March 27, 2024

No Such Thing as a Free Lunch

An animal control journal from March 27, 2019...

Raccoon in Trap
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 22319239 - Common Raccoon; Walton County, Georgia. March 27, 2019.

The proverb “There is no such thing as a free lunch” just isn’t true… especially if you’re an opportunistic raccoon without a picky palate! Raccoons have a way of capitalizing on human wastefulness! ​I can’t really find fault with his opportunism, but this roving raccoon left a big mess of overturned trash cans in an office complex for three nights in a row. Even with secured lids, this guy was quite crafty and determined to get his free meal. So, capitalizing on his insatiable appetite, some irresistible delicacies were placed in a humane trap and he was successfully moved down the road a bit. I'm sure they wouldn’t have minded his after-hours visits if he would have cleaned up after himself!

Posted on March 27, 2024 10:01 AM by williamwisephoto williamwisephoto | 0 comments | Leave a comment

March 26, 2024

Animal Control Ratsnake Removal

Spring has arrived! It is one of my favorite seasons, not because of the change in weather, but because of the emergence of our reptilian neighbors...
Eastern Ratsnake
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 74289588 - Eastern/Gray Ratsnake (Complex Pantherophis alleghaniensis); Walton County, Georgia. March 26, 2021.

I’d been waiting for our first animal control snake call to come over the radio from 911, ready to spring into action. Although I'm not an officer and work in the shelter, I'm able to go on a few snake calls from time to time. Toward the end of March, it came. “Meet complainant in Loganville reference six foot snake in the garage.” Upon arrival, I was met by a gentleman that signaled me toward his neighbor’s house with a greeting of, “I think it’s a King Snake!” My excitement level was raised at the prospect.

Entering the garage, an elderly gentleman and his wife pointed toward a five-gallon bucket in the corning. Wrapped around the edge was a nice Eastern/Gray Ratsnake (Complex Pantherophis alleghaniensis. Hanging down from my hand, the homeowner took a photo and heaped all sorts of blessings upon me and my family. It was probably just over four-feet long.

Ratsnakes are the most common snakes I pick up on animal control calls in Walton County, Georgia. This caller’s home was surrounded by beautiful woods and natural landscaping. No wonder this Ratsnake wanted to live there! We have a brief photo session before releasing him to a less inhabited area.

Walton County, Georgia. March 26, 2021.

  • Mostly cloudy, light showers, with a high near 80.
  • Sunrise 7:30 am; Sunset 7:51
  • Daylight Hours: 12 hours, 21 minutes (+2m 6s)
  • Moon: 94.7% Waxing Gibbous
  • Video footage: https://youtu.be/L_s9T5eWp9I
Posted on March 26, 2024 08:05 PM by williamwisephoto williamwisephoto | 1 observation | 0 comments | Leave a comment

On the Defense

Nature Journal from March 26, 2018, Walton County, Georgia...

Canada Goose
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 17335960 - Canada Goose; Walton County, Georgia. March 26, 2018.

The Canada Geese have laid their eggs and now begin their defense vigil until their hatchlings emerge. I dare not approach any closer than with with a 600mm lens... they can be quite fierce. This individual arrived on the retention pond in January. Audubon states, "Nest site chosen by female is usually on slightly elevated dry ground near water, with good visibility." As most of the pond perimeter is regularly mowed, she chose a somewhat secluded spot among the uncut reeds to nest. Since egg incubation is less than 30 days, I look forward to seeing the bright yellow chick soon!

Posted on March 26, 2024 01:29 PM by williamwisephoto williamwisephoto | 1 observation | 2 comments | Leave a comment

March 24, 2024

Nature Journal March 24, 2017 - Friday Dove

Nature Journal entry from Friday, March 24, 2017, 12:39 PM. Walton County, Georgia...

Mourning Dove
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 35869014 - Mourning Dove; Walton County, Georgia. March 24, 2017.

There are days when human-to-human interactions are welcomed and pleasant, and there are days when a little solitude is the best prescription. I often take brief birding strolls during my lunch break to keep the kettle from boiling over. After last week’s hail and dip into frosty overnight temps, today is a beautiful, blue, sunny, 70 degree sky. A lone Mourning Dove sat peacefully perched on a budding Bradford Pear tree. Take a deep breath. It’s Friday! Matthew 10:16 “…be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”

Posted on March 24, 2024 11:19 AM by williamwisephoto williamwisephoto | 1 observation | 2 comments | Leave a comment

June 21, 2023

Texas Birding Spark

A look back at photos from June 21, 2012 from one of my annual trips to Driftwood, Texas to visit my parents...

White-winged Dove
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 20137281 - White-winged Dove; Hays County, Texas. June 21, 2012.

I have to admit, at this point in my life, birds weren't much of an interest for me... yet. My passion was herping; rock-flipping for snakes and lizards. The biggest thrill would be to find a hefty Texas rattlesnake. But mostly because of a longer zoom lens, a spark of excitement began to grow for the avian kind on this trip. Instead of keeping my lens pointed at the deer and reptiles, birds began to take the spotlight. I recall sitting and watching the hummingbirds feed in the lantanas when a brilliant red Summer Tanager appeared nearby. From this point forward, birds began to appear much more regularly in my photo journals.

Red-winged Blackbird
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 20138525 - Red-winged Blackbird; Hays County, Texas. June 21, 2012.

Posted on June 21, 2023 06:09 PM by williamwisephoto williamwisephoto | 10 observations | 3 comments | Leave a comment

April 7, 2023

Backyard American Bullfrog

April 7, 2019 nature journal entry...

