Sapphire Gem ©WikiC
“And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;” (Revelation 21:19 KJV)
See – Heaven’s New Jerusalem and Birds – Sapphire
Lesser Striped Swallow (Cecropis abyssinica) ©WikiC
“And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;” (KJV)
The last few post have been introducing the foundation stones that will be in the New Jerusalem. There will twelve (12) layers or foundation that support the city. Each will be a different color. It will be beautiful. More beautiful than we have ever seen before. The Lord is preparing a place for us, and we know He is the Creator, so, it will be spectacular.
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl) by Judd Patterson
“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.” (Isaiah 60:1 KJV)
Yesterday’s article, Precious Stones and Birds – Colors, show how light can be changed into different colors as it passes through a prism. Also, that the Lord God, the Creator of all we see here on earth is the source of light. Today you will see how light reflecting on bird’s feathers, especially Hummingbirds, helps demonstrate that fact.
Here are some videos and photos of Hummingbirds showing how the light reflects on these birds.
ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD VANCOUVER, BC (2018)
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (Panterpe insignis) Little color from side ©WikiC
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (Panterpe insignis) With Light Shining on it ©WikiC
Light reflects off the feathers of Hummingbirds. Here are some photos:
Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) by Michael Woodruff
Scintillant Hummingbird (Selasphorus scintilla) by Judd Patterson
The Ruby-topaz Hummingbird is a nice example of how the light shinning on the hummer.
Ruby-topaz Hummingbird, not reflecting light
Ruby-topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus) Some Reflection ©Flickr Neil DeMaster
Ruby-topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus) No Reflection ©Flickr Budgora
Ruby-topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus) Some Reflection ©Flickr Budgora
Ruby-topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus) Reflection ©Flickr Dick Knight
Ruby-topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus) Reflection ©Flickr Budgora
Ruby-topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus) Reflection ©WikiC
How well are we reflecting the Lord’s light?
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16 KJV)
12 Jewels Foundaion New Jerusalem ©Sundayswithcindy
The Precious Stones and Birds posts have been introducing you to colors of the twelve,(12) foundations of the New Jerusalem, which will be our eternal home, if we have invited Christ into our hearts as Savior. [See below to find out how to do that.]
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) by Ian
It has been 10 years since I’ve seen a robin in my yard. When they came then, it was an amazing sight which I have cherished. Once there was a Baltimore Oriole, however, that was many years ago. In the meantime, there are a variety that come to my feeder and the neighborhood for which I am happy about and keep food out for them.
Puzzle by a window ©Pxhere
I sit at a table which always has a puzzle on it, and if I don’t make sudden moves, I enjoy watching them. Of course the Sandhill Cranes walk around the neighborhood, The Cooper’s Hawks and Crows don’t come to my yard, but I see them in the trees as I walk.
The regular visitors are Blue Jays, Red-winged Blackbirds, Red-headed Woodpecker, Turtle Doves, Titmice, and Sparrows.
American Robin)by Raymond Barlow
In my heart I’m longing for the joy of seeing just one Robin. Maybe it will happen this spring.
2/22/19 Dorothy Malcolm
“But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.” (John 11:22 KJV)
Lee’s Addition:
It has been awhile since Dottie (Dorothy) has written an article for us. I asked her if she would like to write another one. Here is her latest birdwatching desire. The verse is one I have used while birdwatching. I have asked the Lord to please have the bird in that bush come out where I can see it better. Maybe even take a photo. Not surprising, some have appeared to my delight. I think the Lord cares about our desires, especially when observing His Creation. Dottie, we are praying that the Lord will let some Robins land in your yard when they start migrating back north this spring. Stay Tuned!
If you have missed some of Dottie (Dorothy’s) stories, they are listed below. She is also Emma Foster’s grandmother. Humm! Wonder if that is where Emma started her interest in her birdwatching tales? Emma’s Stories
Dorothy (Dottie) Belle Malcolm’s:
Stones – ©Pixaby
“And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones… (Revelation 21:19a KJV)
I was going to write a new Avian and Attributes article for today. If you read the last post, Heaven’s New Jerusalem and Birds – Introduction, then you are aware that a new series is coming. While studying for the series, might as well produce other articles in the meantime. Right? Might as well do the next Avian and Attributes article.
