 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  Three black crows perched on a roof peak. The American crow Corvus brachyrhynchos is a large passerine bird species of the family Corvidae. It is a common bird found throughout much of North America. July in Athens, Georgia, Clarke County, USA. Some backyard birding in Athens, Georgia. Athens-Clarke County, Georgia. July 7, 2018.  Mourning Dove in the grass. July in Athens, Georgia, Clarke County, USA. The mourning dove Zenaida macroura is a member of the dove family, Columbidae. The bird is also known as the American mourning dove or the rain dove, and erroneously as the turtle dove, and was once known as the Carolina pigeon or Carolina turtledove.[2] It is one of the most abundant and widespread of all North American birds.  Two black crows perched on a roof peak. The American crow Corvus brachyrhynchos is a large passerine bird species of the family Corvidae. It is a common bird found throughout much of North America. July in Athens, Georgia, Clarke County, USA. American crows are common, widespread, and susceptible to the West Nile virus, making them useful as a bioindicator to track the virus`s spread.  Two black crows perched on a roof peak. The American crow Corvus brachyrhynchos is a large passerine bird species of the family Corvidae. It is a common bird found throughout much of North America. July in Athens, Georgia, Clarke County, USA.
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 William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. -- Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them.  Juvenile and adult Osprey bird of prey raptors in nest platform on utility pole at Lake Oconee, Putnam County, GA. The osprey (Pandin haliaetus) also called sea hawk, river hawk, and fish hawk is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey. A few weeks ago I went to a small restaurant near Lake Oconee in Georgia, USA. I spotted several active Osprey nests. How badly I wanted to stop the car for some photos! But I didn’t want my photography addiction to get me in trouble again. Just have patience. Enjoy dinner with family. An opportunity will arise later, I told myself. Patience paid off. After dinner, while my wife and kids went to a small store, I raced back and parked under pole #66 where a large Osprey nest sat atop the utility tower. Two hungry juveniles waited in the nest. It seemed their patience had run out as they squealed and cried for dinner. Patience youngsters. Mom and dad will soon be back with dinner. After a few minutes, an adult Osprey soared in toward the nest with a fish in its talons. Then the action began! The two juveniles and two adults shifted and bounced around the nest while eating their dinner and a few good shots became available. The longer I exercised my patience, the more shots became available. More Osprey circled the skies, some carrying large fish. I also shot a soaring Mississippi Kite. Patience pays off! Getting my photos, I quickly sped back to the store to pick up my family. No problems! I had family time and photography time! You just have to have a little patience! Today: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.  Juvenile and adult Osprey bird of prey raptors in nest platform on utility pole at Lake Oconee, Putnam County, GA. The osprey (Pandin haliaetus) also called sea hawk, river hawk, and fish hawk is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey. 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 Some afternoon birding at my parents' house on Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Georgia. Greene County, Georgia  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Job 37:22 So also, golden splendor comes from the mountain of God. He is clothed in dazzling splendor.  Bright yellow American Goldfinch songbird in grassy meadow with yellow wildflower Helinium in Monroe, GA. The American goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is a small North American bird in the finch family. Friday, 7:30 AM - Each and every day we have another golden opportunity. As the sun rises above the horizon, the golden rays cut across the sky, chasing away the mists and shadows of dawn. It is affectionately called “The Golden Hour” by photographers and artists. It is that time of day where gold-medal winning shots can be captured. But it is called “The Golden Hour” not only because of the golden rays, but because it is only a short window of time; an “hour”, more or less. So don’t miss it. Wake yourself before dawn, have the other duties of the day wait just a little while, and get outdoors for walk. You never know what golden opportunities await you. (And moderate exposure to the golden rays can improve your mood, strengthen your bones, and boost your immune system too!) During the summer, I try to start my day with a walk. I am blessed that just behind my office are two large ponds where various birds and wildlife gather. Many mornings go by and I don’t see any wildlife, but simply enjoy the morning air. But over time, I’ve built a portfolio of wildlife and bird photos from these morning walks. Golden opportunities! Walton County, Georgia  American Goldfinch  Blue Grosbeak  Belted Kingfisher  Green Heron  White-eyed Vireo  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. "Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is His work." Psalms 111:2  Thursday, 9:47 AM - Well, its back to work today from a holiday break. And come to find out, the Green Heron is back from his holiday in South America! He was sitting out in the open on a stump in the upper pond. Before I even realized it was a Green Heron, he had spotted me and took off toward the further end. I was able to get a few better photos later in the day.   