 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 I was excited to be contacted by Jesse Hildebrand and asked to join the Backyard Bio Project on iNaturalist. The project is "run by Exploring By The Seat of Your Pants encouraging the public, and especially classrooms to get out in nature observing and documenting the amazing wildlife near them!" I was happy to be a part of getting kids outdoors and educated so I wanted to participate as much as I could.  Eastern Gray Squirrel skull held in palm of a hand. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia. Sciurus carolinensis is a tree squirrel native to eastern North America. Tuesday, September 22 - Why explore the same place twice? You never know what you may find. On the very same path I walked twice already this week I found small skull. And with fall migration beginning, you just might spot a unique bird passing through on its long flight to South America. There are many treasures out there waiting to be found! Walton County, Georgia.  Beautiful Gulf Fritillary Butterfly, Agraulis vanillae, with black, orange and white wings. Common in Florida and Georgia, United States. Photographed in summer in Walton County, Georgia.  Beautiful Gulf Fritillary Butterfly, Agraulis vanillae, with black, orange and white wings. Common in Florida and Georgia, United States. Photographed in summer in Walton County, Georgia. Wednesday, September 23 - just a few photos from a short walk today. A Great Egret fishing on the pond appeared to have an injured leg. Its right leg hung limp each time it took off a flew to a different spot. The foot appeared to drag the water as it landed. I spotted it again the following day and the injury was the same. I'm not sure if this is the same Egret that has visited throughout the month and became injured, or if a different individual newly visiting. On Thursday the 24th there was a second Egret along with the injured one. I was also finally able to get my first photo of a White-breasted Nuthatch in Walton County. I've spotted this little bird many, many times in other locations, but it had evaded my Walton list for years now. Not any more! Another exciting find was my first Rose-breasted Grosbeak for Walton as well. September 24, 2020 - Walton County, Georgia For the last few days of September I made another push to put up a few more observations.
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 William Wise Photography’s Creation Speaks is a Biblical teaching ministry that uses nature writing and photography to glorify our Creator and teach the truth of creation. “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?" Job 12:7-9  A large Great Blue Heron wading bird flying with wings flapping over a Walton County, Georgia pond. The great blue heron, Ardea herodias, is a large wading bird found fishing in ponds, lakes and wetlands over most of North America. June 8, 2020 He who appoints the sun to shine by day, 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 I was excited to be contacted by Jesse Hildebrand and asked to join the Backyard Bio Project on iNaturalist. The project is "run by Exploring By The Seat of Your Pants encouraging the public, and especially classrooms to get out in nature observing and documenting the amazing wildlife near them!" I was happy to be a part of getting kids outdoors and educated so I wanted to participate as much as I could.  Beautiful Viceroy Butterfly, Limenitis archippus, with black, orange and white wings. Found in United States, Canada and Mexico. Photographed in summer in Walton County, Georgia. September 18, 2020. Friday, 9:30 AM - I didn't have a whole lot of time, but in between duties I snuck a quick walk to the retention ponds and small patch of woods behind the animal shelter where I work. A couple of Indigo Buntings were flitting about in a tangle of bushes and a beautiful Viceroy graced a roadside ditch in the parking lot.  Beautiful Viceroy Butterfly, Limenitis archippus, with black, orange and white wings. Found in United States, Canada and Mexico. Photographed in summer in Walton County, Georgia. September 18, 2020. 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 I was flattered to be contacted directly and asked to join the Backyard Bio Project on iNaturalist. The project is "run by Exploring By The Seat of Your Pants encouraging the public, and especially classrooms to get out in nature observing and documenting the amazing wildlife near them!" I was excited to be a part of getting kids outdoors and educated so I wanted to participate as much as I could.  Dead White-tailed Deer skull laying in pine needles in a dark forest. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia. Odocoileus virginianus are often killed by coyote or hit by vehicles. I managed to sneak in a short morning walk by the ponds behind the animal shelter in Walton County, Georgia. As I entered the small patch of woods, I saw a very thin White-tailed Deer doe in the shadows of the tall trees. And not far from her was the remnants of another deer. Sometimes we are reminded how tough life can be in the wild. We should appreciate our safe homes and constant supply of food.  