Wouldn’t you know? The next bird in that series to write about is the STONE bird. I wondered what has already been written about stones and birds before? Wow! After searching the blog, here are some of them. I’ll do the next Avian and Attributes soon. I trust these articles will be a blessing as you review them. I know that I’ll be rereading them myself to assist with the Heaven’s New Jerusalem and Birds series.
Sapphire-throated Hummingbird (Lepidopyga coeruleogularis) ©WikiC
Avian And Attributes – Sapphire
Avian And Attributes – Emerald
Diamond Firetail (Stagonopleura guttata) by Ian
Avian And Attributes – Diamond
Lee’s Five Word Friday – 5/5/17
Lee’s Three Word Wednesday – 3/22/17
Yellow-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes flavifrons) by Dario Sanches
Lee’s Two Word Tuesday – 12/13/16
Lee’s Five Word Friday – 7/15/16
Birds of the Bible – Lazuli Birds
Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena) ©WikiC
Sunday Inspiration – Stone Birds
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – Chief Corner Stone’s Keystone
Precious Stones – R. A. Torrey’s Topical Textbook Index
Sapphire Flycatcher (Ficedula sapphira) ©WikiC
I am currently attending a Bible study class on Heaven. It is very interesting, and of course, when the mention of the various precious stones, with their beautiful colors came up, birds fluttered to mind. I have been accused of having a “bird brain.” [Always thinking about things in relation to birds.]
A huge question came to mind. Wonder if I could find birds whose names or colors closely reflected the names of those stones? Sounds like a simple idea. Right? Not so fast, as I am finding out.
Woodstock and Snoopy on windy day ©Schultz
Have you been able to go birdwatching, or watch birds outside your window on a windy day?
Birds may be small or large, but most of them do not weigh very much. When it is windy, they can be affected quite a bit. Sometimes they really struggle to fly straight. They may appear to be flying sideways.
Also, many of them get their “feathers ruffled.” That can be a sight to see. We are not talking about when people get their “feathers ruffled.” Watching the birds in wind is probably where that saying came from.
“A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.” (Proverbs 15:1-2 NKJV)
Here are some birds that were trying to deal with a windy day:
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) In The Wind ©Flickr Andrea Westmoreland
Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca) In Winter Wind©PD
Canada Goose ruffled by a gust of wind ©WikiC
Now this Swan actually had its feathers ruffled because it was upset. They were mowing the grass along the water and it followed the man mowing the grass with this irritated posture.
Swan at Bok Tower by Lee
How do we react when things get us upset?
Firey-throated and Volcano Hummingbird ©Raymond Barlow
I trust the last two posts have been informative and a blessing. Eleventh Anniversary and Eleventh Anniversary II. It still amazes me how the Lord would choose to use us in even a small way. If you have followed Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures very long, you know I believe that all these beautiful birds are a gift from the Lord’s Creative hand. They did not evolve from some blob or a dinosaur. The Bible has given us too many proofs of this, unless you have chosen not to believe His Word. I have no problem believing the following verses:
“And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.” (Genesis 1:21-23 KJV)
Watching Birds at MacDill AFB Shore
Nor believing that Adam named those first critters, including the birds:
“Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.” (Genesis 2:19-20 NKJV)
Of course today, the I.O.C. gets together with many ornithologist from around the world to name birds. Adam didn’t need a committee at that time. He was the only human present. Eve came after the naming. [They, IOC, have increased their numbers by over 400 newly named birds since the Birds of the World section was added.]
Black-capped Foliage-gleaner (Philydor atricapillus) by Dario Sanches
Back to the reviewing of the past eleven years. From the beginning, the Lord’s Word about the birds has been the main part as I tried to find the various birds mentioned in the Bible. From there is has grown in various ways, but always, God’s Words are mentioned. Almost all of our writers, that thankfully add to this blog, believe that these fantastic birds are from God’s Hand.
The Seventh Anniversary in 2015 revealed that there had been 1.3 million visits and there were over 1,100 followers. Wow! By then Golden Eagle, Dr. James J. S. Johnson and Emma Foster were writing articles. Enough to have their own page in the menu [left side].
Must have skipped the 8th and 9th anniversaries, but much was going on. The Birds of the Bible for Kids blog was being re-fired up and most of the articles were move back over to there.
Dust Storm in Texas in 1935 ©WikiC
The Tenth anniversary had me Really Kicking Up A Dust Storm, sometime during those years, somehow, this site was hacked. Many of the photos used in post were GONE. The “pipe dream” of having a photo of every bird in the world blew up. This really involved much work to fix all the broken links that caused. Now in the Birds of the World, the list of the birds are there, but with some photos at the end of the page. [This was the only way to fix hundreds of broken links.]
If you have a blog or are thinking about starting one, they are enjoyable, but there can be issues that can “spoil the vines. “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.” (Song of Solomon 2:15 KJV) Do we throw in the towel, or do we continue? So far, we have continued. Else we wouldn’t be celebrating 11 years of blogging.
Hummingbird at Trumpet Vine ©Harold A Davis
The Lord has been very gracious. We have made many friends over the years because of this blog. I feel like I know some of you personally, even though we probably won’t meet until we arrive in heaven. Thanks for all the friendships that have developed over these many years. The Lord truly has been blessing.
Tomorrow, I hope to add at least one more post to this anniversary remembrances.
Wordless Birds – With Hummingbirds
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) by Dan
“Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,” (1 Chronicles 16:12 NKJV)
Yesterday, the Eleventh Anniversary of Blogging About Birds article mentioned our early beginnings for this blog. Today, I’d like to continue with what the Lord has enabled us to do. Over the years, there have been Anniversary articles written. Each one tried to update the latest events, but also, to look back and thank the Lord for His blessings. The Lord wants us to “Remember.” His blessings.
“Remember to magnify His work, Of which men have sung.” (Job 36:24 NKJV)
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) by Dan
Here are six of those years:
“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands.” (Psalms 143:5 NKJV)
Actually, yesterday, I used a quotes from Jim Elliot, but was actually thinking of a quote I used in the Happy One Year Anniversary! article. This is what happens as you age. :) Both men were great missionaries and showed tremendous insight in their quotes.
“Our pastor just reminded us of a quote by William Carey, an English Missionary to India:
“Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.”
That article was reposted in 2017. Looking Back – Happy One Year Anniversary! – Repost
In 2010, the 2nd Anniversary rolled around and some quest writers were added. Also, Ian Montgomery started allowing his Bird of the Week articles to be posted. Also, the Plus section, Birds of the World, and Birds in Hymns started up. This is all covered in Second Anniversary of Blog
It appears that I forgot to produce a Third or Fourth year anniversary article. Plenty was going on. The number of visitors to this blog, for which I am thankful for everyone who visits every time, was up to 250,000 on Apr. 9, 2011. 500,000 visits by Mar. 1, 2012, and about 850,000 by the time the Fifth Anniversary rolled around. Formed by Him started around the beginning of 2012. Also, many very talented photographers allowed me the permission to use their photos. There has been a list of them in the right column for years.
White-throated Sparrow by Ray Barlow
In 2013, I remembered to produce a Fifth Blog Anniversary post. There I mentioned the second blog site, Birds of the Bible for Kids. That website was started to get back to the roots of the whole purpose of blogging. That is, introducing young people to the Birds that are mentioned in the Bible. Like this main blog, it also has had growing pains. It was started, then I killed it and moved all the articles over here. Then last year, I decided to restart it back up. Much of the ups and downs of doing the “kids blog” has been due to my health issues. Right now it is up and running, not full speed, but then, neither am I running at full speed. Though I am much improved from last summer’s back surgery. Let’s hope and pray that the young people’s blog starts producing more articles.
I forgot again on the Sixth anniversary of the blog, but WordPress reminded me. Never Give Up
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand. I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.” (Psalms 37:23-25 NKJV)
Enough for now. I trust you are enjoying seeing how the Lord leads in our lives. Who ever thought that six years into doing a blog would have lead me to that point. I’ll tell you more in the next part.
Whatever your talent or abilities, if you know the Lord as your Savior, let Him use you. This is just a little blog in the midst of millions, yet the Lord has been using it. That is what I read from your remarks. Thank you for visiting over the years.
Using Whatever Talent the Lord Has Given You written Sept 16, 2010
You are never too young to do your best! Especially, if you have accepted the Lord as your Savior.
“Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,” (Psalms 17:8 KJV)
Ian’s photo of the Little Grebe with a “little” Grebe safely under the wing of its parent.
(Taken from Ian’s Bird of the Moment – Australian Grebe)
House Finch in Snow ©WikiC
“But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; And the birds of the air, and they will tell you;” (Job 12:7 NKJV)
The last few days, the northern states of the United States and Canada have been experiencing extreme cold temperatures. Watching the news today, our Manatees, here in Florida, are heading in to the warmer waterways. But how about the birds?
Checking articles about how the Zoos protect their avian wonders during this severe cold snap, there were several interesting things that are being done to protect the birds.
In Chicago, they actually closed the “Lincoln Park Zoo …closed at 3 p.m. on Tuesday and was to remain shut on Wednesday, when temperatures are expected to reach a daytime high of around 14 degrees below zero. Brookfield Zoo planed to close its doors Wednesday and Thursday.” [edited to make it past tense, written Jan 28, 2019]
“To ensure the safety of our animals and staff, the zoo will only have a skeleton crew on site who will provide basic core functions, including animal care and to check on the facilities,” said Stuart Strahl, president and CEO of the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo, in a statement.
That zoo has closed just three other times in its 85-year history: Feb. 2, 2011, due to a snowstorm; and Sept. 14, 2018 and April 18, 2013, because of significant flooding.”
“Lincoln Park Zoo spokesperson Jillian Braun said the zoo has closed just one other time due to extreme weather in recent memory. ”
Chicago Zoos to Close in Anticipation of Extreme Cold
Swallows Keeping Warm in Cold and Snow ©WTTW
Another article by the same source “Shiver, Fluff and Cuddle: How Birds Keep Warm in the Winter”
Even the Penguins in Canada aren’t too sure about this cold weather. See:
These Zoo Penguins Are Clearly Not Enjoying Canada’s Cold Winter
“The Calgary Zoo in Alberta had to bring its penguins inside after the weather dropped to -25 degrees below zero Celsius.
Calgary Zoo – Gentoo Penguins ©Inside Edition
The zoo’s 51 Gentoo penguins, Humboldt penguins, king penguins and rockhopper penguins, are usually brought in at some point every year.
“The keepers are able to call the penguins in and they have an instinct to want to be indoors when it gets that cold as well. We do this every winter when the temperature plummets to where it was a few days ago,” a zoo official told InsideEdition.com. “They are cold weather birds, but the temperatures were colder than they prefer.”
Another Zoo, Saskatoon zoo works to keep animals safe in extreme cold weather, says, “The species that might be tropical or from regions that never see minus temperatures have to come inside at the beginning of the winter season.”
Dunlins in Snow
The St. Louis Zoo in Missouri says, “On one of the coldest days in over 20 years, employees at the St. Louis Zoo are busy making sure animals are being cared for and protected from the dangerously cold weather….
“A lot of times you’ll see those animals adapted to cold weather actually being more active in the cooler weather than you would in the summer heat,” Anne Tieber, curator of birds. In the historic buildings that house the birds, monkeys, and reptiles, zookeepers keep the temperature around 70 degrees, with a little of humidly for the tropical plants and some animals.”
“One surprisingly warm place the zoo is the Penguin and Puffin Coast, the building is kept at a balmy 45 degrees year-round. So, right now it seems incredibly warm to the 7 degrees outside but flips to feeling cold in the summer.”
Enjoy these articles, plus a few more that tell how the wild birds also survive these extreme cold days and nights.
Chicago Zoos to Close in Anticipation of Extreme Cold
Shiver, Fluff and Cuddle: How Birds Keep Warm in the Winter
These Zoo Penguins Are Clearly Not Enjoying Canada’s Cold Winter
Saskatoon zoo works to keep animals safe in extreme cold weather
More:
COLD-WEATHER SKILLS OF FEATHERED FRIENDS – Zoo Atlanta
Keeping Warm in Winter is for the Birds
Do Animals Hate the Bitter Cold?
How Does Extreme Winter Weather Affect Wildlife?
How Canada’s zoos protect their animals from the bitter cold
Birds of the Bible For Kids 