Author Archives: Lee

Birds in Christmas Hymns – Mini Series – Re-post

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(This is the series posted last year and will be re-posting them again this year along with regular articles.)

Blue-naped Chlorophonia (Chlorophonia cyanea) by Dario Sanches

Blue-naped Chlorophonia (Chlorophonia cyanea) by Dario Sanches

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:7-11 KJV)

Tomorrow, December 15th, a new mini series will begin. From the 15th until Christmas Day, a different Birds in Christmas Hymns will be posted daily. All of these are in the public domain, so they will be some of the older hymns. (There will be other articles added also.)

It is amazing how many times when you are singing that “birds” appear in songs and hymns. These all relate to the birth of Jesus and the nativity. As Christians, this is one of our greatest holidays, with only Easter and the resurrection of our Savior as the Greatest. Without the virgin born birth of the Lord Jesus as the Christ Child, we wouldn’t have a sinless Savior to die and shed His blood for our salvation at Calvary.

May you enjoy this upcoming season and this little mini series. Below is the video of our pastor telling about the birds at Christmas time. This was from our Christmas Cantata a few years ago.

See:

Sharing the Gospel

Wordless Birds

Birds in Hymns

Merry Christmas 2009

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Did Dinosaurs Turn into Birds?: New Answers DVD 1 – Answers in Genesis

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Painted Whitestart (Myioborus pictus) ©WikiC

Painted Whitestart (Myioborus pictus) ©WikiC

God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, which the waters brought forth abundantly, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good (suitable, admirable) and He approved it. (Genesis 1:21 AMP)

Here is an interesting link to Answers in Genesis about the “beginning of birds.” It is a 5 minute video by David Menton, Ph.D.

Did Dinosaurs Turn into Birds?: New Answers DVD 1 – Answers in Genesis.

From the Answers Weekly

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Update on Version 3.2 and Eye

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Sumatran Laughingthrush by Lee at Zoo Miami

“Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? (Matthew 6:26 NASB)

I am still working a little behind the scenes on the IOC Version 3.2 update. My eye surgery has slowed me down somewhat. With the new families that were added (see Updating to IOC Version 3.2 Underway ) I am making quite a few changes. Because of those families, I am working backwards to make room for the new pages.

Also, my eye surgery went well for a week, then when I got up from a nap last Thursday, my vision was blurred. After two visits to the Doctor, they say all is well, that something floated across inside. So far it is still there a week later. Right now, my vision is less than before the surgery. So, I have not been writing as many articles as normal. Continue to keep my in your prayers. They have definitely been felt.

Red-tailed Laughingthrush (Trochalopteron milnei) and Black-throated in forefront by Lee

Red-tailed Laughingthrush (Trochalopteron milnei) and Black-throated in forefront by Lee

While working on the Leiothrichidae – Laughingthrushes Family, I was enjoying remembering our visit to Zoo Miami this year. Those Laughingthrushes are sort of fun to watch. They hop around instead of walking. We were able to see the Sumatran (Black and White), Black-throated and the Red-tailed Laughingthrushes. I call the Sumatran “Joe Cool.”  We have also seen the Red-faced Liocichla at the Riverbanks Zoo SC and the Red-billed Leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea) by Dan at National Aviary PA

Here are the Families Updated to IOC 3.2 Version from Laughingthrush to Grosbeaks, Saltators & Allies:

  • Out of date – removed

See all the Birds of the World

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Ian’s Bird of the Week – Powerful Owl

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Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) by Ian 1

Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) by Ian 1

Ian’s Bird of the Week – Powerful Owl  ~ by Ian Montgomery

Newsletter – 12/9/2012

My apologies again for a tardy bird of the week, so here is something special. Well, special for me, anyway, as it has been a serious bogey bird for me. All addicted birders and bird photographers have their bogeys, in the sense of ‘an evil or mischievous spirit, a cause of annoyance or harassment’ usually a species that is invisible to the victim or hides whenever the victim is around.

Powerful Owls first cast an evil spell on me on 11 February 1999 when one in Pennant Hills Park made my film camera malfunction so that the entire film was hopelessly underexposed – you can see the wicked gleam in its eye below. As soon as I picked up the film from the chemist the following day, I went back to Pennant Hills Park but the owl was no longer there or no longer visible.

Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) by Ian 2

Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) by Ian 2

Shortly after that I moved from Sydney and switched to digital photography (nowadays we take instant photographic feedback for granted). Since then, whenever I’ve visited Sydney I’ve looked for Powerful Owls in all their usual haunts – Pennant Hills Park, Mitchell Park, Beecroft, Warriewood, Royal Botanic Gardens, Royal National Park, etc. – without success.

Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) by Ian 3

Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) by Ian 3

Last Tuesday I gave a talk on parrots to Birding NSW in Sydney and inquired about POs. Yes, one had been seen in its favourite tree, the White Fig, near the entrance to Government House the previous Saturday. I went there on Wednesday and searched the tree for at least 20 minutes but the owl remained invisible until I decided to leave. Delighted with its success, it let its guard down, the spell weakened and I got the briefest visual sensation, like a shimmering mirage, of a barred tail. Powerful Owls are big 60-65cm/24-26in in length, it was then quite visible from the ground and not very high up, so a spell is the only explanation.

Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) by Ian 4

Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) by Ian 4

The next day, I went birding with Madeleine Murray and we abandoned plans to look for the owl (they’re quite visible to her) and went instead to Port Hacking, south of Sydney, where, lo and behold, we found another one, or to be more accurate Mad found it after I’d walked straight past it as the spell hadn’t entirely dissipated – it normally does so quite quickly after it has been broken once.

Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) by Ian 5

Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) by Ian 5

The Powerful Owl is the largest of the Hawk Owls (genus Ninox) and exceeded in size only by the world’s largest owls such as the Grey Grey and the larger Eagle Owls. It is found in eastern and southeastern Australia usually within 200km of the coast from central Queensland to eastern South Australia. It has large territories ranging in size from 3-15 square kilometres so it is nowhere common and is listed as Vulnerable. However, it seems to be quite tolerant of selective logging and can survive in patchy forests. It feeds mainly on arboreal mammals such as possums, but will also take flying foxes (fruit bats) and roosting birds.

Best wishes
Ian

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Ian Montgomery, Birdway Pty Ltd,
454 Forestry Road, Bluewater, Qld 4818
Tel 0411 602 737 ian@birdway.com.au
Check the latest website updates:
http://www.birdway.com.au/#updates
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Lee’s Addition:

Glad you sent us a Bird of the Week, Ian. I was starting to worry about you, that maybe you were sick or something. The wait was worth it because this is a beautiful Owl. I am glad you are no longer under this bird’s “evil spell on” you.

The Powerful Owl is part of the Strigidae – Owl Family. To see more photos of them, check out Ian’s photos and our Family page here:

Typical or Hawk Owls – Ian’s Birdway

Strigidae – Owl Family

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Birdwatching Eagles on Communications Tower

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Third to arrive

Third to arrive

Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high? (Job 39:27 KJV)

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 KJV)

Last night we went on my first birdwatching adventure since my eye surgery. After an article was shown to me, by a friend, we had to check it out. And it is only about 3 miles from our house.

Here is the article’s link: Eagles Making a Home on Sheriff’s Communications Tower

First Eagle Chased off by Grackle-crop

First Eagle Chased off by Grackle

We arrived around 4:30 pm and we had other birdwatchers coming to see the event. At first there were quite a few Boat-tailed Grackles up on the tower. When the first young Eagle arrived, they promptly chased him off.

When the second Eagle came in, he landed and the Grackles decided it was time to leave. From there on, the mostly young eagles came in one or two at a time. Wow! I have never seen that many Bald Eagles together at one time. By the time we left there were 25 that had come to the tower. When one landed, as the article said, they would start greeting each ofter. The lady standing by us keep coming up with stories they might be telling, like; “How was your day?”, “You should see the large fish that I caught”, “Went over to …..” It was fun.

The setting Sun

The setting Sun

We also saw 2 Sandhill Cranes, 12 Lesser Scaups on the pond, 2 Killdeer, 4 White Ibises flying by and of course the Grackles. It was a nice evening and we watched the sun set over the pond.

The Tower with 20 Bald Eagles

The Tower with 20 Bald Eagles

And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together. (Luke 17:37 KJV)

The tower is 190 feet tall and we were standing back quite a bit. I know my eye is blurry, but considering how zoomed in these photos are, I think they are not bad. Shot several videos trying to get the sound of their greetings, but every one was talking during them. We were all as excited as the Eagles to see each other and have their chats.

What an event.

Here is the tower as we saw it without the aid of the camera.

The Tower without zoom

The Tower without zoom

Bald Eagles are of course one of our Birds of the Bible with at least 34 verses mentioning them. They belong to the Accipitridae – Family (Kites, Hawks & Eagles).

I will have more photos and video later.

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Bible Birds – Eyes and Birds

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Birds on Shore of Tampa Bay

Birds on Shore of Tampa Bay – 11/23/12 by Lee

As many of you know I have just gone through eye surgery this last Thursday. (Prayer for Eye Surgery) Today, Monday, I am getting clearer vision daily, but my activities are still limited. I was able to attend church last evening and even went out afterwards with our friends. The Doctor said it was “his easiest surgery of the day and every thing went just like it should.” (I was his last patient) also told me I was his “best patient of the day.” When he walk out I told the nurses that were with me that he probably tell all his patients that. They told me that they had never heard him say that to anyone.

I told you all of that to thank you for your prayers for my Doctor and for my nervousness. Both were answered mightily. The Lord helped direct his hand and since I had to be awake, helped me stay still. They can’t put you out because you must have your eyes open. My eye was numbed, but I saw part of what was going on.

Well, guess where my mind went yesterday? I started wondering how many times “eye” and some “bird” showed up in the same verse. With enlarged type, my search found around 20 verses. Some of my upcoming Bible Bird blogs will investigate these verses. Have you ever searched your Bible to find out about a certain word or words? There are over 600 verses which have “Eye” in it. I enjoy using my “e-Sword” search and compare modes. Makes for some interesting topics to study from God’s Word.

In fact, some articles that have already been written on the main blog. (These are just a few of them)

Birds of the Bible – Vulture Eyesight – Job 28:7

When I Consider! – Turkey Vulture – Job 28:7

Birds of the Bible – Hawks – Job 28:7 and 39:26-30

Birds of the Bible – God’s Providence To His Creatures

The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. (Psalms 145:15 KJV)

Birds of the Bible – Eagles and Riches 

Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. (Proverbs 23:5 KJV)

There are more and will be covered later.

Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, (Psalms 17:8 KJV)

Interesting verses, but not directly related to birds:

He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see? (Psalms 94:9 KJV) (Our Creator)

The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them. (Proverbs 20:12 KJV)

Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. (Psalms 119:18 KJV)

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. (Psalms 32:8 KJV) (How?)

Again, thank you for your prayers. I still have several weeks of recovery ahead of me, so please remember me in your prayers as you think about it. Prayer is felt when it is being answered.

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Birds of the Bible – Eyes and Birds

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Birds on Shore of Tampa Bay

Birds on Shore of Tampa Bay – 11/23/12 by Lee

As many of you know I have just gone through eye surgery this last Thursday. (Prayer for Eye Surgery) Today, Monday, I am getting clearer vision daily, but my activities are still limited. I was able to attend church last evening and even went out afterwards with our friends. The Doctor said it was “his easiest surgery of the day and every thing went just like it should.” (I was his last patient) also told me I was his “best patient of the day.” When he walk out I told the nurses that were with me that he probably tell all his patients that. They told me that they had never heard him say that to anyone.

I told you all of that to thank you for your prayers for my Doctor and for my nervousness. Both were answered mightily. The Lord helped direct his hand and since I had to be awake, helped me stay still. They can’t put you out because you must have your eyes open. My eye was numbed, but I saw part of what was going on.

Well, guess where my mind went yesterday? I started wondering how many times “eye” and some “bird” showed up in the same verse. With enlarged type, my search found around 20 verses. Some of my upcoming Birds of the Bible blogs will investigate these verses. In fact, some have already been written. (These are just a few of them)

Birds of the Bible – Vulture Eyesight – Job 28:7

When I Consider! – Turkey Vulture – Job 28:7

Birds of the Bible – Hawks – Job 28:7 and 39:26-30

Birds of the Bible – God’s Providence To His Creatures

The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. (Psalms 145:15 KJV)

Birds of the Bible – Eagles and Riches 

Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. (Proverbs 23:5 KJV)

There are more and will be covered later.

Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, (Psalms 17:8 KJV)

Interesting verses, but not directly related to birds:

He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see? (Psalms 94:9 KJV) (Our Creator)

The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them. (Proverbs 20:12 KJV)

Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. (Psalms 119:18 KJV)

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. (Psalms 32:8 KJV) (How?)

This is just a sampling. There are over 600 verses which have “Eye” in it. I enjoy using my “e-Sword” search and compare modes. Makes for some interesting topics to study from God’s Word.

Again, thank you for your prayers. I still have several weeks of recovery ahead of me, so please remember me in your prayers as you think about it. Prayer is felt when it is being answered.

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Prayer for Eye Surgery

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Black-bellied Plover - Ft DeSoto 11-22-12 Thanksgiving

Black-bellied Plover – Ft DeSoto 11-22-12 Thanksgiving – A new Life Bird for me

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (Psalms 34:8 NKJV)

Today I am scheduled to have eye surgery at noon. I have a pucker on my macular (retina) and they are going to remove it. It is on my left eye, which is my camera eye and one of the two I use for my binoculars. This blog is being written and scheduled ahead of time as will the next few days articles. I have been working ahead so that while I am recovering that you won’t be too bored with no articles. :)

Please pray for Dr. Misch as he operates on my eye. It is amazing what they will be doing and it is amazing because of how the Lord created our eyes. It may be a week to 10 days before my vision clears up.

I am trusting the Lord that all will go well and I know He is the Great Physician. He already knows the outcome and will provide whatever is needed. Am I nervous, yes, but I am also human. :)  Pray for me that I stay calm during this procedure.

The birds are waiting for me to recover so I can get back to birdwatching and taking their photos. What amazing things the Lord has created for us to discover.

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Why do we study science? – Re-post

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Black-and-red Broadbill (Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos) by Ian

Here is another great article from Creation Science 4 Kids.

“There are many reasons we study how the world works and all the things in it, but is there anything extra for a Christian?  When you watch a nature show or read about animals, space and other things, did you know that there will probably be something big missing?”

Rest of the article is great.

“… so when we see how awesome, jaw-dropping, mind-boggling, weird beyond anything we could dream up the universe is, what shall we do?  Stop and praise the One who thought of all these things, designed how to get them to work and SPOKE them into being.”

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11

See the rest of the article HERE.

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Birds of the Bible – Loading the Ark

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Snowy Egret - Wind Blown at Ft DeSoto 11-22-12 Thanksgiving

Snowy Egret – Wind Blown at Ft DeSoto 11-22-12 Thanksgiving

Dan and I just got back from a trip to Tampa for just 2 nights for the Thanksgiving holiday. My brother had a knee replacement on Wednesday (he’s doing fine), so we tied visiting him and doing some birdwatching in that area. Do you know how much we carried with us for just three days? Of course we carried our binoculars, cameras, tripod, laptop, plus clothes. Plus…

I also am starting my reading cycle through the Bible again and just read about Noah and the Ark. Because the earth had become so corrupt and violent, God said He was going to  destroy man, beast, creeping things and birds.

So the LORD said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. (Genesis 6:7-9 NKJV)

And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. (Genesis 6:13 NKJV)

Willit - Laughing Gull - Forster's Tern at Ft DeSoto 11-22-12 Thanksgiving

Willit – Laughing Gull – Forster’s Tern at Ft DeSoto 11-22-12 Thanksgiving

Most of us know this history in the Word. Through Genesis 6, the Ark is built and Noah keeps trying to tell others to repent, but eventually the time comes and it is time to “Load the Ark.”

And of every living thing of all flesh you shall bring two of every sort into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. Of the birds after their kind, of animals after their kind, and of every creeping thing of the earth after its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive. And you shall take for yourself of all food that is eaten, and you shall gather it to yourself; and it shall be food for you and for them.” Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did. (Genesis 6:19-22 NKJV)

Noah didn’t need to worry about taking cameras and laptops, but they had a whole lot more to get loaded on the Ark. We have all taken trips and know how long it takes to get everything in the car or van. Can you imagine when the LORD finally said that it was time to “start loading.” Noah and his family had been preparing and gathering the food, water, and supplies. If I read the first few verses of Genesis 7 correctly, they had a week (seven days) to put that in and the animals and birds. Those came to Noah, but they still had to arrange them into the different places on board the Ark. Whew! Some of us have enough trouble just loading the trunk.

Shorebirds at MacDill AFB shore 11-23-12

Many believe the Critters rested most of the time while on board.

I am thankful that Noah and his family lived righteously and that they found grace. If not, I wouldn’t be writing this blog, nor would I be enjoying all the things the Lord created, especially the birds I love to write about.

Praise the Lord!

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Other Birds of the Bible articles about this:

The Lord Provides For Them

Seven By Seven

God’s Commands and Promises To Them – Part I

Leaving the Ark

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