Author Archives: Lee

Birds of the Bible – Eagle’s Renewal

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Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalms 103:2-5 NKJV)

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) by AestheticPhotos

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) by AestheticPhotos

The Eagle is an interesting bird and I have written about them before. In the King James Version of the Bible, an eagle is mentioned in 34 verses. So, there will be future articles about the eagle also.

The interest of this article is the renewing of the eagle. In Psalms 103:5 (quoted above), your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. What exactly does that mean? Also, in Isaiah 40:31, strength is renewed and “shall mount up with wings as eagles.”

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)

Many articles can be found on the internet about an eagle going off and plucking its feathers and not being able to fly for about five months. The image has even been added that the beak and claws are knocked off and then grow back during that time, giving them another 10 or so more years to their life. I have been trying to find proof of that, and am not finding it. Most Eagle authorities state that that would not happen, because the bird would die during that time with no flight feathers or beak or claws.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)Grandfather Eagle by PastorBBC

Golden or Juvenile Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) by PastorBBC in NC

If those facts are true, then what is meant by God’s Word about the eagle? I believe God’s Word is true, so there has to be an explanation of it. From the Southwestern Bald Eagle Management I found an interesting chart that shows the different stages of plumage (feathers) as an eagle ages.  They said, “In their five year development to adulthood, bald eagles go through one of the most varied plumage changes of any North American bird. During its first four weeks of life, an eaglet’s fluffy white down changes to a gray wooly down. At about five weeks, brown and black feathers begin to grow. It becomes fully feathered at 10 weeks of age. In its first year, the mostly dark-colored juvenile can often be mistaken as a golden eagle. However, the bald eagle progressively changes until it reaches adult plumage at five years. Notice in the pictures how its dark eye lightens throughout its first four years of life until it becomes yellow. Also, see how its beak changes form gray-black to a vibrant yellow.

ald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) by AestheticPhotos

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) by AestheticPhotos

It is believed that the darker, more mottled plumage of a young eagle serves as camouflage, while the white head and tail announce that it is of breeding age.”

That to me sounds a lot like, “So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” As the eagle goes through the different stages of its life, the new feathers are graciously provided by a Creator that sees to the needs of His creation by having designed those features to renew as it matures.

The Lord provides for renewal for His children as they mature. The following verses tell of a renewed right spirit, mind, spirit of your mind, and knowledge:

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalms 51:10 KJV)
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2 KJV)
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; (Ephesians 4:23 KJV)
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: (Colossians 3:10 KJV)

(Update 11/2/11) Here is another possible explaination about this topic. It might be a vulture instead of an eagle. See: http://www.thewonderofbirds.com/griffon-vulture/bible.htm)
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Birds in Hymns – Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

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I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. (Psalms 139:14 KJV)

Writer: Joachim Neander (1650-1680)
Music: From Praxis Pieatis Melica (1668)

1. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,
the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy
health and salvation!
All ye who hear,
Now to His temple draw near;
Sing now in glad adoration!

Bald Eagle Flying by Aesthetic Photos

Bald Eagle Flying by Aesthetic Photos

2. Praise to the Lord, who o’er all
things so wondrously reigneth,
Who, as on wings of an eagle,
uplifteth, sustaineth.
Hast thou not seen
How thy desires all have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

3. Praise to the Lord, who hath fearfully,
wondrously, made thee!
Health hath vouchsafed and, when
heedlessly falling, hath stayed thee.
What need or grief
Ever hath failed of relief?
Wings of His mercy did shade thee.

4. Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper
thy work and defend thee,
Who from the heavens the streams of
His mercy doth send thee.
Ponder anew
What the Almighty can do,
Who with His love doth befriend thee.

5. Praise to the Lord! Oh, let all that
is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come
now with praises before Him!
Let the Amen
Sound from His people again;
Gladly for aye we adore Him.

Most information from The Cyber Hymnal

See ~ Wordless Birds

More ~ Birds in Hymns

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Interesting Things – Reshaped Wings, Forest Birds, Evolution?

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I came across an interesting article in Science News, September 12, 2009, called, “Rapid evolution may be reshaping forest birds’ wings,” by Susan Millius. Subtitle – “Trend for pointier appendages in heavily logged boreal forests, with blunter, rounder ones in reforested parts of New England.”

Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus) by Daves BirdingPix

Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus) by Daves BirdingPix

Records have been kept on birds that live in the boreal forest of Canada and parts of New England for the past centrury. These areas were heavily logged and left bare or reforested as in parts of New England.

When the records were analyzed, a trend developed. Wings of forest birds where the trees were logged and left bare were longer (approximately by 2 cm) and more pointed, whereas, the forest birds that had the trees replanted and the forest renewed, had shorter (by 2 cm) and rounder wings. They are comparing the same species of birds in both places.

“Mature-woodland species showed the clearest change in pointiness regardless of body size, Desrochers said. During the past century, their long wing feathers, or primary feathers, overall gained about 2.23 millimeters on average. That uptick roughly matches the magnitude of differences between sexes. For example, a female boreal chickadee’s wing today is about the length of a male’s in 1900, he said.

Desrochers also included more southerly species on his list, such as the scarlet tanager and hooded warbler. These birds had experienced a very different century. The landscape of New England, deforested during previous years, rebounded into green woodland again. And here, Desrochers found a trend back toward rounder wing tips. The eight mature-woodland species he studied typically had lost, on average, some 2.37 millimeters on those long primary feathers.

These species aren’t passive victims of environmental change, Desrochers said. As bird species face new challenges, they respond to the extent they can. “Birds are not like sitting ducks,” he said.”

David Winkler said, “It’s surprising that there’s so much change so fast.” He also noted, “doesn’t explicitly address whether the wings change by evolution or by some other process. Winkler said that in observing changes and invoking evolution, “we need to be careful.”

Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) by Kent Nickell

Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) by Kent Nickell

Well, of course, those statements caught my interest. I believe in a Creator who supplies his creation with tremendous capability to adapt and have their needs supplied. I believe in natural selection and variation, but not something turning into something else or “macro-evolution.” I think the bird changed “by some other process,” namely, God’s protective watch-care.

Reading through the comments left, several were of note:

“I wonder what the “evolution might be directed by the species itself” refers to. It’s obvious here that the evolutionary selection of birds with appropriately shaped wings is caused by external forces, nothing the bird is doing. Those birds in areas that are opened up which have slightly longer wings are able to raise more chicks, while those in areas that are being reforested that have more rounded wings are able to raise more chicks. The reason is that distance flying is done more efficiently with longer (and therefore pointier) wings, while maneuverability is required in heavily branched areas and is done with shorter wings.

As for whether the wings are being worn out by contact with branches, this would be evident because the wear at the tip would be obvious. Feather shafts don’t go the whole way to the end of the feather, so if the tips were worn off, it would be noticed”  by DM (very good comment)

“Could the shorter wings of birds in denser forests be due to greater feather wear from brushing against branches and foliage? Maybe all wing feathers start out pointy and simply wear into a rounded shape.” by KC

More searching on the internet turned up a remark about this article at Answers in Genesis with this very interesting statement:  “The report notes that “as bird species face new challenges, they respond to the extent they can.” This comports with the creationist view: God included a range of genetic information and adaptability in organisms to allow them to live properly in a range of habitats.

The scientists aren’t certain how significant a role genes play in the wing tip changes. Still, Cornell University ornithologist David Winkler noted, “It’s surprising that there’s so much change so fast,” and Desrochers calls “rapid evolution” the most direct explanation. The speed of the changes indicates how the created kinds could have speciated rapidly after the Flood. Centuries of accumulated changes between some populations from the same created kinds resulted in sexual incompatibility. However, in other kinds (such as canids; see above), populations retain the ability even if interbreeding is uncommon.”

Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! (Luke 12:24 ESV)

God is providing for the birds and we know He will provide for us, especially if we belong to Him.

Bolding is by Lee.

When I Consider! – Loon

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When I Consider!

When I Consider!

“Evidence From Biology”

The loon is designed quite differently than almost all other birds. While the bodies of most birds are designed as light and aerodynamic as possible, the loon’s body is heavier, allowing it to sink until only its head is above water. It controls its ability to float by inflating or deflating tiny air sacs under its skin. When flying at high altitude, where the air is thin, the loon can conserve oxygen by limiting the flow of blood to its massive leg muscles.

Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata) by Daves BirdingPix

Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata) by Daves BirdingPix

The loon also has a perfectly developed reflex which limits the flow of blood to its wings and digestive tract during underwater dives. This allows the loon to hold its breath for long periods of time. Although an average dive lasts about 40 seconds, three-minute dives that cover 300-400 yards are quite common. Astounding dives have been documented where loons have held their breath for as long as 15 minutes while swimming underwater for over 2 miles.

Both common sense and the laws of probability tell us that these many unique abilities could not have evolved by chance processes such as random mutations. The loon could not have developed its unique diving ability in some step-at-a-time manner. It would have starved to death long before it caught its first fish. The system had to work perfectly from the beginning.”

Great Northern Loon (Gavia immer) by J Fenton

Great Northern Loon (Gavia immer) by J Fenton

Character Sketches, Vol III. p.49

For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. (Psalms 86:10 KJV)

From September 18, A Closer Look at the Evidence, by Richard and Tina Kleiss
More – “When I Consider!”

Lee’s Additions:

“any of five species of diving birds constituting the genus Gavia, family Gaviidae. Loons were formerly included, along with the grebes, to which they bear a superficial resemblance, in the order Colymbiformes, but they are considered to constitute their own separate order. Loons range in length from 60 to 90 cm (2 to 3 feet). Characteristics include a strong tapered bill, small pointed wings, webs between the front three toes, and legs placed far back on the body, which makes walking awkward. Loons have thick plumage that is mainly black or gray above and white below. During the breeding season the dorsal plumage is patterned with white markings, except in the red-throated loon (Gavia stellata), which during the summer is distinguished by a reddish brown throat patch. In winter the red-throated loon develops white speckling on the back, while the other species lose these markings.” (Britannica Online)
“Loons are excellent swimmers, using their feet to propel themselves above and under water and their wings for assistance. Because their feet are far back on the body, loons are poorly adapted to moving on land. They usually avoid going onto land, except when nesting.

Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica) by Ian

Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica) by Ian

All loons are decent fliers, though the larger species have some difficulty taking off and thus must swim into the wind to pick up enough velocity to become airborne. Only the Red-throated Diver (G. stellata) can take off from land. Once airborne, their considerable stamina allows them to migrate long distances southwards in winter, where they reside in coastal waters. Loons can live as long as 30 years.”

“The loons are the size of a large duck or small goose, which they somewhat resemble in shape when swimming. Like in these but unlike in coots (which are Rallidae) and grebes (Colymbiformes), their toes are connected by webbing. They may be confused even more readily with cormorants (Phalacrocoracidae), which are not too distant relatives of divers and like them are heaviset birds whose bellies – unlike those of ducks and geese – are submerged when swimming. Flying loons resemble a plump goose with a seagull’s wings, which seem quite small in proportion to the bulky body. They hold their head slightly pointing upwards during swimming, less so than cormorants do, and in flight they let the head decidedly droop down compared to all other aquatic birds of comparable habitus.

Males and females do not differ in plumage. Males are a bit larger on average, but usually this is only conspicuous when directly comparing the two parents. Their plumage is largely patterned black-and-white in summer, with grey on the head and neck in some species, and a white belly in all of them. This resembles many sea-ducks (Merginae) a lot – notably the smaller goldeneyes (Bucephala) – but is distinct from most cormorants which rarely have white feathers, and if so usually as large rounded patches rather than delicate patterns. All species of divers have a spear-shaped bill.”(Wikipedia)

See Also:
Peterson’s Field Guide Video Series on the Common Loon (Now the Great Northern Loon)
Gaviidae – Loons
Loon from Wikipedia
An interesting article in The Wilson Bulletin dated September 1947 – “The Deep Diving of the Loon and Old-Squaw and its Mechanism“

Birds in Hymns – The Day the Christ-Child’s Tender Eyes

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Based on:

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11 KJV)

Words: May R. Smith (1842-1927).
Music: St. Pe­ters­burg, at­trib­ut­ed to Dmi­tri S. Bort­ni­an­sky, 1825

Audio Click Here

Hummingbird nest by Bob-Nan

Hummingbird nest by Bob-Nan

The day the Christ-child’s tender eyes
Unveiled their beauty on the earth,
God lit a new star in the skies
To flash the message of His birth;
And wise men read the glowing sign,
And came to greet the Child divine.

Low kneeling in the stable’s gloom,
Their precious treasures they unrolled;
The place was rich with sweet perfume;
Upon the floor lay gifts of gold.
And thus adoring they did bring
To Christ the earliest offering.

I think no nimbus wreathed the head
Of the young King so rudely throned;
The quilt of hay beneath Him spread
The sleepy kine beside Him owned;
And here and there in the torn thatch
The sky thrust in a starry patch.

Asian Openbill (Anastomus oscitans) on nest by Nik

Asian Openbill (Anastomus oscitans) on nest by Nik

Oh, when was new-born monarch shrined
Within such canopy as this?
The birds have cradles feather lined;
And for their new babes princesses
Have sheets of lace without a flaw,
His pillow was a wisp of straw!

He chose this way, it may have been,
That those poor mothers, everywhere,
Whose babies in the world’s great inn
Find scanty cradle-room and fare,
As did the Babe of Bethlehem,
May find somewhat to comfort them.

Birds in Hymns – Sweet And Clear The Birds Are Singing

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Based on:

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. (Matthew 28:6 KJV)

Words: Unknown, in the Hymnal for American Youth by H Augustine Smith, 1919
Music: Canticles, by Frederick F Bullard, 1902 (1864-1904)

Wood Duck

Sweet and clear the birds are singing,
At Easter dawn.
Hark, O hear, the bells are ringing,
On Easter morn!
And the song that they sing,
That good news we hear them ring,
Is “Christ the Lord is risen, is risen.”

Birds, your hearts give to your singing,
And feel no fear.
Bells, fill all the air with ringing,
Let all men hear!
For the whole world is glad,
And with beauty new is clad;
Now Christ the Lord is risen, is risen.

Northern Parula (Parula americana) by Reinier Munguia

Northern Parula (Parula americana) by Reinier Munguia

Leaf and bud, as now, were growing
In Galilee;
Lilies Jesus loved were blowing
As fair to see;
When the first Easter morn
Woke the world to joy new born,
For Christ the Lord is risen, was risen.

Easter buds will soon be flowers,
Fragrant and gay;
Winter’s snows give place to showers,
And night to day;
Hope and joy come again,
Life and light forever reign;
Yea! Christ the Lord is risen, is risen!

Most information from The Cyber Hymnal

See ~ Wordless Birds

More ~ Birds in Hymns

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Birds in Hymns – O Bless the Lord, My Soul

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Birds in Hymns – O Bless the Lord, My Soul by James Montgomery

Based on Psalms 103

A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: (Psalms 103:1-2 KJV)

Words: James Montgomery, in Se­lect­ion of Psalms and Hymns, by Thom­as Cot­ter­ill, 1819.
Music: St. Thom­as (Will­iams), Aar­on Will­iams, The New Un­i­vers­al Psalm­o­dist, 1770

O Bless the Lord, My Soul

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) by Quy Tran

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) by Quy Tran

O bless the Lord, my soul!
His grace to thee proclaim!
And all that is within me join
To bless His holy Name!

O bless the Lord, my soul!
His mercies bear in mind!
Forget not all His benefits!
The Lord to thee is kind.

He will not always chide;
He will with patience wait;
His wrath is ever slow to rise,
And ready to abate.

He pardons all thy sins;
Prolongs thy feeble breath;
He healeth thine infirmities,
And ransoms thee from death.

He clothes thee with His love;
Upholds thee with His truth;
And like the eagle He renews
The vigor of thy youth.

Then bless His holy Name,
Whose grace hath made thee whole,
Whose loving kindness crowns thy days!
O bless the Lord, my soul!

Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalms 103:5 KJV)

See:
Eagles by Linda Ozirney

Most information from The Cyber Hymnal

See ~ Wordless Birds

More ~ Birds in Hymns

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Birdwatching 09-18-09 at Circle B Bar Reserve

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Looking out across part of Circle B by Lee

Looking out across part of Circle B by Lee

Yesterday, Dan and I went out to the Circle B Bar Reserve again. As you can see it was a nice clear day. We had not been there for awhile due to the summer heat and many birds leave and head north for the summer. There were plenty of birds to see, but most have not arrived back yet. The Black-bellied Whistling-ducks were back (at least I didn’t see any last time we were there). One of the resident Bald Eagles made several low passes over the area and stirred many of the birds into the air. As they scattered, they passed right over us, whistling as they passed. There were many young Common Moorhens and at least one batch of very young ones with a parent. All in all, we saw 35 species and a few unknowns that were mostly heard.

Western Great Egret (Ardea alba) Circle B by Lee

Western Great Egret (Ardea alba) Circle B by Lee

Here is a list of what we saw or heard in the order they were found:
Muscovy Ducks (just outside the park), 3 Sandhill Cranes, Mourning Doves, Black Vultures, Turkey Vultures, Ospreys, Carolina Wren, Pileated Woodpeckers, Tufted Titmouse, Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Red-Bellied Woodpecker, 2 Bald Eagles, Black-Bellied Whistling Ducks, Cattle Egrets, Pied-billed Grebe, Common Moorhens, Purple Gallinules, 2 Northern Harrier, 2 Red-shouldered Hawks, Little Blue Herons, Red-winged Blackbirds, Killdeer, Glossy Ibises, White Ibises, Snowy Egret, Fish Crows, Anhingas, 1 Double-crested Cormorant, Green Heron, Belted Kingfishers, Blue Jays, 2 Cardinals (M/F), Blue-grey Gnatcatcher, 5 or 6 Northern Bob-Whites. I also spotted a warbler with yellow and black, but it was too quick to get a good ID.

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For other birdwatching trips to the Circle B Bar Reserve

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Birds of the Bible – What Birds Can Tell – 1

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Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) by Daves BirdingPix

Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) by Daves BirdingPix

But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; And the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; And the fish of the sea will explain to you. Who among all these does not know That the hand of the LORD has done this, (Job 12:7-9 NKJV)

One of my favorite birds that I enjoy watching is the Kingfisher. The ones we have here in Florida (Belted Kingfishers) are rather plain compared to others around the world, but they all have a characteristic look of a very long bill on a large head and a short neck. It is the bill that those in Japan have studied that is amazing.

Japan has electric trains that speed over 200 miles per hour or 322 kilometers per hour. They are very safe and have a great record, but a noise problem had been plaguing them until they observed the Kingfisher’s beak. When the speeding trains went through the tunnels, it caused a “tunnel boom” which goes against their strict sound pollution laws.

Blue-eared Kingfisher (Alcedo meninting) by Nik

Blue-eared Kingfisher (Alcedo meninting) by Nik

“Eiji Nakatsu, the train’s chief engineer and an avid bird-watcher, asked himself, “Is there something in Nature that travels quickly and smoothly between two very different mediums?” Modeling the front-end of the train after the beak of kingfishers, which dive from the air into bodies of water with very little splash to catch fish, resulted not only in a quieter train, but 15% less electricity use even while the train travels 10% faster.” (Learning Efficiency from Kingfishers)

Bullet Train

Bullet Train

The “tunnel boom” is caused  “when a train passes through such a tunnel at high speed, it compresses the air in front of the engine. Upon leaving the tunnel, this air rushes outward, creating a loud thunderclap, or sonic boom. Nearby windows rattle, and people are awakened by the noise.” (Don DeYoung, Answers) When the engineers did wind tunnel experiments they found that “the kingfisher’s bill is ideally shaped for a smooth, streamlined transition from air into water. This drastic change in pressure is similar to the change a bullet train experiences when emerging from a tunnel into the open air.”

By observing one of God’s created birds, the kingfisher, they were able to solve a serious problem. The Lord in His great wisdom has provided us many critters and other things to observe so that they may “tell us” things that will benefit us.

Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD. (Psalms 107:43 KJV)

See Also:

Speeding Bullet – Answers V4, #3
Kingfisher – Train by Discovery of Design
Learning Efficiency from Kingfishers by Biomimicry Institute

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Early Bird by GeHof

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Here’s an interesting video of tribute to birds, especially Those Early Birds Getting The Worm. From GeHof who posted it at YouTube.
What else was I to do today while we are having stormy weather here in Central Florida? I have been “Birdwatching” the internet.

When I Consider! – Elephant Ears and Scarab Beetles

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When I Consider!

When I Consider!

Evidence From Biology – September 12

180px-Aphodius_specThere is an amazing relationship between certain types of elephant ear and the scarab beetle. It has only been recently learned that many elephant ear plants depend completely on the scarab beetle for pollination. Elephant ears make a flower stalk, called a spadix, which has three different kinds of flowers: male, female, and sterile. The beetles are drawn to help in the pollination process of crawling around on the spadix to get to the sterile flowers, which they love to eat. In the process of crawling around on the spadix to get to the sterile flowers, the beetles also pick up pollen from the male flowers and pollinate the female flowers.

Elephant-Ear-Plant

Elephant-Ear-Plant

It is amazing that none of the male or female flowers are ever eaten though they look exactly like the sterile flowers! The plant has produced a sacrificial look-alike in order to attract a specific pollinating insect which has no interest in its productive flowers. How could the plant have known to do this? Why would it ever produce a flower useless except for the actions of another creature? This miraculous interdependency had to have been specifically designed.

Letting God Create Your Day, Vol. 4, p29

O Lord GOD, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your mighty hand, for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do anything like Your works and Your mighty deeds? (Deuteronomy 3:24 NKJV)

From A Closer Look at the Evidence, September 12, by Richard and Tina Kleiss

See Also:
Mystery of the Elephant Ears at ©Creation Moments

Elephant Ear Story from Cloudbridge Nature Reserve
Miniature Elephant Ear Surprise by A Neotropical Savanna
Xanthosoma Giant Elephant Ear Plants by Central Florida Farms

More  “When I Consider!”  articles.