A Gathering of Greats at Phinizy Swamp, Georgia
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 104777646 - Great Egret; Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, Richmond County, Georgia. January 1, 2022.
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park is a great place! Perhaps because I live over an hour away in Athens, I had no idea it even existed. But when I joined iNaturalist, I began seeing all kinds of great photographs being posted from a swamp just outside of Augusta! Living in the Piedmont, I typically had to drive several hours to find some good wetlands habitat. I was happy to find this great place call Phinizy Swamp!
On any visit, the long-legged waders are present. Ibis, herons, egrets and a variety of other waterfowl love the wetland cells. It is some great habitat for them. On my last January visit, it was definitely a gathering of the greats: Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons. There were dozens and dozens of stately white Great Egrets standing in marshes. The Great Blues were a bit more tricky to find, and in less abundance.
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 105836180 - Great Egret; Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, Richmond County, Georgia. January 1, 2022.
The Great Egret, Ardea alba, is found throughout the world in tropical or warm climes. Being all white and standing at 1 meter tall, it often stands out among the green reeds of the wetlands it inhabits. The Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias, is a bit taller, but its gray and blue coloration make it blend in with its surroundings a bit better. Both wade through the shallow marsh waters with their long legs hunting for a wide variety of food, including fish, snakes, frogs, dragonflies and crustaceans. With plenty of these prey items available as well, Phinizy Swamp is a great place for the gathering of the Greats!
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; Richmond County, Georgia. January 1, 2022
- Clouds and sun, high near 81. Southwest wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
- Sunrise 7:32 am; Sunset 5:31 pm
- Daylight Hours: 9 hours, 59 minutes (+31s)
- Moon: 1.8% Waning Crescent
Observations
Photos / Sounds
What
Great Egret (Ardea alba)Observer
williamwisephotoDescription
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; Richmond County, Georgia. January 1, 2022 ©williamwisephoto.com
- Clouds and sun, high near 81. Southwest wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
- Sunrise 7:32 am; Sunset 5:31 pm
- Daylight Hours: 9 hours, 59 minutes (+31s)
- Moon: 1.8% Waning Crescent
- Journal: http://williamwisephoto.com/photographyblog/phinizy-swamp-wetlands-great-egret
Photos / Sounds
What
Great Egret (Ardea alba)Observer
williamwisephotoDescription
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; Richmond County, Georgia. January 1, 2022.
- Clouds and sun, high near 81. Southwest wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
- Sunrise 7:32 am; Sunset 5:31 pm
- Daylight Hours: 9 hours, 59 minutes (+31s)
- Moon: 1.8% Waning Crescent
Photos / Sounds
What
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)Observer
williamwisephotoDescription
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; Richmond County, Georgia. January 1, 2022.
- Clouds and sun, high near 81. Southwest wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
- Sunrise 7:32 am; Sunset 5:31 pm
- Daylight Hours: 9 hours, 59 minutes (+31s)
- Moon: 1.8% Waning Crescent
Photos / Sounds
What
Great Egret (Ardea alba)Observer
williamwisephotoDescription
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; Richmond County, Georgia. January 1, 2022.
- Clouds and sun, high near 81. Southwest wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
- Sunrise 7:32 am; Sunset 5:31 pm
- Daylight Hours: 9 hours, 59 minutes (+31s)
- Moon: 1.8% Waning Crescent
Photos / Sounds
What
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)Observer
williamwisephotoDescription
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; Richmond County, Georgia. January 1, 2022.
- Clouds and sun, high near 81. Southwest wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
- Sunrise 7:32 am; Sunset 5:31 pm
- Daylight Hours: 9 hours, 59 minutes (+31s)
- Moon: 1.8% Waning Crescent
Photos / Sounds
What
Great Egret (Ardea alba)Observer
williamwisephotoDescription
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; Richmond County, Georgia. January 1, 2022.
- Clouds and sun, high near 81. Southwest wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
- Sunrise 7:32 am; Sunset 5:31 pm
- Daylight Hours: 9 hours, 59 minutes (+31s)
- Moon: 1.8% Waning Crescent
Photos / Sounds
What
Great Egret (Ardea alba)Observer
williamwisephotoDescription
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; Richmond County, Georgia. January 1, 2022.
- Clouds and sun, high near 81. Southwest wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
- Sunrise 7:32 am; Sunset 5:31 pm
- Daylight Hours: 9 hours, 59 minutes (+31s)
- Moon: 1.8% Waning Crescent
Photos / Sounds
What
Great Egret (Ardea alba)Observer
williamwisephotoDescription
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; Richmond County, Georgia. January 1, 2022.
- Clouds and sun, high near 81. Southwest wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
- Sunrise 7:32 am; Sunset 5:31 pm
- Daylight Hours: 9 hours, 59 minutes (+31s)
- Moon: 1.8% Waning Crescent
Photos / Sounds
What
Great Egret (Ardea alba)Observer
williamwisephotoDescription
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; Richmond County, Georgia. January 1, 2022.
- Clouds and sun, high near 81. Southwest wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
- Sunrise 7:32 am; Sunset 5:31 pm
- Daylight Hours: 9 hours, 59 minutes (+31s)
- Moon: 1.8% Waning Crescent
Photos / Sounds
What
Great Egret (Ardea alba)Observer
williamwisephotoDescription
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; Richmond County, Georgia. January 1, 2022.
- Clouds and sun, high near 81. Southwest wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
- Sunrise 7:32 am; Sunset 5:31 pm
- Daylight Hours: 9 hours, 59 minutes (+31s)
- Moon: 1.8% Waning Crescent
Photos / Sounds
What
Great Egret (Ardea alba)Observer
williamwisephotoDescription
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; Richmond County, Georgia. January 1, 2022.
- Clouds and sun, high near 81. Southwest wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
- Sunrise 7:32 am; Sunset 5:31 pm
- Daylight Hours: 9 hours, 59 minutes (+31s)
- Moon: 1.8% Waning Crescent
Photos / Sounds
What
Great Egret (Ardea alba)Observer
williamwisephotoDescription
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; Richmond County, Georgia. January 1, 2022.
- Clouds and sun, high near 81. Southwest wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
- Sunrise 7:32 am; Sunset 5:31 pm
- Daylight Hours: 9 hours, 59 minutes (+31s)
- Moon: 1.8% Waning Crescent
Photos / Sounds
What
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)Observer
williamwisephotoDescription
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; Richmond County, Georgia. January 1, 2022.
- Clouds and sun, high near 81. Southwest wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
- Sunrise 7:32 am; Sunset 5:31 pm
- Daylight Hours: 9 hours, 59 minutes (+31s)
- Moon: 1.8% Waning Crescent
Photos / Sounds
What
Great Egret (Ardea alba)Observer
williamwisephotoDescription
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; Richmond County, Georgia. January 1, 2022. ©www.williamwisephoto.com
- Clouds and sun, high near 81. Southwest wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
- Sunrise 7:32 am; Sunset 5:31 pm
- Daylight Hours: 9 hours, 59 minutes (+31s)
- Moon: 1.8% Waning Crescent
Comments
I live in McDonough but I will make the drive to Phinizy any time! Every time I go I see something new that keeps me entertained and coming back. Thanks for all the great pictures, as usual!
@pofreeman Yes, its a great place for a day trip!
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