Diario de williamwisephoto

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 38179506 - Marbled Salamander; Clarke County, Georgia. April 1, 2017.

First day of April. It is a clear, blue, cloudless sky; occasional breeze and perfect upper-70’s temperature. It is definitely spring now. On Thursday afternoon I was startled to notice there were green leaves on trees that were bare just the day before. Earlier this week I noticed the Crepe Myrtles on the sides of my back patio had tiny buds. Today they have sprouts nearly an inch long.

I was poking around my backyard, looking at what was beginning to grow, noting what needs a little clean up. When I lifted the cover of the foot deep hole that contains my septic filter, down in the cool mounds of dirt a Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) sat curled in a ball. I closed the lid and went inside for my camera.

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 38179506 - Marbled Salamander; Clarke County, Georgia. April 1, 2017.

Going back to get him, I was surprised at how quick the little amphibian was in retreating into a small hole. I was able to pull him out and soon found my fingers covered in a thick, sticky, white secretion. Woe to the predator that tries to munch on this little guy. I’m sure the secretion would not only be foul tasting and sticky on the tongue, but actually also poisonous. I washed the dirt off the salamander and put him on a patch of moss for some macro-photography with my 40mm micro lens.

​Athens, Georgia

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 38215789 - Eastern Bluebird; Clarke County, Georgia. April 2, 2017.

Sunday, 7:30 AM – On an early morning walk around the block, I found the Red-shouldered Hawk sitting once again on the same fence on Hummingbird Trail that I saw at this same time last weekend. It must be a habit of his to hunt from this perch. Back home enjoying a cup of coffee on the back patio, the Cowbirds again made a showing. This time a larger group of both males and females visited the backyard feeder and perched side by side on the swingset.

A pair of Eastern Bluebirds are busy throughout the backyard. A bright colored male sat high in the persimmon tree, which just today began to bud. He then flew to, and entered, the small birdhouse on the post near the fire pit. Perhaps this would be their choice for this year’s nest box? Nope. For he emerged with a beak-full of nesting material. But to which box would he carry it?

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 38215789 - Eastern Bluebird; Clarke County, Georgia. April 2, 2017.

Later in the afternoon, the more drably colored female made several staging runs from the Persimmon to the Crepe Myrtle, not far from where I sat. When she gained the confidence, she proceeded to the triple birdhouses over the turtle pond. Which would be her choice? Door #1, door #2, or door #3? She entered the house on the right. Throughout the course of the afternoon she made runs from the backyard, to the Persimmon, to the Crepe Myrtle, to the top of the three houses. Each time cautiously peering about before entering the right hand house. It seems the right hand house is her choice.

Or is it? Best-Ever Backyard Birding Tips writes, “Sometimes the birds will spend a lot of time at one box and seem like they’re going to use it, but then they move on to a different one. Even their removing old nest materials from a box doesn’t necessarily mean that’s the one they intend to use. You’ll only know a pair has chosen a box for sure when they begin carrying nest material into the box, not out of it.” So we will wait and see...

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 38215789 - Eastern Bluebird; Clarke County, Georgia. April 2, 2017.

Athens, Georgia. April 2, 2017

• Sunrise 7:19 AM; sunset 7:55 PM.
• Day length 12 hours, 30 minutes.
• Forecast: Sunny, high near 79°. East wind 10-15 MPH. 10% chance of rain after 5 AM.

My backyard bird feeder is always alive with flashes of red. The Northern Cardinals are daily visitors for free helpings of sunflower seeds. As one catches my eye, I ponder, why red?

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 20495176 - Northern Cardinal; Clarke County, Georgia. April 1, 2017.

Most animals blend into their surroundings. But not the Cardinal. He flashes about in a scarlet garment heralding his presence for all to see. Why would a small bird, an easy prey, want to wear such colors? As I meditate what creation would speak, red conjures two images: the stain of sin and the source of salvation.

Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

THE STAIN OF SIN...
Red catches our attention, and normally for something of which we must take heed. We use it on our warning signs and labels; red hangs at every intersection to prevent disorderly collisions.

In Isaiah 1:18, red is used as a bold simile illustrating the blatant sins of the people. All that they do and say is stained with the crimson of sin. Although sin may blend in as the “norm of society”, it stands out to God’s eyes. Isaiah the preacher points out this scarlet warning sign, and begs the people to heed the warning and repent.

THE SOURCE OF SALVATION...
But another profound Biblical use of the color red is that of blood. From the blood of Abel, through the atoning sacrifices of the Israelites; of the thread in the window which saved Rahab and her entire family, to the saving Blood shed upon Calvary’s cross, the entire Bible is stained red with blood.

Though normally a gruesome sight for most, the red blood of the Bible is hope; it is cleansing. The sins of the people of Isaiah’s day stand out like red stained clothing. But it is the red colored blood of the new covenant which is able to remove that stain.

Revelation 1:5 Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood

Though I may be pushing things by stretching the color of a bird into a mini-sermon, I’d rather have the red Northern Cardinal remind of the warning of sin and of the hope of salvation, than to stand for a red-robed religious official for whom it is said the Cardinal is named!

Excerpt from my nature journal on April 3, 2012...

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 19859617 - Common Raccon; Walton County, Georgia. April 3, 2012.

“Come here! Quick!” I got up from my desk and scooted along in haste from my office at the rear of the Animal Control admin building. “You’ve got a friend under your car.” I slowed my pace in disappointment figuring it was just one of the many stray cats dumped out after hours at our animal shelter. But as I looked, “Now that’s no cat!”

A gangly raccoon (Procyon lotor) was tip-toeing around the parking lot, sniffing, prowling, scratching the ground. I ran back to my office for my Nikon. As I came out the front door, he hunched up his back and gave me an, “I see you!” look. Of course, not following my own animal control wisdom occasionally dolled out to elementary school children, I approached a wild raccoon that was out-and-about in broad daylight. A site that makes many afraid!

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 19859617 - Common Raccon; Walton County, Georgia. April 3, 2012.

Despite popular belief, it isn’t necessarily true that any animal seen in daylight has rabies. In the spring and summer months, many species of wildlife, even the nocturnal, are forced into daylight excursions on the hunt for food to feed their recently born offspring. Crepuscular animals may also be seen foraging on overcast days. But whether rabid or not, they are wild animals, not pets, and trying to pet them is just, well, foolish.

I didn’t suspect our parking lot raccoon of rabies. As I approached, he continued his searching and smelling with frequent glances in my direction. Eventually, the closer I got, he casually sauntered back down the willow lined drainage ditch leading to the woods behind the shelter, being more weary and afraid of me than I was of him.

For many it would have been a fearful encounter with a rabid animal. For me, it was a photo-op and a little bit of joy encountering one of His creatures… even if it was out in the middle of the day!

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 66957855 - Polyphemus Moth; Walton County, Georgia. April 6, 2018.

"What the heck is that?" Looking out over the upper pond, I noticed two white balls hanging from a twig on a thin tree limb over the water. They were about an inch or so long. In one I could see an opening in the top, like a tiny, ancient clay waterpot. Not being much of an entomologist, I had no clue, but figured it was some sort of cocoon.

But isn’t the internet great!? The very top photo after searching “cocoons in Georgia” revealed what I was looking for on Walter Reeves’ gardening website:

“This looks to me like the cocoon of a giant silkworm moth (family Saturniidae), and I’m thinking specifically that this is either a Polyphemus moth (most likely) or a Luna moth. The Polyphemus moth is the one likely to leave the pupa out in the open attached to a plant. Sometimes they will also spin their cocoons in the leaf litter, which is where the Luna moth spins its cocoon also. So since this was left on the tree it is most likely a Polyphemus moth (Anthraea polyphemus), and the opening on the top means that the moth has already emerged and flown away.”

And this was confirmed by the wonderful iNat community!

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 66957856 - Polyphemus Moth; Walton County, Georgia. April 6, 2018.

Excerpt from my nature photography journal on April 8, 2018...

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 67673020 - Eastern Towhee; Clarke County, Georgia. April 8, 2018.

In between the morning and evening church services, it was a bit of a somber, cloudy afternoon. The bold gold of an American Goldfinch drew my eye as we ate lunch.

Placing some black oil sunflower seed on a nearby rock, I laid on my belly underneath the swing set in the backyard. Of course, all of the birds I saw while eating lunch had now vanished when my lens was present.

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 67673021 - Northern Cardinal; Clarke County, Georgia. April 8, 2018.

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 67673022 - Carolina Wren; Clarke County, Georgia. April 8, 2018.

Having nothing else to do, I laid there for almost an hour waiting for the birds. The only avians to make appearances were a Chipping Sparrow, a male Northern Cardinal, and a female Eastern Towhee. Being within just 20 feet and using a 600mm lens provided some great close up shots.

The Goldfinch that had originally drawn me out birding appeared only briefly high up in a tree and backlit against the cloudy sky. Perhaps one day I’ll get a good Goldfinch shot.

Clarke County, Georgia, USA

• Mostly cloudy, high 56°, low 50°
• Sunrise 7:10 AM, sunset 8:00 PM

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 67673019 - Chipping Sparrow; Clarke County, Georgia. April 8, 2018.

Nature journal excerpt from April 8, 2015...

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 29997052 - Mallard; Walton County, Georgia. April 8, 2015.

Springtime activity has really picked up on the water retention pond behind the animal shelter. A pair of Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors) made a surprise, one-day appearance. The Mallards are tightly bonded in their breeding pairs and chasing each other out of their respective territories on the pond. The drakes have even begun their seemingly brutal mating and mistreating of the hens.

Having been residents here for several years now, the Mallards are quite used to free handouts of cat food and bread. When they spot any person they’ll come flying from wherever they are on the pond right to your feet at the bank. I took advantage of this behavior to practice some autofocus tracking and high shutter speeds to capture some flight shots. I’d step out to the bank with cat food in one hand and my camera ready in the other. As soon as I’d toss the cat food in the water, the ducks would take flight my direction. I have a few seconds to focus and snap some shots. In flight shots are a lot more difficult than I anticipated!

“And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where… even as the garden of the Lord” Genesis 13:10

All winter, we long for spring and the day we can get back to dressing and keeping our backyard gardens. We feel a strong inward desire to rejuvenate our backyard bird sanctuaries for the return of our beloved hummingbirds and other avian friends. But why is there such an affinity within us for gardens?

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 29566708 - Ruby-throated Hummingbord; Clarke County, Georgia. July 18, 2014.

In the Old Testament book of Genesis, the nomads Abraham and his nephew decide to split up and settle down. In making his choice of a new homeland, Lot looks towards the plains of Jordan and sees a fertile land “like the garden of the Lord” (Genesis 13:10). That same internal “garden longing” in his heart was triggered and leads Lot east.

I believe our love of gardens stems from a longing to return to Eden, that perfect state of beauty and fellowship with our Creator that man enjoyed in the beginning; where man walked with God “in the garden in the cool of the day”. When Adam’s eyes were opened, his first sight was a garden with “every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden.” Our love of gardens wells up from a desire to return to Eden, to return to a place that place of paradise that was lost through sin.
​
Even though we see disease, decay and corruption in this world today, one day we will return to paradise. As the story of this present age comes to its final chapter, a new book will be written. One where we will see a new heaven and a new earth brought forth (Isaiah 65:17, 2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:1). Until then, let us enjoy our backyard gardens as a small piece of Eden; as a reminder of the blessed and perfect garden in world yet to come. As you till your soil with your hands, remember in your heart that one day, “thou shalt be with me in paradise.”

Revelation 2:7 “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”

Nature journal excerpt from April 11, 2014...

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 29404151 - Copperhead; Walton County, Georgia. April 11, 2014.

The animal control department where I worked received a call through 911 regarding a Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) in a citizen's driveway in a residential area in Monroe, Georgia. By the time the officer arrived, the Copperhead had already gone several rounds with a house cat, and had received a good beating. After throwing in the towel and the boxing match was over, the snake arrived back at my office, drained of energy and with bloodshot eyes. I took it to a nearby beaver swamp in a safer location, away from house cats, to photograph and release it. Since it was worn out and exhausted, it was quite easy to photograph as it wasn't moving too much. I’m not sure if it lived or passed away, but it was certainly ready to swim off and be left alone by any more house cats!

Walton County, Georgia

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 29404151 - Copperhead; Walton County, Georgia. April 11, 2014.

Backyard nature journal from April 15, 2018...

The pastures of the wilderness drip, And the hills gird themselves with rejoicing. The meadows are clothed with flocks, And the valleys are covered with grain; They shout for joy, yes, they sing. Psalm 65

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 67746395 - Pine Siskin; Clarke County, Georgia. April 15, 2018.

It’s 7:30 AM on my back patio. My wife is visiting her family in Romania, my two daughter's are still sleeping. The Crepe Myrtles are sporting new sprigs of foliage about 4 to 6 inches long and the Persimmon is finally beginning to bud fourth. The Honeysuckle on the arbor is full and covered in bright flowers.

Thick white clouds cover the sky. Lower, faster moving, darker clouds begin to move in from the western horizon. Instead of brightening with sunrise, it is actually getting darker as the gray clouds continue to move in. In the dim light, I see a dark blue bird at the feeder. The first Blue Grosbeak of the season has arrived!

The sky turns darker and the sounds of strong winds pick up through the woods. The rains are coming…

Rain, rain, rain all morning during church service. In between services, despite the light rain, there is such a wonderful bird activity at the feeders. While eating lunch I spy several bright Goldfinches moving across the yard. One of these days I’ll get a close-up.

At 2:26 PM, rolling thunder. I see a small bird zipping across the yard. It buzzes over to the honeysuckle blooms on the turtle pond arbor. A hummingbird!

Next, a gathering of brown birds with slight yellow highlights. Are they faded out Yellow-rumped Warblers? Are they some variety of House Finches with whom they are gathered? In a few minutes, one of the birds in question alights just feet from me in Crepe Myrtle almost as if he knew I wanted a closer look. The Merlin App identifies it as a Pine Siskin. Another life bird photo for me!

The rain continues, and so do the birds. Chipping Sparrows; the Blue Grosbeak returns but this time with his mate; two Red-bellied Woodpecker’s chase each other around the Persimmon tree; towhees scraping the mulch and discarded seed hulls.

At 3:25, strong wind and driving rain pushes me indoors. But through the front window I see another new bird. Brown streaks on a tan belly, yellowish eyebrow and throat, and a rusty cap. Once again I consult the Merlin App and he tells me a Palm Warbler is visiting my yard. Another life bird photo!

​Athens, Clarke County, Georgia

• Forecast: showers and thunderstorms, high 67°; winds 10-15 mph.
• Sunrise 7:02 AM, sunset 7:49 PM
• Day length: 13 hours, 2 minutes
• New moon