While walking back to the office, a Spotted Sandpiper flushed from the pond side reeds. I hadn’t seen one of these plump little birds since the spring. In fact, ebird had me check off the ‘rare’ box.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. "Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is His work." Psalms 111:2  Juvenile plumage Great Blue Heron in willow pond thicket in Monroe, GA. The great blue heron Ardea herodias is a large wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae, common near the shores of open water and in wetlands over most of North America and Central America. Thursday, 2:57 PM - On the rare occasion that they visit my pond, the Great Blue Herons normally take to the air whenever I approach to photograph them. But today was a double-rare incident. Not only did one long-legged visitor stay long enough for a photograph, but there were two Great Blue Herons at one time! The first Great Blue Heron sat on the bank of the pond. I approached slowly and instead of flying off at my approach, he casually walked further down the bank. Then, from out of the tree canopy just over my shoulder, another Great Blue Heron swooped down toward the first! Two herons on the open pond? And in the middle of the day? Strange! The second heron seemed to charge at the first heron. He crouched as he moved, puffed up his back plumes, and aggressively walked directly at the other heron until it flew off.  Great Blue Heron adult; Walton County, GA. At first I thought I had observed a territorial display. But reviewing the photos and thinking it over, it appeared that the first heron was a juvenile and the second an adult. Perhaps the boldness of the first heron wasn’t from confidence, but from juvenile naiveté. And the second heron, decked out in full adult plumage, was a protective parent trying to teach its youngster to flee from a human encounter. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. .  Juvenile Great Blue Heron  Great Blue Heron on grassy pond in Monroe, GA. The great blue heron Ardea herodias is a large wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae, common near the shores of open water, lakes, ponds and in wetlands over most of North America and Central America.  The great blue heron Ardea herodias is a large wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae, common near the shores of open water, lakes, ponds and in wetlands over most of North America and Central America.  Juvenile plumage Great Blue Heron in willow pond thicket in Monroe, GA. The great blue heron Ardea herodias is a large wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae, common near the shores of open water and in wetlands over most of North America and Central America.  Juvenile plumage Great Blue Heron in willow pond thicket in Monroe, GA. The great blue heron Ardea herodias is a large wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae, common near the shores of open water and in wetlands over most of North America and Central America.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Luke 24:31 Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.  Indigo Bunting Thursday, 2:58 PM - We can become so familiar with the birds in our area that we move too quickly and mistake a more rare bird for a common visitor. While on my morning birding walk I spotted a bright blue bird and just assumed it was one of the Blue Grosbeaks which show up in greater numbers here on this pond in Walton County, Georgia. But getting back to my computer and editing my photos, I realized my error of mistaken identity and correctly labelled this guy as the rightful Indigo Bunting. The obvious difference is the rusty colored wingbars of the Grosbeak. But suppose a view of the wing is obscured as in the photo above? What other features can we use to differentiate? According to www.allaboutbirds.com, the Indigo Buntings are a bit smaller than the Blue Grosbeaks and have a smaller bill. The Blue Grosbeaks also tend to be a deeper blue color. Walton "County, Georgia USA  A clearer view of the Indigo Bunting. There is no chestnut-colored wing bar as in the Blue Grosbeak.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Ecclesiastes 3:13 And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.  Red-bellied Woodpecker perched on side of pine tree in Athens, GA in July. The red-bellied woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus is a medium-sized woodpecker of the family Picidae. It breeds mainly in the eastern United States, ranging as far south as Texas and as far north as Canada. Thursday, 6:31 PM - The dinner is eaten. The kids are gone. The grass is cut. Just enjoy! Clarke County, Georgia  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. -- Psalm 84:3 Even the sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest for herself, Where she may lay her young— Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, My King and my God.  Fledgling Eastern Bluebird in bird house. Wednesday, 3:26 PM - The Fourth of July... Independence Day! I looks like it should be independence day for this young Eastern Bluebird too! He looks quite mature enough to leave the comforts of home, spread his wings and fledge. But alas, he'd rather stay put yet another day while mom and dad continue to bring him breakfast in bed! Clarke County, GA   William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Ezekiel 17:23 Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade...  