American Bullfrog
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 22507797 - American Bullfog; Athens-Clarke County, Georgia. April 7, 2019.

The weather is warming and the days are getting longer. I can finally start enjoying Sunday sit-downs on my back patio! It is time to clean the dead leaves and algae from my backyard koi pond, not to mention the incredible amounts of pine pollen that clog the filters each spring. As I start the process, I found a large visitor has returned. I have no idea where it over-winters, but it is already back and living the good life!

This native American Bullfrog is quite common here in Georgia and throughout North America. It should be no big surprise to find it in my koi pond since one source states, "Bullfrogs can also be found in manmade habitats such as pools, koi ponds, canals, ditches and culverts." Each summer it spends its days sitting on the decorative stones only to make a quick and dramatic splash into the water each time we come out onto the back patio.

American Bullfrog
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 22507797 - American Bullfog; Athens-Clarke County, Georgia. April 7, 2019.

Of course, I am never one to pass up a good nature photography opportunity. So as I am able to net this large amphibian while cleaning the pond, I took it to the side for a quick photo session in a more natural setting.

Posted on April 7, 2023 11:05 AM by williamwisephoto williamwisephoto | 1 observation | 0 comments | Leave a comment

March 6, 2023

Mallards and Geese Ready for Spring!

Looking back on a springtime birding blog from March 6, 2015...

Canada Goose
© Photographer: William Wise | Canada Goose; Walton County, Georgia. February 14, 2018.

A pair of Canada Geese have returned to the pond at work, no doubt to have more batches of babies again this year. Even the resident Mallards have donned their striking breeding plumage and have begun pairing up. Soon the Mallards will begin their displays and aggressive, territorial chases around the pond.

​Walton County, Georgia

Canada Goose
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 29968894 - Canada Goose; Walton County, Georgia. March 6, 2015.

Posted on March 6, 2023 02:53 PM by williamwisephoto williamwisephoto | 1 observation | 1 comment | Leave a comment

February 18, 2023

Day Hike in Vogel State Park, Georgia

Vogel State Park is located at the base of Blood Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest in North Georgia. The following is from my nature photography journal on February 18, 2013...

Icicles in Mountain Stram
© Photographer: William Wise | - Mountain Stream in Vogel State Park; Union County, Georgia. February 18, 2013.

A crisp breeze moves through the pines. The continuous climb of the stream-side trail elicits some heavy breathing which can be seen in the chilled air, cleansing the lungs. An array of crystal spikes hang inverted from the fallen trees that straddle the waterfall and drip shimmering, crystal drops. What a beautiful day for a hike! What a beautiful place to do it!

Vogel State Park is located at the base of Blood Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest in North Georgia. It is one of my favorites as it embodies that Appalachian Mountain beauty. The well-laid trails are perfect for even young hikers like my daughters. As we learned at an interpretive lesson that evening at the park headquarters, much of the park was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930s. Those were tough depression days, but they spared no gift in laying out this park.

After several hours, we make it to the peak of Bear Hair Gap Trail. An overlook through the trees reveals Lake Trahlyta far below. At 2,500 feet elevation it is one of Georgia's highest altitude state parks. My desire was to backpack the Coosa Backcountry Trail, which leads to the Appalachian Trail near Neel Gap, but my girls are still far too young. But still, this day hike is quite fulfilling, soaking in the mountain landscapes.

Icicles in Mountain Stram
© Photographer: William Wise | - Mountain Stream in Vogel State Park; Union County, Georgia. February 18, 2013.

Posted on February 18, 2023 08:06 PM by williamwisephoto williamwisephoto | 2 comments | Leave a comment

February 14, 2023

Canada Goose Pair Return to Nest

February 14, 2018 nature journal entry...
Canada Goose
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 66741134 - Canada Goose; Walton County, Georgia. February 14, 2018.

Wednesday, 2:45 PM – it looks like the last Redhead duck has left at last. The lone male that has remained the last few days was nowhere to be seen this morning or afternoon. However, a pair of Canada Geese have been back on the pond the last few days. Each year we get at least one pair to nest and raise young on the water retention pond. I wonder if these are the same pair that had goslings on our pond in seasons past?

  • ​Walton County, Georgia
  • Mostly cloudy, gray skies, 63°
  • Sunrise 7:19 AM; sunset 6:16 PM
  • Day length: 10 hours, 57 minutes
  • Moon: waning crescent, 1% illumination
Posted on February 14, 2023 04:25 PM by williamwisephoto williamwisephoto | 2 observations | 0 comments | Leave a comment

February 13, 2023

Looking Back to a Frosty February in 2010

I know for some of my Northern neighbors this is no big deal, but here in Georgia a blanket of snow doesn't happen often and we get quite excited about it! This is an entry from my nature photography journal exactly thirteen years ago today...

Snow in a Field
© Photographer: William Wise | Snow in Georgia; Athens- County, Georgia. February 13, 2010.

9:27 AM - I woke earlier this morning to find that the flurries that began yesterday evening didn't melt away like they usually do. In fact, the snowfall continued into the night and a light blanket of snow hung on through the night to leave an inch thick coating of wet, clinging snow all around us. We had a beautiful white landscape that isn't often seen in our southern climes. But the day quickly warmed and our winter wonderland was almost all gone by evening. Oh well. Maybe we'll have another next year.

Snow in a Field
© Photographer: William Wise | Snow in Georgia; Athens- County, Georgia. February 13, 2010.

Posted on February 13, 2023 04:07 PM by williamwisephoto williamwisephoto | 0 comments | Leave a comment