GREAT TRAVELERS HAVE GREAT STORIES TO TELL
“Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch….” (Acts 11:19a)
Those who widely travel usually have interesting experiences to talk about. That is no less true of animals that migrate. A commonly known example is the monarch butterfly. In the fall, monarchs from all over North America head south to the same small patch of jungle trees in Mexico. Even more astonishing is that each generation finds this exact traditional wintering spot but has never been there before.
Scientists have recently discovered that another migrating creature has an even more interesting story to tell. Bar-tailed Godwits, shorebirds with a wingspan of about 12 to 16 inches, summer in Alaska. But they winter in New Zealand, over 7,000 miles away. As you mentally picture their route, you would be right to notice that there are very few places to stop and rest between Alaska and New Zealand. Researchers outfitted seven female godwits with tracking devices to learn more about their migration. They found that the godwits traveled the distance nonstop, without rest or even food or water. That’s the equivalent of a nonstop flight from London to Los Angeles, plus 1,000 miles more!
Godwits glorify God as Creator with their amazing migratory paths. As the first Christians scattered across the Roman Empire in fear of persecution and martyrdom, they spread the wonder of God’s love for us in the Gospel of salvation.
Prayer:
Father, I thank You for the glory of Your creation, but I rejoice in the wonder of Your love and salvation. Amen.
Notes:
Science News, 11/22/08, p. 14, Laura Sanders, “Nonstop godwit flights.”
©Creation Moments 2016
Lee’s Addition:
What an amazing Creator that gives these Godwits the ability to make that 7,000 mile journey NON STOP! Wow!
Godwits are in the Scolopacidae Family of the Charadriiformes Order
Bar-tailed Godwit’s Self – Control.. by ajmithra
This is one of my favorite birds Lee, as you would know from my posts. It’s 8 day non stop flight to New Zealand and then to Australia is amazing endurance. I probably have photographed this bird more than any other. Now it is making its way back to Alaska via the Asian coastline.
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Maybe you will let me use some of those for future articles. I only had these two, which I’ve used before. Could have found more, but time was short. Glad you get to see these fantastic travelers. What a privilege.
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Lee you are most welcome, I don’t mind people using my material as long as they give due acknowledgement to me and my website.
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Thanks.
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