Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”; and it was so. (Genesis 1:30 NKJV)
Rosy-faced Lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis ) A feral Rosy-faced Lovebird eating seeds in Chicago ©WikiC
*
*
“Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.” (Proverbs 16:3 AMP)
Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. (Proverbs 16:3 KJV)
Racket-tailed Roller (Coracias spatulatus) Houston Zoo 5-6-15 by Lee
*
*
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16 KJV)
Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) by Lee at Honeymoon Is. SP (Harmless as a Dove)
This week-end we are having a Missions Conference and this is the theme verse. This blog is not ashamed to mention the Gospel of Christ as most of the readers are aware. We love birds and birdwatching, but as our subtitle says: Birdwatching From A Christian Perspective.
*
*
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:4 KJV)
Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) by Michael Woodruff
(I know the Puffin isn’t crying, but he looks sad. We have shed many tears this week and are looking forward to the promise above.)
*
*
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
(Psalms 5:3 KJV)
Scaly-breasted Wren-babbler (Pnoepyga albiventer) ©©
*
*
Lesser Double-collared Sunbird enjoying a Kniphofia flower ©©Rambling Ocean-Boeta.
Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 13:43 KJV)
In the daily devotional yesterday, I forgot to give you a link to my friend’s website. They gave me permission to use it, but I forgot to give him credit for his beautiful photography.
I have fixed my over-site by providing the link. Our Rumbling Ocean is a site I have been following for some time and have become friends with them. They have a son who is featured very often. We have all been watching him grow up. They live on the East Coast of South Africa and are within 150 m of the ocean. Check out their blogs at:
Our Rumbling Ocean and Having Fun With My Camera
Here are links to the four pictures of the sunbird and the Kniphofia flower:
Now, let me tell you a little bit about that beautiful bird that the Lord created. The scientific name is Cinnyris chalybeus, and as is common, they have several names given to a bird. Locally, there in South Africa, it is known as the Lesser Double-collared Sunbird. The I.O.C. uses the name, Southern Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris chalybeus).
Southern Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris chalybeus) ©WikiC
“The southern double-collared sunbird or lesser double-collared sunbird (Cinnyris chalybeus) is a small passerine bird which breeds in southern South Africa. It is mainly resident, but partially migratory in the north-east of its range.” This Sunbird is part of the Nectariniidae – Sunbirds Family. This family was featured in the Sunday Inspiration – Sunbirds in August.
“This sunbird is common in gardens, fynbos, forests and coastal scrub. The southern double-collared sunbird breeds from April to December, depending on region. The closed oval nest is constructed from grass, lichen and other plant material, bound together with spider webs. It has a side entrance which sometimes has a porch, and is lined with wool, plant down and feathers.”
outhern Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris chalybeus) ©WikiC
“The southern double-collared sunbird is 12 cm long. The adult male has a glossy, metallic green head, throat upper breast and back. It has a brilliant red band across the chest, separated from the green breast by a narrow metallic blue band. The rest of the underparts are whitish. When displaying, yellow feather tufts can be seen on the shoulders. As with other sunbirds the bill is long and decurved. The bill, legs and feet are black. The eye is dark brown. The male can be distinguished from the similar greater double-collared sunbird by its smaller size, narrower red chest band and shorter bill.
Southern Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris chalybeus) Female ©WikiC
The female southern double-collared sunbird has brown upperparts and yellowish-grey underparts. The juvenile resembles the female. The female is greyer below than the female orange-breasted sunbird, and darker below than the female dusky sunbird.”
Southern Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris chalybeus) ©©Redwood
“The southern double-collared sunbird is usually seen singly or in small groups. Its flight is fast and direct on short wings. It lives mainly on nectar from flowers, but takes some fruit, and, especially when feeding young, insects and spiders. It can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perches to feed most of the time.
The call is a hard chee-chee, and the song is high-pitched jumble of tinkling notes, rising and falling in pitch and tempo for 3–5 seconds or more.” (Quoted material is from Wikipedia with editing.) I also think Rambling Oceans photos are better, but I had only asked permission for the one. :(
*
Southern Double-collared Sunbird – Wikipedia
*
But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. (Psalms 71:14 KJV)
Lesser Double-collared Sunbird enjoying a Kniphofia flower ©©Rambling Ocean-Boeta.
*
*
Blessings are on the head of the righteous, …. (Proverbs 10:6a NKJV)
Scrub Jay on Photographer’s Head ©Unknown
Wild Wildlife Photographers!
*
*
And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, “Follow me!” And he arose, and followed him. (Matthew 9:9 KJV)
Mallard Duck and Followers ©WikiC
*
*
Great Horned Owl Youngsters at Circle B Bar Reserve by Lee
“And the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl,” (Leviticus 11:17 KJV)
This afternoon we were able to go to the Circle B Bar Reserve and watch the latest talk of the birders. Yesterday, our birding friends at church told us about these two youngsters that were stealing all the attention at the park.
It was easy to find the area, because it is roped off to keep everyone at a safe distance from the youngsters. An array of onlookers with binoculars and lots of cameras were watching and waiting for the youngsters to wake up from their naps.
Great Horned Owl Youngsters at Circle B Bar Reserve by Lee
Finally, a fuzzy ball appeared, and then a head popped up. Eventually, two heads were visible.
Notice how their Creator gave them just the right kind of feathers to blend in with their surroundings. Another example of the Lord’s Care for His creation.
Great Horned Owl Youngsters at Circle B Bar Reserve by Lee
Trust you will enjoy these glimpses of them. It was hard trying to catch a decent photo because they were quite a way from us. Trying to hold a zoomed in, hand-held, camera in “program mode” is a challenge. But, I am so thankful for the Lord allowing us to see some of his wonderfully created Great Horn Owl youngsters. These were my first GHO youngsters seen in the wild.
Do You See Them
Let Me Zoo In Some More. .. Do You See Them Now?
Zoomed In More…Do You See Them Now!
Here is a slide show of the photos in fairly decent order of how they were taken.
I was able to shoot some video, but again, it’s a little shaky. Enjoy.
*
*
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5 NKJV)
Crow on Eagle’s Back ©©
*
*
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. (Matthew 24:12 KJV)
Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) © by Paul Higgins
*
*