Dead White-tailed Deer skull laying in pine needles in a dark forest. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia. Odocoileus virginianus are often killed by coyote or hit by vehicles. 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 I was flattered to be contacted directly and asked to join the Backyard Bio Project on iNaturalist. The project is "run by Exploring By The Seat of Your Pants encouraging the public, and especially classrooms to get out in nature observing and documenting the amazing wildlife near them!" I was excited to be a part of getting kids outdoors and educated so I wanted to participate as much as I could.  Eastern Gray Squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis, with bushy tail hopping on fire wood in the forest in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia USA. Backyard wildlife photography. A busy life often leaves us little time to get away for exploring or camping. But even with a little time, we can still enjoy the little things like our own backyards. My backyard persimmon tree is dropping lots of fruit this year. I need to set out my trail camera as the freshly fallen fruit attracts raccoons, oppossums, deer and foxes.  Persimmon Tree Fruit hanging on a tree Georgia in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia USA. Edible fruit often made into jelly. Very attractive to foraging wildlife like raccoon, fox, opossum and deer.  Persimmon Tree Fruit Georgia in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia USA. Edible fruit often made into jelly. Very attractive to foraging wildlife like raccoon, fox, opossum and deer. 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  and yellow legs. Nephila clavata, the East Asian Joro spider has been introduced to the United States. First found in Georgia in 2014. Photographed in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia. Although it didn’t cause national hysteria like the beetle invasion of 1964 (or was it the Beatles and the British Invasion???), I did happen to hear about the Jorō Spider invasion of 2014. There were a few articles and blogs as this East Asian species was first discovered in Madison County, Georgia, not far from my home town of Athens. A University of Georgia article wrote, "The Jorō spider, native Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan, belongs to a group of large spiders known as golden orb-web weavers that make enormous, multi-layered webs of gold-colored silk. [Researchers] suspect the Jorō spider arrived accidentally as a hitchhiker either in shipping containers or among shipped packing materials such as pallets and crates or even on live plant material."  Female Joro Spider ventral view haning in a web. Long black and yellow legs. Nephila clavata, the East Asian Joro spider has been introduced to the United States. First found in Georgia in 2014. Photographed in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia. Introduced and invasive species often impact the native species and can even upset the balance of an entire ecosystem, such as the pythons in the Everglades. While Jorō Spider pose no threat to humans, it is unknown if they will adversely affect the native Yellow Garden Spider by competing in the same niche.  The native Yellow Garden Spider, Argiope aurantia, spinning prey in a web. Large spider with long legs, black and yellow abdomen. Common in the United States. Photographed in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia. In 2018 I began to see them pop up regularly in iNaturalist observations in Georgia. But it wasn’t until today that I found one in my own backyard. It was nearly impossible to miss. A strand of the thick web extended from the top of my backyard cypress, and about 15 to 20 feet at a downward angle and anchored to another lower bush. In the middle, suspended in a tangled web just above a Yucca, hung the ornately patterned female. A few days later I noticed a smaller spider “hanging out” with her. It was identified by other iNat users as the male of the species.  Large female and small male Joro Spider hanging in a web. Long black and yellow legs. Nephila clavata, the East Asian Joro spider has been introduced to the United States. First found in Georgia in 2014. Photographed in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia. There are now over 300 sightings of the Jorō Spider posted on iNaturalist in Georgia, and two in South Carolina. Who knows how far and wide this invasion will sweep, or if it will have as long lasting an impact as the British Invasion that forever changed the music landscape of the world! ONE MONTH LATER...October 8, 2020 - A month has passed and the Joro has weathered several storms, windy days and heavy downpours. She is more plump, and her network of webs is even more extensive.
