Birds of the Bible – Mountain Birds II

January 14, 2019 by Lee

Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus) by Lee LPZ

Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus) Lowry Park Zoo by Lee

While you were reading Birds of the Bible – Psalm 50:11’s Mountain Birds I, did you notice where the birds/fowls are?

Most of them are from the mountains. Where else are they mentioned?

They are:

“in the mountains”
“of the mountains”
“on the mountains”
“of the hills”
“upon the mountains”
“living in the fields”
“every mountain bird”
“of the air”
“in the sky”
“flying over the mountains” [more on this later]

Common Crane (Grus grus) by Nikhil Devasar

Whose birds are they? What did the Creator say about these birds?

“I know all the birds, every bird”
“I know and am acquainted with all the birds”
“all the wild birds are mine”
“I keep track of every bird”
“I know every movement of the birds”
“I have known every fowl”
“I see all the birds”
“I know every mountain bird by name”

This reminds us of “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.”
(Matthew 10:29 NKJV)

At the end of these verses from Psalm 50:11, what does the Word say about them?

“are/is mine/Mine”
“are Mine and are with Me, in My mind”
“is in my care”
“is with me”
“indeed, everything that moves… is mine”
“All creation and its bounty are mine…”
“belong to me”
“are at my commandment”
“are in my sight”
” is in my thoughts. The entire world and everything it contains is mine.”

Alpine Chough, in snowy French Alps ©Static1-Philip Braude

WOW!

As my pastor would say, let those words sink in. If God, the Creator, cares that much about the birds and animals, how much more does He care about us.

Psalm 50:11 refers to all the birds living in and around the mountains. One of those translations caught my attention when it mentioned the birds “flying over the mountains“. I have never heard of the VOICE translation, but this is how it reads:

Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus) Zoo Miami by Lee

“Every bird flying over the mountains I know; every animal roaming over the fields belongs to Me.”

Yes, they all fly over the mountains, but the Bar-headed Goose, that we saw at the zoo, is known to fly over the “peaks of the Himalayas on their migratory path.” At an altitude of 29,000 feet/8,800 meters. But this Goose isn’t the highest flying bird.

An article from Institute for Creation Research mentions high flying birds. “What about high-flying birds that have no such oxygen mask? How can they survive elevations of 15,000 feet and sometimes higher without a supplemental source of oxygen? Many bird migrations occur at extremely high elevations: 21,000 feet for the mallard duck, 27,000 feet for swans, even 36,000 feet for vultures!The article goes on to explain about the Creators design of such birds:

“A bird’s lungs function according to the through-flow principle: the inspired [inhaled] air collects in the bird’s posterior air-sacs and flows through the lungs to the anterior air-sacs before it passes back out. In the lungs the blood is oxygenated by fine air capillaries, where air and blood flow in opposite directions. Owing to this counterflow, the oxygenated blood that leaves the bird lung acquires a higher oxygen concentration than that corresponding to the oxygen pressure in the expired [exhaled] air.

In addition to flow-through lungs, birds have hearts that are proportionately larger to their bodies than those of mammals—from 0.8 to 1.5% of total body mass, compared to mammals, which average around 0.6%. The birds’ larger hearts enable speedy blood transport and intensive oxygen renewal.”

Which is the highest flying bird? The Ruppell’s Vulture (Gyps rueppellii). One was hit by a plane at 11,300 metres (37,100 feet).

Rüppell’s Vulture (Gyps rueppellii) ©WikiC

I have a tendency, at times, to just read a verse and then move on. Yet, sometimes it is good to check out some of the other translations. [Read my disclaimer in the last article.] The last article showed photos of some of the birds that live in the mountains, but how about these that fly over the mountains. Only a Creator could design them with those capabilities. Chance molecules, evolution, or whatever theory man devises does not explain the Wisdom that comes Only from the Lord Jesus Christ, their Creator.

High Altitude Flying For Birds – I.C.R.