Female Eastern Bluebird bird with grasshopper in mouth for babies in nest in duck box birdhouse over small pond in Monroe, GA. Tuesday, 7:54 AM - The birding books will tell you that to attract Eastern Bluebirds you must have the exact right size box, with the exact right size opening, and with the exact tilt of the roof. Well, it seems this pair must not be familiar with all of those requirements. For the second time this season, they have decided to raise young in a duck nest box that, by all the literature, is too large for Eastern Bluebirds, with too big an opening for Eastern Bluebirds, and wasn’t cleaned out annually as required by Eastern Bluebirds! As I sat and watched, the parents made repeated runs to the nest box to feed their young. Each time they entered the box, or left the area for more food, I scooted a bit closer and squatted on the ground. Eventually, I was close enough for some decent shots showing a fresh, green grasshopper in momma’s beak. Forecast: a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. East wind around 5 mph.  Birding photograph in July. The eastern bluebird Sialia sialis is a small thrush found in open woodlands, farmlands, and orchards in the eastern United States.  Barn Swallow skimming the pond.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Isaiah 48:6 I have shewed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them.  Mississippi Kite - The Mississippi kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) is a small bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. Mississippi kites have narrow, pointed wings and are graceful in flight, often appearing to float in the air. It is not uncommon to see several circling in the same area. Tuesday, 9:14 PM - This evening I scored a new Life Bird photograph! No, I didn’t travel to Mississippi to capture this newbie, but Mississippi came to me! Just before a big evening thunderstorm blew in, I spotted a pale gray raptor circling waaaayyyy high up, just under the gray clouds. Even with the 600mm lens and 1.5x teleconverter, I could barely see more than a speck. But digital technology being what it is, I captured my first shot of a Mississippi Kite. Although not a great photograph, still a thrill to photograph something new to me nonetheless! Sunrise Today: 6:26 am  Mississippi Kite - The Mississippi kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) is a small bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. Mississippi kites have narrow, pointed wings and are graceful in flight, often appearing to float in the air. It is not uncommon to see several circling in the same area.  Northern Cardinal at the bird feeder  Northern Mockingbird at the bird bath  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Ecclesiastes 10:20 Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird in the sky may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.  Saturday, 6:54 AM - Passing clouds through a mostly clear sky at sunrise. Nice to not have to go to work on a Monday morning (two doctor's appointments and going into Atlanta to the Peachtree Road Race expo!). Two Red-shouldered Hawks screaming back and forth in the neighborhood. So much so that someone actually posted on the neighborhood page wondering if there was something wrong with them! Today: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 11am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.  Brown-headed Cowbird and a ground squirrel forage seeds below the bird feeder.  Black Vulture roosts in a Loblolly Pine Tree  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  Tiny female Ruby-throated Humminbird bird perched on red nectar feeder. Summer wildlife and birding photography in Athens, GA. The ruby-throated hummingbird Archilochus colubris is a species of hummingbird that generally spends the winter in Central America, Mexico, and Florida, and migrates to Eastern North America for the summer to breed. It is by far the most common hummingbird seen east of the Mississippi River in North America.  Tiny female Ruby-throated Humminbird bird perched on red nectar feeder. Summer wildlife and birding photography in Athens, GA. The ruby-throated hummingbird Archilochus colubris is a species of hummingbird that generally spends the winter in Central America, Mexico, and Florida, and migrates to Eastern North America for the summer to breed. It is by far the most common hummingbird seen east of the Mississippi River in North America.  Tiny female Ruby-throated Humminbird bird perched on red nectar feeder. Summer wildlife and birding photography in Athens, GA. The ruby-throated hummingbird Archilochus colubris is a species of hummingbird that generally spends the winter in Central America, Mexico, and Florida, and migrates to Eastern North America for the summer to breed. It is by far the most common hummingbird seen east of the Mississippi River in North America.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. Genesis 1:5  Carolina Chickadee singing from the Loblolly Pines Sunday - At sunrise, a backyard Carolina Chickadee. My first photo of the morning. At sunset, a Summer Tanager. My last photo of the evening. Clarke County, Georgia  Summer Tanager calling from atop a Persimmon Tree  Red-bellied Woodpecker and Brown-headed Nuthatch at black oil sunflower seed bird feeder. |
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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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