The Birdwatching Page was updated to add this video and links to photos of the birds shown. Here is the video and the photo links are on the Birdwatching Page.
And out of the ground the Lord God formed every [wild] beast and living creature of the field and every bird of the air and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them; and whatever Adam called every living creature, that was its name. (Genesis 2:19 AMP)
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Black Grouse (Lyrurus tetrix) for Birds Illustrated
From col. C. E. Petford. Copyrighted by
Nature Study Pub. Co., 1897, Chicago.
Blue Jay II at Bok Tower by Dan’s Pix
This is one of the latest articles from Answers in Genesis:
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Some birds—crows, parrots, and jays—possess problem-solving skills that rival those of mammals. Crows demonstrate impressive memory for details, even remembering for years the faces of people who annoy them. Does this represent true cognitive ability? Some birds can improvise tools—by bending a piece of wire, for instance—to get the food they want. Are they actually reasoning or just associating each step with coming closer to the goal? Are birds able to get a picture in their minds of what they want to accomplish and then reason out the steps, or are simpler stepwise “associative learning” processes involved?” … that is the beginning of the article.
Common Ostrich (Struthio camelus) Foot front at Riverbanks Zoo SC by Lee
The ostrich leaves her eggs on the ground and warms them in the dust, Forgetting that a foot may crush them or that the wild beast may trample them. She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers; her labor is in vain because she has no sense of danger [for her unborn brood], For God has deprived her of wisdom, neither has He imparted to her understanding. (Job 39:14-17 AMP)
Here is one more excerpt from the ending of the article which is very interesting and worth reading:
God provides in His Word the historical account of the origin of birds, man, and all things. Furthermore, the Bible informs us that God is the one who supplies or deprives an animal of its intelligence. In particular, God takes the credit for the lack of bird-smarts in the ostrich, telling Job, “God deprived her of wisdom, and did not endow her with understanding” (Job 39:17). God also points out that He is the source of wisdom for the hawk and eagle (Job 39:26–27). Learning what makes a bird tick offers a fascinating bit of insight into the creatures our Creator designed and how their brains work.
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Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinensis) for Birds Illustrated
Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla) and Dan
Today, Dan and I are celebrating our 50th Wedding Anniversary or our Golden Anniversary. It is hard to believe that is was 50 years ago that we began our journey through life together. On July 26, 1963 we said our “I do”s and now here we are on July 26, 2013 enjoying this day together. Praise the Lord for His grace and guidance over the years.
Our pastor asked Dan yesterday how it feels to be married fifty years? Dan told him, “My grandfather told me while going through the reception line at our wedding, ‘Son, your first 50 years will be the hardest. The rest is easy’.”
We were both Christians when we got married and have tried to keep the Lord at the head over the years. He has blessed us beyond measure even though at times He slipped from the Number One position because of our attitudes. If you were to ask how do you stay married and in love for these many years, then the Lord is the answer.
On our 25th Anniversary, my sister sent a poem to us, that I would like to share:
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And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. (Matthew 19:4-6 KJV)
We have always had many common interest. Number one, our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our current other interest is our birdwatching activities which readers of this blog are familiar with. Dan is the photographer, who takes the good pictures, and I attempt to write about our adventures.
Lee – Taken 6/27/13
Praise the Lord for 50 years with my two best friends, the Lord and Dan.
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Allen’s Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) for Birds Illustrated
Allens Humming Bird.
From col. F. M. Woodruff. Copyrighted by
Nature Study Pub. Co., 1897, Chicago.
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) “English Sparrow” for Birds Illustrated
From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences. Copyrighted by
Nature Study Pub. Co., 1897, Chicago.
Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) for Birds Illustrated
From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences. Copyrighted by
Nature Study Pub. Co., 1897, Chicago.
Black Swan by Lee
Bellamoon sent a link to some of his videos. The one below of the Black Swans and their family is super. He previously gave me permission to use his music for videos I put together, but this is better than anything I could ever do.
Several verses came to mind about “under his wings” while watching this:
Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, (Psalms 17:8 KJV)
How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. (Psalms 36:7 KJV)
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. (Psalms 91:4 KJV)
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. (Psalms 91:4 KJV)
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! (Luke 13:34 KJV)
There are verses that help us think about how kind these swans are to their young:
For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. (Psalms 26:3 KJV)
Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me. (Psalms 40:11 KJV)
Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD. (Psalms 107:43 KJV)
Links:
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Vermilion Flycatcher for Birds Illustrated, 1897
Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus 