Dr. James J. S. Johnson BIRD NESTS ARE IMPORTANT: THE BIBLE SAYS SO And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. (Luke 9:58) NEST – this simple word “nest” represents an enormously important part of a … Continue reading
Cormorants are Great; Great Cormorants are Really Great! Dr. James J. S. Johnson “But the cormorant [shalak] and the bittern shall possess it [i.e., the land of Idumea, a/k/a Edom]; the owl also and the raven shall dwell in it; and He [i.e., the LORD, in judgment] shall stretch out upon it the line of … Continue reading
I would like to apologize for my lack of posting any articles since back in February of this year. (More explanation later.) What I am really thankful for is Dr. James J.S. Johnson, Dr. Jim, as Dan and I affectionately call him. THANK YOU, DR. JIM! Also a Hugh THANK YOU to all of you … Continue reading
Yellow-headed Blackbirds: Not Attracted to Life on the Shallow Side Dr. James J. S. Johnson Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. (James 4:8a) Yellow-headed Blackbirds [Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus] remind me of our need to stay close to God. That takes a bit of explaining, but there is actually a simple connection … Continue reading
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS: MARSH-LOVING ICTERIDS Dr. James J. S. Johnson Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water? (Job 8:11) Speaking of birdwatching in Texas, ornithologist Stan Tekiela says, “It’s a sure sign of spring when [migratory] Red-winged Blackbirds return to the marshes.” [Quoting from Tekiela’s BIRDS OF TEXAS FIELD GUIDE … Continue reading
SEED-LOVING BOBOLINKS, GROUND-NESTING IN GRASSLANDS Dr. James J. S. Johnson If a bird’s nest chance to be before thee in the way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they be young ones, or eggs, and the mother sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the mother with the young. (Deuteronomy 22:6) … Continue reading
On Seeing a Grackle in the Pond-shore Cattails Dr. James J. S. Johnson This shall be written for the generation to come; and the people who shall be created shall praise the LORD. (Psalm 102:18) Last weekend, I drove past a familiar Texas pond, where 11 years ago I saw a “common” black-feathered bird (i.e., Quiscalus … Continue reading
After Being Buried for 350 Years, Nottingham Sheriff’s Two Swans Reappear Dr. James J. S. Johnson And the swan [הַתִּנְשֶׁ֥מֶת], and the pelican, …. (Leviticus 11:18) Recently (today being June 26th of AD2023), an ancient (about 350 years old!) gold signet ring of interest to birdwatchers –– was found by a man in Nottingham … Continue reading
Roadrunners: Made for Running! Dr. James J. S. Johnson But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. ( Isaiah 40:31) Therefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great … Continue reading
County Caithness Can Now Rave about their Raven Flag Dr. James J. S. Johnson Who provides for the raven his food? — when its young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat. ( Job 38:41 ) Having a bird featured upon an official flag is nothing new, so the above flag of Scotland’s County … Continue reading
Caterpillar-craving Chickadees Dr. James J. S. Johnson Although moths are famous as pests, to humans (since Biblical times, as the above quote shows), moth caterpillars are desired and delectable food for hungry chickadees—and chickadees need lots of food energy for fuel, to live out their brave and busy lives. Chickadees are brave little birds, resilient … Continue reading
Dr. James J. S. Johnson “Praise the LORD from the earth … fruitful trees and all cedars … and flying fowl.” (from Psalm 148:7-10) Each spring gregarious flocks of Cedar Waxwings pass through my part of Texas, as they migrate northward toward their breeding grounds. No “lone rangers” here! Cedar Waxwings travel in flocks of … Continue reading
Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus 