 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 THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2018Walton County, Georgia. Friday, August 24 The ruby-throated hummingbird Archilochus colubris spends the winter in Central America, Mexico, and Florida, and migrates to Eastern North America for the summer to breed. Most common hummingbird seen east of the Mississippi River in North America. Perched on Pokeweed, a plant native to North America, South America and East Asia. Some members of the genus are known as pokeweeds or similar names such as pokebush, pokeberry, pokeroot or poke sallet.Photographed in Walton County, Monroe, Georgia, USA. Walton County, Georgia. August 24, 2018 Monday, August 27Walton County, Georgia. August 27, 2018. Tuesday, August 28The sun has not yet crested the trees at 7:30 AM. With the sun coming up later each morning my morning bird walks are getting shorter in order to start working at 8 AM. But still a good bit of warbler activity down by the duckweed bog. Walton County, Georgia. August 28, 2018. Wednesday, August 29Walton County, Georgia. August 29, 2018. Thursday, August 30Walton County, Georgia
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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  Georgia whitetailed deer young doe. The white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus, also known as the whitetail or Virginia deer, is a medium-sized deer native to the United States. Commonly hunted. Athens, Clarke County, Georgia USA  American Beaver photographed in Walton County, Georgia earlier in the morning. 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 backyard birding in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia in August, 2018. 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  White Great Egret Ardea alba heron wading bird on swamp pond in Georgia, southest United States. Large white heron with a large yellow bill and black legs and feet. Walton County, Georgia Back again on August 23...  Great Egret Ardea alba in swamp wetland habitat with reflection in water. The great egret, also known as the common egret, large egret or great white egret or great white heron is a large, widely distributed egret in the United States. Photographed in Walton County, Monroe, Georgia, USA
 Great Egret Ardea alba in swamp wetland habitat with reflection in water. The great egret, also known as the common egret, large egret or great white egret or great white heron is a large, widely distributed egret in the United States. Photographed in Walton County, Monroe, Georgia, USA  Great Egret Ardea alba in swamp wetland habitat with reflection in water. The great egret, also known as the common egret, large egret or great white egret or great white heron is a large, widely distributed egret in the United States. Photographed in Walton County, Monroe, Georgia, USA And again on August 29...  Large white Great Egret Ardea alba preening on a log in a swamp wetland ecosystem. They hunt in marshes, swamps, streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, impoundments, lagoons, tidal flats, canals, ditches, fish-rearing ponds, flooded farm fields, and sometimes upland habitats. Walton County, Monroe, GA, USA.  Large white Great Egret Ardea alba preening on a log in a swamp wetland ecosystem. They hunt in marshes, swamps, streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, impoundments, lagoons, tidal flats, canals, ditches, fish-rearing ponds, flooded farm fields, and sometimes upland habitats. Walton County, Monroe, GA, USA.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. "The list isn’t important, but the birds themselves are important. Every bird you see. So the list is just a frivolous incentive for birding, but the birding itself is worthwhile.”  Scruffy molting juvenile Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) perched on a fence post in Monroe, Walton County, GA. August 20, 2018 Photographing wildlife has been a favorite pastime since the ‘90s. But with an upgrade to a smartphone and discovering the eBird app early this year, bird listing has now become an all-consuming hobby. Keeping track of species totals by county and state fell right in stride with my obsessive-compulsive personality! The birding lists entered into eBird also contribute to science and conservation efforts. Bird species abundance and distribution can be charted through millions of lists submitted by eBirders. There is no denying the powerful contribution made by bird listing. But there is something more, I find, with photography and it keeps my camera in hand. The listing is fun, but can lose a bit of the personal connection with an individual bird. A tallied total of my “yard list” is great, but I also love getting to know the individual birds of my backyard. A photograph records and preserves an individual bird in the way a list cannot. But both are fun, and I continue to list and to photograph. My own personal challenge of late has been to submit a daily eBird list which includes at least one photograph. It has turned a hobby into somewhat of a sport! Walton County, Georgia USA  Great Egret individual I've gotten to know as it visits the pond behind my office each day this summer.  Green Heron; one of the more secretive individuals visiting the pond behind my office this summer.  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 Walton County, Georgia birding photography.  Juvenile Northern Mockingbird with feathers fluffed up. The northern mockingbird Mimus polyglottos is the only mockingbird commonly found in North America. Photographed in summer in Georgia, USA. August 17, 2018.  Psalms 68:6 "God makes homes for those who are abandoned; He makes free those who are bound with chains."  Thursday, 9:24 AM - So many little dogs come into the animal shelter with a big attitude. But not little “Skip”! It was a real pleasure getting to play with this cute little pup prior to his photo session. “Skip” was picked up stray by an animal control officer on August 15, 2018. But like so many other loose dogs, he didn’t have a collar, tag or microchip to find his way back home. (Come on people, its 2018! Put a tag on your dog!) On his way in and out of the kennel, “Skip” stopped at each kennel to touch noses and wag tails with every dog in the hallway. No Napoleon Complex with little “Skip”! “Skip” was photographed for the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Monroe, Georgia USA on August 16, 2018 and put on the shelter’s website, www.waltonpets.net to find his owner or to find a new home if no owner showed up.   Small breed black and tan Pinscher or Manchester Terrier mixed breed dog outdoors on picnic table on leash. Pet adoption dog rescue photo for Walton County Animal Control shelter.    Psalms 68:6 "God makes homes for those who are abandoned; He makes free those who are bound with chains."  Thursday, 9:12 AM - Skinny, not spayed, in heat, flakey skin, fly bites and ticks on her ears, never been to a veterinarian before… poor “Stormy”. While I hate to see dogs surrendered to the shelter, some dogs will have a much better life away from their current owners! “Stormy” was surrendered to the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Monroe, Georgia, USA on August 15, 2018. She didn’t appear to have had the best care, but was a true submissive sweetheart! She was just a medium-sized dog which might make it easier to find her the new home she deserved. In the shelter she tested heartworm negative, was given her vaccines and deworming, and got a good dose of flea medication. She was on her way to better health and a better life… if someone would open their heart and home to her. “Stormy” was photographed for the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Monroe, Georgia USA on August 16, 2018. She was placed on the shelter’s adoption website, www.waltonpets.net, to find her a new and better home.   Pit Bull and Labrador mixed breed dog outdoors on leash. Thin and skinny, flakey skin condition. Pet adoption dog rescue photo for Walton County Animal Control shelter.    Psalms 68:6 "God makes homes for those who are abandoned; He makes free those who are bound with chains."  Thursday, 8:50 AM - It must be big dog breed week at the Walton animal shelter! It started with a Saint Bernard mix, then a gigantic Kangle Anatolian Shepherd, and finally this handsome Leonberger Newfoundland mixed boy. Perhaps we are being creative on our breed guesses, but “Titan” certainly looks like a Leonbeger, a mountain dog from Germany. “Titan” was picked up stray by an animal control officer on August 13, 2018. He was so big, the officer (who is no small guy himself) had to call police backup to help lift him into the vehicle! “Titan” was already neutered, but had no collar, tag or chip to find his owner. In the shelter, “Titan” was a calmer, laid-back boy. Unfortunately, he tested heartworm positive. But hopefully his handsome looks and out-of-the-ordinary breed mix would get him some attention from rescues. “Titan” was impounded on August 13, 2018 by the Walton County Animal Control office in Monroe, Georgia, USA. He was photographed on August 16 and put on the shelter’s adoption website, www.waltonpets.net.   Large neutered male tan and black Newfie and Leonberger dog outdoors on leash. Pet adoption dog rescue photo for Walton County Animal Control shelter.  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  Green heron wading bird perched on swamp willows over Georgia pond. The green heron Butorides virescens is a small heron of North and Central America. Encountered a reclusive Green Heron on my birding walk today in Walton County, Georgia.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, landscape, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation."Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." Revelation 4:11  Great Blue Heron (Arda heordius) hiding in grasses of a Georgia pond in the summer. The great blue heron is a large wading bird in the heron family, common near the shores of open water and in wetlands over most of North America and Central America. "Part of the attraction was the way listing totally contradicted the general public image of birdwatching as a passive pastime. Keeping a list was a way of keeping score. The list could turn birdwatching into birding, an active game, even a competitive sport." --Kingbird Highway by Ken Kaufman Walton County, Georgia  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. "You must not eat anything that lives in the sea or in a river and does not have fins and scales. Just the thought of eating such a creature should make you sick. This will never change. So don’t ever eat meat from anything like that." Leviticus 11:10-11 ERV  Hooked giant Common Snapping Turtle destined for "mull soup". Notice the bright orange fishing line from the corner of his mouth. Photographed 8/13/18 in Walton County, GA. There are some traditions and recipes limited to small geographic regions of the world. One that is still available here in the southeastern United States is mull. Mull is “basically a soupy stew with fine bits of slow-simmered chicken in a rich broth thickened with crushed saltine crackers.”
A “mull” is not only soup, but the name for a southern communal gathering, as in “Chicken mull this Saturday at Faith Baptist Church”. Mull is cooked by the gallons and sold typically to raise money for a new church fellowship hall or for a local fire department. Most mulls are served with chicken. But there are still those that put hooks out in our southern ponds and fishing holes in order to catch our huge Common Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina) into their stew. Adherents say it tastes great; and it may. But when it comes to eating turtles, I say, “What the heck for?” Now, my southern turtle-mull-lovin’ friends will probably chide me as some sort of animal rights activist. But I just don’t see the point in killing a cool turtle when store-bought chicken is so readily available. And if they were to hear my protests to save these big, ugly, brown, violently aggressive snappers, they would probably say the same: “What the heck for?”  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders 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  Double-Crested Cormorant in flight; Walton County, GA. Friday, 8:32 AM – You never know what you’ll see. After literally hundreds of morning walks up to the pond, this morning there was something I had never seen before. At first I thought the splash in the brown murky water was one of the beavers ending a night of tree-felling and heading back to his home. But when the creature surfaced, it had a much longer neck than a Beaver! A Double-crested Cormorant popped up out of the water with a fish in his hooked bill. Since it didn’t immediately notice my presence, I was able to watch it fish for several minutes. Once his senses picked me up, he took to the air, circled the pond twice (giving me some great photo-ops!) and moved on. Although not a rarity for Walton County, that is the first cormorant I’ve seen on this pond, and not sure when I’ll see one again. Walton County, Georgia, USA  Double-Crested Cormorant  Psalms 68:6 "God makes homes for those who are abandoned; He makes free those who are bound with chains."  Neutered male black and white American Pit Bull Terrier mixed breed dog, outdoors on leash wagging tail, pet adoption photograph for Walton County Animal Control humane shelter in Monroe, Georgia USA. Friday, 10:04 AM - “Chevy” was adopted from one animal control shelter and unfortunately ended up surrendered to the Walton County Animal Control shelter on August 9, 2018. But at least he was already microchipped and neutered. I must admit, when I did his adoption photos, I didn’t think there would be much hope for a black Pitbull. (I guess I’m becoming too cynical.) But out of the blue, a couple came into the shelter the day his photos were redone and adopted him!      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  White great egret heron bird flying over tree tops as sunrise. Monroe, Walton County, GA. The great egret Ardea alba, also known as the common egret, large egret or great white egret or great white heron is a large, widely distributed egret.  White great egret heron bird. Monroe, Walton County, GA. The great egret Ardea alba, also known as the common egret, large egret or great white egret or great white heron is a large, widely distributed egret. Walton County, Georgia USA |
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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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