List of Birds by Flight Heights – Wikipedia

Top 10 Highest Flying Birds in the World – TMW

Birds of the Bible

Birds of the Bible – Psalm 50:11’s Mountain Birds

Gideon

Birds of the Bible – Psalm 50:11’s Mountain Birds I

January 13, 2019 by Lee

Mountain Wheatear (Myrmecocichla monticola) ©WikiC

“I know all the birds of the mountains, And the wild beasts of the field are Mine.” (Psalm 50:11) NKJV

Hooded Mountain Tanager (Buthraupis montana) ©BirdPhotos.com

This is Part I. Shown are the many translations of Psalm 50:11. God is speaking and telling us that He knows all these birds and cares about them. How much more does God the Creator care about us?

In the next post, there will be more facts about the Birds of the Mountains.

This list of verses came from the Bible Gateway when searching for Birds of the “mountain/s”. Psalm 50:11 was one of them., this is a list of all their translations for that verse. The version links will take you to the verse in that translation.

KJ21

I know all the fowls of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are Mine.

ASV

I know all the birds of the mountains; And the wild beasts of the field are mine.

AMP

“I know every bird of the mountains, And everything that moves in the field is Mine.

AMPC

I know and am acquainted with all the birds of the mountains, and the wild animals of the field are Mine and are with Me, in My mind.

Mountain Blackeye (Chlorocharis emiliae) ©WikiC

BRG

I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.

CSB

I know every bird of the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine.

CEB

I know every mountain bird; even the insects in the fields are mine.

CJB

I know all the birds in the mountains; whatever moves in the fields is mine.

Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) ©Elaine R Wilson WikiC

CEV

I know all the birds in the mountains, and every wild creature is in my care.

DARBY

I know all the fowl of the mountains, and the roaming creatures of the field are mine:

ERV

I know every bird in the mountains. Everything that moves in the fields is mine.

EHV

I know every bird in the mountains, and everything that moves in the field is with me.

Mountain Bamboo Partridge (Bambusicola fytchii) by Lee Zoo Miami

ESV

I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine.

ESVUK

I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine.

EXB

I know every bird on the mountains, and every living thing in the fields is mine.

GNV

I know all the fowls on the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are mine.

Mountain Quail (Oreortyx pictus) ©WikiC

I know every bird in the mountains. Everything that moves in the fields is mine.

GNT

All the wild birds are mine and all living things in the fields.

HCSB

I know every bird of the mountains, and the creatures of the field are Mine.

ICB

I know every bird on the mountains. Every living thing in the fields is mine.

Rufous-bellied Mountain Saltator (Saltator rufiventris)©Flickr Ron Knight

ISV

I know all the birds in the mountains; indeed, everything that moves in the field is mine.

JUB

I know all the fowls of the mountains; and the wild beasts of the field are with me.

KJV

I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.

AKJV

I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.

Tucuman Mountain Finch (Compsospiza baeri) ©Flickr Ron Knight

LEB

I know every bird of the mountains, and every moving creature in the field is mine.

TLB

For all the animals of field and forest are mine! The cattle on a thousand hills! And all the birds upon the mountains!

MSG

“…Every creature in the forest is mine, the wild animals on all the mountains. I know every mountain bird by name; the scampering field mice are my friends. If I get hungry, do you think I’d tell you? All creation and its bounty are mine….”

MEV

I know every bird of the mountains, and the creatures that move in the field are Mine.

Blue-winged Mountain Tanager (Anisognathus somptuosus) ©Flickr Lip Kee Yap

NOG

I know every bird in the mountains. Everything that moves in the fields is mine.

NABRE

I know every bird in the heights; whatever moves in the wild is mine.

NASB

“I know every bird of the mountains, And everything that moves in the field is Mine.

NCV

I know every bird on the mountains, and every living thing in the fields is mine.

Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager (Anisognathus igniventris) ©Flickr Joao Quental

NET

I keep track of every bird in the hills, and the insects of the field are mine.

NIRV

I own every bird in the mountains. The insects in the fields belong to me.

NIV

I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine.

NIVUK

I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine.

Mountain Tailorbird (Phyllergates cucullatus) by© Wiki

NKJV

I know all the birds of the mountains, And the wild beasts of the field are Mine.

NLV

I know every bird of the mountains. And all things that move in the field are Mine.

NLT

I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine.

NRSV

I know all the birds of the air, and all that moves in the field is mine.

