Category Archives: Birds

A New Flyover – Roseate Spoonbill

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Here is the latest article from Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures Plus. Birds of the Bible for Kids just in the coasting stages. Most of the articles have been removed, and placed on to the main blog. It was time to put these articles back over onto their original site.  Many of you readers keep adding to the reader’s list, but all the activity is going on on the main blog. Please check it out for current articles. [Thank you for visiting. Lee]I have to admit that eating breakfast, or other meals here at home are quite an adventure. We have been in our new home just under 20 months now, and our list of birds either seen or flying by, just keeps increasing.

Our chairs at the table are by double-sliding glass doors. Just this morning while eating breakfast we saw two White-bellied Whistling Ducks [in the yard], Muscovy and Pekin ducks by the water, along with a Great Blue Heron walking along the shore. A female Anhinga diving for fish, A Great Egret flying by low over the water, and the Grackles and Fish Crows flying around. Not bad for a breakfast meal.

Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) by Quy Tran

Yesterday, we added a new flyover to our list of birds seen from our windows and patio. A Roseate Spoonbill flew by my view while sitting at the table. [No pictures taken for any of the above]

Here is our growing LIST OF BIRDS: [in the order we wrote them down – also added an article posted on the blog of each type listed. Most by me, but also by Dr. Jim and William Wise]

  1. Muscovy Ducks – Proud Muscovy Duck
  2. Kingfisher – That “Devil Bird” Kingfisher
  3. American Woodcock – Tickle Me Tuesday – Bouncy Woodcock
  4. Bald Eagle – ALASKA’S BALD EAGLE by James J. S. Johnson
  5. Loggerhead Shrikes – Social Distancing and Mask by Birds
  6. Eastern Phoebe – Unsung Heroes
  7. Palm Warblers – Palm Warbler Through Our Window
  8. House Sparrows – Eye of the Beholder – House Sparrows
  9. House Finches – Today’s Visitor To The Feeder – House Finch
  10. Mallard Ducks – Lots of Ducks and Geese
  11. Mottled Ducks – Our Ducky Backyard
  12. Eastern Wood-Pewee – Vol. 2, No. 4 – The Wood Pewee
  13. Redwinged Blackbirds – Redwing Pond
  14. Mourning Doves – Bible Birds – Doves and Pigeons
  15. Boat-tailed Grackles – Gatorland Grackle
  16. Sandhill Cranes – Rabbit Chasing Sandhill Crane
  17. Great Egrets – Great Egret by Dan
  18. Great Blue Herons – Great Blue Herons – Gatorland
  19. Little Blue Herons – Lord’s Avian Wonders – Little Blue Heron – Searching
  20. Tricolored Herons – Tricolored Herons at Gatorland
  21. Anhingas – Eye of the Beholder – Anhinga
  22. White Ibises – Appreciating White Ibises (and Other Birds in Florida)
  23. Red Shouldered Hawk – Beware, Squirrels: Red-shouldered Hawk!
  24. Wood Storks – Latest Wood Stork Encounter
  25. Green Heron – Backyard Birding – Green Heron
  26. Cardinals – Cardinals Watching Out For Fallen Baby
  27. Northern Mockingbirds – Sunday Inspiration – Mockingbirds and Thrashers
  28. Ospreys – Osprey Feeding On His Catch of the Day
  29. Snowy Egret – Close Encounter With A Snowy
  30. Killdeer – Lee’s Four Word Thursday – 3/17/16
  31. Limpkin – The Limpkin – Created Special..
  32. Cattle Egrets – Bad Feather Day
  33. Runner Duck – Our Ducky Backyard
  34. Wood Ducks – Birds Vol 2 #1 – Wood Duck
  35. Roseate Spoonbill – Birds of the Bible – Roseate Spoonbill

Since we haven’t been doing much birding lately, I trust looking through this list, you will also enjoy a bit of the past birding adventures.

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:” (Psalms 103:2 KJV)

Wordless Whistling Ducks

Are You Sounding Any Alarms?

