​Bella was  a sweet Lab and Border Collie mixed breed dog that was surrendered by her owner to the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Georgia on February 25, 2019. She was rescued on March 8, 2019 by the Humane Society of Valdosta. 

“Hazel” was a lot more interested in romping and playing than in having her photos taken! She was a cute pittie puppy that was surrendered by her owner to the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Georgia on February 25, 2019. Although the man turning her in said, “My kids are going to kill me,” he left her behind anyway.

Not wanting a precious girl like this to fall through the cracks, I immediately took her out for a photo session. Her gorgeous deep yellow eyes really stood out in her photographs. Unfortunately my lens choice made her look a bit bigger and more serious than she was in person. But altering my camera angle and getting a shot from overhead, her playful nature and wagging tail began to shine through.

She was posted on the shelter’s adoption website, www.waltonpets.net, and had a generous free spay offer from Walton Animal Guild, a local rescue that supports animal control’s efforts in the community. She was adopted into a new, loving home on March 1, 2019!

There are several critters posted on iNaturalist that cause some identification conundrums. It is often two species within the same genus that look largely similar until you examine the details. Sometimes it comes down to visible characteristics which differentiate the two species. But other times they look nearly identical and the range is the main clue as to the correct species.

Two birds that fall in this category of confusing critters are in the genus Dryobates: the Hairy Woodpecker and the Downy Woodpecker.  Both have very similar plumage colors and patterns. I’ve seen many posted on iNaturalist that are either incorrectly identified, or have long threads of confirmations and corrections, or are simply left at the genus level.

I must admit my own shortcomings in identifying the two woodpeckers too! In my regular birding areas, the Downy Woodpecker is much more common and I have learned to recognize their call and mannerisms, which helps me out quite a bit. When the slightly larger Hairy Woodpecker shows up from time to time, it really stands out as different to me.
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The main feature that initially helped me distinguish the Downy Woodpecker was the length of the bill. I had read, or was told, that the shorter bill of the Downy was roughly half the length of the total head, while the longer bill of the Hairy Woodpecker was about ¾ the length of its head. Holding up a ruler to a photograph often helped me out. 

​But after messing up many identifications on iNaturalist (don’t worry, it happens to all of us), I’ve also learned another identifying feature: the Downy has spotting on the outer tail feathers. From watching many ID’s on iNat, this doesn’t always seem definitive as the outer tail feathers can’t always be seen in the photo. 

​Sandy was a female Pit Bull Terrier that was picked up stray by a Walton County Animal Control officer in Georgia on February 19, 2019. She was rescued by the Humane Society of Valdosta on February 26, 2019!

​Vernon was a Bull Terrier mixed breed dog that was picked up stray by a Walton County Animal Control officer in Georgia on February 15, 2019. No owner ever came forward and he was rescued by Pisgah Animal Welfare Society on February 25, 2019!

Thursday, 12:15 PM - Between cold, rain, and the craziness at work, I haven’t had a good chance for a long birding break... until today. Between rain showers at lunch break, I put on my big black mud boots and headed out the door.

It is a gray and foggy afternoon. As the little birds shoot by, I didn’t realize how quickly I could get out of practice in lifting that large telephoto lens to target the small birds. It seems I’ve been spoiled by the wide field of view in my new Zeiss binoculars. 

I'm hearing a lot of new bird sounds. Not necessarily new birds, but the birds switching to new calls. It seems many are going from their winter time chips to spring time songs. The Cardinals and Chickadees are particularly seeming to change their vocabulary.

​The special treats on today’s walk were a pair of Woodies, three Hermit Thrushes frolicking in an area I hadn’t seen them before, and a Blue-headed Vireo. Two Brown-headed Nuthatches seemed to be excavating an old cavity in a snag over the duckweed bog. 

​Lucky was a German Shepherd mixed breed dog that was surrendered by his owner to the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Georgia on February 16, 2019. He was rescued by Washington Wilkes DAWGS Rescue on February 20, 2019.

Roxie was a mixed breed dog that was surrendered by her owner to the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Georgia on February 12, 2019. She was rescued by Second Chance Habitat Rescue on February 15, 2019!

​“Jamie” was impounded by Walton County Animal Control in Georgia on February 6, 2019 during the course of an ongoing animal neglect investigation. She was rescued by Love Shack Dog Rescue on 2/25/19!

​Dixie was an older Boxer that was surrendered by her owner to the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Georgia on February 12, 2019. She was rescued by Second Chance Habitat Rescue on February 15, 2019!

“Bella” was a young, mixed-breed dog that came into the animal shelter on February 7, 2019. She was picked up by an animal control officer and sadly had no collar or tag to find her way home. Her cute little ears folded over her head, almost like a Shar Pei’s ears. Her inquisitive personality made her a favorite of the shelter staff.

After four days, Bella had not yet been claimed by an owner and her hold was expired. Going outdoors for her “glamour photos”, Bella struck some nice poses, her tan coat blending nicely with the brown winter grasses in the photography area.
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Four days after posting her photos to the shelter’s adoption website, www.waltonpets.net, she was rescued by Second Chance Habitat Rescue in Chesapeake, VA! Her freedom ride was sponsored by donations to the rescue from Anne, Kay, Gael and Jason.

​“Jesse” was impounded by Walton County Animal Control in Georgia on February 6, 2019 during the course of an ongoing animal neglect investigation. She was rescued by Love Shack Dog Rescue on 2/25/19!

It is sad at times how dogs get bounced around from home to home. I understand that things don’t always work out, but if there could be a little more effort and tolerance on the part of pet owners, the constant in-and-out within animal shelters could be reduced.

Otis was a handsome blue Pitbull dog that at one time had a home as a puppy. But later on in life he ended up in an animal shelter. There he was neutered, microchipped and adopted out into a new home. Happy ending, right?

Well, on February 11, 2019 he ended up as a stray in the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Georgia. Otis’ last owner didn’t register his microchip and there was no way to find his home.  Otis waited over a week but his owner never came forward. Sad ending? Not yet!

Otis got his chance for a photo session on February 15. There were a lot of dogs to shoot that morning, so I only got a few photos. The shots were posted on the shelter’s website, www.waltonpets.net and Otis began waiting for a new home. ​His first adoption application was denied by a landlord that didn’t allow Pitbulls on the property (a common theme). The second applicant said she wasn’t able to get out of work to come meet him. But when all looked bleak, a rescue came forward!
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On February 26, 2019, the Humane Society of Valdosta sent up their “rescue wagon” and took Otis along with five other dogs!!!! His rescue was sponsored by donations pledged to the rescue from Melonie, Alice, and Anne.  Once Otis gets adopted in into a new home, hopefully it will be a forever home this time!  

​“G” was a pit bull dog that was picked up stray by a Walton County Animal Control officer in Georgia on February 14, 2019. His owner never came to claim him and he was rescued by the Humane Society of Valdosta on February 26, 2019!

In an open-intake “pound”, there is no way of knowing when more dogs will show up. The officers can return from their calls throughout the day with dogs. An owner might pull up with a momma dog and box full of puppies. It is always a careful balancing act. So I am thankful when rescues and adopters step up quickly for the pets in the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Georgia.

“Max” was one of those quick turn-arounds. It is hard to believe, but after 12 years, his owner surrendered him to the shelter because “he keeps getting out.” Although it can be a little harder to re-home senior dogs, Max’s cute Corgi-ness helped him get out quickly.

He was surrendered on February 12, 2019 and I got him out the following day for an outdoor photo session. He was put on the shelter’s adoption website, www.waltonpets.net and was adopted the very same day! Now that’s quick! And there was no holding up a kennel that could be used for other incoming animals.