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 I was flattered to be contacted directly and asked to join the Backyard Bio Project on iNaturalist. The project is "run by Exploring By The Seat of Your Pants encouraging the public, and especially classrooms to get out in nature observing and documenting the amazing wildlife near them!" I was excited to be a part of getting kids outdoors and educated so I wanted to participate as much as I could.  Tufted Titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor, songbird from North America perched in a tree. Birding photography in Walton County, Georgia USA. Before dawn, after a full moon, the day starts with an eerie observation of a Black Widow Spider under a window sill in Clarke County. Later in the morning, I went on a short birding walk near the animal shelter in Walton County, Georgia. - Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Heat index values as high as 98. 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 I was flattered to be contacted directly and asked to join the Backyard Bio Project on iNaturalist. The project is "run by Exploring By The Seat of Your Pants encouraging the public, and especially classrooms to get out in nature observing and documenting the amazing wildlife near them!" I was excited to be a part of getting kids outdoors and educated so I wanted to participate as much as I could. DAY 1 - SEPTEMBER 1 Black snake slithering across a gravel road. Eastern Ratsnake, Pantherophis alleghaniensis, is found in the eastern United States. Wildlife reptile photography in Walton County, Georgia on September 1, 2020. On my first short walk I came across some surprises. The morning sun was already warm. Quite quickly my shirt became damp with sweat in the Georgia humidity. I picked a spot in the shade and watched a tall tree and tangle of shrubs. Within just a few minutes, several species already appeared. The American Redstart was a nice sight that I wasn't really expecting. And walking back toward my office, there just so happened to be an Eastern Ratsnake crossing the gravel road. Great start to project! Can't wait to see what I'll find on day two! Walton County, Georgia SEPTEMBER 4, 5It was a busy Friday at work, so I didn't get any breaks. In the evening, I shot a couple birds in my Clarke County backyard. On Saturday I got a shot of the frog that has taken up residence in my outdoor koi pond. SEPTEMBER 9Had to pull over when I spotted this Common Nighthawk along the side of the road, as I’ve never seen one up close, only circling overhead. 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  Wood-boring Beetle, Genus Chalcophora, crawling on fingers. Chalcophora virginiensis is the Sculptured Pine Borer. Chalcophora georgiana, is the Southern Sculptured Pine Borer. Nature Photography hike in Walton County, Georgia USA. Wednesday, 1:58 PM - Stealth and stillness - two essential skills of the wildlife photographer. The ability to sneak up on a subject, or sit in perfectly patient stillness will often reap the reward of a beautiful photograph. How often a good opportunity is blown by the crack of a twig underfoot or a quick jerk of the hand. The wildlife photographer must at least rival his wild quarry in stillness. But what do you do, when sitting perfectly still in your wildlife blind, and you get that feeling of a bug crawling on your skin? It will make your skin crawl! Instantly, and without thought, your hand flies to the spot to brush away whatever bee, tick, spider, fly or louse it might be in order to avoid a sting, bite or envenomation.  Large white Great Egret, Ardea alba, is a long-legged wading heron with long yellow beak in a marsh pond in Georgia USA. Nature Photography hike in Walton County, Georgia USA. As I was slowly approaching a Great Egret, I had that sensation on the back of my neck. Forget the photograph! Instinct prevailed and I jerked my arm up, sweeping my hand across the back of my neck. Seeing my rapid motion, the Egret flew off to the other side of the pond. And when I flung the little critter down, it was just a silly little beetle. Since I had blown my Egret photo session, I decided to make one of my creepy crawly beetle friend crawling across my skin. I uploaded the armored little thing for identification on iNaturalist and discovered it was a Pine Borer beetle of the genus Chalcophora, native to the eastern United States. After learning more about the species, it no longer made my skin crawl!  Wood-boring Beetle, Genus Chalcophora. Walton County, Georgia USA.  Wood-boring Beetle, Genus Chalcophora. Walton County, Georgia USA.  Wood-boring Beetle, Genus Chalcophora, crawling on fingers. Chalcophora virginiensis is the Sculptured Pine Borer. Chalcophora georgiana, is the Southern Sculptured Pine Borer. Nature Photography hike in Walton County, 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  Large white Great Egret, Ardea alba, is a long-legged wading heron with long yellow beak in a marsh pond in Georgia USA. Nature Photography hike in Walton County, Georgia USA. Wednesday, 9:20 AM - it is literally the first time in weeks that I've been able to saunter in nature with my camera. First it was COVID affecting my family, then an emergency trip to Illinois to move my father to assisted living (where, unfortunately I had no time for photography). It was nice to be back on a stroll. The cloud cover is keeping the temperature down, but the humidity was unbearable. Waiting for the condensation to uncover my lens, I began to wonder if it wouldn't start raining if I poured out a cup of water! Without the blazing sun, many of my avian and insect friends were about. And the annual Great Egret was once again fishing on the main retention pond.  