 William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Deuteronomy 15:10-11 The way you handle matters like this triggers God’s blessing in everything you do, all your work and ventures. Note: When I first posted this specimen, I believed it to be a Little Brown Bat, Myotis lucifugus. But the concensus on iNaturalist is that the correct identification is Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/17865393  Brown Bat picked up by animal control for rabies fear. Monroe, Walton County, Georgia. Little Brown Bat, Myotis lucifugus, and Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus, are common bats of North America. Tuesday, 11:34 AM – Working with animal control gives me front row seats to some great critter encounters. On January 8, a resident of Davis Street in Monroe, Georgia called 911 when she found a bat in her bathroom sink. Upon arrival, the officer found the bat just where the caller said. It apparently couldn’t fly and was unsuccessfully trying to climb up the porcelain walls to freedom. Knowing I love this kind of stuff, the officer brought the bat back to the office. The following day took this Brown Bat out for a photo shoot. He was quite alert and spunky, constantly baring his teeth and making those high-pitched squeaks typical of bats. He didn’t appear ill, but didn’t try to fly off. Using the 40 MM macro lens, some very sharp teeth were revealed in the photos.  Big Brown Bat picked up by animal control for rabies fear. Monroe, Walton County, Georgia. Little Brown Bat, Myotis lucifugus, and Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus, are common bats of North America. Just six days later, another bat story made national news. A 6-year-old boy in Orlando, Florida died shortly after being scratched or bitten by a bat. His father had reportedly found the bat and placed it in a bucket. Although he was warned not to, the child reached in and was bitten or scratched. Unfortunately, the boy was not taken for rabies post-exposure treatment until it was too late and he succumbed to the fatal virus. Over my twenty years in animal control, we have sent many bats for rabies testing. The percentage that come back positive has been very low. So I was shocked to read this story. Of course, I used Kevlar lined gloves during my bat photo session, but perhaps I should have been just a little more cautious. Sometimes we can get a little too comfortable with the familiar. Walton County, Georgia  Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus; Walton County, Georgia.  Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus; Walton County, Georgia.  Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus; Walton County, Georgia.  Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus; Walton County, Georgia.  Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus; Walton County, Georgia.  Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus; Walton County, Georgia.  Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus; Walton County, Georgia.  Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus; Walton County, Georgia.  Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus; Walton County, Georgia.  Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus; Walton County, Georgia.  Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus; Walton County, Georgia.  Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus; Walton County, Georgia.  Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus; Walton County, Georgia.
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 William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Job 38:30 For the water turns to ice as hard as rock, and the surface of the water freezes.  Winter Wren bird, Troglodytes hiemalis, in bare winter tree sticks in Monroe, Georgia, USA. Monday, 10:53 AM – I was hoping to add some new birds to my photo life list this year; and it has started off well! I took a quick walk up to both shelter ponds just before lunch. Both are near entirely frozen over; the ice being thick enough to withstand the blow of a softall sized rock! That doesn’t happen very often here in Georgia. Although there is small opening of unfrozen water on each, the chances of new ducks arriving are decreased, at least for today.  Shattered ice on the surface of a frozen lake, like broken glass. Winter ice skating pond. My fingers beginning to freeze, I took just a quick jaunt down by the duckweed bog. I could hear the wrens and sparrows rustling in the grasses and around the tall narrow opening in one stump. But when of the wrens popped up into view, it wasn’t the typical Carolina Wren normally seen here. With a little searching in the field guide, and a confirmation from the Merlin Bird ID app, a Winter Wren, Troglodytes hiemalis, was added to my list! The Cornell Lab of Ornithology website perfectly and poetically described this little bird: In the tangled understory of eastern forests, a tiny ball of energy lets loose with a rich cascade of bubbly notes. This songster is none other than the Winter Wren, shaking as it sings its astoundingly loud song.  Brown Winter Wren bird, Troglodytes hiemalis, in bare winter tree sticks in Monroe, Georgia, USA.  Winter cracks in frozen ice pond surface. Shattered ice on the surface of a frozen lake, like broken glass. Winter ice skating pond. No ice skating. Walton County, Georgia  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. Deuteronomy 4:19 And when you look up into the sky and see the sun, moon, and stars—all the forces of heaven—don’t be seduced into worshiping them. The Lord your God gave them to all the peoples of the earth.  Mallard Duck hen and drake; Walton County, Georgia. Support animal shelter adoption photography by downloading this photo at www.dreamstime.com. Wednesday, 12:12 PM - You would think it would be warmer when the earth is closer to the sun. But even though the earth is at its perihelion today, there is actually snow in Savannah and a powerful nor'easter is expected to bring snow and ice to coastal locations of the Southeast, Middle Atlantic, Northeast, and into New England today and tomorrow. It is a crisp 35° here in Monroe with occasional chilly breezes. I take a quick lunch break walk up to the shelter ponds; my first in quite a while. There is nothing but the resident Mallards on the main pond. The cold hasn’t driven down the ducks yet. The mallards are no longer in their drab garb, but have the beautiful green heads of breeding plumage.  Blue Jay, Cyanocitta cristata, perched on bare winter tree in sticks. Walton County, Georgia, USA. Need stock photos? Support my animal shelter work by purchasing at www.dreamstime.com. 100% of funds support pet adoption photography.
