Today is our 55th Wedding Anniversary. On July 26, 1963 we said “I Do” and we would say it again today. I am thankful to the Lord for our Salvation #1, but also for His gift of Dan to me #2.
In honor of our anniversary, here are some of the photos I have caught of Dan as we have been out an about. My most recent one was taken July 16th this year. We were at the beach and he was busy taking a photo of something.
Dan at Atlantic Ocean
The photos leading up to the Galah and Dan
Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla) trying to offer juice.
Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla) Hopping on the camera
This is Birdwatching really close
Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla) and Dan
Boat-billed Heron over Dan’s Shoulder by Lee at LPZ
Dan photographing one of the Peacocks
Dan at Magnolia Plantation
Retired Gunners Mate Dan at Patriots Point
Dan at work
Dan and a Radjah Duck Brevard Zoo
Galah and Dan Brevard Zoo by Lee
Dan at Work at Jacksonville Zoo
Dan
Dan and Black Skimmers
20090918 Circle B Dan at Work
Penguins being photographed by Dan
Dan searching for something to photograph
Dan feeding a Black Swan at Lake Morton
Caught Dan on the Boardwalk trying to find a bird
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24 KJV)
“And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified and said, It is a ghost! And they screamed out with fright. But instantly He spoke to them, saying, Take courage! I AM! Stop being afraid!” (Matthew 14:26-27 AMP)
Jesus walked on the sea and they were terrified and might have screamed in fear.
Avian and Attributes – Scream
A scream, shout, yell, shriek, hoot, holler, vociferation, outcry, bellow, or raising one’s voice is a loud vocalization in which air is passed through the vocal folds with greater force than is used in regular or close-distance vocalization. This can be performed by any creature possessing lungs, including humans. There are slight differences in meaning among them; for example, “scream” and “shriek” generally refer to a higher-pitched, sharp sound, used by some birds and other animals, and a “hoot”, such as emitted by an owl, usually does not involve words.
A scream is often an instinctive or reflex action, with a strong emotional aspect, like fear, pain, surprise, joy, anger, etc. [This would describe what those in the boat most like did.]
Screaming Cowbird (Molothrus rufoaxillaris) is an obligate brood parasite belonging to the family Icteridae and is found in South America. It is also known commonly as the short billed cowbird.
Within South America, the screaming cowbird is found in north east and central Argentina, south east Bolivia, central Brazil and throughout Paraguay and Uruguay. Its natural habitat is pastureland where it forages amongst grazing animals such as cows, hence the name “cowbird”. Similar to other cowbirds, it forages predominantly on the ground, eating invertebrates that have been disturbed by grazing stock. The distribution of the screaming cowbird has increased significantly in recent decades due to habitat alteration caused by deforestation and by following its hosts into new areas.
Screaming Piha (Lipaugus vociferans) by AGrosset
Screaming Piha (Lipaugus vociferans) is a species of passerine bird in the family Cotingidae. It is found in humid forests in the Amazon and tropical parts of the Mata Atlântica in South America. It is adapting well to human settlement areas like gardens and parks.
Both sexes have dull grey plumage (wings and tail often somewhat browner) and a voice that is extraordinary loud. Males often gather in loose leks, where they sing to attract females.
The Cofan people of Ecuador call it the Pwe-pwe Yoh, which is a reference to its voice. Among the Ecuadorian Secoyas, the bird is known as the Kwow-kwee-yo. The sound is frequently used in movies, and also can be heard in the background of the popular game Angry Birds Rio.
And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. (1 Kings 18:21 KJV)
Still Undecided As To Which Way To Go by Lee
Elijah went there and stood in front of the people. He said, “How long will it take you to make up your minds? If the LORD is the one and only God, follow him. But if Baal is the one and only God, follow him.” The people didn’t say anything. (1 Kings 18:21 NIrV)
Just About Decided
Elijah challenged the people: “How long are you going to sit on the fence? If GOD is the real God, follow him; if it’s Baal, follow him. Make up your minds!” Nobody said a word; nobody made a move. (1 Kings 18:21 MSG)
This Black-bellied Whistling-Duck was undecided about where to go. There were quite a few Whistling Ducks at Viera Wetlands, and they were playing “musical palm tree stubs.” They kept landing on these tree tops and chasing the other off. Yet, this verse comes to mind.
I trust all of us are decided about WHO we are going to follow.
Now for a picture of a Black-bellied Whistling-Duck by Dan [the much better photographer]
Black-bellied Whistling Duck by Dan
The Black-bellied Whistling-Duck is a large, gooselike duck with a long neck, long legs, and short tail. In flight, look for their broad wings, long neck, and hunched back.
Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks are dark overall: a chestnut breast and black belly are set off by a bright-pink bill and legs, grayish face, and broad white wing stripe, also visible in flight. Immatures are duller than adults, with a dark bill, pale breast, and mottled black belly. [Info from All About Birds]*
Atlantic Puffins by Bill Boothe, MD in the Isle of Mull Scotland
These Atlantic Puffin’s photo was taken by Bill Boothe, MD, in the Isle of Mull, Scotland. Dr. Boothe is a long time friend of Dr. James Johnson. It would have been nice to have been there also.
This puffin (Atlantic Puffin) has a black crown and back, pale grey cheek patches and white underparts. Its broad, boldly marked red and black beak and orange legs contrast with its plumage. It moults while at sea in the winter and some of the bright-colored facial characteristics are lost, with color returning again during the spring. The external appearance of the adult male and female are identical though the male is usually slightly larger. The juvenile has similar plumage but its cheek patches are dark grey. The juvenile does not have brightly colored head ornamentation, its bill is narrower and is dark-grey with a yellowish-brown tip, and its legs and feet are also dark. Puffins from northern populations are typically larger than in the south and it is generally considered that these populations are different subspecies.
Puffin Beaks – Breeding L and non-breeding R – 1905 PubDom Drawing
Spending the autumn and winter in the open ocean of the cold northern seas, the Atlantic puffin returns to coastal areas at the start of the breeding season in late spring. It nests in clifftop colonies, digging a burrow in which a single white egg is laid. The chick mostly feeds on whole fish and grows rapidly. After about six weeks it is fully fledged and makes its way at night to the sea. It swims away from the shore and does not return to land for several years. [Wikipedia with editing]
This photo was take in Mull, Scotland. “Mull (Scottish Gaelic: Muile, pronounced [ˈmulʲə]) is the second largest island of the Inner Hebrides (after Skye), off the west coast of Scotland in the council area of Argyll and Bute.
Argyll and Bute UK relief location map
With an area of 875.35 square kilometres (337.97 sq mi) Mull is the fourth largest Scottish island and the fourth largest island surrounding Great Britain (excluding Ireland). In the 2011 census the usual resident population of Mull was 2,800; a slight increase on the 2001 figure of 2,667; in the summer this is supplemented by many tourists. Much of the population lives in Tobermory, the only burgh on the island until 1973, and its capital.”
Lighter side verses: [yet very true]
“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;” (1 Corinthians 13:4 NKJV)
“We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.” (1 Corinthians 8:1 NKJV)
Dr. Jim, [aka J.J.S.Johnson] found this super video about Hummingbirds. It has amazing facts and nice music. Please watch. You will glad you did.
This is on Nature’s Invitation YouTube Channel. ‘Over 20 amazing Facts about Hummingbirds. Slow motion footage of the hummingbird in Full HD. Great for school nature projects. Watch hummingbirds fly in ULTRA slow motion. Watch the humming bird hover and fly backwards in slow motion. Videos of hummingbird babies (chicks) being fed and much more.”
“But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man does not know its value, Nor is it found in the land of the living. The deep says, ‘It is not in me’; And the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’ It cannot be purchased for gold, Nor can silver be weighed for its price. (Job 28:12-15)
“From where then does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding? It is hidden from the eyes of all living, And concealed from the birds of the air. (Job 28:20-21)
God understands its way, And He knows its place. For He looks to the ends of the earth, And sees under the whole heavens, To establish a weight for the wind, And apportion the waters by measure. When He made a law for the rain, And a path for the thunderbolt, Then He saw wisdom and declared it; He prepared it, indeed, He searched it out. And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.’ ” (Job 28:23-28 NKJV)
Monarch and White Peacock at Brevard Zoo Butterfly Exhibit
“O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.” (Psalms 104:24 KJV)
They recently opened up a new Butterfly area at the Brevard Zoo in Brevard, Florida. This was the first time we have been to this exhibit.
There was soft music playing and the butterflies were just flitting here and there. I took this video, which is not the best, but they were really beautiful [when I could keep it in focus].
It was not a frog making noise. It was a pair of Turocos calling.
White-crested Turaco at Brevard Zoo was calling
“He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.” (Psalms 115:13 KJV)
Julia Butterfly
Below are some of the photo that I took. I trust I attached the right names to them. I used the signs they provided.
Brevard Zoo Butterfliy area
Butterfly Area
Butterfly Sign at Brevard Zoo
Sign made out of stones.
Brevard Zoo Butterfly area
Brevard Zoo Butterfly area
Julia and White Peacock Butterflies
Monarch and Julia
Monarch and Julia
Monarch and White Peacock at Brevard Zoo Butterfly Exhibit
On the Fourth of July, yesterday, we were at Viera Wetlands, Viera, Florida and spotted this young Common Gallinule, depending on what they are calling it. Look at its feet. He/she has some growing to do to fit those feet.
Below is how it will look when it matures.
Common Gallinule (Gallinula chloropus) by Reinier Munguia
“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” (Psalms 37:25 KJV)
Another promise our Savior and Creator has given us. Lord’s Blessings.
At the Brevard Zoo today, we saw some Northern Cardinals flying really close to where I was standing.
Cardinal Brevard Zoo 7-3-18
I was enjoying getting some photos, when we noticed that they were feeding a youngster who had fallen out of the nest. It had landed on a palm leaf right above the walkway where I was standing.
Cardinal Baby Brevard Zoo 7-3-18
That is when I realized the Momma Cardinal was also keeping an eye on the situation.
Momma Cardinal Brevard Zoo 7-3-1
We were quite concerned that it might fall into the walkway and someone would step on it accidentally. At the next exhibit, we told the keeper. He asked if it was the one in the palm tree. Yes. Well, he had just put it back in the nest about 10 minutes before. Said he would go back and put it back in again.
We sure hope it makes it and quits getting out of the nest. It is too small to survive on its own and can’t fly yet. He also told us that there were no other little ones in the nest. I am sure that those concerned Cardinals will do their best.
“I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.” (Psalms 50:11 KJV)
I know the Lord, who Created Cardinals, knows all about the situation. If He cares about the littlest baby Cardinal, rest assured, He cares about you and I.
Photos aren’t the best, but I am writing this on my laptop and away from the editing program.
Gray Jay now Canada Jay (Perisoreus canadensis) by Raymond Barlow
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” (Colossians 1:16-17 KJV)
I finally finished updating the Birds of the World pages to reflect the newest version, 8.2. of the IOC’s bird list. The family pages and the indexes have been modified. Since the photos on the site were hacked last year, the family pages were changed. Now the photos are at the bottom of the pages instead of with each name.
With this version, I added the Genera in with Green. Many of the new changes are in red and a few in blue. The red are spelling or Genera changes. Blue seems to represent reshuffled positions within a family. [I think – this is from their Excel spreadsheet]
Two families were moved into the Vangidae – Vanga and Allies family.
Here is the over update:
The IOC World Bird List 8.2 contains 10,711 extant species (and 158 extinct species) classified in 40 Orders, 246 Families (plus 1 Incertae Sedis) and 2,313 Genera. The list also includes 20,055 subspecies, their ranges and authors.
TAXONOMY:18 incl revisions of Campephagidae, Phylloscopidae and Locustellidae, and expansion of Vangidae to include helmetshrikes, woodshrikes, and shrike-flycatchers
I am a Christian woman who greatly enjoys painting and sharing some of the beauty she sees around her. I am very grateful for God’s grace and for this gift of painting that He’s given me…
Please visit her site and see this lovely drawing and her other drawings.
