Phinizy Swamp: Wastewater into Wetlands
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 104664340 - Anhinga; Phinizy Swamp; Richmond County, Georgia. January 1, 2022.
What a concept: turn our wastewater into a wetland! In a world that historically hasn’t been friendly to the environment, at least the last few decades have shown some progress in preserving and caring for the natural home gifted to us by our Creator. Perhaps we have finally come to realize, that if we neglect and destroy our planet, we are working ourselves out of a home. So we must applaud the organized efforts of government and business that seek to conserve rather than exploit. One such place is the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Center for Water Sciences in Augusta, Georgia. Phinizy is a manmade wetland that is perfect habitat for wildlife and a great destination for the wildlife photographer.
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 105452197 - Pied-billed Grebe; Phinizy Swamp; Richmond County, Georgia. January 1, 2022.
In the older, less enlightened days, the large city of Augusta, Georgia was dumping its wastewater directly back into the nearby creeks and rivers. Yes, it was treated, but how well? According to their website, the city was ordered to upgrade its wastewater treatment system in 1993. Instead of releasing treated wastewater into Butler Creek, a series of wetland cells was created to further purify the water before being released into the Savannah River. The Phinizy Swamp Nature Center is similar to another wastewater treating wetlands I’ve regularly hiked in Arizona: Sweetwater Wetlands.
© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 105452198 - American Coot; Phinizy Swamp; Richmond County, Georgia. January 1, 2022.
Other than a few pumps and a slight odor, you’d never realize it was a water treatment facility. And the waterfowl definitely don’t seem to mind that is a constructed wetland. “Build it and they will come!”… Phinizy Swamp is loaded with herons, egrets, ducks and other water-loving creatures.
Taking it one step further, the city included access for nature lovers. The manmade dikes that outline each wetland cell are topped with gravel. These wide paths are perfect for hiking, biking, birding or running. On any given day, there are many people walking the paths of Phinizy Swamp to escape the city and enjoy our natural world… even if it’s a man-made natural world!
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 Crescent
Observations
Photos / Sounds
What
Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)Observer
williamwisephotoDescription
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; Richmond County, Georgia.
- 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/first-day-phinizy-birding
Photos / Sounds
What
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)Observer
williamwisephotoDescription
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; Richmond County, Georgia.
- 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-nature-park-wastewater-into-wetlands
Photos / Sounds
What
Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata)Observer
williamwisephotoDescription
ON LEFT. Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; Richmond County, Georgia.
- 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-nature-park-wastewater-into-wetlands
Photos / Sounds
What
Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga)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
- Journal: https://williamwisephoto.com/photographyblog/phinizy-swamp-nature-park-wastewater-into-wetlands
Photos / Sounds
What
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)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
- Journal: https://williamwisephoto.com/photographyblog/phinizy-swamp-nature-park-wastewater-into-wetlands
Photos / Sounds
What
American Coot (Fulica americana)Observer
williamwisephotoDescription
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; Richmond County, Georgia.
- 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
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)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
Photos / Sounds
What
American Coot (Fulica americana)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
Photos / Sounds
What
White Ibis (Eudocimus albus)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
Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata)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
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