Author Archives: Lee

Birds of the Bible – Ostrich

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Most people are familiar with the Ostrich, but let’s find out some details about them. The Bible verses that refer to them, caused me to want to find out about them. For instance, in Job 39:13-18 KJV
(13)Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?
Here the wings of an ostrich are mentioned, but they are very small. Huh! It seems that those little wings help with balance when running, are used for mating rituals, to scare off predators, to control their temperature, and they help shelter the young (when they stick around). “The feathers were very popular for ornamentation in fashionable clothing (such as hats during the 19th century).” “The original South African ostrich feather dusters were invented in Johannesburg, South Africa by missionary, broom factory manager, Harry S. Beckner in 1903.”, Wikipedia
(14) Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust,

The nest is made by the male who digs an indentation 12-24 inches deep and all his females lay the eggs in the communal nest (up to 60 eggs). The females share sitting on them in the daytime and the male sits at night. Females are a light color whereas the male has a black coloring. Creation at work.

(15) And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.
They seem to desert the nest alot and then when they are there their foot can cause damage to the eggs. By the way, the eggs are the largest of the living birds and weigh as much as 2 dozen eggs (3 lbs).
(16) She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labor is in vain without fear; (17) Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding.
Because not all the chicks in the nest are hers, she doesn’t seem too concerned even about her own. Maybe the Lord has spared her from fret by making her not too smart.
(18 ) What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.
This was interesting in that ostriches have been clocked at 55 mph. They can run that fast in a spurt, but can maintain speeds of 30 mph which out lasts a horse. They stand up to 8 feet tall.
The Ostrich can also be found in Lam_4:3; Isa_13:21; Isa_34:13; and Isa_43:20.
For further reading see:

Wikipedia
An interesting Our Daily Bread – Burying Our Heads

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Birds of the Bible – Clean vs. Unclean

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Woodstorks on top of tree at Circle B 7-22-11 by Lee

Woodstorks on top of tree at Circle B by Lee

In our study on the Birds of the Bible, it has been mentioned whether a bird is “clean” or “unclean.” As I have prepared the blogs, I have been considering why a bird is on the clean or unclean list. I had been saving this blog for later, but due to unexpected travel, I’ll do it now.

In Genesis 9:3 it is stated that “every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you.” So, of course, the birds would be included in this as well. In Deuteronomy 14:11-20, a list of birds is given to signify which birds are unclean and not eaten; basically, all the rest can be consumed. But why are some birds unclean: Looking at the list, the eagle, ossifrage, kite, glede, vulture, and the hawk are known to eat dead animals (carrion). It would not be very healthy to eat them. The other birds on the list are all meat eaters, and maybe that has something to do with their being placed on the unclean list. Are the birds bad because of what they eat? No. Each one was created exactly for the purpose God intended. The carrion eaters help keep the land clean. Another passage mentions the list of unclean birds in Lev 11:13-20.

Some of the other birds on the list are a mystery to me. For instance the Cormorant, Swan, Pelican, Heron, and the Stork are birds I watch here in Florida, and they all seem to be fish eaters. One article mentions that the Heron used to be eaten, but they were fishy tasting and they stopped eating them. Why is it that no matter how many things we are given with only a few put off limits, that someone always has to try the few. Does that not sound like what happened in the garden of Eden when Eve just had to try the tree of knowledge of good and evil. When God puts something off-limits or says it is “unclean,” there is a good reason for it. Most times it is for our benefit because God loves us and doesn’t want us harmed. The “clean” birds mostly have a diet of grain, fruits, and vegetation. Could that be why they are okay to eat? With all the good birds available like chicken, turkey, quail, duck, etc., I’d much rather sit down to a Thanksgiving meal of turkey than vulture.
The birds used for the sacrifices were all clean birds.

Then the #1 reason to eat or not eat a bird according to the list is: AND GOD SAID

Birdwatching Trip – South Lake Howard Nature Park

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Wood Ducks

We had over 5″ of rain in the last two days, so when the sun finally came back out, it was time for another trip to the park. When we got there the water way up. The center area of the pond was under water and the birds were not hanging around much. But not to despair, there is always something to behold. Drowning ants had sacrificed some to preserve the majority and had taken over a little tree standing in water. We saw a female Red-winged Blackbird with her courting male nearby.

Fishing Hole

The Bald Eagle landed on his favorite tower. We watched a Cormorant checking out the pond and saw two alligators there also. There was a male and female Wood Duck swimming around together. We also saw a Hairy Woodpecker, Blue Jays, Boat-tailed Grackles, and Common Moorhens.
We crossed the road to the raised walkways and had a pleasant surprise to see a Snowy and Little Blue egret and three Tricolored Herons vying for position in the tall grasses at the edge of Lake Howard (in Winter Haven, FL). An Osprey flew over and the White Winged Doves were calling back and forth. We were heading back to cross the road and came upon a spectacular site. There were at least 5 Great Egrets, 6 Ibises, a Snowy Egret, 2 Wood Storks, and a Great Blue Heron fishing where the overflow water was coming out of a drain. Then I heard a Cardinal singing, saw 2 Common Grackles “purple morph” and the Monk Parakeets carrying-on. So, not a bad morning at all. The Lord made sure that they were being fed and so we got the blessing of watching them.

We also met a Christian there who writes poetry and he has given permission to quote some of his poetry. I hope he will write some more and post them here on the blog.

Here is a poem from his book, POETRY at its Best, Vol 1, by Kermit R. Holt.
The Snowy Egret
The egret which is known as snowy
has feathers which are very showy
Indeed, for these, it has been shot
till near extinction this bird got.
Finally before it breathed its last
for its protection laws were passed.
Its numbers gradually increased
and its existence had not ceased.
Populations haven’t grown enough
to overcome those times so tough.

Check out the Pictures taken today at:

South Lake Howard Nature Park

Birds of the Bible – Peacocks

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The Peacock is the male and the Peahen is the female in the pheasant family, Phasianidae (order Galliformes), that consists of the blue or Indian peacock and the green or Javanese peacock which is quite aggressive. More recently they discovered a Congo peacock. Peacocks and peahens are not native to North America, but are found in many zoos here.

The males have a body that is 35-50 inches with long tail feathers that are about 60 inches and “are coloured a brilliant metallic green. This train is mainly formed of the bird’s upper tail coverts, which are enormously elongated. Each feather is tipped with an iridescent eyespot that is ringed with blue and bronze. In courtship displays, the cock elevates his tail, which lies under the train, thus elevating the train and bringing it forward. At the climax of this display the tail feathers are vibrated, giving the feathers of the train a shimmering appearance and making a rustling sound. When he is courting, the male lifts his tail feathers up in a beautiful display to attract the female.” From Britannica Online, “Peacock”.

In Job 38, God started answering Job and began asking him questions about many things. By the time we get to Job 39:13, God asks:

Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich? (Job 39:13 KJV)

When Solomon was the King of Israel, he was very wise and wealthy. One of the things he did was to start a navy of ships. It appears that they would go off and every three years come back with, among other things, peacocks.

For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks. (1 Kings 10:22 KJV)
For the king’s ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram: every three years once came the ships of Tarshish bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks. (2 Chronicles 9:21 KJV)

The peacock has been used as an ornamental bird for many centuries. The video below gives a view of his feathers spread out.

Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?

See:

Phasianidae Family

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Reversible Wings: Mystery or Creativity?

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SmileyCentral.com

Got another interesting email today and thought I would share it. They seem to be doing a series on birds lately. Reversible Wings

Isaiah 31:5
Like birds flying about, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem. Defending, He will also deliver it; passing over, He will preserve it.

Sometimes incredible wonders pass right before our eyes but we are not equipped to see them. Take the humming bird, for an example.

Did you know that like the woodpecker, the humming bird has a tongue that wraps all the way around its head just under the skin? This feature is not really evident when you look at the humming bird. Nor is the wonderful way in which its wings move, so that it can hover, fly forwards or fly backwards.

High-speed photography has revealed some amazing secrets about the humming bird’s wings that cannot be noticed by the eye. All birds, except the humming bird, move their wings at the shoulder, elbow and wrist. Only the humming bird is capable of turning his wings upside down, so that when he hovers, both strokes of his wings beat the air in order to support him. This demonstrates that the humming bird is not a modification of the general bird design – as evolutionists tell us. Rather, the humming bird was created with unique features that enable it to make its living.

Likewise, when God tells us that He cares for those who are His through faith in Christ’s saving work, we don’t always see exactly how He is caring for us. But like the virtually invisible features of the humming bird, His care is nevertheless there.

Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, I thank You that You have made me Your own child through Jesus Christ. Help me to believe what You tell me in Your Word, even if I cannot see it all for myself. In my Savior’s Name. Amen.

References: Time-Life, Flight

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Reversible Wings

Birdwatching Tips #2

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Making List of Your Birdwatching Adventures
Many people keep list of the things they see and hear while out birdwatching. There are several kinds of list you might want to consider starting.

Life List
This is a list of all the birds species you have seen or heard. The sound of a bird you heard is acceptable in lists (if you can figure out what you heard or recorded.) It is good to get a date and location of the first sighting of each new bird.

Trip Lists
I also keep a birding list when I go birdwatching. If we go to Lake Hollingsworth or Merritt Island NWR, I keep a list of that outing. I list all the birds I see or hear at that place. Like the other lists given here, I put the date, location, weather condition (sunny, overcast, windy, etc) time and whatever else is important. Sort of like a combined list and field note. It is my way of doing it. I then enter each trips list at ebird.com. (I’ll explain that in another blog post.)

Keeping Field Notes
These are your impressions of the bird as you observe it. You could describe it in words, sketches, colored pens, etc. to help identify the bird later. When you are at home with your reference guides, these notes will help to figure out which bird you saw and nail the ID.Your first impression of the bird’s size, proportions, colors and markings, bills, leg color, what the bird is doing, song or sounds, and the habitat, plus a sketch can all be helpful later.
Keeping a Bird-Watching Journal
The Journal differs from Field Notes in that it is less technical and more your impressions of the whole experience of watching the birds. Along with the date and location, you can detail the weather, the surroundings, what you think the bird is doing in more personal terms, how that makes you feel, etc.
Keeping a Birds of the Bible List or Journal

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

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 ESV)

So, why not have a list or journal of the birds you come across as you read the Bible. All of us come across the name of a bird or general reference to birds. Put the name down and the reference and come back later and dig a little deeper.
How to dig deeper?
Read the context of the verse. How is it being used?
  • Is it just in a list or is it the object of a lesson?
  • What is that lesson and how does it apply to me?
  • Is the bird mentioned elsewhere in scripture? Use a concordance or Bible software like e-Sword.
  • Use Naves Topical Bible or similar help to find out about birds.
  • Look up the bird online and in Bird guides.

More ideas could be mentioned, but you be creative and do what helps and motivates you to find out more about the Birds of the Bible. Later, drop a comment or email and we can share your ideas on this.

Interesting Things – Feathered Pilots

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SmileyCentral.com

An Interesting Email I Received Today
Job 12:7, 9
But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you, and the birds of the air, and they will tell you.Who among all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this.
You are the pilot of a Boeing 767 airliner, bringing the great ship in for a landing. Approaching the airport, you extend the slat on the leading edge of each wing so that you have more lift as your speed slows. As the runway nears, you raise the nose of the plane to catch more air. In the final moments of landing you bring the feathers, which act as air breaks, out of the wing to reduce your lift and settle easily onto the runway.
Yet without any training, young birds do this very same thing every day. High-speed photography has revealed that birds follow each one of these sequences as they approach and land. First, as they prepare to land, they slow their speed and increase their lift by extending and lowering the front part of the wing. Then, to slow even more, they angle their body from a horizontal flying position to a more upright angle. Finally, they drop the feathers on the back of their wing – after which the plane’s feathers are named – to settle nicely on a tree branch, with virtually no effort at all.
Yes, the principles of flight, refined by over 80 years of man’s experience, were simply taught to the birds by our loving Creator. What a wonderful testimony birds offer to the work of our Creator!
Prayer: Dear creating and saving Heavenly Father, all man’s combined experience and learning throughout history does not begin to compare to Your understanding of all things. Help me to remember this as I hear man brag to himself about all he has accomplished. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