Female dark morph Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly, Papilio glaucus, with ragged torn wings. Nature Photography hike in Walton County, Georgia USA.  Silver Spotted Skipper Butterfly, Epargyreus clarus, on wildlflower garden in Georgia USA. Found in fields and gardens throughout the United States. Nature Photography hike in Walton County, Georgia USA. Creation Speaks is a Biblical teaching ministry that uses nature writing and photography to glorify our Creator and teach the truth of creation. “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?" Job 12:7-9 Every spring I gaze in awe all spring long as I watch avian parents make run after run to their nests with beaks’ full of bugs for their babies. At times, there are only a few minutes between visits. I marvel at how they have the endurance for such toil and labor and still care for themselves. (At least the entire bird parental process only lasts a few weeks, while for us humans it lasts eighteen or more years!)  Baby Chipping Sparrows awaiting parental care. Clarke County, Georgia. July 24, 2018. But “parental care” took a new definition for me as I answered a call back home these last few weeks. My aging father, who so diligently cared for me as an often ungrateful youngster, could no longer live on his own. I regret that being over 800 miles away and involved in the ministry, we couldn’t provide that care personally, but found a wonderful, brand new assisted living complex for him. At least my wife and I know he is being cared for. While the phenomenon of children caring for parents isn’t seen in the bird species, it is a Biblical concept and obligation. In a time of trouble and distress, we read of King David providing for the care of his parents.
 Chipping Sparrow feeding three nestlings. Clarke County, GA. July 24, 2018. Even so, isn’t it just natural to care for those who raised us with such tender love and care until they go into everlasting care with our eternal Father?
Creation Speaks is a Biblical teaching ministry that uses nature writing and photography to glorify our Creator and teach the truth of creation. “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?" Job 12:7-9 Whether it be for school, employment, or medical treatment, testing is a fact of life. But the Bible tells us of a more important test… Psalm 26:2 “Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;”  With such a wide variety of “flavors”, shorebirds like peeps and gulls can be a test of a birder’s identification skills. Sanderling and Ring-billed Gull; Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. December, 2019. For months now we’ve heard about coronavirus testing, testing, testing. So when I came home from work last month and saw my 15-year-old daughter laid out on the couch with a runny nose, headache and sore throat, I knew what had to be done. And when her COVID-19 test came back positive, we knew what we had to do: re-enter that dismal bunker of self-isolation. (Thankfully all her symptoms were fairly minor and she had a quick recovery, other than loss of taste and smell.) Two weeks of Quarantine. What now? While my older daughter lamented about the devastating impact upon her social life, I decided to test myself! No, I’m not speaking of a homemade COVID-19 test, but brushing up my skills on some of those hard to identify shorebirds. I found my old stack of 3 x 5 index cards that I made long before I had a smartphone, each with a bird photo taped to front, and began to test myself. But I wasn’t halfway through the first day of isolation when God began to challenge me. What about your prayer life? How is your Bible reading lately? Like Job’s inquisition from the Almighty, my only answer could be, “Touché, God!” “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” – Psalm 139:23-24 Following God‘s cue, I continued to test myself. Where did I put that prayer list of friends, family, and coworkers? How long has it been since I’ve written a full-length sermon? How about getting the Greek New Testament off the shelf to read a chapter a day? Instead of binge-watching internet videos, I challenged myself to pray morning, noon, night (which proved harder than I thought!). God tests us to prove us and bring us closer to Him; not to frustrate us, see us fail, or wallow in a puddle of self-condemnation. We may not always enjoy testing, but if we will self-test ourselves now, we will be spared that “Final Examination” coming to those that miss the Rapture! “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.” Revelation 3:10
William Wise Photography’s Creation Speaks is a Biblical teaching ministry that uses nature writing and photography to glorify our Creator and teach the truth of creation. “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?" Job 12:7-9
"Who died for us, that we should live together with him."
When my daughter tested positive for coronavirus, it was into self isolation for another two weeks. Now, two weeks off of work might sound nice, but I actually enjoy my job. And being unable to get out and observe and photograph this wonderful creation was also a bummer. So when I had a wildlife encounter in my own driveway late one evening, I considered it a gift!
A slow slithering movement on the edge of the grass caught my attention. What looked to be a large-headed snake was writhing just in front of the wheels of my parked truck. As I approached, I discovered a garter snake and its “large head” was actually a Southern Toad being swallowed whole.
I considered this encounter a gift from the Creator to ease my boredom. I’m sure the snake thought also thought this juicy morsel was a gift from his Provider. (But I’m not so sure about the toad!) It was a bit saddening to watch the toad, still fully aware and struggling, to be swallowed alive. But that’s how it is: one must die so another may live.
So too it was with our Savior Jesus Christ. When sin entered the picture, all of us humans were sentenced to eternal death. But One came to die – One innocent and free from the guilt of sin – so that the rest of us could live. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23
I was hoping to film the entire encounter, but as the garter snake became nervous with our presence, I feared he might spit out his meal. So I backed off, went in the house and considered what creation speaks behind the gift of this wild encounter in my own yard.
I want to thank Lee's Birdwatching Adventures for guest posting this blog! Lee's website is about birding from a Christian perspective and has years of articles and content from Lee and other creationists and birders. Creation Speaks is a Biblical teaching ministry that uses nature writing and photography to glorify our Creator and teach the truth of creation. “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?" Job 12:7-9 As creationists, the pressure from the “scientific community” might make us feel ashamed of our beliefs. But instead of running and hiding, let us hear what Creation Speaks: “In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?” Psalms 11:1 Have you been frustrated in your attempts to photograph a reclusive bird? Have you chased a “nemesis bird” only to come up empty handed every time? Birders and photographers know all too well the wariness of some species. This caution is something that has been programed in them by their Creator.  The somewhat elusive Yellow-billed Cuckoo managed to stay hidden from my camera for quite some time! . Walton County, Georgia. August 7, 2018. ©www.williamwisephoto.com. After the Fall, no doubt the cruelty of man toward beast began to rise. And after the Flood, God allowed animals to be food for man. But in His grace toward His animal creation, God put a flight instinct within animals to keep them from being exterminated. Genesis 9:2 says, “And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every bird of the air.” So fear of man is a God-given instinct within animals, but let it not be so with the Christian, especially when it comes to making a stand for the Word of God. I am sometimes criticized and mocked on other nature-related platforms for my belief in a young earth and literal, six-day creation. The instinct to “flee as a bird” might rise up within me when challenged by the “scientific community,” but I take an example – and courage – from a few bold birds that don’t flee because of the fear of man.  A bold Northern Mockingbird perched on a tree top; Georgia. July 17, 2019. ©www.williamwisephoto.com. It seems when all other critters keep themselves hidden, the Mockingbirds are ever visible. Although though the “dread of man” may affect their feathered friends, they are always bold and out front, letting their voices be heard. So when the fear of man comes upon me; when I want to hide my creationist views, or flee from an evolutionist’s mockery, I remember those intrepid avians and make my stand. Why should I flee like a bird to the mountains? My trust is in the Lord! “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:” 1 Timothy 6:20 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 These are some random observations for iNaturalist taken with my cell phone when my "real camera" wasn't handy. |
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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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