Mountain Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium gnoma) ©WikiC

NRSVA

I know all the birds of the air, and all that moves in the field is mine.

NRSVACE

I know all the birds of the air, and all that moves in the field is mine.

NRSVCE

I know all the birds of the air, and all that moves in the field is mine.

OJB

I know kol oph (every bird) of the harim; and the animals of the wild are Mine.

Mountain Caracara (Phalcoboenus megalopterus) ©WikiC

TPT

Every animal of field and forest belongs to me, the Creator. I know every movement of the birds in the sky, and every animal of the field is in my thoughts. The entire world and everything it contains is mine.

RSV

I know all the birds of the air, and all that moves in the field is mine.

RSVCE

I know all the birds of the air, and all that moves in the field is mine.

TLV

I know every bird of the mountains. Everything moving in the field is Mine.

Mountain Imperial-Pigeon (Ducula badia) by Ian

VOICE

Every bird flying over the mountains I know; every animal roaming over the fields belongs to Me.

WEB

I know all the birds of the mountains. The wild animals of the field are mine.

WYC

I have known all the volatiles of the firmament; and the fairness of the field is with me. (I know all the birds on those hills; and the wild beasts of the fields be mine.)

YLT

I have known every fowl of the mountains, And the wild beast of the field [is] with Me.

Green-crowned Brilliant and Purple-throated Mountain-Gem by Ray

Additional Psalms 50:11 verses from e-Sword versions loaded [no links]:

(ACV) I know all the birds of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are mine.

(AKJV) I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.

(ASV) I know all the birds of the mountains; And the wild beasts of the field are mine.

(BBE) I see all the birds of the mountains, and the beasts of the field are mine.

Mountain Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus nipalensis) by Peter Ericsson

(Bishops) I knowe all the foules vpon the mountaynes: and the wylde beastes of the fielde are at my commaundement.

(Brenton) I know all the birds of the sky; and the beauty of the field is mine.

(DRB) I know all the fowls of the air: and with me is the beauty of the field.

(ECB) I know all the flyers of the mountains and the creatures of the field with me.

Mountain Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus sindianus) by Nikhil Devasar

(Geneva) I knowe all the foules on the mountaines: and the wilde beastes of the fielde are mine..

(HRB) I know all the birds of the mountains; and all moving in My fields are Mine;

(IAV) I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.

(Phillips) No verse

Brandt’s Mountain Finch (Leucosticte brandti) by Nikhil

(LITV-TSP) I know all the birds of the mountains; and all moving in My fields are Mine;

(JPS) I know all the fowls of the mountains; and the wild beasts of the field are Mine.

(KJ2000) I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.

(KJV) I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.

White-throated Mountaingem (Lampornis castaneoventris) by Ian

(KJV-1611) I know all the foules of the mountaines: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.

(KJVA) I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.

(KJV-BRG) I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.

(LITV) I know all the birds of the mountains; and all moving in My fields are Mine;

Mountain Thornbill (Acanthiza katherina) by Ian

(MKJV) I know all the birds of the mountains; and the wild beasts of the field are Mine.

(NAS77) “I know every bird of the mountains, And everything that moves in the field is Mine.

(RV) I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.

(The Disciple’s Bible) I know all the birds of the mountains; And the wild beasts of the field are mine.

Plate-billed Mountain Toucan (Andigena laminirostris) by Michael Woodruff

(TRC) I know all the fowls upon the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are in my sight.

(TS2009) “I know all the birds of the mountains, And all moving in My field are Mine.

(UKJV) I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.

(Webster) I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.

Colombian Mountain Grackle (Macroagelaius subalaris) ©WikiC

Birds of the Bible – Birds of the What??

Birds of the Bible

Gospel Message

Birds of the Bible – Birds of the What??

January 12, 2019 by Lee

Wood Stork flying over Lake Morton by Lee 2009

In my last post, Birds of the Bible – Birds of the Air Updated, I mentioned that I was going to search my many versions of the Bible. WELL!! I may just have bit off more than I can chew or have more material for articles than I have years left on this earth. :0)

So far in my searching through the two sources that I am using, [e-Sword and Bible Gateway] I have been busy for the last several days, just trying to find verses with “Birds of the“[in English versions]. Have I ever been surprised! There have been translations with “0” (Zero) verses up to several with over 50 verses.

