Tag Archives: Christian

Red-billed Leiothrix – The Rain Seeker…

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Red-billed Leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea) by Dan's Pix. at National Aviary

Red-billed Leiothrix – The Rain Seeker… ~ by a j mithra

Red-billed Leiothrix are native to Southern Asia ranging from central Himalayas in India and Nepal, eastwards to Burma and Vietnam. Leiothrix prefer to inhabit underbrush at all elevations with a cover of dense vegetation near the ground. These birds are found at elevations 700 m to 2000 m in winters and 1500 m to 2700 m in summers. Flocks of Leiothrix’s have been known to fly up to elevations of 4500 m for a short period of time.

These birds favor areas with at least 40 inches of rain.

  • We go to church, pray and give offering, but still, many of us are dry in spirit.. Why?
  • These birds have a thirst to stay in places where there is abundant rain…
  • God pours out His spirit according to our thirst…

He has promised to pour His spirit on all flesh…

For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: (Isaiah 44:3)

Red-billed Leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea) by Nikhil Devasar

Red-billed Leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea) by Nikhil Devasar

The leiothrix can usually be found in a group of about ten to thirty birds during the non-breeding season; however, during the breeding season the birds break off into pairs and become territorial.

  • We as believers, do we congregate often or just on Sundays?
  • The word of God encourages us to have corporate worship…
  • Jericho came down through corporate worship..
  • Battle was won through corporate worship…
  • Jesus too had promised to be in the midst of those who unite in His name in twos and threes…

The presence of the Lord flows like a river during corporate worship..

A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for  there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. (Psalm 133)

Though we need to dwell together in unity, at times, like these birds who break off into pairs, we need to have an intimate and personal relationship with our Saviour..

  • Jesus set Himself as an example by spending time alone in prayer..
  • How much time do we spend on our knees?

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Mathew 6:6)

Red-billed Leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea) by Nikhil Devasar

Red-billed Leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea) by Nikhil Devasar

These birds seem to teach us about the importance of Praise and Prayer isn’t it? These birds have a song which consists of short powerful notes that are repeated continuously throughout the year but it is more persistent during the breeding season… This period usually lasts from early April until September and they are usually found around well watered areas.

Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. (Isaiah 6:2,30)

  • The Seraphins has been singing the same phrase since creation…
  • But, they don’t seem to feel bored at all…
  • But, most of us feel bored when the church sings the same song over and over again. Why?

The males also sing long complex songs with a wide array of syllables to attempt to attract the female…

  • Do you know how the power of worship?
  • Our worship will not let the Creator of the Universe sit in His throne..
  • It is that powerful..
  • So, sing and don’t let the King sit in His throne forever….

All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. (Psalm 22:27)

Have a blessed day!

Your’s in YESHUA,
a j mithra

Please visit us at: Crosstree

Lee’s Addition:

The Leiothrix is in the Timaliidae Family of Babblers and Parrotbills which are in Passeriformes Order. There are two Leiothrix in the family, the other being a Silver-eared Leiothrix. Both are very colorful birds. Maybe because they seek rain, the Lord gave them colors that are bright like the rainbow.

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Interesting Things – Most Interesting Sounds Never Heard

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Northern Lights - ©WikiC

Northern Lights - ©WikiC

The Most Interesting Sounds You’ve Never Heard – from Creation Moments

The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad. (Psalm 77:17)

Northern Lights ©WikiC

Northern Lights ©WikiC

We are surrounded by sounds, some of which can be louder than an airliner taking off. Yet, we never hear these sounds. It’s called infrasound. It’s real sound that can be recorded if you have the right equipment.

Infrasound waves are below 20 hertz, the lowest frequency we can hear. Because the sound waves are long, they can travel hundreds or even thousands of miles. Volcanic eruptions regularly generate infrasound and so does the wind. But, perhaps most interestingly, those beautiful Northern Lights that often color the night sky also generate infrasound. The sound is produced when the incoming solar particles push the air outward. While we are not able to hear infrasound, it does influence us. Researchers in England placed an infrasound generator in a concert hall and, during the performance, infrasound was added at selected points. After the concert, the audience was asked about their emotions during certain passages of music, or if they had had experienced any strange feelings during the concert. Researchers concluded that infrasound intensified whatever emotional state the music had produced in people. So, if you have ever watched the Northern Lights and thought you were almost hearing something, it was likely the infrasound you were sensing.

Northern Lights at Fort McMurray©WikiC

Northern Lights at Fort McMurray©WikiC

The more we learn about the creation God has given us, the more we find to marvel at how excellent is His workmanship.

Prayer:
Father, You have been so generous to us, not only in the creation You have given us, but also in Your love in Christ.

Notes:
Science News, 1/10: 2004, pp. 26-28, Kate Ramsayer, “Infrasonic Symphony.”

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Yellow-rumped Cacique – The trusted Watchman

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Yellow-rumped Cacique (Cacicus cela) by Ian

Yellow-rumped Cacique – The trusted Watchman ~ by a j mithra

The caciques are Passerine birds in the New World Blackbird family. Members of the family are resident breeders in tropical South America and north to Mexico. The caciques are birds associated with woodland or forest. The Yellow-rumped Cacique is found in tropical South America from Panama to central Brazil.

Yellow-rumped Cacique (Cacicus cela) by Daves BirdingPix

Yellow-rumped Cacique (Cacicus cela) by Daves BirdingPix

It prefers Varzea forest edges, woodland and some semi-open habitats. The areas flooded in the annual cycle are extensive lowland and forested areas bordering the main river and its tributaries and are known by the Portuguese word várzea which means flooded plains are subject to annual flooding, with consequent soil enrichment; Trees in this zone survive flooding for several weeks annually and provide the basis of a food web that includes fish adapted…

They are very gregarious and large, noisy flocks can be seen flying over Amazon Rivers particularly at dawn and dusk as the flocks move from their overnight roost to their feeding grounds and back again. These birds prefer a place which is abundant in food and water…

There is abundance in the presence of Jesus, our Good Shepherd..

King David had experienced God’s abundance and that’s why he says,

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.” Psalm 23:1,2

These birds seem to know that flood brings in soil enrichment which in turn provides the basis of food web…

Are you in the midst of a flood?

Just remember this verse,

So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19

Where there is flood, there the Spirit of the Lord lifts a banner..

Glory be to Jesus name!!!!!!!!!

Yellow-rumped Cacique (Cacicus cela) by Ian

Yellow-rumped Cacique (Cacicus cela) by Ian

Most are colonial breeders, with several long, hanging, bag-shaped nests in a tree, each suspended from the end of a branch and have their entrance at the upper side. The nests are occupied in the short dry season.

The birds don’t like bad weather; they leave the colony when it rains too much. Nests can be washed out of a tree by heavy rain. For more protection, a couple of males are always on watch and if a bird of prey comes in sight, they sound the alarm and the colony tree will be empty in no time.

God has set us as watchmen over His people to warm them to walk in The WAY..

If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.

He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.

But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.

So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.” Ezekiel33:3-7

Yellow-rumped Cacique (Cacicus cela) by Kent Nickell

Yellow-rumped Cacique (Cacicus cela) by Kent Nickell

Some species choose a tree that also contains an active wasp nest as a deterrent to predators (e.g. toucans), and females compete for the best sites near the protection of the wasp nest. The wasps also repel Philornis flies which are attracted in enormous numbers by the birds’ smell. These flies are paratisized by a mite which then move on to the nestlings, many of whom die from the infestation.

The females make the nests, brood en raise the young and are more abundant than the males. These birds are not afraid of building their nests near a tree that contains wasp’s nest..

Is it because they know that,

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28?

If Naaman had not turned into a leper, he wouldn’t have known God…

If Lazarus didn’t die, he wouldn’t have known the power of God…

After a nasty fall, if I had not dislocated my shoulder, I would surely have dislocated my hip..

Thank You Lord for Your saving grace and I also thank You for Sister Lee and the readers of this site who had prayed for my healing…

Bless them abundantly Lord in Jesus name …Amen

These are slim birds with long tails and a predominantly black plumage The relatively long pointed bill is pale greenish, yellowish or bluish, depending on species, and most caciques have blue eyes (at least when adult).

  • The female is typically smaller than the male.
  • Caciques eat large insects and fruit.
  • Most are gregarious and typically seen in small groups.
  • They are very vocal, producing a wide range of songs, sometimes including mimicry.
  • Males try to make an indelible impression on the females by showing their yellow feathers and flapping their wings.
Yellow-rumped Cacique (Cacicus cela) by Kent Nickell

Yellow-rumped Cacique (Cacicus cela) by Kent Nickell

Gold is called the Yellow metal and Gold denotes God’s glory…

God had been showing His glory and spreading His wings time and again to show how much He cares for us and longs for us to come under His wings..

But, there are still scores of them out there who are yet to know Him…

Are we doing something to reach the unreached?

The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust. Ruth 2:12

Have a blessed day!

Your’s in YESHUA,
a j mithra

Please visit us at:  Crosstree

Lee’s Addition:

We are continuing to pray for you, a j. Praying for your speedy recovery.

There are 12 Caciques are in the Icteridae – Oropendolas, Orioles & Blackbirds Family of the Passeriformes Order.

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Birds of the Bible – Speckled Bird

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Speckled Pigeon (Columba guinea) ©WikiC

Speckled Pigeon (Columba guinea) ©WikiC

Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her; come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour. (Jeremiah 12:9 KJV)

Speckled Piculet (Picumnus innominatus) by Ian

Speckled Piculet (Picumnus innominatus) by Ian

The Speckled Bird is not the name of a specific bird, but it describes how it looks. Of course the commentaries do not agree exactly as to what is meant by the bird or hyena, but they do seem to agree that the Lord’s house is being corrupted. They agree that there is to be a judgment and that birds of prey will be present. Let’s look at some of their interpretations.

Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible – “Rather, “Is My heritage unto Me as a speckled bird? Are the birds upon her round about? Come, assemble all the wild beasts: bring them to devour her.” By “a speckled” or parti-colored “bird” is probably meant some kind of vulture.”

Speckled Hummingbird (Adelomyia melanogenys) by Ian

Speckled Hummingbird (Adelomyia melanogenys) by Ian

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown – “speckled bird — Many translate, “a ravenous beast, the hyena”; the corresponding Arabic word means hyena; so the Septuagint. But the Hebrew always elsewhere means “a bird of prey.” The Hebrew for “speckled” is from a root “to color”; answering to the Jewish blending together with paganism the altogether diverse Mosaic ritual. The neighboring nations, birds of prey like herself (for she had sinfully assimilated herself to them), were ready to pounce upon her.”

Matthew Henry’s Condensed Commentary says, “God’s people had been the dearly-beloved of his soul, precious in his sight, but they acted so, that he gave them up to their enemies. Many professing churches become like speckled birds, presenting a mixture of religion and the world, with its vain fashions, pursuits, and pollutions. God’s people are as men wondered at, as a speckled bird; but this people had by their own folly made themselves so; and the beasts and birds are called to prey upon them. The whole land would be made desolate. But until the judgments were actually inflicted, none of the people would lay the warning to heart. When God’s hand is lifted up, and men will not see, they shall be made to feel. Silver and gold shall not profit in the day of the Lord’s anger. And the efforts of sinners to escape misery, without repentance and works answerable thereto, will end in confusion.”

Speckled Mousebird (Colius striatus) ©WikiC

Speckled Mousebird (Colius striatus) ©WikiC

Adam Clarke seems to agree – “Is unto me as a speckled bird – A bird of divers colors. This is a people who have corrupted the worship of the true God with heathenish rites and ceremonies; therefore, the different nations, (see Jer_12:10; whose gods and forms of worship they have adopted shall come and spoil them. As far as you have followed the surrounding nations in their worship, so far shall they prevail over your state. Every one shall take that which is his own; and wherever he finds his own gods, he will consider the land consecrated to them, and take it as his property, because those very gods are the objects of his worship. The fable of the daw and borrowed plumes is no mean illustration of this passage.
Dahler translates the whole verse thus: –

Birds of prey! inundate with blood my heritage.
Birds of prey! come against her from all sides.
Run together in crowds, ye savage beasts!
Come to the carnage!”

Speckled Tanager (Tangara guttata) ©WikiC

Speckled Tanager (Tangara guttata) ©WikiC

The “speckled birds” I have shown here show a mixture of colors. The Bible has made clear many times that we are to be separate and not mix the world with the church, yet it is being done repeatedly unfortunately. Even when the list of clean and unclean birds and animals were given, the LORD was trying to make a distinction between the two.

What a great promise the Lord God has given us in 2nd Corinthians 6:

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:16-18 KJV)

(These birds are being used as examples and please don’t condemn them for being speckled. The Lord may have very well created them that way so we can see an example of a truth. I am just using them for illustrational purposes.)

But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: (Job 12:7 KJV)

Speckled Tanager (Tangara guttata) -by Keith Blomerley – A bird sitting on a branch then flying away.

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Interesting Things – Ron DiCianni’s Painting of the Resurrection

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And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: (Luke 24:46 KJV)

Resurrection Painting

Resurrection Painting

The following link tells about a great painting that is being done by Ron DiCianni about the Ressurection. I know it is not bird related, but I have had several emails about it and decided to share it here. It is worth watching the video.

The mural will be 12 feet by 40 feet wide. It is to be placed in the Museum of Biblical Arts in Dallas.

Ron DiCianni: Painting the Resurrection.

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Birds of the Bible – At the National Aviary

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Wattled Curassow (Crax globulosa) by Lee at National Aviary

Wattled Curassow (Crax globulosa) by Lee at National Aviary

Birds of the Bible – at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, PA seems like a logical topic if you have been reading the blog lately. As you may be aware, Dan and I, visited the Aviary a few weeks ago. What a fantastic place to see birds from all around the world. With over 800 birds, there had to be some of the birds mentioned in the Bible.

The Bible says that all birds were created by the Lord, so technically, they all qualify. For this blog, I will confine it to named types of birds. Birds mentioned below are in the same family of the named bird, at least according to the IOC list of Families and Orders.

I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. (Psalms 50:11 ESV)

And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray, And the vulture, and the kite after his kind; Every raven after his kind; And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind, And the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl, And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle, And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, … (Leviticus 11:13-19 KJV)

Birds of the Bible

Their birds change from time to time and what is seen will change. We saw many more birds, but these are only the Birds mentioned by name in Scripture.

More photos will be added to the slide show as we get more IDs and convert Dan’s to JPG format.

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Birds in Hymns – Great God, The World Is Full Of Thee

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For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. (Psalms 33:4-5 KJV)

Words: Hen­ry Bate­man, Sun­day Sun­shine: New Hymns and Po­ems for the Young (Lon­don: Nis­bet & Co., 1858).
Music: Home­land (Bate­man), Jo­si­ah Booth (1852-1929)

Great God, the World is Full of Thee

Great God, the world is full of Thee,
Thy kindness, and Thy power;
The bright blue sky, and rolling sea,
Green tree, and summer flower.

House Sparrows watching Parrot show at National Aviary by Lee

House Sparrows at National Aviary by Lee

And every day, and everywhere,
Thou watchest everything;
The tender lamb enjoys Thy care;
The little birds that sing.

And very, very kind indeed
Thou art, O God, to me;
Supplying all my daily need;
And helping patiently.

Teach my young heart to yield its love
Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son;
That I may dwell with Thee above,
When life below is done.

Most information from The Cyber Hymnal

See ~ Wordless Birds

More ~ Birds in Hymns

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Birds of the Bible – Eye Hath Seen

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For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved. (Isaiah 64:4-5 KJV)

Wood Duck by Dan at Lake Hollingsworth

Wood Duck by Dan at Lake Hollingsworth

When I think of the verses above and the next verse, I think of the neat birds that the Lord has created. Even though they are under the curse, some of them have fantastic colors and markings. Their sounds are so sweet (well, most of them). I imagine the Lord with the most beautiful paintbrush. What must heaven look like when many of the things we experience here are so awesome? Once the curse is removed, what will things look like then?

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV)

The photos below are just of birds and it was difficult to narrow the selection, but what of all the beautiful flowers, sunsets, sunrises, scenery, and on and on. What must heaven be like? Like many of you, I am looking forward to arriving and seeing things that I can’t even imagine as the verses say.

It is not automatic to go there. A person needs to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. Please see either or all of the following:

The Gospel Message, or the Wordless Birds

(A little short this week as we are just arriving home after a two week vacation – blogs about the trip to follow later. )

I will let the Lord’s Creative Hand reveal what we see here and it is fantastic.

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Thanks to all the great photographers who have given permission to use their photos.

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Arctic Terns – The Light Seekers

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Arctic Terns – The Light Seekers

Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) by J Fenton

Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) by J Fenton

The Arctic Terns
see more daylight
than the other birds,
cos,
it flies about 19,000 kilometers
from the Arctic to the Antarctic
and back every year
during migration….
Which means,
in its life time
it would travel a distance
equal to going to the moon
and back…
We too can do,
what others can’t
when we see more of
JESUS , THE LIGHT….

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1John1:7)

A thought from a j mithra

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The Artic Tern is in the Laridae Family.

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Love and Sorrow

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Many of my friends have sent me the photos of the Swallow that was hit by a car and then how her mate reacted. I found this YouTube by kirchiman1000 of that email and decided to post it. It shows the feelings and concern that birds have for each other.

The post of Skippy’s birthday a few days ago also shows how the death of their mate affects them. When the Lord created the creatures, he put the ability to love in them. We should learn from them.

But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; (Job 12:7 ESV)

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends… These things I command you, that ye love one another. (John 15:9-13, 17  KJV)

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. (1 John 4:8 KJV)

Worship – Our Mating Song

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Worship – Our Mating Song  ~ by a j mithra

Indian Scops Owl (Otus bakkamoena) pairby Nikhil Devasar

Indian Scops Owl (Otus bakkamoena) pairby Nikhil Devasar

If birds
don’t sing,
they wouldn’t find
a mate
and
if they don’t find a mate,
there would be
no reproduction…
If there is no reproduction,
there would a major
Ecological disaster…
If we don’t worship,
the presence of the LORD
wouldn’t be there,
if the presence of the LORD
is missing,
the church would be empty,
if the churches are empty
there would be a
Spiritual catastrophe…

But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. (Psalm 22:3)

A thought from a j mithra

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The Indian Scops Owl is in the Strigidae Family.

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Disciplined Avian

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Disciplined Avian ~ by a j mithra

Orange-bellied Leafbird (Chloropsis hardwickii) by W Kwong

Orange-bellied Leafbird (Chloropsis hardwickii) by W Kwong

Birds are
very disciplined
in every area
of their lives..
Be it,
food selection,
preening their feathers,
their songs,
their courtship,
their nesting,
their migration
and all that they do,
they are so well organized
and disciplined…
We human,
preach about discipline,
but,
never are we disciplined
in practicing what
we preach…

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

A thought from a j mithra

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The Orange-bellied Leafbird is part of the Chloropseidae Family.

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