Archivos de diario de enero 2022

01 de enero de 2022

Joy in the Sharing

Psalm 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation

Norther Cardinal in the Okefenokee Swamp
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 40646880

“What kind of a bird is that?” a friend at church asked excitedly while pointing toward a nearby tree. It was just a typical female Northern Cardinal, yet I experienced a spark of joy as I provided the answer! Not because a cardinal is an overly exciting bird, but simply because someone asked me about a bird!

Over time, things can become stale. When migration ends and we’re left with the usual summertime residents, birding can become boring. As our bird lists get longer, lifers are harder to come by and our joy wanes.

In much the same way, our Christianity can also become lukewarm over time. The joy fades with the same Bible reading plan year after year; the same pastor standing in the pulpit Sunday after Sunday; the same few members doing all the work. Church activities become just another check box on the daily to-do list. Is that you?

In the book Good Birders Still Don’t Wear White, bird guide Carlos A. Bethancourt gives us a clue how to break that boredom and restore joy: “When I see the joy and delight on the faces of the birders – some first-timers to the neotropics – I often think back to my first sighting of that species, and it’s nearly as exhilarating for me as if it were my lifer as well. My excitement is in the sharing.”

The Lord Jesus commissioned us to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel.” This command wasn’t solely for the growth of the church, but for our own sakes! Jesus knows the exciting rejuvenation and joy that we’d experience in sharing the gospel. There is nothing better than stepping out in faith and sharing your testimony with a stranger to exhilarate your Christian walk. Has your Christianity become lukewarm, stale, or boring? The joy is in the sharing!


Like other iNat projects which bring together groups of people based on a shared identity, the Christian Naturalists Observations Project is for like-minded Christian naturalists to share their observations as they explore God's marvelous Creation. iNaturalist rightfully promotes acceptance; a courtesy that should be extended to all groups. Therefore, this project is not intended to exclude or reduce any group of people or their contributions to iNaturalist. All are welcome to join and participate.

Publicado el enero 1, 2022 01:18 TARDE por williamwisephoto williamwisephoto | 2 comentarios | Deja un comentario

15 de enero de 2022

Backyard Birding Journal: Alarmed Cardinals

Northern Cardinal
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 66421600 - Northern Cardinal; Clarke County, Georgia. January 15, 2018.

​Monday, January 15, 2018 - Around 5 PM I am sitting next to a campfire in my backyard watching the birds. As I relax, I hear the loud laughing call of a Pileated Woodpecker off across the back meadow. Going up to the fence line I search my iPhone for the call of the Pileated. As the tiny speakers project it across the field, I am almost immediately dive-bombed by two highly agitated male cardinals! Bright red flashes bolt around me as a total of five irritated Cardinals (three males, two females) show up!

Athens-Clarke County, Georgia

  • ​Sunny, high near 44 degrees
  • Sunrise 7:38 AM, Sunset 5:47 PM
  • Day length: 10 hours, 8 minutes
  • Moon: waning crescent, 2% illumination
Publicado el enero 15, 2022 03:58 TARDE por williamwisephoto williamwisephoto | 3 observaciones | 4 comentarios | Deja un comentario

16 de enero de 2022

Backyard Birding Journal: Snow Birds

Red-bellied Woodpecker
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 66432526 - Red-bellied Woodpecker; Clarke County, Georgia. January 17, 2018.

January 17, 2018, 8:30 AM - Snow still continues to fall as the sky lightens to gray. Fat flakes fall in the cloudy, 24° air. The grass is hidden under a nearly unbroken white blanket, only a few sticks and weeds poking through the falling powder. The sidewalk and road are covered in about a quarter of an inch.

9:00 AM - The snowfall has ceased. I was feeling bad for the birds and went out to fill the feeders. Cold, cold, cold 25°! I left a trail of footprints in the now 1-inch deep layer of snow.

Northern Cardinal
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 66433086 - Tufted Titmouse and Carolina Wren; Clarke County, Georgia. January 17, 2018.

At 9:05, the wind began to roll back the cloud layer, blue sky beginning in the west and rolling back toward the east. By 9:15, the sky dome was half blue sky and half grey cloud. After another 30 minutes, strong winds pushed back and only the eastern horizon was veiled by cloud. And by 10:00 AM, our snow “event” was over; bright rays were uncovered and illuminated the fallen snow to a glowing orange.

Northern Carindal
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 66432528 - Northern Cardinal; Clarke County, Georgia. January 17, 2018.

​Athens-Clarke County, Georgia. January 17, 2018

  • Forecast: snow, mainly before 9 AM, high 35°. Accumulation of less than 1” possible. Wind gusts up to 20 MPH.
  • Sunrise 7:38 AM; sunset 5:49 PM
  • Day length: 10 hours, 11 minutes.
Publicado el enero 16, 2022 06:06 TARDE por williamwisephoto williamwisephoto | 5 observaciones | 0 comentarios | Deja un comentario

17 de enero de 2022

Hooded Merganser Trio

Hooded Mergansers
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 19716527 - Hooded Mergansers; Walton County, Georgia. January 17, 2019.

Thursday, January 17, 2019, 8:15 AM - During my lunch break, I had a brief moment to wander up to the main retention pond behind my office in Walton County, Georgia. A trio of Hooded Mergansers were diving in the northeast corner of the pond. The Hooded Merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus, is a small duck species found in North America. Since they typically winter on ice-free ponds, lakes and rivers, they love the mild winters of Georgia and usually show up here in the fall and winter. Beginning in November, I can expect a few to take up residence on the nearby retention pond.

Hooded Mergansers
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 19716527 - Hooded Mergansers; Walton County, Georgia. January 17, 2019.

The “Hoodies” are always quite skittish and rapidly swim away or take to the air as soon as they notice my approach. So this morning I stealthily snuck around the pond, hiding myself below the high bank. I took up a nook in some bushes and waited until they came to me.

Just then, a public works truck passed the far end of the pond, pushing the nervous mergansers my direction! I was able to grab a few photographs as they swam by. But sure enough, they were quick to hear my shutter clicks and spot me. The female was the first to notice. With breeding season not too far away, I suppose the two males were too busy thinking of something else!

Hooded Mergansers
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 19716527 - Hooded Mergansers; Walton County, Georgia. January 17, 2019.

Walton County, Georgia USA, January 17, 2019

  • Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52.
  • Sunrise 7:38 am; Sunset 5:49 pm
  • Daylight Hours: 10 hours, 11 minutes (+1m 13s)
  • Moon: 83% Waxing Gibbous
Publicado el enero 17, 2022 01:00 TARDE por williamwisephoto williamwisephoto | 1 observación | 0 comentarios | Deja un comentario

18 de enero de 2022

Lesson Learned: Engine Shake

Killdeer
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 66532942 - Killdeer; Walton County, Georgia. January 18, 2018.

Arriving a bit early to work, I drove around back to the retention pond. Out on the water were about 25 Redheads. I didn’t get an exact count but the numbers looked a little bit lower than Tuesday.

While passing the north point of the pond I spotted a small plover-like bird in the weeds. For some reason, the Killdeer which typically hang out in the parking lot, were standing huddled up on the semi-frozen surface of the pond. It was a chilly 19° and breezy. Poor birds. But I was nice and warm shooting from the cab of my warm truck.

Back in the office, I was puzzled when nearly every shot of the Killdeer was blurry. Why? I was stabilizing it on the truck window while shooting. I’m sure I had a high enough shutter speed. Well, I remembered that nice feeling I had “shooting from the cab of a warm truck.” I forgot to turn off the engine while shooting! Apparently the Vibration Reduction feature on the lens can’t overcome the continuous vibrating of a running motor! Lesson learned.

Walton County, Georgia January 18, 2018.

  • Sunny, high near 46°. Clear tonight, low 23°
  • Sunrise 7:37 AM; sunset 5:50 PM
  • Day length: 10 hours, 12 minutes
  • Moon: 2% waxing crescent
Publicado el enero 18, 2022 03:26 TARDE por williamwisephoto williamwisephoto | 2 observaciones | 1 comentario | Deja un comentario

19 de enero de 2022

Writing the Book of Your Wonders

“I’m thanking you, God, from a full heart, I’m writing the book on your wonders.” Psalms 9:1, The Message

Blue-headed Vireo
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 66481552 - Blue-headed Vireo; Greene County, Georgia. December 12, 2020.

The discipline of writing about and describing the wonders of creation is nothing new. The Bible tells us that in his four-thousand and five proverbs and songs (that’s a lot of blogging!), King Solomon “spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the wall. He spoke also of beasts, and of birds, and of reptiles, and of fish.” And how often did King David refer to the natural wonders around him as he wrote Psalms in praise to the God of heaven? “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained…” A view towards the mountains of Israel caused David’s heart to leap in praise, and his pen to write poems and songs of worship.

While I’m no Solomon, I have been journaling and blogging for several years now. I confess that I don’t journal every day, and I’ve certainly gone through some dry spells. But even if there are gaps, it has proved to be an invaluable habit. While the whole process can seem introspective, and even self-centered, I see it as a form of worship.

“My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” Psalm 45

​Even the simplest blog post and photograph can glorify the Creator. Pointing out the wonders of His creation exalts our God as the creator and sustainer of all things. Recognizing and delighting in the works of His hands, rather than in some other pursuit, is giving praise where praise is due. It is not a replacement for the lifting of hands in the congregation, but can certainly produce a fuller, more vibrant life of worship.

Publicado el enero 19, 2022 06:00 TARDE por williamwisephoto williamwisephoto | 0 comentarios | Deja un comentario

20 de enero de 2022

Get me out of here...

"Get me out of here on dove's wings; I want some peace and quiet. I want a walk in the country, I want a cabin in the woods. " - Psalms 55, The Message

Eastern Phoebe
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 66534307 - Eastern Phoebe; Walton County, Georgia. January 19, 2018.

Get me out of here; I'm ready to go home! Another stressful week at work. Sometimes life can get that way and it just makes you want to hide. Everyone should have a technique that helps them vent. For me, its birding photography. I take a quick stress-relieving walk up to the retention pond before leaving work so I don’t take out my angst on my family when I get home. Twenty-six Redheads on the water and an Eastern Phoebe hiding in the shadows. She looks how I feel. I just want to hide sometimes.

​Walton County, Georgia January 19, 2018

  • Forecast: Frost in the morning, otherwise sunny with a high of 56°
  • Sunrise 7:37 AM; Sunset 5:51 PM
  • Day length: 10 hours, 13 minutes
  • Moon: 5% waxing crescent
Publicado el enero 20, 2022 03:11 TARDE por williamwisephoto williamwisephoto | 2 observaciones | 2 comentarios | Deja un comentario

21 de enero de 2022

Red-breasted Merganser Hunt

Ruby-crowned Kinglet
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 66663448 - Ruby-crowned Kinglet; Clarke County, Georgia. January 20, 2018.

Saturday, January 20, 2018, 4:15 PM- Winter’s grip has loosened. (Not that winter's grip is ever too tight in Georgia.) The other morning I was watching the snowfall, and today I’m hiking without a jacket in the warm, 64-degree sunshine! Several people had recently posted a trio of Red-breasted Mergansers at Sandy Creek Park in my hometown of Athens, Georgia. So I make a short getaway and head for Lake Chapman.

Red-breasted Mergansers
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 66663449 - Red-breasted Mergansers; Clarke County, Georgia. January 20, 2018.

​Arriving at the park I had no idea where these birds would be on the 260 acre lake. So why not start at the main beach and walk the Lakeside trail north from there? Well, I didn’t have to go far. Just off shore from the main beach parking area I could see the three ugly ducklings diving in the water! Obviously they were the Red-breasted Mergansers I came to see: long pointy bills, and topped with rusty, scruffy bad-hair-day! Truly unique looking birds! I spent quite a bit of time observing this new quarry and making sure I would get some good shots.

Song Sparrow
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 66663450 - Song Sparrow; Clarke County, Georgia. January 20, 2018.

Having found my prize so quickly, I went for a short walk. The temporary withdraw of winter produced a good bit of avian activity. There were Robins a-plenty; a busy Downy Woodpecker; a singing Kinglet; and a Sparrow soaking the sunset.

Downy Woodpecker
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 66663451 - Downy Woodpecker; Clarke County, Georgia. January 20, 2018.

Musk Turtle Shell
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 66667672 - Musk Turtle shell; Clarke County, Georgia. January 20, 2018.

​Athens, Clarke County, Georgia; January 20, 2018

  • Sunny, high near 60°
  • Sunrise 7:37 AM, sunset 5:52 PM
  • Day length: 10 hours, 15 minutes
  • Moon: waxing crescent, 10% illumination
Publicado el enero 21, 2022 07:28 TARDE por williamwisephoto williamwisephoto | 5 observaciones | 0 comentarios | Deja un comentario

22 de enero de 2022

A Mighty Big Phinizy Swamp Gator

Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, Richmond County, Georgia USA
Alligator Teeth
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 104607103 - American Alligator; Phinizy Swamp, Richmond County, Georgia. January 1, 2022.

Right through the center of the Phinizy Swamp wetlands runs the distribution canal for the treated wastewater. This is typically a good place to get some close-up alligator action. There is a chain link fence running both edges of the canal - I guess to keep people from falling in - but the large gaps underneath allow the gators to come and go.

While walking Phinizy Swamp on New Year's Day, I spotted a mighty big one on the opposite bank. Being a warm January day, with a previous week of cooler temps, this giant was enjoying the sun. I looped the southern end of the fenced canal and came up to where it lay basking in all glory.

Alligator Teeth
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 104607103 - American Alligator; Phinizy Swamp, Richmond County, Georgia. January 1, 2022.

It kept its eye on me as I kept my eye on it. The gaps in the fence didn't offer much protection, but did allow some great close-up detail photographs of the large, white teeth, integumentary sense organs, vertically elliptical pupil, and panoply of armor - its scales, scutes and osteoderms. I have seen and photographed nearly 1,000 alligators, but they never fail to impress and captivate my attention.

New Year's Day at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; Richmond County, Georgia

  • Clouds and sun, with a high near 81; wind gusts as high as 25 mph.
  • Sunrise 7:32 am; Sunset 5:31 pm
  • Daylight Hours: 9 hours, 59 minutes (+31s)
  • Moon: 1.8% Waning Crescen
Publicado el enero 22, 2022 06:54 TARDE por williamwisephoto williamwisephoto | 0 comentarios | Deja un comentario

23 de enero de 2022

Not all memory cards are created equal...

I took a walk up to the main water retention pond behind the animal shelter underneath a sunny blue sky; 55° F. Strong wind gusts are blowing the Redheads around the water's surface. Half of the ducks have their bills tucked in their feathers, all the others are diving away making quite the splashing and sputtering ruckus in the weedy shallows on the northern end of the pond.

Redhead
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 66668132 - Redhead ducks; Walton County, Georgia. January 23, 2018.

The Great Blue Heron, a skittish but regular visitor, is spear fishing on the opposite bank. I was able to sneak up closer behind the large pieces of Public Works equipment. I saw him take a few catches while sitting patiently and watching. Getting in a better position, I began to fire away. But something was wrong: four shots, buffer full; Two shots, buffering again; three shots waiting for the buffer once more. So slow!!!!

Great Blue Heron
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 66668134 - Great Blue Heron; Walton County, Georgia. January 23, 2018.

Having filled an SD card yesterday, and not downloading the photos onto my computer, I grabbed a different SD card and popped it in the camera before heading up to the pond. What a difference a brand can make! Although this card showed it was rated class 10, it certainly didn’t have the save time like one. Such annoyingly slow shooting. Lesson learned: not all SD cards are created equal. Know your equipment before you go. I’m glad the lesson was learned on a casual back-door outing and not on a rare find.

​Walton County, Georgia; January 23, 2018

  • Forecast: sunny, High near 58°
  • Sunrise 7:35 AM; sunset 5:55 PM
  • Day length 10 hours, 19 minutes
  • Moon: waxing crescent, 34% illumination
Publicado el enero 23, 2022 01:59 TARDE por williamwisephoto williamwisephoto | 3 observaciones | 0 comentarios | Deja un comentario