Mallards flying off by Ian

Before you get too upset with me using so many versions, let me place a disclaimer here. I believe God inspired the original manuscripts, and that they have been preserved through diligent copying of those. He promised: “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Matthew 5:18, KJV. I use the KJV, but also use a few other Bibles that I believe are very close to those original scripts. I do use other versions occasionally, like this, to find verses about the birds. Some versions today are questionable as to the way it was translated.

Thousands of Snow Geese flying ©Hager Mannwr-moreno

Along with all the “Birds of the”; sky, heavens, heaven, trees, air, mountains, waste land, sky lodge, and hills, some versions use fowl and fowls. My next search is of the fowls, so the verses can be matched.

What are they doing? Why are they there? What lessons can we learn from them, etc.? That is where the Birds of the What?? is heading. Stay turned.

For a starter, almost all of the versions list Genesis 1:26. They all mention God creating man, and then giving them rule over the “birds of the …”

KJV

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

NASB

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

NKJV

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

AMP

Then God said, “Let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) make man in Our image, according to Our likeness [not physical, but a spiritual personality and moral likeness]; and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the cattle, and over the entire earth, and over everything that creeps and crawls on the earth.”

Vermilion-Flycatcher-male-flying ©Brent Paull

Owls in Flight: Being Quiet on Purpose

January 9, 2019 by JJSJ

Owls in Flight: Being Quiet on Purpose

Dr. James J. S. Johnson

And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you. (1st Thessalonians 4:11)

Barn Owls, like other owls, are aerial predators who hunt by night — quietly. This airborne silence arms hunting owls with the element of surprise, as has been proven by acoustical studies documented in a BBC video YouTube recording:

[ “Experiment! How Does an Owl Fly So Silently? Super Powered Owls” BBC ]

One of the stellar creation biologists/ecologists, nowadays, is Dr. David Catchpoole, from down under — with years of service as a scientist for the Queensland (Australia) Department of Primary Industries, specializing in tropical fruit tees (especially mango), as well as years of service teaching tropical horticulture at James Cook University.

Once an atheist evolutionist, Dr. Catchpoole is now (and has been for decades) a Bible-believing creation scientist, quick to glorify God for His magnificent creatures. In a recent article Dr. Catchpoole described how God has designed and bioengineered owls, because they are nocturnal birds of prey, to fly quietly.

If you watch an owl flapping or gliding, it’s like viewing film footage with the sound on ‘mute’ — they are so silent. That’s because their wings have velvety surfaces, comb-like serrations at the leading edge, and trailing-edge fringes which dramatically suppress the sound of air rushing over the wings. Therefore the owl’s prey (mice and voles) can be taken by surprise. Also, with wing noise suppressed to a level below the owl’s own hearing range, they can better hear (and thus locate) prey while flying — crucial for hunting at night. …

Owl wings have already inspired quieter fan blades in computers. More recently, [biomimetics technology] researchers using wind tunnel facilities have explored these noise suppression characteristics in more detail, especially the leading-edge [single-barb-tipped] serrations. The owl wing design also efficiently resolves the trade-off between effective sound suppression [needs for surprising prey] and aerodynamic force production [needed for flying]. In striving to understand how, [biomimetics technology] researchers see an ultimate goal of mimicking those design aspects across many man-made technologies. For example, so the blades of multi-rotor drones can ‘chop’ the air more quietly, without unduly sacrificing lift; similarly in other aircraft, wind turbines, and fluid machinery in general.

[Quoting David Catchpoole, “As Silent as a Flying Owl”, CREATION, 40(2):56 (April-June 2018).] Although the night-flying Barn Owl doesn’t put out much sound, it does take sound in, through its sensitive hearing system. In fact, short feathers (near its ears) are designed into grooves (by each ear) that facilitates efficient reception of airborne sound waves (revealing where its prey is) into the owl’s ears!

These owls hear prey well, but their prey do not hear the owls (usually until it’s too late)!

BARN OWL (Washington Dep’t of Fish & Wildlife)

What can I add to those insights? Like an owl on the wing, I’ll just be quiet!

The First Beak – Creation Moments

January 8, 2019 by Lee

The First Beak Bird – from Creations Moments

Genesis 1:20

“And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.”

Hardly a week goes by without a new news story about the supposed evolution of birds. In the week that I wrote this script, evolutionary paleontologists announced that they had discovered the world’s oldest beak. This beak was attached to a bird called ichthyornis (or fish-bird), and the fossil was actually already in the possession of Yale University. Researchers from that institution examined the fossil, which included a complete skull. One researcher said:

The fossil record provides our only direct evidence of the evolutionary transformations that have given rise to modern forms. This extraordinary new specimen reveals the surprisingly late retention of dinosaur-like features in the skull of Ichthyornis – one of the closest-known relatives of modern birds from the Age of Reptiles.

Bird Beaks from Wikipedia

One has to ask how such a skull constitutes “direct evidence of evolutionary transformations”. We do not see the beak being transformed from a dinosaur skull. Indeed, even in the popular-level articles from which this information was gleaned, we see some startling problems. For example, ichthyornis is thought to have died out 83.5 million years ago. Yet, velociraptors – a potential therapod precursor to birds – was claimed not to have appeared until 75 million years ago, about 8 million years after the creature into which it is supposed to have evolved. Even allowing for these problems with timescales, creationist researchers have noted that the evolutionary distance from ichthyornis to modern birds is less than that alleged to exist between many modern birds. One must conclude that ichthyornis has been assigned the world’s oldest beak merely because of an a priori commitment and bias to evolutionary theory.

Lord God, we see evidence of Your unique designs in all the creatures You have made. Thank You that You have made all things well. Amen.

Ref: Yale University. “Scientists find the first bird beak, right under their noses.” ScienceDaily, 2 May 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180502131859.htm>. Image: CC BY-SA 4.0.

Here we go again with the evolutionary theories.

Interesting Things

Birds of the Bible – Birds of the Air Updated

January 7, 2019 by Lee

American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) by Lee

The original Birds of the Air post in 2010 needed to be re-posted with some updating. The actual “birds of the air” phrase shows up four times in the King James Version and below you can see that the phrase shows up 21 times in the ESV [English Standard Version]. I use the E-Sword.net on the Computer which lets you load many different versions. It helps when searching, yet I know that not all are true to the original text. The Amplified has 24, BBE [Bible in Basic English] has 17, CJB [Complete Jewish Bible] has 2, DRB [Douay-Reimes] has 22, EMTV [English Majority Text] has 6, HCSB [Holman Christian Study Bible] has 3 all in Daniel, etc. I also now have access to more versions through the Bible Gateway which has some more versions. I am working on a search of the Birds of the ???. Stay tuned.

Looking into that phrase in e-Sword, the English Standard Version (ESV) shows 21 occurrences of “birds of the air.” Surprisingly most of them have to do with the “birds of the air” showing up to eat the carnage of men as a result of judgment or disease. See Deuteronomy 28:26; I Samuel 17:44, 17:46; Jeremiah 7:33, 15:3, 16:4, 19:7, 34:20. 4:25 and 9:10 speak of the birds of the air fleeing away.

White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus) by Africaddict

Rizpah spread sackcloth over the bodies of Saul and Jonathan and “And she did not allow the birds of the air to come upon them by day, or the beasts of the field by night” in 2 Samuel 21:10.

Job 28:20,21 says, “From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding? It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air.”

Eastern Yellow Robin (Eopsaltria australis) on nest by Ian

In the New Testament the “birds of the air” is used in different ways. Matthew 6:25 lets us know that the birds of the air “neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? “ Matthew 8:20 and Luke 9:58 reminds of that the birds have nest, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head. The parable of the mustard seed in Matthew 13:32, Mark 4:32 and Luke 13:19 tell of the plant growing up and the birds making nests in it and enjoying its shade.

The last references to birds of the air appear in Acts 10:12 and 11:6. Peter had a sheet descend with all kinds of animals, reptiles, and birds in it. This was to teach Peter and others that Jew and Gentile believers alike are equal in God’s sight.

Mr and Mrs Wood Duck by Lee

What I like about the “birds of the air” is that none of the birds are mentioned by name. That gives lots of future articles for “Bird of the Bible” that can include any of the birds that our Lord has created.

So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:21 ESV)

The Gospel Message

Placing your mouse over the Green verses will pop them out.

Walking Snowy Egret Showing Off Yellow Feet

January 4, 2019 by Lee

Snowy Egret at Merritt Island NWR 1-1-2019 by Lee

Dan and I went over to the east coast of Florida during the New Year holiday. We were able to do some birdwatching at Viera Wetlands in Viera, Florida and also went to Merritt Island National Wildlife Reserve’s Black Point Dr. That is where I captured this Snowy Egret strutting with his yellow feet showing. Also saw the Snowy Egrets at Viera.

Many verses that refer to walking come to mind. Good reminders as we start the new year off. Here are a few of the verses:

“But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.” (Psalms 26:11 KJV)

Snowy Egret Viera Wetlands – 12-31-2018 by Lee

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.” (Psalms 84:11-12 KJV)

“Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.” (Psalms 86:11-12 KJV)

Snowy Egret Viera Wetlands – 12-31-2018 by Lee

“They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.” (Psalms 119:3 KJV)

“Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.” (Proverbs 3:23 KJV)

Snowy Egret Viera Wetlands – 12-31-2018 by Lee

“Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:” (Isaiah 42:5 KJV)

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10 KJV)

Frigatebirds Flying Over The Beach

December 31, 2018 by Lee

Magnificent Frigatebird over shore by Patrick AFB by Lee

“The birds of the air, And the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!” (Psalms 8:8-9 NKJV)

Today while trying to enter Patrick AFB in Florida, we spotted three Magnificent Frigatebirds skimming over the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Wow!! We very seldom spot these birds. The size of their wingspan is amazing and are a sight to see.

Since this was New Year’s Eve day, we discovered that the A1A entrance was closed. So, we had to turn around and go back to the other gate.

Two Magnificent Frigatebird over shore by Patrick AFB by Lee

“Dan, wait while I get my camera out of the case. Maybe, we can spot them again, because they were heading south originally while we were going north.” Yeah! We spotted the three and also a fourth one. These photos were taken through the front windshield while Dan was driving. So, they are less than perfect. But, it does prove we saw them.

Magnificent Frigatebird over shore by Patrick AFB by Lee

I have a Dr. appointment over here, so we came a day or so early. We birdwatched a Viera Wetlands a bit on the way into the area. Plan on covering more of the wetlands before heading back home.

Now for some better photos of this magnificent Magnificent Frigatebird.

Magnificent Frigatebird by NOAA

While checking for information on these birds, I found several interesting articles you might want to check out. The one talks about how they stay at sea for days and weeks on end. They tested their sleeping ability to sleep while aloft. See: Frigatebirds can sleep while flying.

“The 7-foot wingspan of a magnificent frigatebird is unmistakable. They dwarf other birds as they glide on air currents above coastal Florida. Our state hosts the largest frigatebird species and the only nesting colony in the United States, located in the Dry Tortugas. Their summer breeding season brings the open-ocean species in to the shore where males can show off their distinctive red pouch to potential mates.

Frigatebirds rarely land on the ground due to their short legs and wing shape. Their thin “bent elbow” wings are ideal for soaring hundreds of miles without a single wing flap, but can’t generate enough lift to get the large birds off of the ground. They land and nest in high places, free diving off of them before catching the breeze and flying on.

It’s just as uncommon to find a frigatebird on the water. Their feathers lack oil that keep their seafaring neighbors like pelicans and gulls afloat. Water would quickly soak the frigate’s feathers and make it nearly impossible to escape.” This is from Nature’s Academy’s article.

We have had several articles here over the years about the Frigatebirds:

Fregatidae – Frigatebirds Family

Sunday Inspiration – Frigatebirds, Gannets and the Booby

“F” is for Flamingos and Frigatebirds: “F” Birds, Part 1

Ian’s Bird of the Week – Great Frigatebird

Ian’s Bird of the Week – Lesser Frigatebird

Reginald’s Happy New Year by Emma Foster

December 31, 2018 by GuestWriter

Deer and Turkeys in Snow

Reginald’s Happy New Year by Emma Foster

Reginald, Oliver, and the turkeys had sufficiently prepared for the winter, and now that they were safe in the fort they were able to celebrate Christmas in comfort. When Christmas was over, the turkeys spent their time building snow-turkeys and having snowball fights, knowing that they were safe from the hunters. Reginald watched over Oliver so that he didn’t get into any trouble, while he also made sure that the preparations for the New Year’s party were properly handled. On the day before New Year’s Day, however, everyone discovered that Oliver was missing.

Reginald and the turkeys searched for Oliver, and they eventually discovered him close by near a frozen river, where he was searching for berries. The turkeys stepped onto the river and realized that the ice was thick, and they all decided to skate across the ice. While they were skating, Reginald watched, making sure there wasn’t anyone nearby who could see them.

Suddenly, a small creature emerged from the bushes, looking for food. It was a tiny baby racoon, who appeared to be lost. She was cold, tired, and hungry, and the turkeys decided to take her back to the fort so she could get warm and eat some food.

The baby raccoon said that her name was Ruby, and that she had lost her way yesterday and couldn’t find her mom. Reginald and the turkeys immediately set out to search for Ruby’s mom. Ruby pointed out the direction she had come from and where she had last seen her mom, and Reginald, Oliver, and a few other turkeys began marching that way.

After about an hour, they heard a raccoon calling Ruby’s name. Ruby ran toward the voice excitedly, reuniting with her mother in the bushes. Ruby’s mother thanked the turkeys, and in turn the turkeys invited her and Ruby to their New Year’s party. Every year the turkeys celebrated the New Year by staying up all night and waiting for the first sunrise in the forest.

Reginald, Oliver, and the others returned to the fort. The sun was already beginning to set, and Reginald began to oversee the preparations for the New Year’s party. Reginald and the other turkeys made party hats by sticking leaves onto their army helmets, and Oliver made special hats for Ruby and her mom out of leaves all by himself.

Throughout the night, the turkeys celebrated by skating on the ice and eating the berries that they had stored for the winter. Oliver placed some berries on a small piece of bark that served as a tray and waited on the turkeys in order to be kept out of trouble.

Later that night, the turkeys and the raccoons sat down and gazed at the stars just as the sun was beginning to peek out. When the sun rose on New Year’s Day, the turkeys and the raccoons celebrated, happy to know that they were safe from the hunters and that a new year had begun.

Lee’s Addition:

I am glad the turkeys befriended the young raccoon and helped find its mother. Not sure if the turkeys had this much trouble walking on the snow and ice as these turkeys:

It was nice of the turkeys to let the raccoons join in their New Year’s Eve Celebration.

We all trust you have a very Happy New Year in 2019.

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10 KJV)

See more of Emma’s Stories:

Emma’s Stories

Matthew Chapter A Day – 28

December 28, 2018 by Lee

Garden Tomb Sign

Matthew Chapter 28 – Audio [Once started, go back to post to follow verses as he reads.] [You can have it read in other languages also.]

Matthew 28:1-20 KJV

The Resurrection
(1) In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
(2) And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
(3) His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
(4) And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
(5) And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
(6) He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
(7) And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
(8) And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
(9) And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
(10) Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

Garden Tomb Sign

The Report of the Guard
(11) Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
(12) And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
(13) Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
(14) And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
(15) So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

Garden Tomb Sign

The Great Commission
(16) Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
(17) And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
(18) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
(19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
(20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Beginning of Matthew, in case you missed the first post. Matthew Chapter A Day – 1

Good News HE IS ALIVE!!
He came as a baby, predicted by prophets of old, conceived of the Holy Ghost, to teach us how we should live, but most of all, to die for our sins. He is God in the Flesh, the second member of the Trinity.

WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH JESUS?

Scripture: e-Sword
Photos:
Garden Tomb Signs at Parrot Mountain by Lee

I trust you have followed along daily as Matthew’s Gospel has been presented. What A Savior!

Matthew Chapter A Day – 27

December 27, 2018 by Lee

OK
Matthew Chapter 27 – Audio [Once started, go back to post to follow verses as he reads.] [You can have it read in other languages also.]

