as well. Walton County, GA  Cape May Warbler; Walton County, GA  Cape May Warbler; Walton County, GA  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. 1 Chronicles 16:33 Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the Lord, because he cometh to judge the earth.  Friday, October 12 - Fall has brought the return of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker to the small patch of woods behind my office. My first photograph of a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Walton County, GA. Two appeared this morning near the upper retention pond reveling in the cooler air.  Friday, October 12 - A cute little Downy Woodpecker peers over a rotten snag in the woods behind the upper pond during my lunch break on Friday afternoon. Walton County, GA.  Friday, October 12 - a Red-Bellied Woodpecker flaking off the bark of a Loblolly limb during a lunchtime birding break. Walton County, GA.  Tuesday, October 16 - while the Pileated Woodpeckers are frequently heard echoing over the ponds, a decent photo is a privilege. Walton County, GA.  Tuesday, October 16 - fall migration has brought back the higher numbers of Northern Flickers. The "yells" of two or three at a time can now be heard in the woods on a short birding walk. Walton County, GA.  September 19, 2018 - three Red-headed Woodpeckers passed over head; Walton County, GA.  Wednesday, November 21, 2018 - I was finally able to spot the last of the Walton Woodpeckers. The Hairy Woodpecker's bill is obviously longer than the Downy's.  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 photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Monday, 6:47 PM - two gorgeous "signs in the heavens" shown out brilliantly and simulaneously in the Athens sky just after a short thunderstorm.  First quarter moon at dusk in Athens, Georgia, USA  Bright rainbow over Athens, Georgia, USA A double arch supernumerary rainbow of ROYGBIV colors after a thunderstorm at dusk in Athens, Georgia USA. Genesis 9:13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. Ecclesiastes 12:1-2 "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth... While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain"  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Acts 4:24 -- "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them," Monday, October 15 - Gray overcast morning. Slight breeze over the pond. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. A few showers just before sunset and a brilliant double rainbow completely arched the eastern sky.  Monday, October 15, 2018 9:30 AM - Large groups of twenty or more Canada Geese have been returning to the main retention pond each morning. Walton County, GA.  Monday, October 15, 2018 - a beautiful Red-shouldered Hawk sits perched upon a snag in the neighborhood green space across from my home. Clarke County, GA. Wednesday, October 17 Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77.  Yellow-billed Cuckoo in the thickets just outside my office back door. Walton County, GA.  Fall migration has brought back the Tennessee Warblers to Walton County, GA.  House Wren - not a life bird for me, but a photo first for Walton County, GA.  Two members of the mimidae family sit side-by-side; Brown Thrasher and Northern Mockingbird. Walton County, GA.  A Pine Warbler appropriately trilling from a pine tree; Walton County, GA. Thursday, October 18, 2018 While on an evening walk (7:40 PM), I heard a Barred Owl call twice from in the woods next to my neighborhood. Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. East wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.  Another early appearance of the Yellow-rumped Warblers; Walton County, GA.  Another early appearance of the Yellow-rumped Warblers; Walton County, GA. Friday, October 19 A chilly 55 degrees at sunrise. Once again, a large gaggle of geese gathered on the main retention pond for about 30 minutes. Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 72.  The Canada Geese have been gathering each morning on the main shelter pond. Walton County, GA.  The Canada Geese have been gathering each morning on the main shelter pond. Walton County, GA.  The Canada Geese have been gathering each morning on the main shelter pond. Walton County, GA.  A Chipping Sparrow illuminated by the golden rays of sunrise. Walton County, GA.  After about 30 minutes of swimming and dabbling, the Canada Geese took flight and left the main pond. Walton County, GA.  Another Tennessee Warbler seen on a short birding walk before leaving the shelter for the day; Walton County, GA.  What a picture of fall! Reds and golds of the turning leaves create a fall backdrop for the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker woodpecker. Walton County, GA.  The typical five or six Chipping Sparrows in my backyard (Clarke County, GA) has now grown to over fifteen visitors at a time.  The call of the Northern Flicker, not a typical sound throughout the summer, now rings from several spots across the meadow and surrounding woods. At least three individuals are frequenting my backyard area. Clarke County, GA.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Genesis 1:24-25 - And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. Saturday, October 13 - I thought all the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds had migrated on, but one stopped briefly at the feeder this evening.  Sunday after church - it is still warm enough for our patio Anoles to be scurrying about. But I suppose soon they'll be retreating for the winter. Need stock photos? Download from my gallery on www.dreamstime.com. Funds support waltonpets adoption photography.  Sunday, October 14 - fall migrations are underway and yet another Yellow-rumped Warbler visited my backyard this weekend.  Friday, October 12, 6:28 PM - a brief showing of a Black-and white Warbler during evening backyard birding.  Friday, October 12, 2018, 6:33 PM - the first Yellow-rumped Warbler of the fall season. Clarke County, GA.  Sunday, October 14, 7:41 AM - I caught a Virgiia Opossum eating the leftovers from under the birds' table at my backyard feeders. He agilely climbed a sweetgum tree, startled at my presence.  Sunday monring - several groups of Jays flew over and through my backyard, one stopping for a drink at the bird bath.  A Sunday morning spotting of an Eastern Meadowlark high in a backyard pine tree. My first Clarke County photo.  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  Tuesday afternoon, the young Great Blue Heron was fishing on the banks of the main retention pond outside my back door. Great Blue Heron, Walton County, GA Tuesday, October 9, 2018 A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 81.  This young Great Blue Heron is quite tolerant of my presence and frequently allows a close approach.  A portrait face shot of a Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias, showing third eyelid, or nictitating eyelid. A nictitating membrane is a third eyelid that is translucent or clear. It is used as an extra level of safety for the eye and allows the creature that has it to still see while affording its eyes an additional amount of protection. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia, USA. Wednesday, October 10, 2018 Hurricane Michael is coming ashore on the gulf coast of Florida.  Not having seen a Great Egret in over a week, I had assumed it was gone. But there was one back on the upper pond during my lunchtime birding break. Walton County, GA. Thursday, October 11, 2018 Hurricane Michael hit Florida yesterday afternoon and then passed through Georgia last night as a tropical storm. I was awoken several times during the night with hard rains beating against the windows driven by strong winds. Strong wind gusts this morning making waves across the retention pond. The overflow from the main and upper retention ponds is gushing strong and rejuvenating the lower duckweed bog and beaver swamp. Today: Showers and thunderstorms before 1pm, then a slight chance of showers between 1pm and 2pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 81. Northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.  Chipping Sparrow; Walton County, GA.  Small flocks of House Sparrows have been appearing throughout the day eating the spilled cat food in the shelter's parking lot. Walton County, GA. Friday, October 12, 2018 The cold front that was promised has come on the heels of Hurricane Michael. It is a truly beautiful, 50-degree fall morning with a clear blue sky. This is the first morning I've needed a light fleece jacket. The birds were feeling it too as there was quite a bit of avian activity! Today: sunny, with a high near 74. Northwest wind around 5 mph.  Several agitated Titmice were flitting about the duckweed bog in the cool fall morning air. Walton County, GA.  Several agitated Titmice were flitting about the duckweed bog in the cool fall morning air. Walton County, GA.  My first spotting of a fall Yellow-rumped Warbler for this season. Friday afternoon. Walton County, GA.  My first spotting of a fall Yellow-rumped Warbler for this season. Friday afternoon. Walton County, GA.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Romans 14:6 Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him.  Magnolia Warbler; Walton County, GA. It looks like Monday, October 8 was Magnolia Warbler Day! Well, it was for me, if for nobody else. I spotted one in the afternoon just before leaving my office in Walton County. I then spotted a second Magnolia Warbler in my backyard in Clarke County when I got home from work. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.  Magnolia Warbler; Clarke County, GA.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Matthew 10:29 Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.  Sunday, 8:26 AM - Another Sunday morning of relaxed birding from my back patio before church. Still in that “Big Day” mode I was shooting almost every little bird that flew into the yard, although I knew most of the shots would be deleted. But by luck, a poorly backlit photograph turned out to be a life bird. I’m glad I had just been firing away and didn’t delete them all! Clarke County, GA  Swainson's Thrush; Clarke County, GA.  House Finch eye disease infection. This finch came separately from the first group of House finches to the feeder. I first noticed it flying erratically and having a hard time perching. Once landed, I could see that one eye was closed and other barely open.  A tiny Pine Warbler landed just twenty feet from me in the Crepe Myrtle tree next to the patio.  Pine Warbler; Clarke County, GA.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Psalms 111:4 -- He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; The LORD is gracious and full of compassion.  Eastern Bluebird perched on a Persimmon Tree branch. October Big Day; October 6, 2018. Clarke County, GA. October Big Day is happening now! The October Big Day ran from midnight to midnight on October 6, 2018. Who made up the Big Day team? The entire human race! All birders were encouraged to get out for at least ten minutes and list. Unfortunately I had a very full Saturday; plans that couldn’t be discarded to go birding. But I did start my day listing on my back patio with a cup of coffee and camera (as usual) and birded in a few other places that I had to be that day. It’s a fun personal challenge that I kept to myself. None of my friends and family around me that day knew I was participating in a huge event with millions of other birders around the world!  Blue Jay. October Big Day; October 6, 2018. Clarke County, GA.  Blue Grosbeak at birdbath. October Big Day; October 6, 2018. Clarke County, GA.  Brown-headed Nuthatch at bird feeder. October Big Day; October 6, 2018. Clarke County, GA.  Northern Flicker. October Big Day; October 6, 2018. Clarke County, GA. |
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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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