“And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.” (Genesis 2:2 NKJV)
Cattle Egrets near feet of Bovine
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*** Did you notice the trend this last week? The number of the words was in red and also, the number of birds was the same as the number.***
“Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be none.” (Exodus 16:26 NKJV)
Five-colored Munia (Lonchura quinticolor) ©WikiC
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Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) by S Slayton
TINY SUPERLATIVES AND GOD’S LOVE
“Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.” Psalm 10:14
Hummingbirds are among the most exquisite jewels in God’s creation. Many of their activities and habits seem almost unreal.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) by S Slayton
I know of no one who has ever tired of watching a hummingbird hover or fly backwards. Our sense of wonder is not decreased because we understand how the bird can do these tricks. Perhaps an even greater wonder is how these tiny, fragile creatures can make their way in a large and often hostile world.
Consider the broad-tailed hummingbird, for instance. This tiny hummingbird migrates 1,200 miles between Mexico and the Colorado Rockies each year. Its nesting site in the Rockies is filled with predators. In this setting, the mother searches for a protected branch where she will build her fragile nest. It’s best if there is another branch right above the nesting branch to provide shelter from the elements as well as visual cover from hawks and blue jays. She weaves her nest, about the size of half a golf ball, from spider webs and down from plants. It will take two and one-half weeks for her two pea-sized eggs to hatch. In the meantime, the tiny mother, who weighs less than one-eighth of an ounce, must keep herself and her eggs warm in temperatures that can drop below freezing.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) by Michael Woodruff
God has equipped the delicate hummingbird with intelligence and excellent flying ability, so that even though it is tiny and weak, it can make its living. The continued existence of this fragile creature glorifies its Creator, not the principle of survival of the fittest!
Prayer:
I am filled with wonder, Father, at how You have designed and cared for the hummingbird. When I am tempted to act by my own strength instead of Yours, remind me of Your care for the fragile hummingbird. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Notes:
Calder, William A. 1992. “Ten years on an aspen branch.” Natural History, July, p. 4. Photo: Broad-tailed hummingbird. Courtesy of Michelle Lynn Reynolds. (CC BY-SA 3.0)
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Other Creation Moments Articles
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“”Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God.
(Luke 12:6 NKJV)
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) Five ©Indiatoday
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“Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” (John 4:35 NKJV)
Birds Calling Out ©DailyMail
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“And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.” (Mark 8:31 NKJV)
Three Sparrows ©Tony Northrup
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Common Gull (Larus canus) by Robert Scanlon
Shelly and the Sand Castle by Emma Foster
One day a seagull named Shelly decided that she should fly to the beach to lay her very first egg. Shelly had previously been living near a seaside port beside a large white beach, but she felt it was not the proper place to lay an egg, especially when it was going to be her very first one. Leaving the nest that she had built on top of a pole, Shelly flew across the beach onto a giant rock.
After resting on top of the rock, Shelly surveyed the beach, searching for sticks and dirt with which to build her nest. Looking around, however, Shelly noticed that there were several children building houses out of sand. Thinking that it was a wonderful idea, Shelly promptly decided to build her first nest out of sand.
Children Building Sandcastle -©Pixabay
Flying near the waves, Shelly scooped up some wet sand with her beak until she made a small pile. She spent a few minutes trying to figure out how to get all of the sand on top of the rock. Fortunately, after glancing around, Shelly found a small plastic shovel that no one was currently using. She had seen a few children use a shovel to help them scoop up sand, so Shelly knew how to use it.
Kids Building Sand Castle ©Pinterest
“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:” (Matthew 7:26 NKJV)
After shovelling enough sand onto the rock, Shelly dropped the shovel and began meshing the sand together in a big pile, finally sitting on it so when she hatched her egg it wouldn’t fall out.
Shelly’s egg hatched a few days later. She was so excited she quickly found some food to celebrate then came back to her egg. While she was on the hunt for some food, storm clouds gathered and rain began to sprinkle. Quickly flying back to her nest, Shelly was horrified to find that her nest had dissolved and her egg was gone.
Shelly frantically began her search in the sand, but the rain began beating down so hard that Shelly was forced to stop her search and find shelter. When the rain subsided, Shelly tried to search some more, but was so anxious that she completely forgot which rock she had nested on.
Shelly searched the beach until it was too dark to see anything. Finally she had to rest in some shrubbery until morning, though she barely slept because she was so worried.
Mew Gull (Larus canus) by Daves BirdingPix
The next day was bright and sunny, and at once Shelly began her search. She noticed that there were many more people at the beach than yesterday, which made her even more worried. Shelly flew around in circles, trying to spot her egg and hoping that it hadn’t washed away into the sea.
As Shelly flew closer to the ground, she noticed a group of children building a sand castle. One of the children scooped a huge pile of sand, and Shelly could see a huge lump in the sand. When the child put the clump of sand onto the sand castle, the egg rolled down.
Seagull carrying egg to safety
Shelly swooped down and snatched her egg out of the sand with her mouth. She flew away happily, even though she could hear the children screaming and laughing behind her. Thankful that her egg was safe, Shelly immediately decided to build a nest made out of twigs and branches like the other birds. From then on, whenever Shelly hatched an egg, she made sure that her egg was hatched in a proper nest instead of in the sand.
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” (Matthew 7:24-27 NKJV)
Another great story by Emma. Thank you again for reminding us to heed wise instructions.
“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)
House Sparrows watching Parrot show at National Aviary by Lee
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Great Egret preening – from Sea Pines Rehab Hospital Wall – by Lee
Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.” (Genesis 1:20 NKJV)
Sea Pines Rehabilitation Hospital is located in Melbourne, Florida. As many of my readers know, I recently had extensive back surgery. Dr. James Billys, who did my surgery, practices in Melbourne. Four days after surgery [June 22nd], I was released from Wuesthoff Hospital and was transferred to Sea Pines to begin my rehabilitation. What a fantastic place to start my recovery. Also, I am so thankful for all of you who have been praying for me as I am recovering.
Seabirds at Shore in Brevard County. Take n from wall of Sea Pine Rehab Hospital by Lee
This is not to tell about that, but to show you some of the great photos that covered the walls. Most of the photos were 3 feet x 4 feet, and were of birds and scenery around Brevard County, where Melbourne is located. Many of you will recall the articles that have been written about our birdwatching adventures over there. That is where Viera Wetlands, Brevard Zoo, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge and other great places to watch God’s Creation are located.
Great Blue Heron Taking Off
A day or two before my two weeks of rehab finished, I felt well enough to go “Birdwatching at Sea Pines.” With cell phone in hand, sitting in the wheel chair, minus the foot rest, off I went. Propelling myself with either my feet or hands, I covered the whole place. The place was larger than I had imagined, and was tuckered by the time I returned to my room.
White Ibis Photo outside my room at Sea Pines
I trust you will enjoy the scenery and especially the bird pictures. Also, overlook that these were taken from wheel chair height and unfortunately not straight. Did the best I could to straighten them up. Enjoy!
“A Song of Ascents. Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways.” (Psalms 128:1 NKJV)
Comb-crested Jacana (Irediparra gallinacea) ©Wiki on Pads
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“And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”(Genesis 1:22 NKJV)
Seabirds at Shore in Brevard County. Take from wall of Sea Pines Rehab Hospital by Lee
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“The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.” (Proverbs 12:13 KJV)
Baby Turtle Emerging from the Sand for the 1st time – At Sea Pines Rehab Hospital by Lee
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Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus 