Author Archives: Lee

Others May, You Cannot – G. D. Watson

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The following challenge was on the inside cover of this month’s “Acts & Facts” from the Institute for Creation Research. It is worth sharing and is a challenge for me that I would like to live up to, with the Lord’s help. As Christians, we should strive to live for the Lord. This article was an inspiration for Dr. Henry Morris and has been for others. George Douglas Watson lived from 1845-1924 and the following is in public domain.

If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. (Matthew 16:24-25)

“If God has called you to be truly like Jesus in all your spirit, He will draw you into a life of crucifixion and humility. He will put on you such demands of obedience that you will not be allowed to follow other Christians. In many ways, He seems to let other good people do things which He will not let you do.

Others who seem to be very religious and useful may push themselves, pull wires, and scheme to carry out their plans, but you cannot. If you attempt it, you will meet with such failure and rebuke from the Lord as to make you sorely penitent.

Others can brag about themselves, their work, their successes, their writings, but the Holy Spirit will not allow you to do any such thing. If you begin to do so, He will lead you into some deep mortification that will make you despise yourself and all your good works.

G. D. Watson (1845-1924)

Others will be allowed to succeed in making great sums of money, or having a legacy left to them, or in having luxuries, but God may supply you only on a day-to-day basis, because He wants you to have something far better than gold, a helpless dependence on Him and His unseen treasury.

The Lord may let others be honored and put forward while keeping you hidden in obscurity because He wants to produce some choice, fragrant fruit for His coming glory, which can only be produced in the shade.

God may let others be great, but keep you small. He will let others do a work for Him and get the credit, but He will make you work and toil without knowing how much you are doing. Then, to make your work still more precious, He will let others get the credit for the work which you have done; this to teach you the message of the Cross, humility, and something of the value of being cloaked with His nature.

The Holy Spirit will put a strict watch on you, and with a jealous love rebuke you for careless words and feelings, or for wasting your time, which other Christians never seem distressed over.

So make up your mind that God is an infinite Sovereign and has a right to do as He pleases with His own, and that He may not explain to you a thousand things which may puzzle your reason in His dealings with you.

God will take you at your word. If you absolutely sell yourself to be His slave, He will wrap you up in a jealous love and let other people say and do many things that you cannot. Settle it forever; you are to deal directly with the Holy Spirit, He is to have the privilege of tying your tongue or chaining your hand or closing your eyes in ways which others are not dealt with. However, know this great secret of the Kingdom: When you are so completely possessed with the Living God that you are, in your secret heart, pleased and delighted over this peculiar, personal, private, jealous guardianship and management of the Holy Spirit over your life, you will have found the vestibule of heaven, the high calling of God.”

Quote taken from Christian Articles – G.D.Watson page

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Birdwatching – South Lake Howard Nature Park – 10/2/10

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South Lake Howard Nature Park, Winter Haven, FL

South Lake Howard Nature Park, Winter Haven, FL

Saturday, Dan and I were back out birdwatching and enjoying God’s creation. This time we stopped by the South Lake Howard Nature Park in Winter Haven. It was another beautiful “cooler” day like Friday at Circle B.

He put another story before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and put in his field: Which is smaller than all seeds; but when it has come up it is greater than the plants, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of heaven come and make their resting-places in its branches. (Matthew 13:31-32 BBE)

Testing Camera on a White Ibis

Testing Camera on a White Ibis

We were only testing out my camera this time. After missing so many great photos at the Circle B and other outings, we stopped by Marshall’s Camera Shop in Auburndale that afternoon to discuss my camera’s problem. It had been acting up for some time and it wouldn’t auto-focus right. After some adjustments and an attempt to sell me a new Canon, I was satisfied to try some more with my faithful Panasonic Lumix point-and-shoot, always on “program” mode or “video” mode camera. (I’ll leave all those f-stops and ISO’s for the photographers who know what there doing, like Dan, Ian, and my great photographers.) I shoot “proof-shots” (I saw it) and “ID shots” (What was that bird?).

White Ibis on Rail at S. Lake Howard

White Ibis on Rail at S. Lake Howard

White Ibis on Rail up close

White Ibis on Rail up close

With the camera in hand, we checked out the park and managed to see 18 different species and the camera was behaving much better. The birds we observed were small in number again, like Friday. Not sure why the birds haven’t gotten back down here yet. Hope that big storm that went up the East Coast lately didn’t mess up their migration trips down here.

Tricolored Heron at South Lake Howard

Tricolored Heron

South Lake Howard - Bunny

Bunny at South Lake Howard

Here is a list of what we saw and reported to e-Bird. I didn’t report the bunny rabbit to them.

Number of species:     18
Anhinga     1
Great Blue Heron     2
Great Egret     1
Little Blue Heron     1
Tricolored Heron     2
White Ibis     10
Wood Stork     2
Osprey     2
Purple Gallinule     3
Common Moorhen     9
Mourning Dove     1
Monk Parakeet     5
Belted Kingfisher     1
Blue Jay     3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher     1
Northern Mockingbird     2
Red-winged Blackbird     2
Boat-tailed Grackle     3

For more visits to South Lake Howard Nature Park.

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Birdwatching at Circle B – 10/01/2010

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Circle B Bar Reserve View

Circle B Bar Reserve View on 10-1-10

Now that the weather is improving and the humidity is becoming bearable, it’s time to go birdwatching again. Actually we have been out several times in the last few week. We made a trip a few weeks ago to Fort Desoto in Pinellas County. I am still trying to figure out which birds we saw at the beach. I’ll save those birds for another blog. It was a delightful day to be out birdwatching.

This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. … God is the LORD, And He has given us light; (Psalms 118:24, 27a NKJV)

Yesterday, 10-1-10 we went to the Circle B Bar Reserve to take a look around. We only went about a mile round trip. The same birds were there, but few in number. Apparently the migrants that spend the winter haven’t arrive yet. They are just trickling in slowly. Talking to one of the volunteers out there, he agrees that the birds are behind their normal arrival.

Black Vultures Lining the tree limbs-bad shot by you get the idea

Black Vultures Lining the tree limbs-bad shot by you get the idea

We stopped by “Buzzard Beach” which is on the perimeter of the Reserve, but part of it. There were well over 100 Black Vultures lining the trees and on the ground. Unfortunately, my camera was acting up and my shots were bad.

Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) by Lee at Circle B Bar Reserve 10-1-10

Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) by Lee at Circle B Bar Reserve 10-1-10

We started around 7:45 and birded for about 2 hours altogether. My prize of the day was the Carolina Wren. I have been hearing them on previous visits, but could not get one in my camera. Yesterday, I finally got a photo. There were two of them and with help from a friend, we both got them in view.

Little Blue Heron immature in a Tree by Dan at Circle B

Little Blue Heron immature in a Tree by Dan at Circle B

Another nice find was a Little Blue Heron that was immature and still in it’s White form. The rest of the birds we pretty much what we get most times out at the Circle B this time of the year.

At any rate, here is the list of birds I reported to eBird at http://ebird.org/content/ebird

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Blue-winged Teal
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Anhinga
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Little Blue Heron
Tricolored Heron
Green Heron
White Ibis
Wood Stork
Black Vulture -100
Osprey
Cooper’s Hawk
Purple Gallinule
Common Moorhen
Sandhill Crane
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Blue Jay
Fish Crow
Carolina Wren
Northern Mockingbird
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Boat-tailed Grackle

Number of species:     31

For other birdwatching trips to the Circle B Bar Reserve

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Birds of the Bible – Tamed

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Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta) at NA by Dan

Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta) at National Aviary by Dan

Last week while Dan and I were visiting the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, FL, the idea for this article began. We were watching the Birds of Prey show that they have daily. We had also watched the Bird shows at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, PA back in August.

Both places present some very interesting birds and they are not on leashes. The birds have the freedom to move around on their own, yet they do not run or fly away. They may  have been spooked at times, in Pittsburgh, and they may have to go get them, but they eventually get them back. Both places had birds flying over the heads of the spectators and doing stunts, yet they were  being controlled by the trainers. In other words, they were “tamed.”

Listening to the trainers, they tell how the birds are trained by “positive reinforcement.” The birds are encouraged  to perform for a “reward” for doing it right, but are never “punished” for not doing it right. They are just not given a “treat.” So none of the birds are mistreated.

20100921 Lowry Pk Zoo Red-legged Seriema

Lowry Pk Zoo Red-legged Seriema with plastic lizard

Red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata) by Lee at National Aviary

Red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata) by Lee at National Aviary

What they do is encourage the bird to perform something that is already one of its behaviors. For instance, both places brought out the Red-legged Seriema, which is a bird of prey, and gave it a plastic lizard. Both birds picked it up and slung it to the floor several times. This is the normal way they kill their prey. So this was an easy task for the birds, yet the trainers had to “train or tame” the bird to where it would do its behavior on command.

The Serierma was just one of many birds doing “behaviors on command” at the Zoo and the Aviary. I felt the breezes of hawks, owls, and an eagle flying just over my head. Below is a Slide show of some of the “tamed” birds at both places.

The Bible only mentions “tame” or “tamed” in two different places. The first is mentioned in Mark 5:3-4 when a man with an unclean spirit, who dwelt in the tombs, “and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him.” Jesus healed him.

For He said to him,  “Come out of the man, unclean spirit! (Mark 5:8 NKJV)

In James, we find the verses that tell about the birds being tamed. When we look around, we all can see many incidences of tamed critters and birds. Have you ever seen a critter tame a person? Man was given dominion over the critters in Genesis. Dominion did not mean what some think of today as subjugation, but it was more of use of, care of, learning from, and protecting them. Yet, God made man in His image, therefore man and woman are higher than the critters (all of them), not equal with them as some teach. Man has a “soul” which is accountable to God, the critters do not have a “soul.”

For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. (James 3:7 NKJV)

The one thing that has a problem is the “tongue.” James goes on to say,

But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. (James 3:8-10 NKJV)

These are some of the birds used in the shows or out and about with their trainers.

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Birds in Songs – On Eagle’s Wings

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Bald Eagle flying by Dave's BirdingPix

Bald Eagle flying by Dave's BirdingPix

I love eagles and I love this song. The song was written by Michael Joncas, in 1979 Unfortunately the words are copyrighted, so I can’t put them here on the blog, but this video has them.

Hope you enjoy the video by mhcaillesrn.

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Birds of the Bible – The Lord Provides For Them

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Silver-eared Leiothrix (Leiothrix argentauris) by Ian

Silver-eared Leiothrix (Leiothrix argentauris) brightly colored-by Ian

O LORD, how many are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all; The earth is full of Your possessions. There is the sea, great and broad, In which are swarms without number, Animals both small and great. There the ships move along, And Leviathan, which You have formed to sport in it. They all wait for You To give them their food in due season. You give to them, they gather it up; You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good. (Psalms 104:24-28 NASB)

When you look at all that is around you, do you stand amazed at the Lord God’s Creative Hand or do you just think given enough time, this all came about? For me, I see an awesome Creator God that has wisdom and understanding that is way beyond my finite mind to comprehend. As I was praying and asking the Lord to help me do this article, I thought, “Lord you knew I was going to make this prayer this morning.” “You know what I’ll pray about tomorrow, and the next, and next year.” Whoa! I had to finish up my prayer and not get carried away. But, now, I had my idea for this blog today.

In Genesis 1 we learn that when the critters, birds, man and woman were created, they were vegetarians.

And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”; and it was so. Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day. (Genesis 1:29-31 NKJV)

God knew that man was going to sin and that the he (man and woman) and all the critters, birds, fish, and the earth were going to be cursed. God knows the end from the beginning. “Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” (Psalms 90:2 NKJV) Just as He provide for man, that Jesus Christ would come to pay the price for our sins; He provided for the animals and birds so they could defend themselves from the cursed nature of other critters and birds.

Silver-eared Leiothrix (Leiothrix argentauris) by Ian

Silver-eared Leiothrix blended in tree-by Ian

Watching birds, one of my favorite things to do, you can see God’s Protective Hand at work. The colors alone, give a clue. The male birds seem to be the most brightly colored, which helps the get a mate. Their mating helps preserve their species and the female, whose color is usually subtle, is protected as she sits on the nest. The bright colors of many birds, which I love to see, seem to blend right in with their surrounding. Again protecting them from predators.

God gave the birds a command to reproduce.  “And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” (Genesis 1:22 NKJV) When they came off the Ark, He said to Noah, “Bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you: birds and cattle and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, so that they may abound on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth.” (Genesis 8:17 NKJV)

Steller's Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus) by Lee at NA

Steller’s Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus) by Lee at NA

The predators!  Many of the plants before the Flood were large and thick. The beaks and claws were used to help them eat plants, now, those same beaks and claws help them catch prey. They were still provided for by God’s forethought even though that was not what the Creator wanted them to do. He knew the end from the beginning.

I could name trait after trait, where the Creator’s love, omniscience (all-knowing), omnipotence (all-powerful), and care is shown to critters and birds. Look and observe the birds and you will see that they had a Awesome Creator that knew the end from the beginning and has well provided for them.

He sends forth springs in the valleys; They flow between the mountains; They give drink to every beast of the field; The wild donkeys quench their thirst. Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; They lift up their voices among the branches. He waters the mountains from His upper chambers; The earth is satisfied with the fruit of His works. He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the labor of man, So that he may bring forth food from the earth, (Psalms 104:10-14 NASB)

What about us? Do we observe and realize the love, care, omniscience, and omnipotence in our (man’s) creation? How about your body, eyes, skin, internal organ, heart, mind? They were all fantastically created by a loving God. Yes, they are falling apart. Yes, they become corrupt. Yes, we die. That is because of the curse and the fall of man into sin.
But!

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 KJV)

Let me leave you with encouragement and thoughts that the Lord gave his disciples:

Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. (Luke 12:22-31 NKJV)

The Wordless Birds
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National Aviary – Hospital, Breeding, and Kitchen Areas

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Gracie the retired Chestnut-mandibled Toucan (Ramphastos swainsonii)

Gracie the retired Chestnut-mandibled Toucan (Ramphastos swainsonii)

One of the special privileges at the National Aviary was the behind the scenes places we were allowed to visit. Sarah, the “Bird Nurse” (Head Keeper of Hospital Care), that we had met the day before, and Steven, the Director of Animal Programs, gave us a grand tour. (See Introduction)

Gracie the retired Chestnut-mandibled Toucan (Ramphastos swainsonii)

Gracie the retired Chestnut-mandibled Toucan petted by Lee

We started off by visiting the “Geriatric Hospital” where the retired or aging bird’s care is provided. We met, Jamie, the Vetenarian Technician, who works with the birds also. We met “Skippy”, the 23 year old Black-necked Stilt. There were other birds there like, “Gracie”, a Chestnut-mandibled Toucan, which I got to scratch her head. She had performed well over the years, but now is retired. Other retirees were “Smiley”, the White-tailed Trogan; “Stevie”, the Boat-billed Heron;  “Hermie”, the Montezuma Oropendola; a  Blue-naped Mousebird, Sudan Golden Sparrow, Black-naped Oriole, Goldie’s Lorikeet, Spangled Cotinga, Superb Starling, Collared Kingfisher and one or two others that I missed writing down. My excitement was way up there.

National Aviary Hospital X-ray and Surgery

National Aviary Hospital X-ray and Surgery

Down in the basement also was their hospital area where they do any surgery and take x-rays. It was quite well equipped and the physical needs of all the aves that live at the National Aviary are well provided for.

Steven, the Director, then met us and took up to the 2nd floor where his “pride and joy” are housed. That is where the breeding birds were kept. As you may know, many of the zoos and aviaries goal is to help preserve species that are endangered or close to extinction. Not all the birds being bred there were in those categories. The were pairs of Blue-fronted Amazon Parrots, Green Aracaris, Grossbeak Starlings, Cape Thicknees, Palm Cockatoos, Turquoise-fronted Amazons, Golden-crested Mynas, Bali Mynas and Rainbow Lorikeets. Wow! Saw all of them close up. What a thrill.

Pearl-spotted Owlet (Glaucidium perlatum) Breeding Room by Lee

Pearl-spotted Owlet (Glaucidium perlatum) Breeding Room by Lee

During that day and the next, we also visited the regular aviary hospital and some more “behind the scenes” places. At the Hospital, Sarah showed us some of her current patients like the Black-headed Woodpecker, Pearl-sided Owlet, Call Duck (broken wing), Runner Duck (broken hip), Rhinoceros Hornbill, Micronesian Kingfisher, White-crested Laughingthrush, and a Silkie Chicken.

Who gives food to all flesh, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. (Psalms 136:25 NASB)

All of these birds and the one mammal (2-toed Sloth) need to eat. Do they ever eat well! In the Kitchen area they were preparing the next meal for them. Wow! What great looking fresh fruits and vegetables were being prepared. Of course, there are different kinds of bird foods and seeds. We were shown the different crickets, worms and “Super Worms” which are the “worm of choice” by many of the avian eaters. The fresh and frozen “meat” (mouse, chicken, fish, etc.) are kept in walk-in coolers and freezer. These feathered critters are well supplied with their daily bounty.
What an amazing place and honor to be shown so many areas of the National Aviary. Our hearty thanks to Steven, Sarah, Jamie, and all the trainers and staff that made our visit “super special.” Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005. He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon even to the hyssop that grows on the wall; he spoke also of animals and birds and creeping things and fish. Men came from all peoples to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom. (1 Kings 4:32-34 NASB)

Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness. (Psalms 150:2 NASB)

Hope you enjoy the slide show below. Not all the photos are great, but they will give you an idea of what the visit was like. FABULOUS!
See Also:

National Aviary, Pittsburgh, PA

Happy Birthday – Skippy at National Aviary

Birdwatching at the National Aviary – Introduction

National Aviary – Penguin Encounter

Birds of the Bible – At the National Aviary

Birdwatching the National Aviary – Grasslands

Birdwatching the National Aviary – Tropical Forest

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Updating Life List of All Birds We Have Seen

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Golden-breasted Starling (Lamprotornis regius) at NA by Lee

Golden-breasted Starling (Lamprotornis regius) by Lee

I have been busy behind the scene working on the “Life List of All Birds We Have Seen” page. It is a work in progress. Decided to list all the birds we have seen in person, whether they were in the wild, seen at zoos or in an aviary.

When the Lord created them, He declared them very good. So why should we not have pleasure in keeping track of them, whether they are free or confined. Many in aviaries at zoos or the National Aviary are being very well taken care of and provided for. Many are being bred to preserve their species.

Praise the LORD! I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, …. The works of the LORD are great, Studied by all who have pleasure in them. His work is honorable and glorious, And His righteousness endures forever. He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; The LORD is gracious and full of compassion. (Psalms 111:1-4 NKJV)

I have put them in taxonomic order and used the I.O.C. list of names. (2.5 Version). Searching through old photos and current ones, I am trying to find as many pictures of the birds we have seen as possible. Some of the photos are what I would call a “proof shot,” which means, it’s not great, but you can tell which bird it is. Some are from scanned photos and our first digital cameras. But all links to photos on the page were taken by either Dan or I.

Demoiselle Crane (Anthropoides virgo) at MetroZoo 1989-Photo

I also contacted the Miami Metro Zoo, which had the fabulous Wings of Asia aviary before Hurricane Andrew blew it away. (Rebuilt in 2003) We had an annual pass back then and visited it quite often. That was about the time I really became a birdwatcher. They sent me a list of the birds that were in the aviary just before the hurricane. I am using those birds also on my list. I only have a few photos from there because most were taken on slides which were lost.

Anyway, the page will be updated quite frequently as photos are found and linked to the page. Hope you enjoy them and that you keep better list of the birds you have seen than I did.

See: “Life List of All Birds We Have Seen“

Interesting Things – Loving Poison Dart Frog

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Poison Dart Frog - (Epipedobates tricolor)close ©Wiki

Poison Dart Frog - (Epipedobates tricolor)close ©Wiki

The Loving Poison Dart Frog – from Creation Moments

We love Him because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19)

SmileyCentral.comThe Choco Indians of Panama and Colombia use the poison from the skin of the beautiful poison dart frog to make their lethal darts. The bright orange and deep blue skin of this frog serves to warn predators that it is best left alone and its poisonous skin untouched.

Poison Dart Frog - (Epipedobates tricolor)close ©Wiki

Poison Dart Frog - (Epipedobates tricolor)close ©Wiki

Although it is deadly, the poison dart frog is one of the most loving parents in the entire amphibian world. The female will lay about a dozen eggs in the leaf litter within her mate’s territory. Both parents will stand watch over the eggs, keeping them moist, until the tadpoles emerge. Then the female allows each tadpole, one at a time, to wriggle onto her back. She takes each tadpole, in its turn, to its own miniature pond created by water trapped in the fronds of jungle plants. The mother poison dart frog remembers where each one of her tadpoles is and returns on a regular schedule to lay infertile eggs for the growing youngster to eat.

I would prefer to think that the care of the adult poison dart frogs for their children grows out of a sense of love for their off-spring, and we know that God is the author of all love. But even if this care is programmed instinct, we must still find the “programmer” – and that takes us back to the Creator once again. Such wisdom cannot be said to come from nowhere.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, the source of all love and wisdom, grant wisdom to Your people so that they may effectively witness to those around them who are being misled to believe that love is merely instinct and that wisdom can come from nowhere. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Notes:
Brownlee, Shannon, 1985, Discover, May, p. 55. ©Creation Moments 2010

Poison Dart Frog - Dendrobatid Frog-Peru ©WikiC

Poison Dart Frog - Dendrobatid Frog-Peru ©WikiC

From Wikipedia:
“Most species of poison dart frogs are small, sometimes less than 1.5 centimetres (0.59 in) in adult length, although a few are up to 6 centimetres (2.4 in) in length. They weigh about 2 grams, depending on the size of the frog. Most poison dart frogs are brightly colored, displaying aposematic patterns to warn potential predators. Their bright coloration is associated with their toxicity and levels of alkaloids. Frogs like the ones of Dendrobates species have high levels of alkaloids, whereas the Colostethus species are cryptically colored and are non-toxic.[5] Unlike most other frogs, they are diurnal, rather than being primarily nocturnal or crepuscular.[6] When born and raised in captivity, poison frogs do not produce the skin toxins which they retain in their native habitat.[7]

They lay their eggs in moist places, including on leaves, in plants, among exposed roots, and elsewhere, and allow the tadpoles to wriggle onto their backs shortly after they hatch. They then carry the piggy-backed tadpoles to water, where the larva remain until metamorphosis. The water is typically a pool, but some species use the water gathered in bromeliads or other plants; and some species provide food, supplying the tadpoles with unfertilized eggs to eat.[6]

Many species of poison dart frog are dedicated parents. The red-and-blue poison-arrow frog (Dendrobates pumilio) carry their newly hatched tadpoles into the canopy. The tadpoles stick to the mucus on the back of their parents. Once in the upper reaches of the rainforest trees the parents deposit their young in the pools of water that accumulate in epiphytic plants such as bromeliads. The tadpoles feed on invertebrates in their arboreal nursery and their mother will even supplement their diet by depositing eggs into the water. Other poison frogs lay their eggs on the forest floor, hidden beneath the leaf litter.”
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Birds of the Bible – Birds of Prey from the Mountains

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Mountain Caracara (Phalcoboenus megalopterus) ©WikiC

Mountain Caracara (Phalcoboenus megalopterus) ©WikiC

Last week the Birds of the Bible article was an introduction to the Birds of Prey. This week, the Birds of Prey from the mountains will be covered. So begins a challenge of finding birds that are not listed that way in most books or the internet.

First, let’s look at the verse in the Bible that refers to the “birds of prey of the mountains” and how the various translations translate the verse.

They shall all of them be left to the birds of prey of the mountains and to the beasts of the earth. And the birds of prey will summer on them, and all the beasts of the earth will winter on them. (Isaiah 18:6 ESV)

Mountain Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium gnoma) ©WikiC

Mountain Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium gnoma) ©WikiC

ravenous birds of the mountains – ASV, RV,JPS
birds of the mountains -BBE, MKJV
fowls of the mountains – KJV, Webster
mountain buzzards – CEV
mountain birds of prey – Darby, NAS77, NASB, NKJV
birds of prey of(on) the mountains – ESV, GW
ravenous fowl of the mountains – YLT
birds – GNB,

Other than the GNB (Good News ), they all mention that the birds are from the mountains.

The birds of prey from the mountains are coming to a feast of dead bodies that is going to last through the summer and the winter or for approximately a year. It appears that there was to be a judgment and the corpses left for the birds.

For before the harvest, when the blossom is over, and the flower becomes a ripening grape, he cuts off the shoots with pruning hooks, and the spreading branches he lops off and clears away. (Isaiah 18:5 ESV)

Mountain Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus nipalensis) by Peter Ericsson

Mountain Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus nipalensis) by Peter Ericsson

John Gill’s Exposition – “he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and take away and cut down the branches; as the vinedresser; or rather as one that has no good will to the vine, cuts it with pruning hooks, not to make it better, but worse, and cuts off, not the dead withered and useless parts of it, but the sprigs that have buds and flowers, or unripe grapes, upon them, and even whole branches that have clusters on them, and takes them and casts them away, to be trodden under foot, or cast into the fire; so the Lord, or the king of Assyria, the instrument in the hand of God, should cut off the Ethiopians, or the Egyptians, with the sword, both small and great, when their enterprise should fail, and their promised success: or this is to be understood of the destruction of Sennacherib’s army by the angel, when he was full of expectation of taking Jerusalem, and plundering that rich city. Jarchi and Kimchi interpret it of the destruction of the armies of Gog and Magog. The Targum is, and he shall kill the princes of the people with the sword, and their mighty ones he shall remove and cause to pass over.”

Mountain Buzzard (Buteo oreophilus)©WikiC

Mountain Buzzard (Buteo oreophilus)©WikiC

K & D – “The words of Jehovah concerning Himself have here passed imperceptibly into words of the prophet concerning Jehovah. The ripening grapes, as Isaiah 18:6 now explains, are the Assyrians, who were not far from the summit of their power; the fruit-branches that are cut off and nipped in pieces are their corpses, which are now through both summer and winter the food of swarms of summer birds, as well as of beasts of prey that remain the whole winter through. This is the act of divine judgment, to which the approaching exaltation of the banner, and the approaching blast of trumpets, is to call the attention of the people of Ethiopia.”

Now the birds are brought to this judgmental feast, but what are mountain birds of prey? I tried to find Eagles, Hawks, Owls, Vultures, or whatever birds I could that live in the mountains or at high elevations. Here are a few that I found with “mountain” in their name:

From the Accipitriformes Order – Accipitridae Family:

Mountain Serpent Eagle (Spilornis kinabaluensis) Found in northern Borneo, Sabah, Sarawak and Kalimantan. It inhabits submontane and montane evergreen rainforests. It prefers forests with height of 1,000-2,900 meters (3,220- 9514 feet) above sea level.
Mountain Buzzard (Buteo oreophilus) – Lives in montane forests in East Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and extreme eastern DR Congo) and forests and plantations in South Africa. The latter population is sometimes considered a separate species, the Forest Buzzard (B. trizonatus).
Mountain Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus nipalensis) It is a bird of mountain woodland, which builds a stick nest in a tree and lays usually a single egg. It breeds in southern Asia from Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka to China, Taiwan and Japan.

From the Falconiformes Order–Falconidae Family:
Mountain Caracara (Phalcoboenus megalopterus) a species of bird of prey in the Falconidae family. It is found in puna and páramo in the Andes, ranging from southern Ecuador, through Peru and Bolivia, to northern Argentina and Chile. It is generally uncommon to fairly common. A highly opportunistic bird commonly seen walking on the ground, it will feed on both carrion and virtually any small animal it can catch. It resembles the closely related Carunculated Caracara and White-throated Caracara, but unlike those species its chest is uniform black. Juveniles are far less distinctive than the red-faced pied adults, being overall brown with dull pinkish-grey facial skin.

From the Strigiformes Order – Strigidae Family:
Mountain Scops Owl (Otus spilocephalus) sometimes referred to as the spotted scops owl. It is locally common in its main habitat which covers some parts of Asia, mostly Bhutan and Taiwan. It has a short high-pitched call similar to the sound a radar makes.
Mountain Pygmy Owl/Northern Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium gnoma) Their breeding habitat includes open to semi-open woodlands of foothills and mountains in western North America. In Oregon and Washington they are known to nest and forage in the center of dense, continuous forests, near streams.[2] An example of their habitat is Forest Park in Portland, Oregon. Males will regularly perch at the top of the tallest available conifer trees to issue their territorial call…

There are many more numerous Birds of Prey which live in the mountains and high forests, but time prevents finding and listing them all. The birds presented here are just to whet your appetite to find more of them and to further study the passage of Scripture. There are also many interpretations of Isaiah 18:6.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)

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Information about the birds from Wikipedia

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Using Whatever Talent the Lord Has Given You

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Thought I would share an article that I wrote for our church blog (The Fountain).
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As many of you know, around Faith Baptist, I am known as the “Bird Lady.” Also many have read the “Birds of the Bible” articles of the past. How did this come about?

When I was 16 years old (1960) I accepted the Lord as my Saviour and thus began my journey with the Lord. The Lord allowed me to attend Bob Jones University through the War Orphans Fund (my father died as a result of the war and my mother died when I was 13). Not being from an educational family (D+ average in high school), I struggled academically, but the desire to finish was strong. I finished my degree 16 years after I started with a Bible major. I had tried many majors, but never found what I wanted.

While we were on vacation this summer, we attended a friend’s church and they were questioning things that became a turning point in our lives. There were various testimonies given and then I remembered one that changed me. In 1979, Dan and I purchased our first computer, a Radio Shack Model I. I spent hours teaching myself all about it and learning to program. That computer and the many since gave me a direction and a niche for me to fill. I always told the Lord that I just didn’t have any talents to offer Him. Long story short, I became a computer teacher and ended up even getting a Masters degree in Computer Education.

Sunbittern at Lowry Park Zoo by Dan

In the late 80’s I became a birdwatcher. A naturalist at our local park became my mentor. I had always loved the out of doors and enjoyed watching God’s creation, but could not put many names on what I saw. Birds are just so beautiful and show the Lord’s creative hand so much. I am just amazed and love watching them. Another niche!

Now there were three important parts to my life; the Lord, computers and birds. (Of course Dan is there also) My desire and prayers were that the Lord would let me blend those three things into some sort of ministry for Him. It began by doing five-minute presentations to a junior Sunday School class each week. When we moved up here to Faith, I couldn’t find an outlet to do my bird presentations until the Lord, through Stephen, let me start doing the “Birds of the Bible” on the blog here.

I started my own blog to learn how to do the articles. Now, the Lord is blessing my blog by letting the “Birds of the Bible” and many other Christian birdwatching articles be read by people all over the world. And, now, I am the “Bird Lady” and I thank the Lord for His Love and Grace to let me be called by that name.

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. (Jeremiah 33:3 KJV)

My prayer and challenge for the readers is that you also will let the Lord use what ever talent or gift you have for Him. Maybe you love bugs, flowers, music, or whatever. Maybe you are an encourager, good cook, child sitter, nursery worker, like to visit the sick, etc. We all have something that the Lord has given us. Let the Lord use what you have for Him so that we can help reach others with the Gospel and God’s Love.

Gospel Message

Wordless Birds

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Birdwatching the National Aviary – Tropical Forest

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Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) by Lee NA Feeding

Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) by Lee NA Feeding

This article is about the numerous birds found in the Tropical Forest Free-flight section at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, PA. It has taken awhile to find the names of the birds in the pictures we took while we were there. My enthusiastically taken 600 photos has turned into a real challenge. That, and I do have a life.

Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta) at NA by Dan

Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta) at NA by Dan

The Tropical Forest section has some really interesting birds that I had read about or seen in photos. It was great to be able to get so close to the birds. About the time we arrived there, they were getting ready to do one of the feedings. This really brought the birds out of the trees. Some, the Common Starling, landed right on the bin with the food and started helping himself. My favorite bird there was the Hammerkop, who many got to feed by hand and a close second was the Blue Rollers. They seemed right personable. Of course, I enjoyed all of them and was thrilled to get to watch them.

Blue-bellied Roller (Coracias cyanogaster) at NA by Lee

Blue-bellied Roller (Coracias cyanogaster) by Lee

Probably one of the most colorful birds in the Tropical Forest was the Golden-breasted Starling who was nothing like the Common Starling above. The feathers are iridescent and just shine.

Golden-breasted Starling (Lamprotornis regius) at NA by Lee

Golden-breasted Starling (Lamprotornis regius) by Lee

I am adding a Slide collection of the birds in the Tropical Forest. They are not of everything, but the ones that turned out good enough to show.

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