Wood Pewee of Birds Illustrated by Color Photography, 1897
Eastern Pewee’s Twilight Song (Though this bird sings throughout the day, listen for its ballads before dawn’s light and well after sunset when this activity peaks. WhatBird) by Todd Wilson – xeno-canto
From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences. Copyrighted by
Nature Study Pub. Co., 1897, Chicago.
“A Cardinal Sits With Me” by Sandra Conner (Re-post)
This is a delightful poem by Sandra.
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A Cardinal sits with me at end of day.
It is a bleak, unhappy time,
And I have lost my way.
He seems content to stay a while and rest,
And my front porch is cool with shade,
Sun moving to the west.
To read the rest of A Cardinal Sits With Me.
White-throated Sparrow by Ray Barlow
“Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. (Luke 12:6 NKJV)
I just realized that this blog, Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures Plus, is now 5 years old. On February 15, 2008 I posted the first article on our church blog, The Fountain. At that time I began my own blog on Blogspot and then moved everything over here to WordPress and have been here since then. It was named Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures (original site) and later added the Plus as more articles about other topics were added.
The Fountain was a printed newsletter produced at church and it eventually became only an online version. It has developed over the years, just as this blog has. Stephen, our Assistant to the Pastor, is the reason that this blog exists. He invited me to write there and the rest is history.
When I brought the blog here, I moved all the originals also and this is that First article, Birds of the Bible Introduction. The One Year Anniversary, Second Anniversary of Blog,
In July of 2009, Ian Montgomery gave permission to reproduce his newsletters and also to use his photos. That started the Ian’s Bird of the Week series. In March of 2010, A J Mithra started doing articles for the blog. Ian is Australian and A J is Indian. We have other guest writers who add articles for the blog also.
Bald Eagle flying by Dave’s BirdingPix
Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up and makes his nest on high? (Job 39:27 ESV)
The other off-shoot blog:
The Birds of the Bible For Kids was begun in July of 2012 and is still developing. It has already had almost 5,800 views. My hearts desire is to get busy on this and show young people God’s Creative Hand though the Birds of the Bible, but written more to their level. (Update 10/3/14 – Move to Kid’s Section)
The Lord has blessed these sites way beyond what I ever imagined or prayed about when it began. The main site right now has had 868,500 views since moving it in July of 2008. All three of them added together is over a million views. Wow! Praise the Lord!
Wompoo Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus magnificus) by Ian
Though you lie down among the sheepfolds, You will be like the wings of a dove covered with silver, And her feathers with yellow gold. (Psalms 68:13 NKJV)
What about the future? Lord willing, I hope to keep finding neat things about the birds in the Bible and in the world to write about. Maybe some more writers will contribute to this adventure. Maybe more photographers and videographers will give their permission to use their images of these fantastic birds. (Of course, I really love one of my photographers, my husband, Dan) Only the Lord know the end from the beginning.
Without all of you, who stop by to read these articles and see the amazing birds, it would be useless. Thank you from the bottom of heart and may you receive a blessing from something you see and read.
I am so thankful that He has enabled me to write about His beautiful and delightful avian wonders.
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV)
Red-rumped Swallow (Cecropis daurica) by Nikhil Devasar
Even the stork in the heavens Knows her appointed times; And the turtledove, the swift, and the swallow Observe the time of their coming. But My people do not know the judgment of the LORD. (Jeremiah 8:7 NKJV)
Previously, we introduced the Thrush and used the above verse. Today, we will look at that same verse, but from a different version of Scripture that translates the bird as a Swallow. Here is the same little Greek study for you: The Greek word (the OT was written mostly in Greek) gives the word (H5693) עגוּר -or – ‛âgûr (aw-goor’) An unused root meaning to twitter; probably the swallow: – swallow. Translations using the word Swallow, have more than one verse that refers to the bird. The New King James Version has these other verses:
Even the sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest for herself, Where she may lay her young— Even Your altars, O LORD of hosts, My King and my God. (Psalms 84:3 NKJV) Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight. (Proverbs 26:2 NKJV) Like a crane or a swallow, so I chattered; I mourned like a dove; My eyes fail from looking upward. O LORD, I am oppressed; Undertake for me! (Isaiah 38:14 NKJV)
So there are at least four verses with the Swallow listed. The Swallows belong to the Hirundinidae – Swallows, martins Family. There are 88 members in the family at present. Many times in the Bible they mention a bird‘s name and then say “after its kind.” For now, let’s just same that it means all of those species in that family. The Swallows also have Saw-wings and Martins in the family. They live on all the continents except Antarctica.
