We walked Gatorland in the opposite direction that we normally take. This Blue Heron had just landed and was walking on the rail.
Great Blue Heron Gatorland Cropped
Even though we see Great Blue Heron often, it is always great to watch that stately pose they present. As we have mentioned before, the Heron is mentioned in Leviticus and Deuteronomy as birds to not eat. Birds of the Bible – Herons
“the stork, the heron after its kind, the hoopoe, and the bat.” (Lev. 11:19 NKJV)
“the stork, the heronafter its kind, and the hoopoe and the bat.” (Deut. 14:18 NKJV)
Later on, we encountered another “GBH” [Great Blue Heron] near the other end of the boardwalk. I saw Dan watching something, and then as he started taking photos, I realized it was the Heron.
Dan Watching Great Blue Heron (On rail near the tree)
Dan Taking Photo of Great Blue Heron
Not to be out done, I took out my camera and zoomed in on the Heron.
Great Blue Heron Gatorland
Great Blue Heron Gatorland
Great Blue Heron Gatorland 03-23-21
Great Blue Heron Gatorland 03-23-21
What was the highlight of this encounter was when this bird was chased by another GBH, and caught the heron with its wings fully extended.
Two Great Blue Herons Flying
Two Great Blue Herons Flying – Cropped
Great Blue Heron Flying at Gatorland – Cropped More
What beauty and majesty that the Lord used when He created the flying Avian Wonders for us to enjoy, and realize His awesome power. In church Sunday we sang the hymn, “I Sing The Mighty Power Of God.” This verse expresses some of what I feel when we are out bird watching.
I sing the goodness of the Lord, who filled the earth with food, Who formed the creatures through the Word, and then pronounced them good. Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed, where’er I turn my eye, If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky.
Stay tuned for more of this latest trip to Gatorland.
“And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.”
On the fifth day of the Creation Week, God created swarms of sea creatures. He also created flying creatures. In Genesis 1:20, God says: “Let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” The birds were not, in fact, in the firmament. When the KJV translates the phrase as “in the open firmament”, the word open reminds us that the birds are simply seen against the background of the firmament, and are not in it. We heard in the previous Creation Moment that God created whole swarms of sea creatures. It could also be assumed that He created a very large variety of flying creatures.
This brings us to the fact that many translations tell us that God made birds. The KJV refers to fowl. The use of a word other than bird in the KJV is significant. The Hebrew word is ôph (עוֹף). There is another Hebrew word that means birds. It is tsippor(צִפּוֹר). In fact, the word ôph is much wider in meaning than birds and includes all flying creatures. For instance, in Leviticus 11:13-19, the bat is included at the end of a list of birds. But the collective word used in Leviticus 11:13 is ôph, not tsippor. So ôph does not really mean birds – it means flying creatures. Hence, the creation of flying creatures in Genesis 1:20 includes not only birds, but also bats, and, by implication, flying insects also – and pterosaurs – the flying dinosaurs.
Once again, we notice the efficiency and economy of the words used in Genesis 1, which gives far more information than at first we think.
Prayer: Your wonderful book, the Bible, astonishes us again and again as it explains to us how and why You created this world. Thank You for the wide variety of creatures that You put in the world. Amen.
Ref: Sarfati, J. (2015), The Genesis Account, (Powder Springs, GA: CMI), pp. 223-225. Image: Adobe Stock Images, licensed to author.
Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.” (Genesis 1:20 NKJV)
Mixed Flock Flyiing 122717 Merritt Is NWR by Lee
My friend Woodstock, from the Peanuts cartoons has been entertaining me lately. This is just one of many that have lightened my day.
White Pelican Flying Overhead
Flying where it’s safer.
Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) by John&Fish
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Flying by Aesthetic Photos
For thus says the LORD: “Behold, one shall fly like an eagle, And spread his wings over Moab. (Jeremiah 48:40 NKJV)
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Flying – By Creation Moments
The concept of flying has inspired so much in the way of art – visual, musical, and literary. “One day, I’ll fly away,” sang Randy Crawford, evoking a view of flying as a metaphor for freedom. Other songs have taken up the same theme. “You are the wind beneath my wings”. “Love lift us up where we belong”. “Come fly with me, come fly, let’s fly away”.
The Bible also uses this metaphor. “They who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31). We instinctively know that Isaiah is referring to a sense of strength, produced by the power of the Lord, by waiting on Him.