 William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
 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  Sunday, 3:33 PM - Although there isn’t the widespread frost like yesterday morning, it’s still a chilly 34°. Like a large bedspread, a single layer of white, gray and light blue clouds is unfurled across the sky. Just above the western horizon, the cloud line breaks revealing lightning blue sky. A few vultures soar here and there in the still air. I come out onto the patio and there’s a loud flurry of wingbeats as many little birds scatter from the feeder. Unusual; they typically don’t startle at my presence. The cause; a Red-shouldered Hawk had just swooped down, did a feeder fly by, and coming up empty-handed came to rest on top of one of the tall pines. A few brave titmice dared to harass him on his high perch. And even though he remained in the area for several minutes, the other brave passerines resumed their normal feeding activity. Athens-Clarke County, Georgia  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  Yellow Rumped Warbler Bird, Setophaga coronata, also known as Butter Butts are fall migration songbirds to Athens, Georgia, USA. Perched in pine tree. Saturday, 1:53 PM - On Christmas Day 1900, ornithologist Frank M. Chapman of the Audubon Society, proposed a holiday tradition of a "Christmas Bird Census" that would count birds during the holidays rather than hunt them. And every year Audubon promotes the Christmas Bird Count. Typically being engaged in family gatherings each Christmas, I have found it a bit too rude to dismiss myself from the table in order to wander outdoors alone on a bird search. But there are multiple times a year that I simply sit at my backyard feeder for an hour or so and photograph all the “regulars” that come to feed. I never tire of spotting and photographing a Chickadee, Titmouse or Cardinal… even if for the fiftieth time! I am always amazed and stare in wonder at God’s little critters.  Turkey Vulture Roosting in tree in winter sunrise, Georgia, USA  American Crow bird, Corvus brachyrhynchos, with black feathers and bill, blackbird perched and cawing. Athens, Georgia, USA. Early in the morning, across the street the Vultures are still perched each morning and evening from their roosts. I watch a crow through the long lens; the feathers on his back undulating with each caw, like large black scales. Later in the afternoon, as is usual, the Cardinal is one of the first visitors after filling the feeders. The Downy Woodpecker prefers suet while the Chipping Sparrow, Titmice and Chickadees quickly empty the black oil sunflower seeds. A Yellow-rumped Warbler checks out the action, but never approaches the feeder. Athens-Clarke County, Georgia  Chipping Sparrow, Spizella passerina, songbirds eating black oil sunflower seeds at backyard bird feeder in Athens, Georgia, USA.  Yellow Rumped Warbler Bird, Setophaga coronata, also known as Butter Butts are fall migration songbirds to Athens, Georgia, USA. Perched in fall color tree tree.  American Crow bird, Corvus brachyrhynchos, with black feathers and bill, blackbird perched and cawing. Athens, Georgia, USA.  Turkey Vulture Roosting in tree in winter sunrise, Georgia, USA  Tufted Titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor, songbird perched in pine tree in Athens, Georgia, USA.  Yellow Rumped Warbler Bird, Setophaga coronata, also known as Butter Butts are fall migration songbirds to Athens, Georgia, USA. Perched in fall color tree tree.  Yellow Rumped Warbler Bird, Setophaga coronata, also known as Butter Butts are fall migration songbirds to Athens, Georgia, USA. Perched in pine tree.  Carolina Chickadee bird, Poecile carolinensis, a native songbird in Athens, Georgia, USA. Perched on pine tree branch.  Yellow Rumped Warbler Bird, Setophaga coronata, also known as Butter Butts are fall migration songbirds to Athens, Georgia, USA. Perched in pine tree.  Yellow Rumped Warbler Bird, Setophaga coronata, also known as Butter Butts are fall migration songbirds to Athens, Georgia, USA. Perched in fall color tree tree.  Carolina Chickadee bird, Poecile carolinensis, eating sunflower seeds at backyard bird feeder in Athens, Georgia, USA.  Carolina Chickadee bird, Poecile carolinensis, eating sunflower seeds at backyard bird feeder in Athens, Georgia, USA.  Downy Woodpecker, Picoides pubescens, at suet bird feeder in Athens, Georgia, USA.  Carolina Chickadee bird, Poecile carolinensis, eating sunflower seeds at backyard bird feeder in Athens, Georgia, USA.  Female Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis, on perch in backyard Athens, Georgia, USA.  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  A Red Shouldered Hawk raptor at a nest high in Sweetgum Tree. Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia, USA. @www.williamwisephoto.com. Tuesday, 4:02 PM - Of course, my camera went with me on our day-after-Christmas get together at my brother-in-law’s house in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Being a sunny day, we did the obligatory family photos out in his front yard. While getting those family shots, I kept hearing persistent and raucous Red-shouldered Hawk screeches from the backyard. Going into the back to investigate, I first spotted a pair of Red-shoulders sitting side-by-side in silhouette against the lowering sun to my left. I was satisfied I had found the source of the caterwauling until more shrieks came from my right in the other neighbor’s yard. A second pair of Red-shouldered Hawks illuminated by the beautiful “golden hour” light! As I watched the second pair, one bird remained perched while the other poked around in a bundle of sticks high in the tree. She then flew to a second tree and onto a much more developed nest. Using her talons, she fluffed up a bundle of grasses. It looked like it could make quite a comfortable hammock… if you weren’t intimidated by heights!  A Red-shouldered Hawk pair perched high in Sweetgum Tree. Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia, USA. ©www.williamwisephoto.com  Red Bellied Woodpecker bird, Melanerpes carolinus, perched on branch; Lawrenceville, Georgia, USA.  Red Bellied Woodpecker bird, Melanerpes carolinus, perched on branch pecking holes. Lawrenceville, Georgia, USA. An equally loud Red-bellied Woodpecker perched high over my head wasn’t dissuaded from the area by the presence of these four birds of prey. Four Red-shouldered Hawks in such close proximity? What would bring them here? Obviously it was the prospects of an easy meal should my brother-in-law and his neighbors let their chickens out of the coops to roam! Gwinnett County, Georgia  Chicken Hen in coop  Chicken Hen in coop  Chicken Hen in coop  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder 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
“Stockings” was photographed for the Walton County Animal Control shelter on December 19, 2017 and placed on the shelter’s adoption website, www.waltonpets.net.  On the way home from work I shot a quaint country home decorated for Christmas along Barnett Shoals Road in Watkinsville. I shot a bracketed exposure to try a little HDR for this sunset photo. -- Old south countryside white homestead decorated with wreaths lights and Christmas decorations. Home for the holidays. Watkinsville, Oconee County, Georgia, USA Tuesday, 5:31 PM – In the former days, when extended families still lived together on the family farm, “home for the holidays” simply meant that everybody was there, it was a day off work, and nobody traveled. Today, many of us no longer live in the immediate area of the rest of our family. Therefore, “home for the holidays” means stuffing suitcases and pushing through crowded airports. Going home means navigating jammed highways and following GPS directions to our destination. But at travel’s end, we enjoy a time of merriment with our families. For others, “home for holidays” might not be as joyful a phrase. Many will miss a loved one because they won’t be home, whether for just that holiday, or forever. It can be a phrase that evokes sadness at the holiday season. Three years ago, a friend of mine lost her second husband. She had been widowed many years before but later in life found another man, a true gentleman, and love was rekindled. This new husband, after only two years of marriage to my friend, suffered a tragic heart attack while the two were driving on the highway just before Christmas. Since it was one of Steve’s favorites, she chose to have the song, “I’ll be home for Christmas” played at his funeral. Now, whenever I hear that song, I think of Kristy and Steve and how he won’t be “home for the holidays.” But… There will be a time that we truly can go home for the holidays; a joyful occasion where we will be reunited with those family members that we haven’t seen in long passages of time. Even if the present holidays bring us sadness, we can look forward with anticipation to a glorious reunion. This world is not our home. There exists a lasting, permanent home beyond this one. But just as important as the GPS on that drive to the family Christmas party, be sure to follow the road atlas to that eternal home! Oconee County, Georgia   Monday, 11:27 AM – “Noel” was a gorgeous girl that was picked up stray by a Walton County Animal Control officer on December 14, 2017. She was quite the unique looking girl with the narrow body and facial conformation of a Greyhound, and the merle coat of a Catahoula. When her ears were back, she looked almost like a pure-bred sight hound. She had obviously had a tough go at life so far. She was very underweight when she arrived at the shelter (which added to her Greyhound-like appearance), had runny stools, and tested heartworm positive. A quick deworming at intake and several healthy meals through the weekend got her quickly on the mend. The heartworms would take some treatment, but with pledges rolling in from generous sponsors, her rescue hopefully wasn’t an impossibility. The lifting fog created a giant soft-box over the late morning sun creating some great lighting to capture this girls beautiful merle coat and golden brown eyes.
"Noel" was photographed for the Walton County Animal Control Shelter in Monroe, Georgia on December 18, 2017 and placed on the shelter's website, www.waltonpets.net for adoption or rescue. She still awaits a new home.  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  Song Sparrow, Melospiza melodia, perched on branch in winter fog. Song Sparrow is one of the most familiar North American sparrows. Look for Song Sparrows in nearly any open habitat, including marsh edges, overgrown fields, backyards, desert washes, and forest edges. Song Sparrows commonly visit bird feeders and build nests in residential areas. Monroe, Georgia, USA Monday, 7:58 AM – in the upper forties at sunrise; much warmer than Saturday’s 28° morning. The warmer air made for lots of fog on the drive into work. Before starting my day, I walked up to the main shelter pond to check for any new ducks. A female Hooded Merganser practiced solo dives out in the fog; a Kingfisher was barely discernable. Heading back into the office, a Song Sparrow was watching my footsteps as I passed by the blackberry and Mimosa tangles near the shelter back door.  Song Sparrow, Melospiza melodia, perched on branch in winter fog. Song Sparrow is one of the most familiar North American sparrows. Look for Song Sparrows in nearly any open habitat, including marsh edges, overgrown fields, backyards, desert washes, and forest edges. Song Sparrows commonly visit bird feeders and build nests in residential areas. Monroe, Georgia, USA  Song Sparrow, Melospiza melodia, perched on branch in winter fog. Song Sparrow is one of the most familiar North American sparrows. Look for Song Sparrows in nearly any open habitat, including marsh edges, overgrown fields, backyards, desert washes, and forest edges. Song Sparrows commonly visit bird feeders and build nests in residential areas. Monroe, Georgia, USA Walton County, Georgia  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder 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
But in just three short weeks, I have become a smart phone zombie too. Well, maybe not as bad as the under-25 crowd. But still, the grip is tightening. My smart phone is now everywhere I go... even on the trails for weekend runs. And it didn't take long before I began to see the advantages of the phone’s built in camera. I’ve always lamented the fact that I missed so many great nature photography opportunities while trail running.
While in the midst of a 20-mile trail run this weekend at Sandy Creek Nature Center and Park, I broke out my new "essential appendage" and snapped a photo of the rising sun over the trail boardwalk. Wow. It actually looked pretty good! What if…? What if I could begin producing higher quality cell phone shots when my Nikon wasn’t available? What if there was a market for iphone nature photography for wallpaper backgrounds? Hmmmmm… could there be a boost in stock photo sales to help with shelter photography expenses? Yep. It didn’t take long. I’m “ibrainwashed”. 
  Wednesday, 10:10 AM – “Ursula” was a gorgeous, white pittie mix with blue eyes that was picked up stray by Walton County Animal Control on November 22, 2017. Her microchip revealed that she had been adopted from Gwinnett County Animal Control and was already spayed. The shelter contacted her owner who said they’d come to the shelter to claim her. But after a full week, nobody had showed up. In fact, there were some social media postings stating that she was seen being dumped out of a truck. “Ursula” made her photography session easy. All the white dogs turn out so well since their bright coats normally allow quicker shutter speeds. She also sat so calm and patiently as I fired away. “Ursula” was photographed for the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Monroe, Georgia on November 29, 2017 and put on the shelter’s website, www.waltonpets.net, to be rescued or adopted if her owner didn’t show up to claim her. She was adopted on December 2, 2017! |
 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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