Matthew 27:1-66 KJV

Jesus Delivered to Pilate
(1) When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
(2) And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
Judas Hangs Himself
(3) Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
(4) Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
(5) And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
(6) And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
(7) And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.
(8) Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
(9) Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;
(10) And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.
Jesus Before Pilate
(11) And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.
(12) And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
(13) Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?
(14) And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.
The Crowd Chooses Barabbas
(15) Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
(16) And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
(17) Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
(18) For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
(19) When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
(20) But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
(21) The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.
(22) Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
(23) And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified
(24) When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
(25) Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
(26) Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
Jesus Is Mocked
(27) Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.
(28) And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
(29) And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
(30) And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
(31) And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

The Crucifixion
(32) And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.
(33) And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,
(34) They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
(35) And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
(36) And sitting down they watched him there;
(37) And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
(38) Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
(39) And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
(40) And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
(41) Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
(42) He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
(43) He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
(44) The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
The Death of Jesus
(45) Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
(46) And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
(47) Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.
(48) And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.
(49) The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.
(50) Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
(51) And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
(52) And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
(53) And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
(54) Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
(55) And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
(56) Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.

Jesus Is Buried
(57) When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple:
(58) He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.
(59) And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
(60) And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
(61) And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.
The Guard at the Tomb
(62) Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,
(63) Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
(64) Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
(65) Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
(66) So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

Beginning of Matthew, in case you missed the first post. Matthew Chapter A Day – 1

Good News

Scripture: e-Sword
Photos:
William Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905) – The Flagellation of Our Lord Jesus Christ (1880) ©WikiC
Christ on Dying On the Cross – (Google)
Jerusalem Tomb of the Garden ©WikiC

Birds in Christmas Hymns – 2018 Part 2

December 26, 2018 by Lee

Red-crested Turaco at Brevard Zoo by Lee

While the Book of Matthew is being presented on this blog, the Birds of the Bible For Kids Blog is hosting a review of the Birds in Christmas Hymns [Updating some].

“And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.” (Psalms 55:6 KJV)

If you were like Dan and I, this has been a very busy month. So, I figure you may have also been busy, or not even aware of the other blog, Birds of the Bible for Kids. Maybe you will have some time soon to fly over to that blog and enjoy those songs. The one I posted this morning, is one of my favorites. [Even though Christmas was yesterday, it talks about the critters there in the stable.]

All of us connected with this blog, and the other one, trust you had a very Merry Christmas and that saw at least one bird yesterday, and remembered our Creator who was willing to come in flesh to redeem us.

Here are the all of the Christmas Hymns With Birds posted:

Christmas Hymns With Birds – Carol of the Birds

Christmas Hymns With Birds – This Endris Night

Christmas Hymns With Birds – Hail to the Lord’s Anointed

Christmas Hymns With Birds – The Worcester Christmas Carol

Christmas Hymns With Birds – Christmas Brings Joy To Every Heart

Christmas Hymns With Birds – Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

Christmas Hymns With Birds – I Wonder As I Wander

Christmas Hymns With Birds – Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne

Christmas Hymns With Birds – The Friendly Beasts

Baudet Donkey – Shaky and Brown

Also, if you have missed the Book of Matthew so far, here are the first six chapter’s links:

Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus

Birdwatching from a Christian Perspective

Category Archives: Birds

Birds of the Bible – Mountain Birds II

WOW!

Birds of the Bible – Psalm 50:11’s Mountain Birds I

Birds of the Bible – Birds of the What??

Owls in Flight: Being Quiet on Purpose

Owls in Flight: Being Quiet on Purpose

Dr. James J. S. Johnson

The First Beak – Creation Moments

Birds of the Bible – Birds of the Air Updated

Walking Snowy Egret Showing Off Yellow Feet

Frigatebirds Flying Over The Beach

Reginald’s Happy New Year by Emma Foster

Reginald’s Happy New Year by Emma Foster

Matthew Chapter A Day – 28

WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH JESUS?

Matthew Chapter A Day – 27

Birds in Christmas Hymns – 2018 Part 2

Wordless Birds

WOW!

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Owls in Flight: Being Quiet on Purpose

Dr. James J. S. Johnson

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Reginald’s Happy New Year by Emma Foster

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