This family is known for their aerial feeding. taking flying insects on the wing. Swallows hunt insects on the wing because they were designed with a slender, streamlined body and long pointed wings, which allow great maneuverability and endurance, as well as frequent periods of gliding. Their body shape allows for very efficient flight, which costs 50-75% less for swallows than equivalent passerines of the same size. Swallows usually forage at around 18.6-25 mph (30–40 km/h), although they are capable of reaching speeds of between 31-40 mph (50–65 km/h) when traveling.
The legs are short, and their feet were created for perching rather than walking, as the front toes are partially joined at the base. Swallows are capable of walking and even running, but they do so with a shuffling, waddling gait. The leg muscles of the river martins (Pseudochelidon) are stronger and more robust than those of other swallows.
The most common plumage is glossy dark blue or green above and plain or streaked underparts, often white or rufous. Species which burrow or live in dry or mountainous areas are often matte brown above (e.g. Sand Martin and Crag Martin). The typical song of swallows is a simple, sometimes musical twittering.
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) by J Fenton
Our verse above mentions the birds and how they KNOW when it is time to migrate, but what about the end of the verse? The Lord uses birds and other critters as an example, BUT He is mainly trying to teach us something.
Let’s see what some of the different versions say about what we are supposed to learn from these birds.
(HCSB) ”are aware of their migration, but My people do not know the requirements of the LORD.”
(MSG) …know when it’s time to move south for winter… know when it’s time to come back again. But my people? My people know nothing, not the first thing of GOD and his rule.
(NET) …knows when it is time to move on…recognize the normal times for their migration. But my people pay no attention to what I, the LORD, require of them.
Do you know what the Lord wants you to do? Do you know Him as your Savior? If you do, are you doing what the Bible tells us we should do? Are you obeying your parents? And doing what the Lord wants you to do?.
The Lord loves us, just as your parents do. When you obey them you are happier and blessed. When you do not obey, are you happy or sad? The same is true with obeying the Word that the Lord has given us through His Word, the Bible.
See:
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Warbling Vireo of Birds Illustrated by Color Photography, 1897
American Robin by Dan
Having just returned home from a house cleaning job, my mind wasn’t about birds, but the greeting I would get from my dog Ruby. She was her usual happy, jumpy, self – anticipating a doggy treat for being left home alone.
I was not happy to find her soaking wet. This meant I had not closed the door well to the shower room and she had spent her time there during my absence. It would have been OK except my shower drips continuously – (yes, I do have a plan to have it checked out.) And this is a dog who hated to be showered! Figure that.
So anyway, I told her I needed to check the mail. And yes, she knows what this means. She ran outdoors and as we headed for the mailbox I heard a very familiar sound. We had startled a robin! Oh joy! I carefully began looking for it and found it was still hanging around a flower bed.
I don’t remember who I thanked first, the robin for being in my yard, or the Lord for sending it there!
It is the first and so far the only one I have seen in my yard this year. Recalling the year my yard was filled with them in Feb. 2010 and had told them they were all welcome back, put paid no return visits.
Having at least one, made my day. I’m not hard to please. I do hope to see it again, but if not, I’m happy anyway.
Every time I look out the window on this beautiful spring day, I will have a spirit of thanksgiving. Being able to enjoy God’s Creation is a great blessing.
One Robin is enough.
Dot Malcolm
(Feb 15, 2013)
Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart! (Psalms 32:11 NKJV)
American Robin)by Raymond Barlow
Lee’s Addition:
What a great event. Dottie handed this to me Saturday morning at our annual Volunteer’s Breakfast. All those who volunteer around church are treated to a meal prepared by our Pastors and staff. Dottie has been a faithful Primary Sunday School teacher for years. Reading this story, I can see why they all love her and enjoy her teaching so much. Thank you, Dottie.
See her other articles:
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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker of Birds Illustrated by Color Photography, 1897
Horned Lark of Birds Illustrated by Color Photography, 1897
From col. F. M. Woodruff. Copyrighted by
Nature Study Pub. Co., 1897, Chicago.
Collared Kingfisher by Dan’s Pix
As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. (John 21:9-12 KJV)
We went on a trip last year and we stopped by the Jacksonville Zoo on the way. Dan recently posted his favorite photos of the zoo on his webpage, Dan’s Pix. I place my photos up on line right away, but he takes time to get them just right before they are posted. That is why his are so much better and the fact that he uses much better photography gear than I do.
I trust you will enjoy them.
Dan at Work at Jacksonville Zoo
Feel free to check out his other great photos – Dan’s Pix home page.
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Chimney Swift of Birds Illustrated by Color Photography, 1897
From col. Eugene Bliss. Copyrighted by
Nature Study Pub. Co., 1897, Chicago.
American Goldfinch of Birds Illustrated by Color Photography, 1897
Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus 