Hoatzin – The Stinker

April 1, 2010 by a j mithra

Hoatzin – The Stinker by A. J. Mithra

Hoatzin ( Opisthocomus hoazin) by Robert Scanlon

One of the most unusual birds, this interesting animal is
one bird that no one wants to keep in a cage.

The Hoatzin weight about 2 pounds, and is about 2 feet long, sometimes a bit more.
They have an almost entirely bare head, with a crest on top of it that is red,
and blue skin around the red eyes.

The Hoatzin is a rainforest bird, and lives in the lowland areas in the Amazon basin.
They love slow moving or swampy standing water, and the floods or small lakes..
It lives entirely in trees, vines and bushes, and is thus independent
of the different kinds of aquatic foods that each of these water types support.
In many areas the species is frequently associated with giant arums,
especially those of the genus Montrichardia, which constitute a favorite food.
In coastal zones Avicennia mangroves can be similarly important.
Hoatzins eat mostly young green leaves from rain forest plants.
An enlarged foregut containing bacteria helps them break down cellulose
and digest their food, an arrangement similar to that found in cattle.
When it has been ingested, the plant materials are fermented which gives
the bird a fairly foul odor, earning them the common name of Stinkbird..
Digestion takes many hours, and Hoatzins are often observed
resting the sternum on a branch.

The foregut of the Hoatzin accounts for a quarter of the bird’s weight,
and is so large that there is little room for flight muscles.

This accounts for the Hoatzin’s poor flying capability.

In many bird species, the period of time for which food is retained
is often measured in minutes, but the Hoatzin holds the record.
In experiments, liquids were retained for about 18 hours, and solids for 24-48 hours;
these retention times are similar to those found in sheep,
and are long enough to maintain stable populations of gut bacteria.

Hoatzin(Opisthocomushoazin) by Kent Nickell

Like these birds who live by the waters,
We too live by the Living Waters, where we have protection and providence…
Like how these birds which live only on leaves and buds,
Some of us are still live like milk-fed spiritual babies..Why?
Is it because we always want to be mouth-fed?
Or is it because we have a fear to take responsibilities of a grown up?

For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrew 6:13,14)

We too don’t venture far and wide, like these birds,because,
We have not yet learnt to fly yet… You know why?
We eat lots of spiritual food, but we don’t exercise our faith…Do we?

These birds take 24 to 48 hours to digest their food, but,
we haven’t yet digested the spiritual food which we had years back….

GOD has called us to be fliers like an Eagle and not clumsy climbers like Hoatzin…
When are we going to start exercising our faith and get rid of those
Spiritual cholesterol which hinders our spiritual flight?

But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. (1Timothy 4:7)

Hoatzin ( Opisthocomus hoazin) by Robert Scanlon

They live in groups, so the Hoatzin will have as many as 25 or 30 nests in one single tree.
Social groups of Hoatzins consist of a pair and their adult (mostly male) offspring …
The Hoatzin makes its nest in low branches in trees that hang out over the water
to avoid the predatory birds that might make a meal of their offspring.

Some of us are like these birds; we carry the Bible for protection…
Whereas, GOD expects us to carry HIS word in our hearts….
Even JESUS needed the word of GOD to fight against the devil when HE was tested
by satan, when HE started HIS ministry on earth…. Mathews 4:1 to 11
But, sadly, we still have our Bibles near our pillows for fear of evil..
Is THE BIBLE a scare-crow?

Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. (Deuteronomy 11:18)

The female Hoatzin will lay either two or three eggs, in a nest that is built of small twigs,
and hangs out over the water from a tree branch.
The two parents will both take turns keeping the eggs warm.
After about twenty eight days they will hatch.
The young Hoatzin will be fed by the parents the plant material
that the parents regurgitate.
All members participate in the feeding of chicks….
Hoatzin chicks have two claws on each wing, a feature that makes it easy for them
to climb and cling in the branches of trees.
Hoatzin chicks leave the nest frequently and may even dive into water
below the nest when danger threatens.

Drugs, sex, violence, hatred, pre-marital sex has become
the order of the hour for our youth…
Where is the NX-GEN heading?

Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. ((Colossians 3:20)

Look at these Hoatzin chicks; they leave the nest frequently,
Like how our children leave us without our knowledge…
What sort of spiritual nourishment do we regurgitate?
Ministry starts at home and GOD has given us children as gifts,

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. (Psalm 127:3)

It is our duty to take care of them, the way GOD wants us to…

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. (Colossians 3:21)

Have a blessed day!

Your’s in YESHUA,

A J Mithra

Please visit us at: Crosstree

Lee’s Addition:

Oilbird – Opisthocomidae Family
Interesting Things – Hoatzin

Mallefowl’s Incubators… by A. J. Mithra

March 30, 2010 by a j mithra

Mallefowl’s Incubators…

Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) by Wikipedia

The Malleefowl is one of the three species of mound builders,
or Megapodiidae, found in Australia.
The birds are terrestrial and are distinguished by their habit of leaving eggs
to be incubated in sand or soil heated by the sun or volcanic action
or in mounds of rotting leaves built for that purpose, as Malleefowl do.
The Malleefowl is unique in that it is the only megapod
that makes its home in dry, inland scrub.

You are unique, one of a kind, because, GOD has created only one like you..
If a bird like Malleefowls can do what the other birds cannot do,
don’t you feel that you, whom GOD had created in HIS own image,
do greater things for HIM?
Come on, say,

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Phillipians 4:13)

Malleefowl Mound ©Wikipedia

The Malleefowl has large and powerful feet,
which it uses to build enormous egg-incubating mounds.
In winter an area of ground is selected, typically a small open space
between the stunted trees of the mallee.
A depression, measuring about three metres across and just under a metre deep,
is scraped in the sandy soil.
An egg-chamber is constructed at the bottom of the mound.
The male does this by raking backwards with his feet.
(See video by Peter Nash of a Malleefowl working on mound)
GOD has given powerful feet for these birds… But, for us…?
HE has given us knees for survival…
Those who kneel before GOD can stand before anything…
It needs faith to kneel before GOD…

O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.
(Psalm 95:6)

In late winter and early spring he will begin to collect organic matter.
Raking sticks, leaves and bark into wind-rows for up to 50 metres around the hole
he will build it into the nest mound rising up to 1.2 metres above the ground level
and with a diameter up to 8 metres.

Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) Mound by Wikipedia

The amount of litter in the mound will vary.
It may be mostly organic material, mostly sand, or somewhere in between.
After rain, he turns and mixes the material to encourage decay.
The timing varies with temperature and rainfall.
Throughout the breeding season the male has to ensure that the temperature
inside the mound is maintained at about 33°C – 91°F
The male puts his head into the mound and it is thought that he uses
his tongue to measure the temperature.
He must then either add or remove sand from the mound,
according to the temperature within it and the season.

In spring, much heat is given off by the rotting organic material
and the temperature needs to be reduced.
At dawn, the male rakes off the sand covering the litter,
and after allowing enough heat to escape he refills the hole with cool sand.
In summer, the male needs to protect the eggs from the heat of the sun.
He adds more and more sand to the mound, which absorbs the sun’s warmth.
Then, in the cool of the morning, he removes the sand and scatters it in the colder air.
When the sand has cooled down he puts it back on the mound.
During the cooler temperatures of autumn, the mound needs to be warmed up.
To do this the male digs almost all of the soil away in the morning,
spreading it out to be warmed in the sun.
Throughout the hottest part of the day, he places hot layers of sand on the mound,
so that as the sun goes down the nest has been rebuilt and is warm for the night.

From where did these amazing birds learn to maintain constant temperature?
Who taught them to use different materials for different seasons?
We say that we are filled by the Holy spirit but how are we in spirit?
Are we able to maintain the same temperature all through the week?
Or, we are just as hot as an oven, only in a Sunday service or a crusade?
These birds are so receptive to different season..
Are we receptive to the spirit?
These birds make it a point that they check the temperature and keep it constant..
Is our walk with GOD as constant as it was when we first accepted HIM in our lives?
GOD is very particular about maintaining a constant temperature….
That is why HE says,

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:16)

Without maintaining a constant temperature, how can we expect our dreams to hatch?

