Flamingos In Love ©Pixabay
In honor of Valentines tomorrow, I thought I would re-post this:
“A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance;” (Ecc 3:4)
I apologize for not posting lately but was sick with food poisoning that zapped me for a while. All is well now and hope to get back to the Birds of the Bible II series.
Birds of the Bible II – Introduction
Birds of the Bible – First Bird Species Named
Also see all the previous Birds of the Bible posts
A J Mithra
Again, I’m still fixing the behind-the-scenes problems, and the delights of looking back over what has been posted.
I always enjoyed a j mithra’s articles. [he never wanted his name capitalized] He is now with the Lord, but what a legacy he left behind. Thankfully, we were able to enjoy many of them here.
His list of articles is under his name a j mithra in the left side menu. While looking through them and enjoying a few, one in particular is SUPER!
Take a look at his post Humming Birds – The Believing Believers… by a j mithra – I reposted it here for you to enjoy.
Spiritual Catastrophe
Do They?
Golden Bowerbird – From the Smallest
Clark’s Nutcracker
Bar-tailed Godwit – Self Control
What Would God Say of Us?
Cassowary Seed Spreaders
Is The Bride Ready?
Emu – The Model Father
Stork – The Kind Mother
Cedar Waxwing
The Feet
World Sparrow Days
Azores Bullfinch and the Holly Tree…
Hermit Warbler – The Worshiper..
Worthen’s Sparrow – Lost, but found..
Ovenbirds – Ground Singers
Master Builder’s Master Builders
Malleefowl’s Incubators
Hoatzin – The Stinker
White-Fronted Bee-eaters – The Life Guards
Kirtland’s Warbler Reveals…
The Eagle – The Loyal Mate
Atlantic Puffin – The Deep Sea-Diver
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – Chief Corner Stone’s Keystone
Thick-billed Murre – Did GOD Create Us To Fall?
Out of the Mouth of Babes…
The Purple Gallinule – The Awkward Beauty!
The Surrendered Anhinga
The Inspired and the Inspiring Rose-breasted Grosbeak
The American Dipper – The Intercessor
Araripe Manakin – The Indicator of Environmental Quality…
The White-crowned Sparrow – The Restorer
Flight 7
The Sage in the sagebrush…
Three-wattled Bellbird – The Noise Maker
Kagu – The High Profile Endemic Emblem
Wompoo Fruit Dove – The Seed Distributor
Birds, It’s Coffee-time
Long-wattled Umbrellabird – The Dawn Dancer..
Snowflake and the Eye
I Don’t Show Off – The Great Horned Owl
The Thirsty Sandgrouse…
Island Scrub Jays – The Ultimate Home-makers
The Mountain Bluebird – The Zealous Bridegroom
The Hummingbird – The Believer..
A Beauty from THE BEAUTY…
The Cerulean Warbler – The V I P …
A Beauty fro THE BEAUTY…
Cerulean Warbler – The V I P…
The Capercaillie – The Stethoscope
The Superb Fairywren – The Corporate Mob
The Space sharing seed storing Redpoll…
Montserrat Oriole – The Super Survivor
Macaw – The Beautician
The Black Skimmer – The Graceful Flier…
The Futuristic Whip-poor-wills….
Andean Cock-of-the-rock – The Changer…
Wattled Jacana – The Perfect Partner
Birds-Advertisers of Life
Worship – The God Pleaser
Birds – Purpose Filled Singers
Screeeeeeech
Renewing For Rapture
Blue Chaffinch – The High Dwellers
Birds – Watchers of Light
Scare Scarer
Disiplined Avian
Worship – Our Mating Song
Artic Terns – The Light Seekers
Yellow-rumped Cacique – The Trusted Watchman
Red-billed Leiothrix – The Rain Seekers…
Humming Birds – The Believing Believers… (Superb)
Birds – The Engineers..
Secretary Bird – The Walker
Swinhoe’s Pheasant – The Secret Agents..
Bobolink – Extraordinary Migrant…
Seeker…
Mrs. Mom…
The Launching Pad…
Light Rain..
Mysterious Sungrebe…
Tasty Household…
The Smooth-billed Ani – The Corporates…
Coppersmith Barbet – The Fruit-giver…
Macrocephalon Maleo – The Mute Missionary…
Oilbird – Mission With a Vision
Avian Worship…
The Little Spiderhunter – The Praising Pollinator
(Common) Pauraque — Big Mouth
Pompadour Continga – The Concealed Incubators…
The Apostlebird – The Ground Dwellers…
The Red-eyed Vireo – The Persistent Singer…
Goldcrest – The Royal Crown
Red-billed Quelea – Unity Unplugged
Cedar Waxwing – Fruit Passer…
The Broad-billed Prion – The well oiled night mates..
Island Scrub Jay – The Fallen One Yet The Chosen One..
Brown Thrasher – The Singing Assasin..
Red-breasted Goose – Wise Nester
American Goldfinch – The Latecomers..
White-fronted Bee-eater – The Community Developer..
Willow Flycatcher – The Solitary Singer
Baya Weaver – The Model Church
The Limpkin – Created Special..
The Christmas Bird?
Black Rosy Finch – The Grace Seeker..
The Black-throated Sparrow – The Desert Dwellers
Pollinators…
Stop Flying Solo…
Bar-tailed Godwit’s Self – Control..
Fly Light…
Is Eagle’s Weight Our Weight?
Oriental White-eye – The Grace Seeker..
Birds of the Bible – Hidden Covenant – Intro – Part 2 – Part 3
AJMithra’s Photo of Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis)
Videos by a j:
Fusion Unplugged by Boat-tailed Grackles
His Eye Is On The Sparrow
LoUiSiAnA oh LoUiSiAnA…
Nuggets Plus Series by ajmithra
Aj Mithra is now with our Lord
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) by Dan
Wow! Looking over the previous articles that have been written through the years on our blog, I thought it would be nice to read through some of our many posts.
To build a house, you need a foundation. To build a blog, you need a foundation. So, our foundation from the beginning for Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures Plus, has always been this:
“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11 NKJV)
He created our world, universe, us, and all His Avian Wonders, which we like to write about. We love to write about His birds and how we can learn from them. We’ve done our best, with a few stumbles here and there, but we have tried to honor Him through it all. He has been gracious to send me extra writers, photographers, and friends along this journey.
My thanks to Him, these extra hands to assist, my husband, and all of you who have visited us along the way.
Now, what has been written about the Foundations? Let’s take a look:
White Pelicans in Flight – Circle B Bar
Birds of the Bible – Foundation #1 (2009) and then Foundation #1 Updated (2015)
These two posts explain about the beginning of birds and how they came to be here.
Fischer’s Lovebird (Agapornis fischeri) by W Kwong
Birds of the Bible – Foundation #2 (2009) and then Foundation #2 Updated (2015)
In Genesis Chapter 2, the birds and animals were named, but what happened in Chapter 3 caused the birds to be cursed and death now became a reality to them and others. But there is hope.
Noah’s Ark ©©Flickr elmada
Birds of the Bible – Foundation #3 (2009) and then Foundation #3 Updated (2015)
Now we find God has a plan to preserve the life of some of the people, animals, and the birds by having them enter the Ark.
Ernesto Carrasco’s Noah’s Ark Model
Birds of the Bible – Foundation #4 (2009) and then Foundation #4 Updated (2016)
What did the birds encounter as they came off the ark and afterwards?
Rainbow-clouds ©Readers Digest
Birds of the Bible – Foundation #5 (2009) – Not Updated Yet (Stay tuned)
This post presents many of the “theories” about where birds came from, versus how the creationist view where and how the Avian Wonders of this world came into being.
We trust you will enjoy reading (or re-reading_ through these Foundation of the Birds of the Bible posts.
European Bee-eater @Francesco Pellegrini
Description and Details
“The European bee-eater (Merops apiaster) is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family, Meropidae. It breeds in southern Europe and in parts of north Africa and western Asia. It is strongly migratory, wintering in tropical Africa. This species occurs as a spring overshoot north of its range, with occasional breeding in northwest Europe.”
“This species, like other bee-eaters, is a richly coloured, slender bird. It has brown and yellow upper parts, whilst the wings are green and the beak is black. It can reach a length of 27–29 cm (10.6–11.4 in), including the two elongated central tail feathers. Sexes are alike. Female tends to have greener rather than gold feathers on shoulders. Non-breeding plumage is much duller and with a blue-green back and no elongated central tail feathers.
European Bee-Eater – (Merops apiaster)
Great Verses:
“TO LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.” (Psalms 104:24-25 KJV)
“He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11 KJV)
More European Bee-eaters:
More Paintbrush Birds:
Gouldian Finch – Male adult @Wikipedia
Paintbrush Birds – Gouldian Finch
The Gouldian finch (Chloebia gouldiae), also known as the Lady Gouldian finch, Gould’s finch or the rainbow finch, is a colorful passerine bird that is native to Australia. Both sexes are brightly colored with black, green, yellow, and red markings. The females tend to be less brightly colored. One major difference between the sexes is that the male’s chest is purple, while the female’s is a lighter mauve.
Gouldian finches’ heads may be red, black, or yellow. Formerly considered three different kinds of finches, it is now known that these are color variants that exist in the wild. Selective breeding has also developed mutations (blue, yellow and silver instead of a green back) in both body and breast color.
Black-headed male Gouldian Finch @Frankfurt Zoo
Prior to the Australian government’s ban on the export of Australian fauna, Gouldian finches were exported worldwide. These birds have resulted in viable breeding populations being held in many countries.
Captive breeding has resulted in several colour mutations. Mutations vary by country, with some existing only in Australia (the Australian yellow and the Australian “dilute”) and others existing in greater number in the United States, such as the blue bodied Gouldian. The most common body mutations in the United States are blue, pastel green (single and double-factor, resulting in “dilute” and yellow males and yellow females), and pastel blue (again, single and double-factor producing “pastel” and silver males, and silver hens).
(Wikipedia with editing)
FUN FACTS – San Diego Zoo
What a beautiful colorful array of the rainbow.
Great Verses:
“Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered.” (Psalms 40:5 NKJV)
“We will not hide them from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.” (Psalms 78:4 NKJV)
My most favorite duck is the Wood Duck. To me, it seems as if someone took a paintbrush and created such a beautiful Avian Wonder. Of course, that Creator was the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Great Creator. So, the Wood Duck is our first Paintbrush Bird to start off another new Series. Paintbrush Birds
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:1-3 KJV)
This picture that Dan took at Lake Hollingsworth, in Lakeland, Florida, is real. I was right there beside Dan when we took photos. Of course, his turned out the best, and it is not a painting.
Mr and Mrs Wood Duck by Lee at Lake Hollingsworth
When we watch the birds, I have to just pause in awe at colors and designs of the birds. Everywhere we look, if our eyes are truly open, we can see that these Avian Wonders just didn’t evolve.
“So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” (Genesis 1:21-22 NKJV)
The animals, birds, fish, and even humans are under the curse now, but what might the originally created have looked like? Wow! I WOW! now when I see the beauty that is around us even now. I also see the scars from the fall around also.
Back to this series I’m starting. The desire is to showcase some of these birds that look like they were “hand-painted.” Also, after finding similar post, more information will be given about the bird itself. Trust you enjoy these efforts.
Wood Ducks belong to the Anatidae Family Here is a previous video from the Petersen Birding videos here. It is definitely worth watching. It provides quite a lot of information about this beautifully created Wood Duck.
Here are a few close ups of the Wood Duck. You decide about the “Painter!”
I just realized while viewing Ray’s Wood Duck that I have the five colors I need to make another Wordless Bird. Red, Yellow, Black, White and Green.
Previous Articles about the Wood Duck:
“D” is for Ducks, Dabblers and Divers: “D” Birds, Part 1 by JJSJ
While looking for more Wood Duck articles, I found these interesting post along the same ideas as this “new” series, that may not be so “new” :)
Tricolored Heron by Dan
Finally, I was able to encourage Dan to share some of his great photos from our latest Gatorland visit. He is a much more busier than me, and processing photos taken in “raw format” take more time. My “JPEG” are a snap to get ready. That said, here are the first few that go along with some of the previous post.
Tricolored Heron by Dan at Gatorland
Great Blue Heron by Dan at Gatorland
See: Wishful Thinking
Black Vulture by Dan at Gatorland
Black Vulture by Dan at Gatorland
See: Black Vultures Up Close At Gatorland
These two almost took my breath away when I saw it:
American Flamingo by Dan at Gatorland
American Flamingo by Dan at Gatorland
“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” (Colossians 1:16-17 NKJV)
See: Flamingo Filtering at Gatorland – 12/30/20
Needless to say, Dan has a really nice lens on his camera, and he does not shoot in “program” mode like I do. He actually know all about those “f-stops” and “things” that I have no clue what they are. We make a great team.
Stay Tuned! I have some more of his photos.
You can see many of his other photos at: Dan’s Pix
The rest of our Gatorland trip in December:
Tricolored Heron at Gatorland
Many times when we are young, we wonder or try to imagine what we will be like when we grow up. (Notice the bird in the upper right corner)
Great Blue Heron at Gatorland
This Great Blue Heron may be trying to remember his days of youth. (Notice the bird in the lower left corner)
Tricolored Heron and Great Blue Heron at Gatorland
Our smaller Tricolored Heron can wish all he wants, but he will never become a Great Blue Heron. The Lord, the Creator of all these Avian Wonders, made each of them slightly different.
Just as we in our lives have different talents and abilities, we should not try to be something that we were not created to be. The Lord has given each of us, as Christians, different areas of service. It may a small task, or it could be an enormous task.
“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7 NKJV)
Each of these birds at Gatorland, are all created different, yet they all seem to enjoy hanging out there. Many of us enjoy being with others at our places of worship. We all have something we can do to help others.
Wood Stork at Gatorland
White Ibis at Gatorland
Great Egret at Gatorland
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV)
Other Gatorland Post from the December 30th visit:
White-fronted Bee-eater (Merops bullockoides) ©WikiC
Here is another interesting video from Creation Moments about the habit of Bee-eaters of eating bees loaded with poison.
Watch our video about
one of God’s most amazing
creatures – birds that eat bees!
Bee-eaters make their living catching and eating bees and wasps with stingers. The poison in many of these stinging insects is powerful enough to kill bee-eaters, but the birds are not only skilled at avoiding stings, they know how to remove the poison from the bee when they eat it! And they have one other important skill, which you’ll learn about when you watch our “Birds Who Build Pyramids” video.
Click here to watch or click the photo above.
From Creation Moments ©2020
“I know every bird of the mountains, And everything that moves in the field is Mine.” (Psalms 50:11 NASB)
Beautyberry in backyard
In the last week, we added an American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) to our backyard. Actually, we dug it up from our previous house, before we sold it Monday. (Yeah!) It was in the backyard and ignored since we moved to our new house. Therefore, it is a bit dried up, but will bounce back with some TLC. [Tender Love and Care]
Palm Warbler on Beautyberry
This morning while eating our breakfast, the Palm Warbler came and sat in the Beautyberry plant/bush. This time I was ready for him/or her. I had the camera right on the table. Yes!! This warbler and a Phoebe have been checking the plant out. [More about that visit in another post.]
The next three photos show how hard it is to try to focus on the bird with your camera in “program mode”. That is the way I use my camera as I have mentioned before. At least you can see the front, back, and side view. :) Thankfully the video came out much clearer. [After all, I was sitting at the breakfast table.]
Palm Warbler on Beautyberry
“Palm Warblers are small songbirds, but they are on the larger side for a warbler and have a fuller looking belly. Their posture is more upright than a typical warbler and more like a pipit—especially noticeable when they are on the ground. Their tails and legs are longer than most warblers contributing to the pipitlike shape.” [All About Birds]
Palm Warbler on Beautyberry
“This is one bird where behavior—this bird’s near-constant tail-wagging—can help confirm its identity. They mainly forage on open ground or in low vegetation, rather than in forest canopy as many warblers do (although they do sing from high perches in trees and shrubs).” [All About Birds]
Palm Warbler on Beautyberry
Check out this photo from All About Birds:
Palm Warbler in Non-breeding color
“Who provideth for the raven [or Warbler] his food?… they wander for lack of meat.” (Job 38:41 KJV)
“Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.” (Matthew 13:31-32 KJV)
In Mark, Luke, and in Matthew, the parable of the mustard seed is told. They all mention the small grain of mustard seed that grows up into a tree that the birds use for rest and shelter. This little warbler has found rest in this plant just as we find rest for our souls when we know the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. With the Christmas season here, there are plenty of reminders of His Love and Salvation.
“Few creatures in the animal kingdom can capture the imagination more powerfully than a hummingbird. Their aeronautical abilities are stunning. But the genius of these birds isn’t limited to flight. Each day, they must consume twice their body weight in nectar to fuel their voracious metabolisms. The incredible biological mechanisms that make this possible are masterpieces of engineering and design.”
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10 KJV)
A friend sent me this link. Thanks, Pastor Pete.
Today is Mother’s Day here in America. I wonder if the beautiful, hard-working avian mother’s have a special day. Maybe, it is the day the little one fledge and finally have “Flown The Coop.”
“Let your father and your mother be glad, And let her who bore you rejoice.” (Proverbs 23:25 NKJV)
“For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:50 NKJV)
“Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matthew 19:19 KJV)
“Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)” (Ephesians 6:2 KJV)
“Listen to your father who begot you, And do not despise your mother when she is old.” (Proverbs 23:22 NKJV)
“A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.” (Proverbs 15:20 NKJV)
Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus 