 Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. -- "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  Capturing a large American Alligator with a snare for university ecology capture, tag and release research program in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, USA "Blue 98" was a re-capture of a previously tagged American Alligator in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia. I'm not sure if an alligator's brain is large enough to remember the previous experience, but he didn't look too pleased to be hauled to shore a second time for measuring. The study is being done by the University of Georgia Coastal Ecology Lab.  Measuring the length of a tagged large American Alligator for university ecology capture, tag and release research program in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, USA.  Large American Alligator with open mouth and tag in Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia.
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Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. -- "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  American Alligator with GPS tracker; Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. April 15, 2023 One of the American Alligators with a GPS tracker from the University of Georgia’s Coastal Ecology Lab research project in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. This individual is a female that has been a long-time resident of the boat bay in the Stephen C Foster State Park on the western side of the Swamp. Her left eye was damaged by a fishhook. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. April 15, 2023.  American Alligator with GPS tracker; Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. April 15, 2023 Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. -- "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  Old logging railroad pylons in Mixon`s Hammock; Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. April 15, 2023 Paddling the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is a genuine wilderness experience. Nature has inherited a designated Refuge that is relatively unmolested by mankind. But upon closer look, everywhere the Okefenokee bears signs of human presence. The current generation’s incursions into the Swamp are largely responsible, planned efforts focused on conservation and ecotourism. Miles of manicured canoe trails cross from east to west and prescribed burns in the upland areas help reduce the threat of wildfire. But the Okefenokee also has a long history of human interference and exploitation. In the early 1900’s, logging small logging towns popped up around and even within the Swamp. Nearly all of the giant cypresses were hewn down and removed. Saw mills and railroad engines once puffed and whined in the center of the swap. But now those environmental abuses of previous generations are largely healed over and are but mere, minor scars on the once-again pristine Okefenokee Swamp.  Old logging railroad pylons in Mixon`s Hammock; Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. April 15, 2023 Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. -- "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  Large American Alligator with open mouth. Capture release tag on tail from ecology research group. Photographed in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia. The Suwannee River Sill Recreation Area in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is an accessible and convenient place to see some large alligators. The long drive to dam runs parallel to the canal. Even if you have mobility issues and can't walk, on sunny days you'll see large gators and softshell turtles basking on the banks, just 30 yards from your car! And because the UGA Coastal Ecology Lab has done a lot of research along the Sill, you may even spot an alligator with a colorful tail tag.  Large American Alligator with open mouth. Photographed in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, USA.  Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. -- "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 On Saturday, April 15, 2023, after helping the UGA Coastal Ecology Lab with some alligator capture-tag-and release, my daughter and I paddled from the Sill Recreation Area westward against the current, up the Suwannee River.  Young American Alligator munching on a swampsnake; Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. April 15, 2023. Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. -- "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  Yellow Bonnet Lily Spatterdock lily pads and flower floating on blackwater swamp at sunrise Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA. April 15, 2023. Have you ever read a swamp? Urbanites like me may have read much about the swamp, but don't have the gift that the Swampers have in reading the details of the Okefenokee. According to the great naturalist Francis Harper - no doubt wisdom he gained from the Okefenokee Swampers - when "a boat or a bear passes over a watery Prairie, the bonnet leaves in the trail remain upturned on one side for several hours afterward. The upturned side of the leaf indicates the direction from which the boat or animal has come." Excerpt from Francis Harper's Mammals of the Okefinokee Swamp, published March 1927 Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. -- "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  Thankfully, a rescheduled spring trip to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge! My daughter wasn't able to go for our usual March paddle this year during her spring break. But her class schedule allowed us to sneak in a long weekend in April instead. We arrived at the Stephen C Foster State Park campground late in the evening on April 14 and did a little bit of cruising. I found my second Timber Rattlesnake within the refuge boundaries, but unfortunately it had recently been hit by a car (and was still barely writhing). After sunset, I was able to photograph my first Chuck-wills-widow as several kept landing in the roadway while we were cruising for herps.   Capturing a young American Alligator with a snare for university ecology capture, tag and release research program in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, USA. It takes a team to wrangle a gator! On April 14, 2023, I was excited to be invited to photograph an American Alligator capture-tag-release outing with the UGA Coastal Ecology Lab. When my daughter and I arrived, the action was already in full swing and a gator was being hauled up on the bank for measuring. The team leader, Mark Hoog, uses some heavy-duty fishing tackle to snag the alligator and haul it in for the research team to tag. Having watched a few rounds, most of the alligators were less than willing to participate and gave Hoog quite a workout! As the gator tires and is reeled closer to shore, two researchers stand by with a snare pole and rope to make the final haul-in.  Capturing a young American Alligator with a snare for university ecology capture, tag and release research program in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, USA. Once upon the shore, one of the team sneaks up behind the gators and quickly lands upon its neck and presses the mouth shut. Almost immediately, the other team members take a pre-determined seat along the alligator’s length. Right away, the mouth is safely taped shut and the alligator’s legs are lifted off the ground to prevent it from rolling. Thankfully, most of the gators are fairly tired from fighting in the water that too much resistance isn’t encountered. Once safely restrained, team members measure each alligator’s length and girth in several different areas. A plastic cattle tag is attached to the tail and a labelling code is cut into the scales along the tail. On some occasions, blood is drawn for genetic studies and GPS trackers are attached to the alligators’ backs. Once all the data is carefully recorded, the gators are safely released back into the water.  Measuring an American Alligator for a capture tag release research program by the UGA Coastal Ecology Lab.  Tagging American Alligator tail with ID tag number, capture tag release research program  Tagging American Alligator tail with ID tag number, capture tag release research program  Tagging American Alligator tail with ID tag number, capture tag release research program  Close up of an American Alligator in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. -- "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  American Alligator s tail tagged with an ID cattle tag for university ecology research program in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, USA. April 14, 2023 ©williamwisephoto.com During my spring 2023 Okefenokee trip, I had the pleasure of being invited to photograph the UGA Coastal Ecology Lab as they captured, tagged and released alligators along the Suwannee River Sill in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Each gator captured is measured multiple ways, blood is drawn for genetic studies, and each is tagged. In case the numbered tag falls out over time, a system of identification is also used by cutting off scales from the tail.  Large American Alligator with ID tag on tail, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. University ecology research capture tag and release program. 
Animal Shelter Furtography is my collection of pet photography from the humane society animal shelter to find new homes dogs and cats needing rescue or adoption. The photographs are posted on several national pet adoption websites.
"Vandy" was a sweet spayed and microchipped Pitbull mix girl that came into the animal shelter as a stray on January 12, 2023. The shelter staff tried contacting her owner but nobody ever came for her. Vandy and I had her outdoor pet adoption photograph session on January 18, 2022 and she was rescued on February 1, 2023!
Animal Shelter Furtography is my collection of pet photography from the humane society animal shelter to find new homes dogs and cats needing rescue or adoption. The photographs are posted on several national pet adoption websites.
White and tan Labrador Pitbull mix breed dog outside on leash. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal shelter.
"Ava" was a happy pitbull mix girl that was picked up stray and brought to the shelter by an animal control officer. We had an outdoor pet adoption photography session together on January 18, 2022 and her cute face was put out all over the internet adoption sites. She was adopted into a new, loving home on January 23, 2023!
White and tan Labrador Pitbull mix breed dog outside on leash. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal shelter.
White and tan Labrador Pitbull mix breed dog outside on leash. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal shelter.
Animal Shelter Furtography is my collection of pet photography from the humane society animal shelter to find new homes dogs and cats needing rescue or adoption. The photographs are posted on several national pet adoption websites.
Male Black Labrador Retriever and Pitbull mix dog. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal control shelter.
"Hermey" was a cute young Pitbull Terrier and Labrador mix dog that came into the animal shelter as a stray. We had a pet adoption photography session on December 21, 2022 and he was adopted into a new home on January 12, 2023!
Male Black Labrador Retriever and Pitbull mix dog. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal control shelter.
Male Black Labrador Retriever and Pitbull mix dog. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal control shelter.
Animal Shelter Furtography is my collection of pet photography from the humane society animal shelter to find new homes dogs and cats needing rescue or adoption. The photographs are posted on several national pet adoption websites.
Male blue and white American Pitbul Terrier dog outside on leash. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal control shelter
"Gabriel" was a funny young Blue Pitbull Terrier dog that was surrendered to the animal shelter by his owner. We did his adoption photography session on December 8, 2022. He was finally rescued from the shelter one month later on December 9, 2023!
Male blue and white American Pitbul Terrier dog outside on leash. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal control shelter
Male blue and white American Pitbul Terrier dog outside on leash. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal control shelter
Male blue and white American Pitbul Terrier dog outside on leash. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal control shelter
Animal Shelter Furtography is my collection of pet photography from the humane society animal shelter to find new homes dogs and cats needing rescue or adoption. The photographs are posted on several national pet adoption websites.
Tan male Pitbull Terrier outside on leash with head tilt cute at camera. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal control shelter.
"Chase" was a cute young Pitbull Terrier dog that was surrendered to the animal shelter by his owner on December 8, 2022. A couple weeks passed and he didn't get any adoption applications. So we went outside together for a romp and an adoption photography session on December 21, 2022. He was rescued on January 9, 2023!
Tan male Pitbull Terrier outside on leash with head tilt cute at camera. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal control shelter.
Tan male Pitbull Terrier outside on leash with head tilt cute at camera. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal control shelter.
Animal Shelter Furtography is my collection of pet photography from the humane society animal shelter to find new homes dogs and cats needing rescue or adoption. The photographs are posted on several national pet adoption websites.
Female blue Shar-Pei and Pitbull mix dog with wrinkles outside on leash. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal shelter.
"Aurora" was a sweet Shar Pei and Pitbull mixed dog that was surrendered to the animal shelter by her owner. She was such a happy girl when we had an outdoor pet adoption photo session on December 21, 2022. It took a little bit for her to get noticed, but she was finally rescued on January 6, 2023!
Female blue Shar-Pei and Pitbull mix dog with wrinkles outside on leash. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal shelter.
Female blue Shar-Pei and Pitbull mix dog with wrinkles outside on leash. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal shelter.
Female blue Shar-Pei and Pitbull mix dog with wrinkles outside on leash. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal shelter.
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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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