iNaturalist Backyard Bio Project

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

I was excited to be contacted by Jesse Hildebrand and asked to join the Backyard Bio Project on iNaturalist. The project is "run by Exploring By The Seat of Your Pants encouraging the public, and especially classrooms to get out in nature observing and documenting the amazing wildlife near them!" ​I was happy to be a part of getting kids outdoors and educated so I wanted to participate as much as I could. ​

Eastern Gray Squirrel skull held in palm of a hand. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia. Sciurus carolinensis is a tree squirrel native to eastern North America.

Tuesday, September 22 - Why explore the same place twice? You never know what you may find. On the very same path I walked twice already this week I found small skull. And with fall migration beginning, you just might spot a unique bird passing through on its long flight to South America. There are many treasures out there waiting to be found! ​

​Walton County, Georgia.
Mostly sunny, high near 73 F.
Sunrise 7:23 AM, Sunset 7:30 PM
Daylight hours: 12 hours, 7 minutes (-2m 4s)
Moon 36% waxing crescent

Beautiful Gulf Fritillary Butterfly, Agraulis vanillae, with black, orange and white wings. Common in Florida and Georgia, United States. Photographed in summer in Walton County, Georgia.

Beautiful Gulf Fritillary Butterfly, Agraulis vanillae, with black, orange and white wings. Common in Florida and Georgia, United States. Photographed in summer in Walton County, Georgia.

Wednesday, September 23 - just a few photos from a short walk today. A Great Egret fishing on the pond appeared to have an injured leg. Its right leg hung limp each time it took off a flew to a different spot. The foot appeared to drag the water as it landed. I spotted it again the following day and the injury was the same. I'm not sure if this is the same Egret that has visited throughout the month and became injured, or if a different individual newly visiting.

On Thursday the 24th there was a second Egret along with the injured one. I was also finally able to get my first photo of a White-breasted Nuthatch in Walton County. I've spotted this little bird many, many times in other locations, but it had evaded my Walton list for years now. Not any more! Another exciting find was my first Rose-breasted Grosbeak for Walton as well. 

September 24, 2020 - Walton County, Georgia
​- Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Sunrise Today: 7:24 am
- Sunset Today: 7:28 pm
- Daylight Hours: 12 hours, 3 minutes (-2m 4s)
- Moon: 55.5% Waxing Gibbous

For the last few days of September I made another push to put up  a few more observations.