References: “A Lesson in Landing,” Time-Life, Flight
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Birds of the Bible – Owls

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Owls are an interesting species. Most of them are nocturnal, so we don’t see them very frequently. At least I don’t see them, but since I like to stay up late, I have heard them at night. Sometimes they are thought of as wise and drawings are made of them with glasses. Maybe that is because they have such huge eyes in respect to their head size. God has given them great ability to see at night with more rods than cones in their eyes that help gather light. They do not move their eyes up and down or side to side as we do, but instead move their head. No, they do not turn it all the way around. They can turn it 270 degrees though.
When owls fly, they are swift and silent as they hunt for prey, such as small animals and rodents. Their wings were designed to give them stealth. Their hearing is very sensitive and they can locate prey even if there is very low light. The sound of an owl can be “eerie” or of a “hoot” or “screech” sound.

  • There are at least 222 owl species worldwide.
  • There are 19 species here in the continental U.S.
  • The Elf Owl is the smallest in the world. It is 5.75 inches and likes the desert.

  • The Great Horned Owl is our largest in the US. It is 22 inches. They are also the only known predator of the Bald Eagle.
  • The little owl, owl, and big owl are mentioned in scripture.
  • The owls are in the “unclean” list. Lev 11:16-17, Deut 14:15-16

Here is an interesting quote from Wayne Blank’s Birds of the Bible. “Some insects and other creatures wear a disguise which actually frightens birds away. Most small birds are afraid of owls, and one insect has a clever way…the owl butterfly has large ‘eyes’ on its wings.”

The destruction of Babylon in Isaiah 13:19-22 mentions the owls that inhabit the deserted or wasted area. In comparing verse 21, it was interesting how the different Bible translations described them. Here are a few examples: “full of doleful creatures” (ASV); “hoot owls” (CEV); “ful of great Owles” (Bishops); “howling creatures” (ESV); the KJV, NASB, and NKJV all call them “owls”; and the MSG has “vacant houses with eerie night sounds.”

Other references to owls are found in Isaiah 34:11-13, Jeremiah 50:39, and Micah 1:8.

In Isaiah 43:20 the beast of the field, dragons, and owls honor the Lord because he has given water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert to provide drink for them. The next verse tells of his people giving praise. This brings to mind the hymn, Fairest Lord Jesus

Fairest Lord Jesus! Ruler of all nature!
O Thou of God and man the Son!
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
Thou, my soul’s glory, joy, and crown!
Fair are the meadows, Fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring:
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.
Fair is the sunshine, Fairer still the moonlight,
And all the twinkling starry host:
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer,
Than all the angels heav’n can boast.
Beautiful Saviour! Lord of the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, Praise, adoration,
Now and forevermore be Thine!

I have really had a difficult time deciding what to put in this blog. There were so many good items to choose from.
Long-eared Owl with yellow-orange eyes from Germany

Two articles from Creation Moments:

Parents Who Are Wise as Owl

Calculating Owls Article – Calculating Owls Audio
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Funny Owl and the Water Sprinkler

Birdwatching Trip to Bok Sanctuary

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On Good Friday we were at Bok Sanctuary in Lake Wales, FL enjoying a beautiful cloudless day. The orange grove there was in full bloom and the aroma drifted over the whole place. We were birding, taking pictures, and appreciating God’s goodness. The birds were full of songs and they came out for us to see them. Could that have been because I asked the Lord to do just that? If He can make a donkey talk and and cause it to stop before an angel, and bring ravens to feed a prophet, surely He could answer my prayer. He did!

Here is a list of what we saw and heard: Cardinals, Blue Jays, Mourning Doves, Mockingbirds, Brown Trashers, Red-bellied Woodpecker, a pair of American Kestrels sitting close, Fish Crows, Gray Catbird, Great Blue Heron, Black and Turkey Vultures, Osprey, and my two prize catches – a Black and White Warbler and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet.

We also saw a cactus in bloom.

Of course there were plenty of squirrels to put up with.

Happy Easter

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Happy Easter to all of you from
Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures.
Today was a great day, with both morning and evening services being a blessing. I trust your day was also blessed as you reflected on the Resurrection of Christ and what it means to our lives.
Lee

Eye of the Beholder – Mockingbird

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Observing the Northern Mockingbird must have some lessons we can learn. I can think of two off hand. Well, actually one of them comes from my husband. The song of the mockingbird uses a “vocal mimicry or appropriation” to make “sounds of other species (as well as non-avian sounds such as the barking of dogs, screeching of machinery, or human whistling) sometimes incorporated into a bird’s repertoire.” (“Vocal Copying,” The Birder’s Handbook) They listen, incorporate, and assimilate those songs and produce sounds into a very melodious song. Their song is usually a phrase repeated three times or so, and then a new phrase is sung. This can go on for hours.

Lesson #1: He could be like a person, who hears things and then repeats it three or more time. Sort of like a gossiper.

Lesson #2: (My preference) He could be like a Christian who listens to sermons, Sunday School lessons, other Biblical lessons, songs, has personal devotions, etc. then meditates and incorporates what they have heard into their life. Their life then produces a “song,” or way of life that is pleasing to others and especially to the Lord.

And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. (1Ti 5:13)

Also

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded; nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1Ti 6:17-19)

Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, …. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. (1Ti 4:13-15)

Update 7/23/08: Check out   “Mockingbird Imitates Surprising Sounds“

Birds of the Bible – Storks

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Many people think of babies being delivered when a Stork is mentioned. I am amazed when I watch the Wood Storks here in Florida. When they are on the ground, they are very unbecoming (aka-ugly), but when they are flying, it is so awesome to see the gracefulness of their flight and how beautiful their wings are.

The Wood Stork is a large bird (35”) that has huge long legs and a wing span of five and a half feet. It is the only stork that breeds here in the U.S. There are 19 species of storks worldwide. It has a long, thick, down-curved bill, and its head is black and un-feathered. The Stork is a wadder and raises its young in late winter in Florida during the dryer season. When the water is lower, the fish concentrate, and the Wood Stork and other birds can find an ample supply to feed their young. When they fly, they hold the neck extended.

Pictures by my friend Reineir Munguia, (Professional Photographer)
The stork is found in the list of unclean birds in Lev 11:19 and in Deu. 14:18
In Psalms the list is repeated with a comment here about the stork.

Where the birds make their nests; The stork has her home in the fir trees. Psa(104:17)

My picture of a Wood Stork in tree and Reinier’s much better one.

Jeremiah refers to the migration of birds and how they know when it’s time to leave. Here is an interesting quote from an article from Israel: The Bird’s Eye View By Sherri Mandell

Israel may be a small country, but thousands of birds annually take advantage of its passage-friendly flyway and the welcoming sanctuaries that dot the country.
The ancients considered Israel the center of the world, and it certainly feels that way if you look up at the sky in the spring and autumn. Half a billion migrating birds, more than 230 species, fly in Israeli air space on annual migrations between Europe, western Asia and Africa.
These journeys were noted long ago: “The stork in the heaven also knows her appointed times; and the turtledove, swift and the crane observe their time of coming” (Jeremiah 8:7).
“Tourists are sometimes afraid to visit here,” observes Alen Kasel, education director of the Jerusalem Bird Observatory, “but [the birds] never abandon us.”

Zechariah alludes to the “wings of a stork”.

Then I raised my eyes and looked, and there were two women, coming with the wind in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between earth and heaven. (Zec 5:9)