While the male is keeping the temperature of the mound constant,
the female is busy laying eggs and helping with the digging.
Generally an egg is laid every four to eight days.
The female lays about 15 to 24 eggs in a season, although that number can be as high as 32.
The number varies with the availability of food.
Incubation time depends on temperature and can vary from between 50 and 100 days.
Hatchlings use their strong feet to break out of the egg,
then lie on their backs and scratch their way to the surface.
They struggle hard for five to ten minutes to gain 3 to 15 cm at a time.
After resting for an hour or so they start for the surface again.
It takes anywhere between 2 and 15 hours for them to make it all the way
out of the mound…

Though it takes so long to hatch, theses birds never lose their focus on the eggs,
always working hard to maintain a constant temperature..
We all have laid wonderful eggs, as again I mean, dreams..
But, are we working hard towards a constant focus on GOD,
so as to maintain a constant temperature?
Some of us maybe so dejected that our dreams are just dreams…
Some of us may ne wondering why it is taking so long for GOD,
and would have lost hopes too…
Here is a beautiful and a powerful verse for them from the Bible…

He hath made everything beautiful in his time:…. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Don’t be discouraged, your dreams have not turned rotten,
GOD still has them in HIS incubator…Your miracle is on its way,
Receive it in Faith…

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Have a blessed day!

Yours in YESHUA,
A. J. Mithra

Please visit us at: Crosstree

Master Builder’s Master Builders… by AJ Mitra

March 26, 2010 by a j mithra

Master Builder’s Master Builders…

Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) Nest w/eggs by Nikhil Devasar

Birds are capable of grand engineering feats.
But are they engineers?
Not in the way you might think.
Just as birds know how to fly,
they know how to build a nest without instructions
or apprenticeship. It’s a matter of instinct.

Birds craft their nests without consciously thinking about it.
How then did some species of birds develop
such well-engineered, elaborate nests?

Horned Larks nests showed a significant northern bias
In orientation angle and were 49% shaded in the early afternoon,
the hottest part of the day.
A northern nest orientation ensures maximal shading
By the grass tuft to the south,
May protect nests from cool evening winds,
And provides increased daytime ventilation of the nest
through exposure to prevailing winds.
In addition, shade may also help conceal nests from predators.

From where did these birds learn to choose the location to build their nests?
Have we ever thought about the direction in which we need to have
the front door of our house?
Is our choice based on location or direction of the house?

When JESUS becomes our direction, HE gives the best location..

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9)

Pectoral Sandpipers nest on the arctic tundra, often near water. The nest is lined with grass, moss and lichens.
They do not use lining materials according to local availability.
Instead, relative use was correlated with a material’s insulative quality when wet and they therefore use lining materials
appropriate to minimizing heat loss
given their damp breeding environment.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Psalm 1:3)

Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus) by Robert Scanlon

Female Blue Tits gather lavender, yarrow, curry, mint
and other scented plants for their nests shortly after laying eggs,
and continue to do so until the chicks leave home.
They are real botanists and do a great job exploiting their environment to protect their chicks..
The birds make a pot-pourri of 10 aromatic plants from the 250 species in their habitat.
Many of the chemicals in these plants ward off bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi and insects.

Our nest is covered by the blood of JESUS and no harm shall enter…

And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. (Exodus 12:13)

Common Waxbill (Estrilda astrild) by Daves BirdingPix

Common Waxbills are small African finches
select carnivore scat as a material to include in, on,
and around their nests to reduce predation risk…

A South American Ovenbird may take months
to fashion one nest from clay or mud mixed
with bits of straw, hair, and fibers.
The tropical sun bakes the walls brick-hard.

Bald Eagles, which use sticks, some two inches thick
and several feet long,
to make nests sturdy enough to support a human adult.
Chimney Swift using saliva as glue to help support its nest.

Crested Oropendola (Psarocolius decumanus) nests by Bob-Nan

Baya Weaver nests in colonies of up to 20-30 pairs, usually in trees near freshwater and open ground. Their nests hang from a branch and look like an upside-down flask. A long tube leads to a side entrance, making it difficult even for snakes to enter the nest.
Nests are made entirely out of strips of grass that the birds collect by cutting
a notch in some tall grass, then stripping off a 30-60 cm long piece. A newly-made nest is green with fresh grass and turns brown as the grass dries. A bird may make up to 500 trips to complete a nest.

GOD has given us a home and a family with a purpose….
Most of us are trying hard to be like others and to live like others…
HE loves us as we are, so, let us live the way HE wants us to live…

Sparrows never try to live like Eagles. Do they?
If we are a sparrow, so be it and if we are an Eagle, so be it..
After all, a sparrow cannot live like Eagle and an Eagle cannot live like a Sparrow…

I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. (Isaiah 13:12)

Bird nests vary from a simple accumulation of materials on the ground
to elaborate refuges in or on secluded & elevated substrates.
Nest construction and placement are correlated with flight ability.
Some birds create a simple depression in the ground to harbor their incubating eggs.

The progression of nest complexity moves from cryptic ground nests
to simple elevated nests..
Birds which constructs elevated nests in a bush or tree
or on a cliff or rock ledge tend to be better fliers than simple ground nesters.

You maybe wondering why GOD has placed you as a ground nester
while you desire to be an elevated nester…
You may be wondering why you have not got a place you feel that you deserve…
May be GOD feels that you would get hurt if you are an elevated nester..
Or maybe HE feels that you are not best equipped to be in a higher place…

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (1Peter 5:6)

GOD had HIS nest in heaven and because HE loved us so much,
HE stirred up HIS nest and wandered without a nest to be crucified for our sins…
So that HE may nest in us…

HE needs a nest, that is why HE is knocking at the door of your heart….
Do you have a place for HIM to nest?
Please note that HE is building an eternal nest for us live with HIM forever and ever.

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)

Your’s in YESHUA,

A. J. Mithra

Please visit us at: Crosstree

Worthen’s Sparrow – Lost, but found.. by A.J. Mithra

March 24, 2010 by a j mithra

Worthen's Sparrow (Spizella wortheni) ©SFSeattle

Worthen’s Sparrow (Spizella wortheni)
was originally discovered in the United States,
where just a single bird was caught on 16 June 1884,
near Silver City, New Mexico.
Video of Worthen’s Sparrow Singing
No Worthen’s Sparrows have since been captured in the country,
where it is now thought to be extinct.
Formerly, the bird also ranged over much of the Mexican Plateau.
That makes it one of the rarest sparrows in North America.
What is more, although flocks of the sparrow are sometimes seen in winter,
but its summer habitat was unknown

Worthen’s Sparrows do not migrate, but they move on
from nesting sites as soon as the breeding season ends.
Over the past 30 years, the sparrows have only been seen
in a 25km squared area in northeastern Mexico,
These historical records also suggested that
the sparrows like to breed in valleys full of desert scrub
and grassland habitat also filled by prairie dogs.

A team of researchers from BBC targeted areas of similar habitat,
particularly searching around the La Soledad valley
in the municipality of Galeana,
home to one of Mexico’s most important prairie dog locations
and found the species in Mexico after nearly 125 yrs..

GOD knew where to find Moses,
HE knew where to find Zacchaeus..
No matter how far away you’re from GOD or
how deep you’ve sunk into problems,
GOD knows where to find you, cos you are too precious
for HIM to abandon you..

We were lost, so HE climbed up the cross to find us..
GOD has kept you among Lions and serpents to glorify
HIS name through you ….

These birds which dwell among prairie dogs
seems to remind the words of King David, which says,

If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; (Psalm 139:8-9)

These birds are confined to open, arid shrub-grassland at elevations of 1,200-2,450 m
where breeding sites have been found in associations of :

1. Tarbush whose leaf extracts is an important source of bactericidal compounds
against multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis.
2. Creosotebush, which is a virtual pharmacy for Native Americans
and the steam from the leaves was inhaled to relieve congestion.
It was also used in the form of a medicinal tea
to cure such ailments as flu, stomach cramps, cancer, coughs, colds, and others.
3. Fourwing Saltbush which gives cover and protection from winter cold and summer sun within its branches
and
4. Short Grassland…

GOD has created us and chosen us to reveal
HIS power through us…

The dwelling place of Worthen’s Sparrow is among
the shrub , whose trees are used for medicinal purpose..
Where ever Peter and Paul went, people received healing…
Do we heal people through words and deeds or……?

When JESUS, the word dwells in us and we in HIM,
our life shall heal and should heal all those who are around us..

He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. (Psalm 107:20)

Have a blessed day!

Your’s in YESHUA,
A. J. Mithra

Please visit us at: Crosstree

Wordless Birds

Interesting Links:
Greg Lasley’s Worthen’s Sparrow
Worthen’s Sparrow – Bird Life International
Emberizidae – Buntings, New World Sparrows & Allies

World Sparrow Days – by A. J. Mithra

March 20, 2010 by a j mithra

March 20th is declared as the “WORLD SPARROW’S DAYS”, hence this article…

Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) by Nikhil

Sparrows are loosely monogamous.
Both the female and the male take care of the young ones,
though the female does most of the brooding

JESUS too expects us to be monogamous,
loyal and faithful to HIM as HE is to us..

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Mathew 6:24 KJV)

They can swim to escape from predators,
although they are not considered to be water birds.
You maybe wondering how to get out of a tough situation,
Remember that we too have an escape route from predators,
and that JESUS, the LIVING WATER…
GOD has designed you to do what others can’t do…
If a sparrow can do what a water bird can,
we too can…

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13)

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) by Nikhil Devasar

The difference between a male and a female sparrow
is that the former has a reddish back and a black bib,
whereas the female has brown back with eye stripe.
Do we remember how JESUS was broken for us on the cross?
How HIS back turned BLOODY RED so that we maybe healed?
Do we really deserve to be loved so?

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

The nest building is initiated by an unmated male,
who begins the construction while displaying it to the females.
The females do assist in nest building, but are less active than the male.

JESUS is busy building a mansion from gold and silver,
to take back the church, HIS BRIDE for HIS wedding…
Are we preparing for our wedding with HIM
as HE is busy preparing for the bride?

And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. (Revelation 21:18)

If a sparrow can exhibit the qualities of its Creator,
how much more will our Creator expects of us whom HE has created in HIS own image?

Happy Sparrow’s day….

Yours in YESHUA,
A J Mithra

Please visit us at: Crosstree

The Feet – by A. J. Mithra

March 17, 2010 by a j mithra

Common Swift (Apus apus) by Ian

The foot shares the duties of locomotion with the wing.

Birds with highly developed wings have poor feet.
The swallow, an aerial bird, is an example.

The chimney swift has a tiny foot, but enormously developed wings,
and if placed on a flat surface is unable even to support itself.

All aquatic and terrestrial birds have excellently developed feet.
The loon is so thoroughly aquatic that it cannot walk on land
without the support of its breast and wings.

The sea snipe has a foot especially fitted for swimming,
and can be found a few hundred miles
off the Atlantic coast in flocks of hundreds of thousands,
perfectly at home in the water.

Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) by Ray

The foot is generally related to the length of the neck.
In securing prey the foot also plays an important part.

The great horned owl and the duck hawk
have enormous grasping power in their claws.

In grouse or partridge a horny,
fringe-like growth appears on the toes late in the fall,
serving as a sort of snowshoe during the winter,
by which the bird is enabled
to walk on the surface of the snow.
This growth is shed in the spring….

Your feet may feel weak and weary,
but, still GOD wants our feet to stand high…
That is why the Bible says,

He maketh his feet like hinds` [feet], And setteth me upon my high places. (2 Samuel 22:34 KJV)

And HE also says,

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: The young lion and the serpent shalt thou trample under foot. (Psalm 91:13)

WillowPtarmigan(Lagopuslagopus)

God takes care of our feet even in our
going out and coming in…

They shall bear thee up in their hands, Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. (Psalm91:12)..

No mater how big or small,
GOD says.

How beautiful are thy FEET in sandals, (Song of Solomon 7:1 KJV)

Well,
does HE means to say that, our feet look beautiful only with sandals?
What sort of sandals are we wearing?
Do we have the sandal of preparation of the gospel of peace?

and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (Ephesians 6:15)

Our feet can’t be more beautiful or more purpose full
without the sandal of preparation..
GOD has given us feet for a divine purpose..

Where are our feet planted?
JESUS is returning soon and HE is in need of feet
that can take the Gospel to the ends of the earth..
Are you ready?

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation, that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! (Isaiah 52:7)

Have a blessed day!

Your’s in YESHUA,
A. J. Mithra

Please visit us at: Crosstree

Cedar Waxwing – by A. J. Mithra

March 16, 2010 by a j mithra

Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) by J Fenton

The Cedar Waxwing is one of the
few North American birds
that specializes in eating fruit.
It can survive on fruit alone
for several months…
The birds’ name derives
from their appetite
for cedar berries in winter…

Cedar is used in the temple
for purification..
Our body is the temple of GOD..
This bird seems to ask us
if we are leading a holy and pure life
isn’t it?

and he shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird, and with the running water, and with the living bird, and with the cedar wood, and with the hyssop, and with the scarlet: (Leviticus 14:53)

Cedar Waxwings inhabit
particularly along streams,,,
When JESUS comes into us
we will always dwell by the
Living Waters…

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. ( Psalm 1:3)

Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) by Daves BirdingPix

The orange color is the result
of a red pigment picked up
from the berries of a
species of honeysuckle.
If a waxwing eats
enough of the berries
while growing its tail feathers
the tip of its feathers will be orange…

It is by HIS blood
that we are cleansed
and by HIS grace we become
more like HIM…
When “I” becomes less
and “JESUS” becomes more,
we would be like JESUS..
If these birds can pick up
the red color from the berries they eat,
don’t you think that we would
become more like JESUS
when we eat more of THE WORD,
THE LIVING BREAD?

By the way,
did you eat THE BREAD today?

Yours in YESHUA,
A. J. Mithra

Please visit us at: Crosstree

Emu – The Model Father by A. J. Mithra

March 12, 2010 by a j mithra

Emu – The Model Father

Emu (Dromaiusnovaehollandiae) by Ian

Mr. Emu is the most loving and caring
of all fathers of the bird community..
He not only builds the nest
in a semi-sheltered hollow
on the ground from bark,
grass, sticks and leaves
all by himself, but also incubates
the eggs alone and takes care of the chicks
all by himself..

JESUS neither sleeps nor slumbers
just to take care of all our needs..

During incubation,
he does not eat, drink or defecate,
but stands only to turn the eggs,
which he does about 10 times a day.
He will lose a third of his weight
during the eight week incubation period
and will survive only on stored body-fat
and on the morning dew,
that he can reach from the nest..

If these birds can survive
on morning dew,
we too are still surviving cos of
THE KING’S favor,which is like the morning dew…

Emu (Dromaiusnovaehollandiae) with chicks by Ian

Mr. Emu stays with the growing chicks
for up to 18 months,
defending them and teaching them how to find food.

JESUS is our shield and our defense,
we are the apple of HIS eyes..
HE is with us all the days of our lives..
Once as Mr. Emu starts brooding,

Mrs. Emu mates with other males,
but that’s still okay with Mr. Emu.
He’s really very kind because
as many as half the chicks in the brood
he incubates are fathered by others.
Incubation takes 56 days….

Surely. no one would like to be an Emu,
cos, we want our mate to be faithful…
How faithful are we to JESUS, our bride-groom,
who we also call as our Eternal father?
Are we with HIM all the days of our lives?
Are we loyal to HIM?
Just think….

The king`s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; But his favor is as dew upon the grass. (Proverbs 19:12 KJV)

Have a blessed day!

Yours in YESHUA,

A. J. Mithra

To see more of A. J.’s articles – Click Here

Emus are in the Dromaiidae – Emu Family which is one of the Casuariiformes Order

What Would God Say of Us? by A. J. Mithra

March 7, 2010 by a j mithra

What Would God Say of Us?

Birds choose to mate
only with those birds
which sing the most
complicated songs…

White-throated Sparrow by Ray

For,
they believe that
only those birds
which sing different songs,
are good at raising
and taking care of the family
and the territory…

He worshiped
and
sang for the LORD at all times…

Is that the reason why
GOD certifies David
as the one who pleases
HIS heart?

Would GOD say of us
like how HE said of David?
Most of us have complicated
Our lives.
Instead of singing,
when life turns
too complicated to handle..

If GOD chooses only those
Who sing for HIM at all times,
How many of us would
GOD select?

Yours in YESHUA,
A. J. Mithra at Crosstree

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Bar-tailed Godwits – Self Control

March 6, 2010 by a j mithra

Bar-tailed Godwits – Self Control – by a j mithra

Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica) by Nikhil Devasar

With the help of
satellite tracking,
researchers found that,
Bar-tailed Godwits made
the longest non-stop flight
of any bird…
A female Bar-Tailed Godwit,
flew nonstop for eight days
and covered 7,242 miles
from Alaska to New Zealand….
These birds use
the air’s low pressure
to help them migrate
and they take advantage
of the 500 to 800 miles
of strong tailwinds
of the low pressure..
Many a time,
when we face low pressure
in life,
we feel down and out,
weak and weary,
distracted and disturbed
all along our life’s journey….

Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica) by Ian

All because,
we don’t have the
fruit of self control..
We also fail to realize that
the low pressure
is the launching pad
on our quest to top…
Look at the price
this little bird had paid
to do what no one else
could do!
She didn’t eat or drink,
she didn’t shop or sleep
during her journey..
GOD paid a priceless price
for all our sins..
But,
what price are we
going to pay
to reach our destiny?
This bird neither slept
nor supped for eight long days..
Do we have that self control,
to fast at least once a week?
Do we have that self control
to keep wake all night
and pray for at least once a month?
GOD IS IN NEED OF PEOPLE
TO STAND AT THE GAP
AND PLEAD FOR ALL THOSE
DYING SOULS..
HELLOOOOO….
IS ANYONE LISTENING?

And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they [do it] to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 1Corinthians 9:25 (A S V)

Have a blessed day!

Yours in YESHUA,
A. J. Mithra at Crosstree

Click to see more of A. J.’s articles

Godwits are in the Scolopacidae Family of the Charadriiformes Order

Clark’s Nutcracker by A J Mithra

March 5, 2010 by a j mithra

Clark’s Nutcracker

Clark’s Nutcracker
is a small shy bird,
stores around
22,000 to 33,000 seeds
during the growing months
in 2,500 different locations,
sometimes at a distance of
nearly 10 miles apart..

If this small little bird
can prepare so well
for the winter months,
how prepared are we to meet
THE SEED – THE WORD?

The amazing part is.
this small little bird
can still remember
the locations
where it hid the seeds..
Such is its remarkable
memory power..

Do we at least remember that
we are fearfully
and wonderfully made
by GOD and that
HE gave HIS precious life
for you and me?

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. (Psalms 139:14 KJV)

Have a blessed day!

Your’s in YESHUA,
A. J. Mithra at Crosstree

Click to see more of A. J.’s articles

Lee’s Addition:
Nutcrackers are in the Corvidae – Crows, Jays family of the Passeriformes order

Bird brained-it could be a compliment! (Oct 9, 2009 by Ken Ham)

Nice Video of a Clark’s Nutcracker

Golden Bowerbird by A. J. Mithra

March 4, 2010 by a j mithra

Golden Bowerbird

Though the Golden Bowerbird
is the smallest
of all the bower species,
it builds a bower,
consisting of at least
two columns,
each consisting of sticks
arranged around a sapling.
This can be up to
3m/10ft in height,
to attract its female..
The female builds its nest
only above 900m/3,000ft..

Golden Bowerbird (Prionodura newtoniana) by Ian

God used a small girl
to bring healing
in to Naaman’s life..
God used
David the Shepherd boy
to bring down the giant…

God used
a little boy
to feed the multitudes…

God always uses
small people
to bring great revival..

He turns the smallest
into the greatest..

Why?
Cos, their hopes n(r)ests
in the Lord who dwells
high above in the heaven…

Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, (Psalms 113:5 KJV)

Have a blessed day!

Your’s in YESHUA,
A. J. Mithra at Crosstree

Click to see more of A. J.’s articles

Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus

Birdwatching from a Christian Perspective

Tag Archives: A. J. Mithra

Hoatzin – The Stinker

Mallefowl’s Incubators… by A. J. Mithra

Master Builder’s Master Builders… by AJ Mitra

Worthen’s Sparrow – Lost, but found.. by A.J. Mithra

World Sparrow Days – by A. J. Mithra

March 20th is declared as the “WORLD SPARROW’S DAYS”, hence this article…

Happy Sparrow’s day….

The Feet – by A. J. Mithra

Cedar Waxwing – by A. J. Mithra

Emu – The Model Father by A. J. Mithra

What Would God Say of Us? by A. J. Mithra

Bar-tailed Godwits – Self Control

Clark’s Nutcracker by A J Mithra

Golden Bowerbird by A. J. Mithra

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March 20th is declared as the “WORLD SPARROW’S DAYS”, hence this article…

Happy Sparrow’s day….

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