Tag Archives: Birdwatching and Blessings

Birdwatching and Blessings – Red-tailed Hawk

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Young Red-tailed Hawk – I think – by Lee

Birdwatching and Blessings – Red-tailed Hawk

This morning we finally had a new visitor to the neighborhood. It has been rather quiet lately, plus my computer has been a having major problems. I think it is back up and running properly, I hope. 

Any way, this morning while enjoying breakfast, we spotted our bird across the way on the neighbor’s roof. Checking our list of “backyard” birds, this is a new one for here. Zooming as best as can be, I believe this is juvenile or immature Red-tailed Hawk.

“Red-tailed Hawks are large, sharp-taloned birds that can be aggressive when defending nests or territories. They frequently chase off other hawks, eagles, and Great Horned Owls. Courting birds fly with legs hanging beneath them, or chase and swoop after each other, sometimes locking talons (see Cool Facts). Mated pairs typically stay together until one of the pair dies.” [All About Birds]

Church Signs:

People who fly into a rage always make a bad landing.

Christianity doesn’t guarantee a smooth flight, but it does provide a safe landing.

You can’t see where you’re going if you’re always looking backward..

Truths To Consider:

“Does the hawk fly by your wisdom, And spread its wings toward the south?” (Job 39:26 NKJV)
“Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching.” (Luke 12:37a NKJV)

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Birdwatching and Blessings – Anoles and Geckos

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Baby Dinosaur - Chamilian or Lizard by Lee 3-28-20

Baby Dinosaur – Chameleon or Anole by Lee 3-28-20

Birdwatching and Blessings – Anoles and Geckos

Most mornings while we are eating and watching out our back door, we not only see the various birds, but, being in Florida, there are always Anoles around. Many call the green anoles Chameleons, but our brown one are just Anoles. I have been trying to get a good photo of them showing their dewlap, which is a fold of skin. But this video does a better job.

While reading our devotional of Zechariah 8 this morning, the Gecko was mentioned. The anoles and geckos both have this characteristic.

“Geckos have some of the stickiest feet in nature. They can hang their entire body weight off one toe, and climb up nearly any wall, no matter how slick or polished.

Biologists and engineers looking to duplicate the gecko’s abilities in synthetic glues have recently uncovered its secret. It uses million of tiny foot hair ends to adhere to surfaces through weak molecular attractive forces. Each foot hair ends in about a thousand even tinier pads at its tip. These pads are arranged in precise geometric sizes and shapes and determine the level of stickiness. The total adhesive power of an average gecko would support 280 pounds!”

“As sticky as geckos’ feet are, Gods faithfulness is even “stickier.” He never lets us go, and His promises endure forever…..” (From Today in the Word, 2003)

Anole with dewlap showing by Lee

Anole with dewlap showing just outside door – Lee

Church Signs:

What does God have in common with an object in the car mirror? Both are closer than they appear.

Spring forward with the Lord so you won’t fall back into sin.

We are each a masterpiece, a piece of the master.

Truths To Consider:

“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”
(Proverbs 18:24 KJV)
“Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.” (Psalms 119:90 KJV)

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Save The Parrots

Birdwatching and Blessings – 6/22/21

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Birdwatching and Blessings – Sandhill Cranes

Today’s main visitors were three Sandhill Cranes. They were also here yesterday:

Sandhill Cranes feeding 6/21 by Lee

Sandhill Cranes feeding yesterday 6/21 by Lee

Today, because of the rain we had last night, and the fact that the food plates had been visited yesterday, they were empty of food, but full of water. So, I stepped out and put the hanging feeder on the ground. It didn’t take time for the Sandy’s to find it.

Sandhill Cranes feeding 6/22 by Lee

Sandhill Cranes feeding 6/22 by Lee

Earlier there had been two Fish Crows here, but before I could get the camera, they took off.

Sandhill Crane upclose 6/22 by Lee

Sandhill Crane up close 6/22 by Lee

Look at that pose! It was nice of him/her to give me a great chance to zoom in. This was the guard Crane. There is usually one on duty.

Church Signs:

Looking for a lifeguard? Ours walks on water.

A father is someone you can look to no matter how tall you get.

Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, faith looks up.

Failure and success are on the same road. Success is just further down that road.

Truths To Consider:

“Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?” (Job 11:7 NKJV)

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalms 139:23-24 KJV)

“Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” (Psalms 141:3 KJV)

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Wordless Birds – With Hummingbirds

Birdwatching and Blessings – 6/17/21

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Red-winged Blackbird at S. Lake Howard Nature Pk. by Lee

Red-winged Blackbird at S. Lake Howard Nature Pk. by Lee

Birdwatching and Blessings – 6/17/21

Quiet is the word for our yard lately. Other than the Red-winged Blackbird and Mockingbird arguing over who would get to sit on the feeder pole, it has been rather boring.

This morning, only one of the Whistling Ducks showed up to feed. Maybe, the other one is sitting on a nest. That would be exciting. There are no Duck boxes around the neighborhood, so they would have to go to another location for nesting. I can only wish! It would be great to see some immature Whistling Duck swimming behind their parents.

Northern Mockingbird on Hook by Lee

Church Signs:

Life is good because God is great!

To have more, desire less.

The teakettle sings even when its up to its neck in hot water.

Truths To Consider:

“Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.” (Proverbs 13:10 KJV)

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Philippians 4:11 KJV)

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Pastor Jerry Smith – Testimony

Birdwatching and Blessings – 6/11/21

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Black-bellied Whistling Ducks feeding 6/11 by Lee

Birdwatching and Blessings – 6/11/21

This morning our Whistling Duck pair came looking for food, as is becoming their routine. Dan was planning to mow the grass today, so the food dishes were empty and stacked on the patio. So, I put one close by and gave them some food.

Church Signs:

God likes it when you smile, but he loves it when He is the reason!

The will of God will never take you to where the grace of God will not protect you.

Truths To Consider:

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks looking to see if they should go that way.  6/11

“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” (Psalms 32:8 KJV)

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks maybe asking or deciding which way to go.  6/11

“And they said unto him, Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.” (Judges 18:5 KJV)

Decisions! Decisions! Always best when the Lord is involved in seeking answers.

Good News

Birdwatching and Blessings – 6/7-10/21

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Swallow-tailed Kite - the one bird I got a photo of as it flew overhead

Swallow-tailed Kite – the one bird I got a photo of as it flew overhead previously.

Birdwatching and Blessings – 6/7-10/21

Since the last post, on 6/6/21, it has been sort of quiet out back. On June 7th, the busiest morning greeted us with the Muscovys and Pekins coming by for breakfast, while a Red-winged Blackbird landed on the hanging feeder. The Tricolored Heron walked along the shore. The best delight was when a Swallow-tailed Kite flew by. They are in the area for only a couple of months each year.

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) by Daves BirdingPix

Later, while we were eating lunch, the Whistling Duck pair (becoming regulars) were eating, when another pair of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks showed up, and the “turf war was on!” They jump up in the air and put their feet out toward the other duck. This time, both pairs got into it at the same time. Of course, you never have time to grab a camera. About the time they got back on the ground, a White Ibis decided to walk in between the two feuding pairs, and the war was over. I guess I’ll have to re-name him the Peace Ibis.

On 6/8/21, another Roseate Spoonbill flew by and a Great Blue Heron.

Yesterday, 6/9/21, a Roseate Spoonbill flew by again. The Muscovys were on the other side of the pond along with an Anhinga hanging out to dry. The Red-winged Blackbird chowed down again at the hanging feeder. Then it was off to church.

Church Signs:

A large heart can be filled with very little.

A grateful mind is a great mind.

Truths To Consider:

“I will run the course of Your commandments, For You shall enlarge my heart. Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, And I shall keep it to the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it. Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness.” (Psalms 119:32-36 NKJV)

What is the Gospel?