Tuesday, 7:00 AM - I headed into Walton County an hour earlier this morning. Am I that dedicated to my job? Actually, I am. But is wasn’t for work that I came in early. The sun is up earlier now and I could get in an hour of birding and wildlife photography before clocking in. And it was a productive morning! I believe I hit my Walton all-time birding high: 43 taxa! 
​
Not only did I get a rather high bird count, but spotted a few other critters as well. A Beaver was swimming the upper pond and a Northern Watersnake was cutting across the main retention pond. In the secluded wetlands area south of the jail I spotted a Green Heron skulking in the shadows; my first spotting for this spring season. While pursuing the heron, a Louisiana Waterthrush sang repeatedly overhead. What a great morning! 

“A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”… especially when teaching high school students about ecology and conservation. Two groups of Ms. Carly Chandler’s AP Environmental students from Cedar Shoals High School in Athens, Georgia participated in a bird banding field trip in April, 2019.
​
Bird banding is the attachment of uniquely numbered metal bands to the leg of a wild bird to help scientists study the migratory movements, population dynamics and life histories of birds. The excited group of students not only saw first-hand how the birds were caught and removed from mist nets in the Whitehall Experimental Forest, but also participated in the band recording process. 

During the trip, the students met with Dr. Richard Chandler, Associate Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management from the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. Dr. Chandler demonstrated safe handling techniques and offered several students the opportunity to hold and release a few of the captured and banded birds.

In addition some common Georgia birds like the Brown Thrasher and Carolina Wren, the groups caught two brightly colored warblers, a Kentucky Warbler and a Hooded Warbler, that recently arrived during the spring migration. Dr. Chandler explained how habitat destruction, either here in their North American breeding grounds, or in their southern over-wintering territories could greatly affect the overall health and numbers of migratory bird populations. ​

“The field trip was an amazing experience”, said Cedar Shoals student Amanda Wise. “It was a very insightful trip that taught us about the biodiversity of birds and how big of a world we are in. It is definitely not every day that you can catch, hold and band a bird!”

​“Rocky” was an owner surrender that came into the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Georgia on April 17, 2019. He was a bit shy at first, but really came out of his shell when worked with by shelter staff. His gorgeous Aussie-like coat got him recognized by Pound Puppies N Kittens rescue and he was saved from the shelter on April 24, 2019. His freedom ride was sponsored by pledges to the rescue from Barbara, Jason, Ellen and Anne. 

​Dimples was picked up stray by a Walton County Animal Control officer in Georgia on April 12, 2019. Although the shelter called his owner, they did not come to claim him. He was a cool, calm, laid back pitbull boy. He had a pet adoption photography session on April 18. He was rescued by Pisgah Animal Welfare Society on April 24, 2019. His rescue was sponsored by donations to the rescue from Adela, Polly, Alice, Jason and Anne. 

​Stella was turned in as a stray to the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Georgia on April 16, 2019. She had her pet adoption photography session on April 18. She was finally adopted on April 23, 2019. 

Harley was a neutered male Boxer, approximately 12 years old, that was surrendered by his owner to the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Georgia on April 16, 2019. He had a pet adoption photography session on April 18. He was rescued on April 23, 2019 by Atlanta Boxer Rescue!  His rescue was sponsored by donations to the rescue from Adela, Audrey, Jason and Anne. 

Monday, April 22, 2019 - After the storms of last week and the return of chilly nights, today has turned out to be a beautiful, sunny day. Lots of bird activity near the retention ponds on my morning bird walk. Too bad I had to cut it short an get to work at 8 AM! One day (twenty years from now) I can retire and photograph birds all day long!!!! 

​Taco was an older Chihuahua that was picked up stray by a Walton County Animal Control officer in Georgia on April 16, 2019. He had a pet adoption photography session on April 18. He was not claimed by an owner and was adopted into a new home on April 22, 2019.

A pet photographer’s tools? Let me see…  camera, lens, tripod, memory card… Yes, all that is needed. But don’t forget the essentials: harmonica, squeaky toy and treats! My photo bag is stuffed with all kinds of toys that make high pitched squeaks and sounds to get a dog’s attention! And it usually works.

Geronimo was turned in stray to the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Georgia on April 10, 2019. After six days, no owner had come to claim him and no adopter had expressed interest. So it was time for some outdoor glamour photos.
​
Geronimo was a calm boy that didn’t have too much facial expression in the first photos. But pulling out my trusty dog squeaky toy, I got some decent head tilts out of him. The expressions must have worked because Geronimo was rescued the next day by Atlanta Lab Rescue! His rescue was sponsored by generous donations to the rescue from Polly, Lorraine and Anne. 

Just some random birding to relieve stress and enjoy some nice spring days. 

“Is that a wolf?” If I were asked that question only once, I would have easily dismissed it. But it came up several times on social media and in emails. True, “Wiley” was a very unique looking boy. I was guessing he was part Shepherd, but the narrow face and build reminded me of a Collie. Wolf never really crossed my mind.
 
He was picked up by animal control on April 10, 2019 from a local veterinary clinic. They said a client found him and dropped him off.  Although he was an older dog and already neutered, no owner came looking for him.
​
I did his photo session on April 16, 2019 and posted him right away on the shelter’s website, www.waltonpets.net. He was finally adopted into a new home on April 22, 2019!

“Doc” was a happy mixed breed boy that came into the Walton County Animal Control shelter on April 11, 2019. Sadly, he had just been adopted from another animal shelter, but was turned in after only five days. They said they “weren’t allowed to keep him.”

It seems like common sense, but before adopting a new pet, make sure everyone involved approves. The landlord is the top of the list. If they say know, then you and/or the new dog are homeless. Make sure your spouse agrees too. In fact, if you have that kind of relationship, maybe you should mention it to the neighbors. There is nothing like getting complaints to animal control right after adopting a new puppy.

If you plan to adopt a pet as a gift for someone, don’t make it a surprise. I know, the kids would love to have a new puppy for a birthday gift or Christmas, but you don’t need to box up a pup. In fact, you can extend the joy. On that special occasion, cut out a photo of a dog and put it in a card with a note that the whole family will go together to pick which pet to add to the family. That way, everyone is involved and embraces the newcomer as family!
​
Thankfully, Doc was rescued by Atlanta Lab Rescue on April 17, 2017 and will hopefully get a permanent home soon. Just a little bit of diligence can keep a dog from being bounced around from place to place like Doc.  Doc's rescued was sponsored by a generous donation to the rescue from Anne. 

You can take the cute puppies (along with all the housebreaking and training), but I love the senior dogs! They are usually so much more calm and laid back. “Delilah” was a sweet, older girl that was surrendered to the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Georgia on April 9, 2019. Sadly, her elderly owner had become disable and could no longer care for her. I had to put a bit of extra effort into getting this girl safely into a new home.

“Delilah” had her outdoor photo session on April 10, 2019. There is a small patch of woods behind the animal shelter. If I start early enough, I can get in a photo session before the sun rises too high and creates too many glares. “Delilah” was a compliant subject and posed well for her photos. I love the calm seniors!
​
Delilah’s sweet face attracted an animal sanctuary and rescue named Five Freedoms Farm. They came and picked her up the same day her photos were posted on the shelter’s website. She was sponsored with donations to the rescue from Gail, Anne, Peggy and Dana. 

"Shea" was brought in to the animal shelter as a stray on April 3, 2019. She was rescued ten days later by Pisgah PAWS Rescue! 

I had the pleasure of adding several Life Birds this week! My first trip was to an eBird hotspot on Braswell Church Road to find some recently spotted Yellowlegs and Sandpipiers. 

On my Friday afternoon lunch break I happened to come across another lifer: a Louisiana Waterthrush. I heard it calling and knew it was something different than I'd heard before. After a few minutes, it alighted above me and i got a quick photo (though poorly backlit).