Gatorland’s Snowy Egrets

March 12, 2014 by Lee

Snowy Egret in Breeding Plumage at Gatorland by Dan

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)

In yesterday’s blog, I told about the alligators at Gatorland. Today, we continue with the Snowy Egrets which are there in the rookery. The “rookery” or a place where lots of birds gather to build nest, court, mate and raise their young at Gatorland is protected by the gators. Birds like to find small islands or areas that are protected from animals or snakes that eat the young. When the rookery is surrounded by gators, they have much protection. The alligators get their “pay” by catching the young that accidentally fall from the nest. It is not perfect for the birds, but it does allow them to raise most of their young.

Snowy Egret – Noticd the Red when breeding by Lee

All the birds in the nesting area are wild birds and not captives. They are free to come and go as they please. Right now, they please to be there to raise their young. This is prime time breeding season at Gatorland.

Even Feet Get Reddish Tint – Snowy Egret at Gatorland by Lee

Here are some of the photos of the Snowy Egrets from yesterday. The top one was a great catch by Dan. Isn’t the Lord amazing in how He created these birds. Their feathers are so beautiful and it is neat how some of their parts change color.

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See:

Gatorland – March 2014 ~ I

March 11, 2014 by Lee

Gators at Gatorland

Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind”; and it was so. (Genesis 1:24 NKJV)

Today we drove over to Gatorland in Orlando. We had heard that the “rookery” was hopping with birds making nest, courting, mating, and raising babies.Spring is in the air.

We were not disappointed. We were over there last year, Vol 2, #6 – The American Flamingo, and I showed some of the Flamingos. They are still there, plus lots of Gators. We saw one crocodile also. What was so neat about thsi trip was the “rookery” which I will share later. With over 500 photos to sort through, I decided to show some of the gators and a really neat video I made of some acting like taxis.

Gatorland has been there for many years and as a bird lover, it is a super place to visit. In fact, I went to Gatorland as a kid with my mother almost 60 years ago. Needless to say, it has changed over the years, but they still have lots of gators.

Jumperoo Show – Dan caught this one taking the chicken

They have shows like the Jumparoo where they get the gators to jump up to get some chicken (dead of course). It is an interesting place to visit and reasonably priced.

Here are some of the photos from today of alligators.

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I couldn’t believe these Great Egrets that were using the Alligators as a Taxi. They were even chasing one another off so they could catch a ride.

Gators at Gatorland – Great Egrets catching a ride

Here are some videos I made of them catching a “Taxi”

Nuggets Plus – Variety

March 7, 2014 by Lee

Sarus Crane (Grus antigone) by Lee at Wings of Asia

Today while doing my daily reading , I came across two verses that caused me to think about the varieties of birds and our talents.

Nuggets Plus

And David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God—my God—will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD. Here are the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God; and every willing craftsman will be with you for all manner of workmanship, for every kind of service; also the leaders and all the people will be completely at your command. (1 Chronicles 28:20-21 NKJV)

Magnificent Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens) by Judd Patterson

David was handing over the kingdom to Solomon, his son, who was young. David had wanted to build a temple for The LORD, but was told no, but that Solomon would be the one to build the temple.

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) at Bok Tower By Dan’sPix

David is explaining this to Solomon and the people of Israel. He was encouraging his son and also the people and reminding them of these promises from God:

Be strong
of good courage
do it
not fear
nor be dismayed
LORD God—my God—will be with you
not leave you
nor forsake you,
until you have finished all the work

Then in the next verse (21) he explains the different division (variety) of work to be done:

every willing craftsman
for all manner of workmanship
for every kind of service;
also the leaders and all the people will be completely at your command.

House Sparrow by Ray

Isn’t it amazing when we see all the variety in the birds the Lord Created? They are all birds, but they vary so much in height, width, color, beaks, feet, behavior, the way and place they build their nest, etc, etc.

Blue-footed Booby (Sula nebouxii) by Ian

How about us? We are all different and each have different talents and abilities. Our interest vary. Many of our readers are bloggers, yet each of us do it differently.

Birdwatchers vary in how they view the birds. Some like to view the birds through a camera, binoculars, just their eyes. Some make list of all kinds, some never bother. There really isn’t a right way or wrong way to watch birds, unless you are doing something harmful to the birds.

Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus) by Margaret Sloan

In the Christian realm, again, we are all different and there is so much variety in our talents and abilities, yet the Lord gave them to us.

Are we willing to use them?

Carolina Wren at Myakka River State Park

March 6, 2014 by Lee

Embed from Getty Images
Carolina Wren

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; (Song of Solomon 2:12 KJV)

I am testing a new feature that WordPress has just made available for bloggers. We can now “embed” photos from Getty Images into articles. They have a wealth of photos, but unless embedded, can be expensive to use.

Since I chased the Carolina Wren at Myakka River SP all over the place with my camera and never got a photo, I turned on the video and recorded its sound. I have converted it to an MP3 and borrowed some of Getty’s great photos. Here is another of the neat birds that the Lord gave such a pretty song to.

Embed from Getty Images
Carolina Wren

*
Carolina Wrens belong to the Troglodytidae – Wrens Family. The Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) is a common species of wren, resident in the eastern half of the USA, the extreme south of Ontario, Canada, and the extreme northeast of Mexico. A distinct population in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, Belize and extreme north of Guatemala is treated either as a subspecies Thryothorus ludovicianus albinucha, or as a separate species, White-browed Wren (Thryothorus albinucha) . The Carolina Wren is the state bird of South Carolina; its specific name ludovicianus means “from Louisiana”.

Embed from Getty Images
Carolina Wren

*
The upperparts are rufous brown, and the underparts a strong orange-buff, usually unmarked but faintly barred on the flanks in the southwest of the range. The head has a striking pure white supercilium (eyebrow) and a whitish throat. The race albinucha is duller brown above and has additional white streaking on the head.

It is easiest to confuse with the Bewick’s Wren, a fairly close relative, which differs in being smaller but with a longer tail, grayer-brown above and whiter below. The Carolina and White-browed Wrens differ from the House Wren in being larger, with a decidedly longer bill and hind toe.

House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) by Ian (Not Getty)

The Carolina Wren is noted for its loud song, popularly rendered as “teakettle-teakettle-teakettle”. This song is rather atypical among wrens and closely resembles that of the Kentucky Warbler which shares much of its range. A given bird will typically sing several different songs. Only the male birds sing their loud song. The songs vary regionally, with birds in northern areas singing more slowly than those in southern areas.

The Carolina Wren also has a series of calls, including a rapid series of descending notes in a similar timbre to its song, functioning as an alarm call, and a very harsh and loud scolding call made to threaten intruders. (Wikipedia)

Carolina Wren – Wikipedia
Carolina Wren – All About Birds
Carolina Wren – National Geographic
Carolina Wren – Audubon
Carolina Wren Sounds – xeno-canto
Talains’ Carolina Wren – One of our followers
Troglodytidae – Wrens Family

3:16 The Numbers of Hope

Shutterfly’s Faces of Nature

March 5, 2014 by Lee

Shutterfly – Penguin – at Faces of Nature

Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” And I said, “I see a branch of an almond tree.” (Jeremiah 1:11 NKJV)

Received an email from one of our readers who wanted to share her site that shows Faces of Nature.

Brown Hooded Longbeak at Faces of Nature

” I am a nature enthusiast and photographer from Langhorne, PA. I take photos of “Faces in Nature” – items that resemble faces which occur naturally in our surroundings – I don’t change or Photoshop – they are as I find them. I have over 100 but lots of birds as it turns out.”

Here is one on the “lighter side.”

Angry Bird at Faces of Nature

If you would like to check out all of Susan’s “Faces of Nature” at Shutterfly: CLICK HERE

I think my favorite is a “White Toucan”

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2 KJV)

Myakka River State Park – March 4th

March 5, 2014 by Lee

Myakka River SP

let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:22-23 NKJV)

Yesterday we rode down to Myakka River State Park, then over to an Amish restuarant in Sarasota and back. A birdwatching adventure of almost 200 miles . What a beautiful the Lord gave to see some more of His Creation.

As Dan drives I keep a list of the birds spotted. Just finished posting them to eBird. Counting the State Park and the different county lists, we saw a total of 43 species today. Not bad.

This was sort of a survey trip to check out the park. We have never been there before. We spotted 23 species there and saw lots of alligators floating in their lake. It was foggy driving down and it was starting to clear some by the time we arrived. At the first little pond the water was quite reflective. Myakka is the largest park in the State system.

Great Blue Heron by Lee Myakka SP

Actually, compared to Circle B Bar Reserve, which is only about 5 miles from the house, it was sparse on birds. Guess we have gotten spoiled having Circle B so close.

But still, it was an enjoyable trip. I was able to get a photo of a Catbird and chased a Northern Parula with my camera all over the place. Finally got a bad shot which at least help nail down the ID. A Carolina Wren was singing away, but never got a decent shot of him either. Also saw 9 Wild Turkeys.

On the ride down, my highlight was spotting 4 Crested Caracaras and 5 Belted Kingfishers. Of course since we were traveling, no photos taken.

Haven’t gone through all photos yet, but here are a few from yesterday.

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Taxonomic order – 04 Mar 2014
1 Wild Turkey – 9
2 Pied-billed Grebe – 1
3 Wood Stork – 4
4 Double-crested Cormorant – 1
5 Great Blue Heron – 2
6 Great Egret – 2
7 Snowy Egret – 1
8 Little Blue Heron – 1
9 Tricolored Heron – 1
10 Cattle Egret – 53
11 White Ibis – 25
12 Glossy Ibis – 1
13 Black Vulture – 35
14 Turkey Vulture – 11
15 Osprey – 21
16 Red-shouldered Hawk – 2
17 Red-tailed Hawk – 1
18 Common Gallinule – 4
19 American Coot – 1
20 Limpkin – 1
21 Sandhill Crane – 2
22 Eurasian Collared-Dove – 1
23 White-winged Dove – 1
24 Mourning Dove – 5
25 Belted Kingfisher – 5
26 Downy Woodpecker – 1
27 Crested Caracara – 4
28 American Kestrel – 1
29 Loggerhead Shrike – 2
30 Blue Jay – 3
31 American Crow – 1
32 Fish Crow – 6
33 Tree Swallow – 10
34 Carolina Wren – 3
35 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – 2
36 Gray Catbird – 2
37 Northern Mockingbird – 2
38 Northern Parula – 1
39 Palm Warbler – 4
40 Yellow-rumped Warbler – 3
41 Red-winged Blackbird – 1
42 Common Grackle – 3
43 Boat-tailed Grackle – 8

Picnic In February

March 1, 2014 by GuestWriter

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) by Dan

Picnic In February ~ by Dorothy Malcolm

It’s open to all who wish to come. So some find it so and make it a habit to always be around every day–the Blue Jays, a pain of Cardinals, Red-winged Blackbirds, Doves and squirrels. In the winter months, Titmouse, Pine Warblers and occasionally Blackbirds add to the mix.

Today started out rather ordinary with Bible reading, breakfast, a few pills, letting Ruby my dog in and out of the house several times and talking myself into going to the bank and grocery.

After lunch Ruby and I went out for her afternoon walk. After this I started pricing things for a garage sale that will be sometime this spring. I just happen ed to look out the patio door and saw a most glorious sight – ROBINS!

Time just stopped for me. I was totally taken in by the sight of them. Where they came from it is obvious they had a great time because they looked really good and healthy. Their feathers looked as smooth and soft as velvet. Hopping, stopping, looking, flicking leaves, talking – oh, what a great time they and I were having – by now I’m just quietly looking out a small back bathroom window where I could get a better view.

What then! It is my daughter asking on behalf of her daughter how Ruby is doing. So I gave a quick report and then excitedly told her about the Robins. Soon as I could I hung up and got back to the little window only to hear two gunshots in the neighborhood.

But why now! I’ve heard this a few days in the past week, but am real unhappy about it now!

Of course the Robins flew off. Well they and I had great joy for a short time until someone spoiled the picnic!

Is this not the way some things are in our lives? But what joy there will be in the future when we will have a forever picnic in the presence of the Lord. There will be a new heaven and new earth that will not be spoiled by anyone or anything. It will be awesome and I suspect it will include birds along with many awesome creatures and all of God’s redeemed!

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. (Revelation 21:5 KJV)

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2 Peter 3:11-13 KJV)

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) by Dan at Bok Sanctuary

See Dorothy Malcolm’s Other articles:

(P.S. This was written in February, but I just now worked it up. Sorry, Dottie)

Lemmings Fuel Biggest Snowy-owl Migration in 50 years – Re-post

February 26, 2014 by Lee

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) Female in Florida 2013-2014 ©©minds-eye

the little owl, the fisher owl, and the screech owl; the white owl, the jackdaw, and the carrion vulture; (Leviticus 11:17-18 NKJV)

Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (Matthew 6:26 NKJV)

Here is a very interesting article about the Snowy Owls being spotted so much this winter. It is from the Focusing On Wildlife blog.

For the lowly Arctic lemming, life is cruel. In a flash before death, often the last things a lemming sees are the deadly talons of a majestic snowy owl. A mass sacrifice of this rodent with stubby legs probably gave rise to what scientists are calling the largest snowy-owl irruption in at least half a century. The gleaming white birds poured out of Canada this winter to points throughout the eastern US, captivating birdwatchers, scientists and people who had never seen them up close.

For the rest of the article – CLICK HERE

Wordless Birds

Birds Helping Birds by Creation Moments

February 25, 2014 by Lee

White-fronted Bee-eater (Merops bullockoides) ©WikiC

Birds Helping Birds ~ by Creation Moments

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.” (Luke 10:33-34)

Altruism – helping one another – is a real puzzle to those who explain the world of living things in terms of materialistic evolution. Evolution is supposed to work on the selfish survival-of-the-fittest principle, so there should be no reason for any creature, including man, to develop a helping attitude. In fact, there is no way to explain how the genetic code could possibly develop and pass on a trait such as altruism.

Birds helping birds Researchers have studied a bird called the white-fronted African bee-eater. Members of this species help each other, sometimes even at the sacrifice of their own life. For example, one bird will face a spitting cobra to defend another, and scientists have been puzzled to know how this altruistic trait can possibly be passed on, when it often results in death. Another common altruistic habit of the African bee-eater is that one female will put off starting her own family to help another bee-eater raise her young. Some argue that such behavior is limited to birds that are related. But they admit that even adopted orphaned bee-eaters will help their adopted parents in this way.

While it is often denied, the theory of evolution has yet to adequately explain altruism. Altruism is a demonstration of that commandment given by our Creator to “love our neighbor.”

Prayer:
Dear God, I ask that You would help me so that I would not adopt the selfish and cold behavior of so many in today’s world. Let my life be an example that draws others to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Notes:
Kathy A. Fackelmann, “Avian Altruism,” Science News, Vol.135, June 10, 1989, pp. 364-365. Photo: Courtesy of Luc Viatour. Licensed under the GNU Free Documentation 1.2 License.

Lee’s Addition:

White-fronted Bee-eater (Merops bullockoides) by Bob-Nan

The Bee-eaters are members of the Meropidae Family. There are 27 different species of bee-eaters. What an amazing display of the Lord’s Creation. They are a lovely family to look at.

Most species are found in Africa and Asia but others occur in southern Europe, Australia, and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies, and usually elongated central tail feathers. All have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar. There are 26 different species of bee-eaters.

White-fronted Bee-eater (Merops bullockoides) by Ian

Meropidae Family

Articles Mentioning Birds From This Family:

Sunday Inspiration – Woodpeckers

February 23, 2014 by Lee

Pileated Woodpecker by Lee at Circle B

All the birds of the heavens made their nests in its boughs; Under its branches all the beasts of the field brought forth their young; And in its shadow all great nations made their home. (Ezekiel 31:6 NKJV)

The trees of the LORD are full of sap, The cedars of Lebanon which He planted, Where the birds make their nests; The stork has her home in the fir trees. (Psalms 104:16-17 NKJV)

Woodpeckers and their kind belong to the Picidae – Woodpeckers Family. There are 234 species including not only Woodpeckers, but also Wrynecks, Piculets, Flickers, Sapsuckers and Flamebacks. Again, these birds show amazing characteristics given them by their Creator. Check out some of the articles about them below.

Members of this family are found worldwide, except for Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand, Madagascar, and the extreme polar regions. Most species live in forests or woodland habitats, although a few species are known to live in treeless areas, such as rocky hillsides and deserts.

The Lord Jesus not only loves all the birds He made, but best of all, He loves us.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

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“Jesus Loves Me” by Bonnie Standifer

This piece was written and played by Bonnie Standifer at our Orchestra Concert in March of 2013 at Faith Baptist Church. You have never heard it played this way before. Bonnie is a very gifted arranger and pianist. She is also married to the orchestra conductor.

Picidae – Woodpeckers Family

Sharing The Gospel

Articles Mentioning Birds From This Family:

More Sunday Inspiration

Interesting Things – Not So Bird-Brained

February 22, 2014 by Lee

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) Sleeping by Lee

NOT SO BIRD-BRAINED ~ by Creation Moments

So God created . . . every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:21)

How do you take a much-needed nap or get a good night’s sleep when you must be alert to danger? Human beings designate people to stay awake and watch for danger when they sleep. Then, they set up warning systems.

Since birds are much more vulnerable to danger, God gave them the ability to do these things on a simple scale, and then He gave them one more amazing gift. Many birds are able to put half of their brain to sleep, while the other half stays awake and alert. The eye that serves the sleeping half even closes, while the eye that serves the waking half of the brain stays alert, searching for danger. After the first sleeping half is nicely rested, it wakes up, and the other half goes to sleep. Of course, these birds can also put both sides of the brain to sleep at the same time, just as we do. Whales, seals and dolphins are among the non-birds that can half-brain sleep as well.

Evidence of the clever design of this half-brain sleep ability can be seen in the fact that where two birds sleep next to each other, each bird will put the half of the brain that faces its partner to sleep. Once that half is rested, they change places, so the other half of their brain can sleep.

When Scripture tells us that God looked at His creation and declared it “good,” God’s standard for good is perfection. His ingenious design, which would allow birds to protect themselves even when sin and death entered the creation, is part of the goodness of God’s creation.

Prayer:
I thank You, Lord, that You made a creation perfect and so beautiful that even in could not completely destroy it. Amen.

Notes:
S. Milius, Half-asleep birds choose which half dozes, Science News, February 6, 1999, v.155, p.86

Peter’s Female Blackbird

February 20, 2014 by GuestWriter

Common Blackbird (Turdus merula) by Ian

I don’t suppose that, what happened some years ago, will ever happen again.

My Dutch wife and I were living in a little town called March and we made sure that various birds were fed every day from a large feeding tray in our garden. Winter was upon us, but very sadly, my wife had an accident and died about a week later in hospital.

There was a particular female blackbird who came for food, every morning, and allowed me to speak to her while only a couple of feet away. Coinciding with losing my wife, this same bird lost her mate and by the state of
his body I think a sparrow hawk got him. Unfortunately, my female blackbird refused to go to a special piece of ground which I had dug and loaded it with worms, purchased from the local fishing tackle shop. Even after I removed the dead mutilated blackbird, his female mate would go nowhere near that little plot of dug soil because her mate had sadly met his end quite nearby. I believe this precious bird knew that my wife was missing also and she seemed to stay longer, and be near me every morning.

To my great joy, one morning, this loving bird hopped behind me as I walked toward the back entrance of my bungalow. I entered my kitchen and she waited outside. Would she come in I wondered ? She knew my voice and hopped into my kitchen and waited patiently. ( I have a photo of her waiting in front of my ‘fridge.) Then I opened the ‘fridge door and gave her a few pieces of seed cake.

Every morning thereafter my bird came to my back door and came into my kitchen at my invitation. To me, it was a wonder to see a “wild” blackbird patiently waiting in front of my ‘fridge knowing about the seed cake behind that big white door, just for her.

Jesus said that ‘ unless we become like children we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven ‘ That bird sure did have a childlike faith. It taught me that once we begin to put food out for wild birds in the winter we must continue daily. Thinking of the various types of birds which visited my garden in the winter, I surmised that some had come many miles. How very sad if, some wintry day, they came only to find the table was bare ?

I moved home, some months later, and still wonder what happened to this blackbird who, I’m sure, shared the sorrow of her loss with this poor guy.

By Peter England, UK

Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus

Birdwatching from a Christian Perspective

Category Archives: Birds

Gatorland’s Snowy Egrets

Gatorland – March 2014 ~ I

Nuggets Plus – Variety

Carolina Wren at Myakka River State Park

Shutterfly’s Faces of Nature

Myakka River State Park – March 4th

Picnic In February

Picnic In February ~ by Dorothy Malcolm

Lemmings Fuel Biggest Snowy-owl Migration in 50 years – Re-post

Birds Helping Birds by Creation Moments

Sunday Inspiration – Woodpeckers

Interesting Things – Not So Bird-Brained

Peter’s Female Blackbird

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Picnic In February ~ by Dorothy Malcolm

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