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American Robin (Turdus migratorius) by Ian

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) by Ian

“Birds’ lives are so filled with danger that they’re on alert at all times, just to stay alive. Luckily, they have several tactics to avoid becoming the next meal for a cat or hawk. One, of course, is to fly away, a good choice, but not always possible. Another is to call in a troop of other birds to set up such a clamor that the predator is driven from the neighborhood. But in cases where the threat is too close and too dangerous, birds freeze in hiding while making soft, high-pitched sounds that serve as a warning to other birds.” [Bird Warning Calls Work Across Species]

Black-capped Chickadee

“Birds give a lot of “false alarms” or brief low-level alarms. With practice you will become sensitive to the higher intensity of real alarm calls, and when these calls are sustained for several minutes, and directed at one spot, you can be fairly certain a predator is there.” [Sibley Guides – Understanding Alarm Calls of Birds]

Here Sibley was using the alarm to help find the bird who was giving the warning.

We have been reading through Ezekiel in our devotions, and came across the often preached passage in Chapter 33. This was written to warn Israel, but it applies to us also. We all know people who need to be warned. As you read through this passage, you will see why I thought of the alarms from our Avian Wonders from the Lord.

Ezekiel 33:1-9 NASB
(1)  And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
(2)  “Son of man, speak to the sons of your people and say to them, ‘If I bring a sword upon a land, and the people of the land take one man from among them and make him their watchman,
(3)  and he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows on the trumpet and warns the people,

Barking Boobook (Ninox connivens) by Ian

(4)  then he who hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, and a sword comes and takes him away, his blood will be on his own head.
(5)  ‘He heard the sound of the trumpet but did not take warning; his blood will be on himself. But had he taken warning, he would have delivered his life.

Unwatchful Dove ©S.Young

(6)  ‘But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet and the people are not warned, and a sword comes and takes a person from them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require from the watchman’s hand.’
(7)  “Now as for you, son of man, I have appointed you a watchman for the house of Israel; so you will hear a message from My mouth and give them warning from Me.

Birds Mobbing Owl and Warning Others To The Danger With Their Calls ©Andrew O’Connor

(8)  “When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require from your hand.
(9)  “But if you on your part warn a wicked man to turn from his way and he does not turn from his way, he will die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your life.

[Bolding Mine]

I trust we are all doing our part to warn the lost of their need of the Savior, Jesus Christ.

Sharing the Gospel

Early Bird Gets the Worm – Garfield

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American Robin (Turdus migratorius)with youngsters by Raymond Barlow

One of the birds that, I personally have seen, dig worms out the ground is the American Robin. When we lived in Indiana, there were many Robin available to watch. Down here in central Florida, we very seldom see any. Mostly in the winter, a few Robins migrate through here. They do not stay for the winter, but keep heading further down the state.

Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) by S Slayton

Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) by S Slayton

Many other birds like worms also, including Bluebirds.

Yet, it seems that Garfield met a very interesting Bluebird that has a problem feeding her little ones:

” A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.”  Proverbs 17:22

Have a Merry Hearted Day!!

Wordless Birds

Dodo Channel – Hawk Stuck In Car’s Grill

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Dan found this on The DoDo channel and I thought we would share it here:

But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless. (Hawk in the case) (Psalms 10:14 NIV)

Wordless Birds

2nd Grd CHEERFULNESS- LESSON LXX.

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Olive-backed Sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis)

“A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.” (Proverbs 15:13 NASB)

LESSON LXX.

sought sure’ly (shu) wel’come light’some

loft’y maid’en cher’ished in tro duce’

CHEERFULNESS.

[Illustration: Script Exercise:

There is a little maiden—
Who is she? Do you know?
Who always has a welcome,
Wherever she may go.

Her face is like the May time,
Her voice is like the bird’s;
The sweetest of all music
Is in her lightsome words.

Each spot she makes the brighter,
As if she were the sun;
And she is sought and cherished
And loved by everyone;

By old folks and by children,
By loft and by low;
Who is this little maiden?
Does anybody know?

You surely must have met her.
You certainly can guess;
What! I must introduce her?
Her name is Cheeerfulness.
Marian Douglas

ABC’s of the Gospel

McGuffey’s 6th Grade Reader – God Is Everywhere

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Rainbow Across Yellowstone Lake ©David Grimes

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1 KJV)

XXXVII. GOD IS EVERYWHERE. (161)

   Oh! show me where is He,
The high and holy One,
To whom thou bend’st the knee,
And prayest, “Thy will be done!”
I hear thy song of praise,
And lo! no form is near:
Thine eyes I see thee raise,
But where doth God appear?
Oh! teach me who is God, and where his glories shine,
That I may kneel and pray, and call thy Father mine.

   “Gaze on that arch above:
The glittering vault admire.
Who taught those orbs to move?
Who lit their ceaseless fire?
Who guides the moon to run
In silence through the skies?
Who bids that dawning sun
In strength and beauty rise?
There view immensity! behold! my God is there:
The sun, the moon, the stars, his majesty declare.

   “See where the mountains rise:
Where thundering torrents foam;
Where, veiled in towering skies,
The eagle makes his home:
Where savage nature dwells,
My God is present, too:
Through all her wildest dells
His footsteps I pursue:
He reared those giant cliffs, supplies that dashing stream,
Provides the daily food which stills the wild bird’s scream.

   “Look on that world of waves,
Where finny nations glide;
Within whose deep, dark caves
The ocean monsters hide:
His power is sovereign there,
To raise, to quell the storm;
The depths his bounty share,
Where sport the scaly swarm:
Tempests and calms obey the same almighty voice,
Which rules the earth and skies, and bids far worlds rejoice.”
—Joseph Hutton.

The Wise Owl

Fourth of July Flag Birds

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Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) - ©WikiC

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) – ©WikiC

Red symbolizes hardiness and valor

White Dove ©©

White Dove ©©

White symbolizes purity and innocence

Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) ©©Bing

Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) ©©Bing

Blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice

The stripes represent the original 13 Colonies and the stars represent the 50 states of the Union. The colors of the flag are symbolic as well; red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence, and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice.

“The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance. The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men; From His dwelling place He looks out On all the inhabitants of the earth, He who fashions the hearts of them all, He who understands all their works.”
(Psalms 33:11-15 NASB)

Gaze Stabilization – Bobble-Body

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A friend placed this video on my Facebook. Another friend commented that instead of a bobble-head, it seems to have a bobble-body. That appears to be a very appropriate name for this Kingfisher’s actions.

Kingfisher, which aired on the BBC’s Winterwatch

Audubon’s comments had this remark about this birds video:

“Here’s an experiment: While reading this sentence, shake your head back and forth, and then nod up and down. Notice how the words on your screen remain in focus? Congratulations, you just experienced “gaze stabilization.”

It’s this natural ability that allows us to maintain a clear line of vision even when our bodies are in motion.”

Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus) ©WikiC

“Gaze stabilization found in nature has inspired modern technologies, such as those used to stabilize images in cameras and drones. “Any cameras that films movies have image stabilization,” Dickman says.” Read this whole artcle at For Birds, a Steady Head Is the Key to Incredible Focus

Gazing, or keeping our eyes focused on things, is mention frequently in Scripture.

“Look up at the heavens and see; gaze at the clouds so high above you.” (Job 35:5 NIV)

Stephen Gazed: “But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” (Acts 7:55-56 NKJV)

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) by Ian

“He has regarded the prayer of the destitute And has not despised their prayer. This will be written for the generation to come, That a people yet to be created may praise the LORD. For He looked down from His holy height; From heaven the LORD gazed upon the earth, To hear the groaning of the prisoner, To set free those who were doomed to death,” (Psalms 102:17-20 NASB)

“At Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze on him and had seen that he had faith to be made well, said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he leaped up and began to walk.” (Acts 14:8-10 NASB)

Where are we gazing?

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB)

ABC’s of the Gospel

Many Mouths To Feed!

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I have been a subscriber to Alois Absenger. He is a great photographer in Southeast Styria, I believe. I could not resist sharing his latest photo.

Which One Do I Feed First?

11 Mouths to feed ©Alois Absenger

11 Mouths to feed ©Alois Absenger

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26 NIV)

Check out his site at: https://aloisabsenger.wordpress.com/2020/06/19/11-hungrige-kohlmeisen/

ABC’s of the Gospel

Having A Parade – Family Circus

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Family Circus - Ducks having a parade

Family Circus – Ducks having a parade

Mallard Duck army marching (I know it's not a King, but it's cute) ©WikiC

Mallard Duck army marching (I know it’s not a King, but it’s cute) ©WikiC

“There are three things which are stately in their march, Even four which are stately when they walk:” Can you find out what they are? See – (Proverbs 30:29-31 NASB)

Penguins line up for diving by Poplively

Group of birds flying in formation in front of sunset.

Group of birds flying in formation in front of sunset.

Sometimes they line up in the water:

Ducklings at Lake Morton 4-13-16 by Lee

Here is the previous verse: “There are three things which are stately in their march, Even four which are stately when they walk: The lion which is mighty among beasts And does not retreat before any, The strutting rooster, the male goat also, And a king when his army is with him.” (Proverbs 30:29-31 NASB)

Wordless Woodpecker