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An experience with Coronavirus, as told through my daughter (and, of course, photographed by her father): “Georgia COVID-19 cases reach 200,000 and the death toll rises to 4,000.” In late July, headlines like this filled media outlets and echoed in my mind as I lay on my couch with a sore throat, headache and an increasing feeling of illness. Do I have it? How bad will it get for me?  Teenager white Caucasian blonde girl getting nasal swab in nostril at COVID19 drive through coronavirus testing facility in a car at a parking lot in Georgia USA. My first thought upon getting sick was that it had to be coronavirus. I had a bit of anxiety, but as the symptoms lightened, I was less concerned. Still I wanted to get tested for the fear of unknowingly spreading it to others. Getting tested was also a whole new, strange sensation. I got the end of a six-inch cotton swab stuck up both my nostrils. It didn’t exactly hurt, but it was uncomfortable. Waiting for my results was the most excruciating period. I went back and forth between saying “I’m definitely positive” and “I’m probably negative.”  Warning sign advising patients to wait in line at COVID19 drive through coronavirus testing facility in a parking lot in Georgia USA. After just two days I received a call from my doctor with the news: I tested positive. Over the next two weeks, finding things to do wasn’t always easy. My sister and I would spend the majority of the day in our rooms. My mother was constantly cleaning and my father was either taking photographs of birds or editing photos of birds.
When my two weeks of quarantine ended, I wasn’t as nervous for my second test. Although it was only 45 minutes, it seemed like forever as we sat in the car behind the clinic waiting for the results. When the nurse came back out to tell me my results my heart sped up fast. I could tell she was smiling behind her mask when she told me I was negative. It was such a relief. It was nice to tell people I was negative and I could continue with my normal life. I was also thankful that my symptoms were mild in comparison to the many that have suffered, and even died, from coronavirus. - Megan Wise
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Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.  Man and womans gold wedding bands with diamonds on a page of Bible scripture. 1 Corinthians 13:7 `Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.` “Can you take pictures at my wedding?” It seems every photographer is asked that question at least once. Even if your genre isn’t portraits, people or weddings, they still ask. Often, they do not understand there is a huge difference between shooting landscapes and shooting events. But they know you’re good with a camera, so they ask. Personally, I really don’t like photographing weddings. I do enjoy seeing someone’s face light up when you show them a good photograph of themselves, but I guess I can’t handle the immense pressure in photographing a wedding. If it doesn’t turn out well, you can’t repeat it! So very often I decline their request. “I’m sorry, but I just don’t like shooting weddings”, I tell them.  But in the end, I go back and tell them I will help. After all, it is normally a good friend on a tight budget that is asking for the help. And also, I reconsider what an awesome privilege it is to not only observe such a sacred ceremony, but to capture it permanently! To have a part in witnessing a major miracle… for that is what a wedding is: a miracle. Two imperfect people come together as one, to form a perfect union. So I suppose I shouldn’t look at the request to shoot a wedding as an annoyance, but a great honor. An honor to be trusted to preserve this wonderful event in photo; an honor to witness one of the greatest institutions given to mankind by God!  Husband and wife marriage wedding band. Gold with diamonds. Resting on top of Spanish translation Holy Bible, Santa Biblia. Gospel of Matthew 19:4. `He which made them at the beginning made them male and female,` ¿No habéis leído que el que los hizo al principio, “hombre y mujer los hizo”  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  Grey clouds over Pisgah National Forest mountains photographed from the back patio of the Biltmore Estate mansion in Asheville, North Carolina, USA. Appalachian Mountain Range and part of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, United States.  Grey clouds over Pisgah National Forest mountains photographed from the back patio of the Biltmore Estate mansion in Asheville, North Carolina, USA. Appalachian Mountain Range and part of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, United States.  Grey clouds over Pisgah National Forest mountains photographed from the back patio of the Biltmore Estate mansion in Asheville, North Carolina, USA. Appalachian Mountain Range and part of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, United States.  Grey clouds over Pisgah National Forest mountains photographed from the back patio of the Biltmore Estate mansion in Asheville, North Carolina, USA. Appalachian Mountain Range and part of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, 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  Purple Violet Orchid Flower in Biltmore Estate Conservatory Greenhouse  Yellow and Violet Orchid Flower in Biltmore Estate Conservatory Greenhouse  Yellow and Violet Orchid Flower in Biltmore Estate Conservatory Greenhouse  White Orchid Flower in Biltmore Estate Conservatory Greenhouse
 Purple Violet Orchid Flower in Biltmore Estate Conservatory Greenhouse  On the way home from work I shot a quaint country home decorated for Christmas along Barnett Shoals Road in Watkinsville. I shot a bracketed exposure to try a little HDR for this sunset photo. -- Old south countryside white homestead decorated with wreaths lights and Christmas decorations. Home for the holidays. Watkinsville, Oconee County, Georgia, USA Tuesday, 5:31 PM – In the former days, when extended families still lived together on the family farm, “home for the holidays” simply meant that everybody was there, it was a day off work, and nobody traveled. Today, many of us no longer live in the immediate area of the rest of our family. Therefore, “home for the holidays” means stuffing suitcases and pushing through crowded airports. Going home means navigating jammed highways and following GPS directions to our destination. But at travel’s end, we enjoy a time of merriment with our families. For others, “home for holidays” might not be as joyful a phrase. Many will miss a loved one because they won’t be home, whether for just that holiday, or forever. It can be a phrase that evokes sadness at the holiday season. Three years ago, a friend of mine lost her second husband. She had been widowed many years before but later in life found another man, a true gentleman, and love was rekindled. This new husband, after only two years of marriage to my friend, suffered a tragic heart attack while the two were driving on the highway just before Christmas. Since it was one of Steve’s favorites, she chose to have the song, “I’ll be home for Christmas” played at his funeral. Now, whenever I hear that song, I think of Kristy and Steve and how he won’t be “home for the holidays.” But… There will be a time that we truly can go home for the holidays; a joyful occasion where we will be reunited with those family members that we haven’t seen in long passages of time. Even if the present holidays bring us sadness, we can look forward with anticipation to a glorious reunion. This world is not our home. There exists a lasting, permanent home beyond this one. But just as important as the GPS on that drive to the family Christmas party, be sure to follow the road atlas to that eternal home! Oconee 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  Thumb Butte is a volcanic plug, part of the Sierra Preita mountains in Prescott, Arizona, USA Friday, 9:44 AM – I brought along my camera during a brief morning walk around the courthouse square in Prescott Arizona. We were visiting for our fellowship’s International Bible Conference. Off in the distance Thumb Butte towers at what appears to be the end of the road. Several beautiful sculpted monuments grace the Yavapai County Courthouse steps; sculpted by Solon Hannibal Borglum, America’s first cowboy sculptor. Twice this week I also had the pleasure of running/hiking the beautiful red boulders of Lake Watson. The trails were wonderful and challenging. We turned and circled the boulders, climbing and descending, walking and running. We ran from the highway side parking area down into the “gully” below the dam. The scenery was beautiful, but the water stank. And not just a mild odor, but strong, sewer-like smell. Down in the gully we had our shirts over our noses. On the way back to the car I found a large, yellow and brown Bullsnake hunting rodents among the rip-rap lining the roadside. They normally make a loud hissing that resembles the rattling of a Diamondback. Wanting to impress my friend with this spine-tingling sound, I grabbed him and pulled him out of the rocks. But no hissing. He turned to strike my hand, so I quickly placed him back in the rocks. As he shot into a small hole, a small rabbit rapidly flushed out, scaring me half to death!  Bucky O`Neill monument sculpture by Solon Hannibal Borglum out front the Yavapai County Courthouse in Precott, Arizona, USA. Old west equestrian statue of cowboy and horse. Bronze, marble.  Placard to Cowboy at Rest and Bucky O`Neill monuments sculpture by Solon Hannibal Borglum out front the Yavapai County Courthouse in Precott, Arizona, USA. Old west equestrian statue of cowboy and horse. Bronze, marble.  Cowboy at Rest monument sculpture by Solon Hannibal Borglum out front the Yavapai County Courthouse in Precott, Arizona, USA. Old west equestrian statue of cowboy and horse. Bronze, marble.  Statue of Liberty at night. Liberty Island in New York. June 15, 2017 The United States was founded upon the great and costly stone of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 1 Kings 5:17 And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house. "Inspiring" – in one word, that is how I could describe my trip to New York for my nephew’s graduation from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point. Standing on our feet with hands on heart as the National Athem played; current and veteran members of each branch of the Armed Forces standing for recognition as their branch’s song filled the stadium; my dad watching his grandson graduate from the same academy from which he graduated 45 years prior; a retired U.S. Marine administering the oath of enlistment to his son the day before Father’s Day; and the sight of Lady Liberty standing tall in the night. All inspiring. The United States of America is the greatest country to have ever stood on this earth throughout all of history! The story of America is an inspiring story. The lives of the Founders are wrought with inspiration. But what inspired the Founders? What inspired them to risk all, including their lives, to establish this great nation and its freedoms? That point is argued and debated by many, but what were their own words?
"When we view the blessings with which our country has been favored, those which we now enjoy, and the means which we possess of handing them down unimpaired to our latest posterity, our attention is irresistibly drawn to the source from whence they flow. Let us then, unite in offering our most grateful acknowledgments for these blessings to the Divine Author of All Good." James Monroe, 5th United States President "While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian." George Washington "Patriotism is as much a virtue as justice and is as necessary for the support of societies as natural affection is for the support of families. [Patriotism] is both a moral and religious duty…What did not Moses forsake and suffer for his countrymen! What shining examples of Patriotism do we behold in Joshua, Samuel, Maccabeus, and all the illustrious princes, captains, and prophets amongst the Jews! St. Paul himself almost wishes himself accursed for his countrymen and kinsmen after the flesh. Even our Savior Himself gives a sanction to this virtue. He confined His miracles and gospel at first to His own country." On Patriotism, October 20, 1773. Benjamin Rush. “Heaven has crowned all its other blessings, by giving [America] a fairer opportunity for political happiness, than any other Nation has ever been favored with.” George Washington, Circular Address to the States, June 8th, 1783   Statue of Liberty at night. Libertas, the Roman goddess. Torch. Liberty Island in New York Harbor in New York City, in the United States. Thursday,9:26 PM - My nephew graduated from Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy on Saturday, June 17, and we made the trip to celebrate. My family and I left Georgia on Wednesday, and after two days of driving, which included an additional three hours of delay slowly trudging through backed up traffic around D.C. and the Bronx, we finally arrived at our hotel, quickly changed clothes and ran to train station. Our destination was Pier 81 in Manhattan for an evening cruise on the Hudson and East Rivers. After a wide-eyed walk through Penn Station and a nerve wracking Uber ride, we finally got to the pier and boarded a small dinner cruise ship. The boat made several passes by the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and afforded great views of the New York City skyline, which became especially brilliant and colorful the sun set and the city became aglow. New York wasn’t my speed (it was about 100 mph too fast for me!) and I was happy to head back home to Georgia. But the city was wonderful to see. And my nephew’s military school graduation was quite inspiring. He is now off to the Navy for several years!  Statue of Liberty at night. Libertas, the Roman goddess. Torch. Liberty Island in New York Harbor in New York City, in the United States    Three exposure HDR photograph of the historic Walton County Courthouse in Monroe, Georgia. Thursday, April 6, 2017; 7:35 AM. Thursday, 7:35 AM - After severe storms went through Walton County (literally and figuratively), a beautiful sun still rose this morning. I owe my thanks to our Creator who “maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” And I owe many thanks to the Walton County Gov’t family who took in this “yankee outsider” and gave me the opportunity to head up Animal Control. Chairman Kevin Little and the other Commissioners have always supported animal control, and me personally, and have treated me more than fairly. I am privileged to work with such gentlemen on the BOC. I am also thankful for all of the employees in every department who band together and make Walton such a great place to work. For my coworkers with me in the animal control trenches each day; for the 911 dispatchers who listen for our safety; the courts, judges and attorneys who fairly enforce our cases; the Deputies and Police that have our backs; the elections officials; the Fire and EMS workers who treat the victims of our dog bite cases; the Facilities employees who built and maintain our beautiful shelter; our Finance heroes who steward our needs and salaries; the HR staff that ensure our great benefits; the IT Dept. who make our adoption website possible; Recycling for the newspapers for cat cages; Parks and Rec; the Zoning folks that check on the excessive animal complaints; Public Works and Traffic engineering; Water and anyone else I may have missed. Thanks all!  Brown and white horse, pet photography for Walton County Animal Control Georgia, humane society adoption photo  Texas longhorn, Driftwood Texas, south of Austin, Bevo Hook `em Horns  Texas longhorn bull, Driftwood Texas  Texas Longhorn Steer, Driftwood Texas  Texas longhorn, Driftwood Texas, south of Austin, Bevo Hook `em Horns  Texas Longhorn, Driftwood Texas SEE MORE LONGHORNS HERE:  Old Time gas station with vintage red pump and antique Texaco star gas sign. Driftwood, Texas. Texaco was founded in Beaumont, Texas in 1902. Privileged to shoot the wedding of two friends at my church...  Interracial Hispanic bride and African American groom couple holding hands a the wedding altar repeating their vows. Silver and diamond wedding bands.  Georgia country wedding party brides maids wearing cowboy boots holding bouquet flowers.  Greeting table welcome sign at a wedding reception cake table. Every love story is beautiful, but ours is my favorite.   Interracial Hispanic bride and African American groom couple holding hands a the wedding altar repeating their vows. Silver and diamond wedding bands.   Georgia country wedding rings on burlap flower. Silver and diamond wedding bands.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, landscape, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. -- Psalms 96:11-12 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy  A beautiful rustic wood homestead in rural Walton County Georgia. Support my work by downloading this photo at www.dreamstime.com. 100% of funds go back into shelter adoption photography and education programs.
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 All content is ©williamwisephoto.com. Please don't steal images. My images are available at dreamstime.com. Stock sales go into the shelter photography program.
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In December 1993 I came to know the Designer and Creator of this wonderful planet and its creatures: Jesus Christ.
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Donations help support the animal shelter adoption photography equipment and adoption website hosting and domain fees. Thanks for your support!
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