Being free from the clutches of sin is like being free of gravity! And this freedom evokes images of eagles soaring without even flapping their wings as they ride the thermal air currents.
An evolutionist has to believe that the ability to fly has evolved. Not only that, but they must believe that this ability has evolved at least three times, and maybe four – birds, bats, flying insects, and pteradactyls being the four groups of animals which fly.
In contrast, the Bible tells us that flight was a deliberate design of God. Flying creatures were created on Day Five of the creation week. God designed flight, and the Bible says that He pronounced it “good”.
Prayer:
Lord, it is my prayer that I might soar on wings like eagles. Praise You that it is You who provide the freedom for us to do this. Amen.
Notes:
Ref: The Miracle of Flight, accessed 11/27/2017. Image: Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 Unported.
Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.” (Genesis 1:20 NKJV)
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) by Lee at Circle B Bar Reserve
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) by Ray Barlow
For thus saith the LORD; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab. (Jeremiah 48:40 KJV)
I received an email newsletter from Raymond Barlow today with this photo. Oh, my! What a shot. Ray has been one of the first photographers that gave permission to use his photos on this blog. After sending a quick note up to him (Canada), that permission remains and here are some of his latest Bald Eagle photos.
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) by Ray Barlow
Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. (Proverbs 23:5 KJV)
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) by Ray Barlow
Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs. (Jeremiah 49:22 KJV)
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) by Ray Barlow
And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
(Revelation 4:7 KJV)
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) by Ray Barlow
And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. (Revelation 12:14 KJV)
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) by Ray Barlow
If you click on these photos you will see them much larger. Thank you, Ray. Thank you Lord for creating such fantastic birds, especially Eagles.
I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I am like an owl of the desert. (Psalms 102:6 NKJV)
They are mentioned 3 times in Scripture. Isaiah 34:11 and Zephaniah 2:14 and the previous verse.
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“Abandoned by his flock, Bigbird the pelican stumbled ashore after a storm and was taken in by the staff of Greystoke Mahale in Tanzania. Watch as Bigbird learns to fly for the first time.”
Hi boys and girls! This is Golden Eagle. I have been away for quite a while. However, I have returned and wanted to touch base with each of you for a few short moments. I hope you are enjoying your journey on planet Earth. Everyone that is born gets to start out on this marvelous journey called life. This is a gift from our Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ. God’s Word, the Bible, says
“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth…”
This journey leads to God’s Heaven if you are SAVED! People get saved by trusting what Jesus Christ did on the cross about 2,000 years ago. Jesus died on an old wooden cross to pay for all the bad things we do like telling lies. The bad things we do are called sins in the Bible, but God wants to forgive you of all your sins if you will accept Jesus into your heart by faith. “For whosoever shall call (ask) upon the name of the Lord (Jesus) shall be saved.”(Romans 10:13) Why do many kids and even adults like birds so much? You know eagles can see at great distances. Sometimes, from my perch, high up in the trees I see people looking at me through funny looking glasses. I think you call them binoculars? I think you guys like us because we can FLY. Birds are not tied down to this Earth like people are! We can use our wings and sore to new heights above. You guys are tied down to Earth because of gravity. Our wings not only help us to fly. Birds are colorful and many of us sing songs pretty good as well. In the Book of beginnings called Genesis you can read about the beginning of everything, including birds! On the fifth day of God’s Creation week He created birds.
“And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl (birds) that may fly above the earth in the open firmament (space) of heaven.”
In fact, evolution teaches that modern-day birds have evolved from the dinosaurs. That’s not true, dinosaurs and birds were created at the same time! Birds were created to fly in the open space of Heaven, that’s in the air where the heavens meet the lands. In Isaiah 40:30-31 the Bible says that even kids get tired. But,
“even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait (trust) upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles…”
Hey, boys and girls did you know that if you get saved you will be able to fly in the future just like birds! After Jesus died He rose again and went back to Heaven in the clouds! One time Jesus even walked on water. I tried that once and got my feathers so wet that I couldn’t fly for days. That was not a fun time for me. The Bible says in Psalm 90 that our life is “soon cut off, and we fly away.” Wouldn’t you want to fly like the birds someday? Hey, if you could do me a favor? Do you think that you could start reading your own Bible each day? So many things to learn, so many places to go, and so many things to do! If you want me to come back, me – the Golden Eagle, would you let me know? Thanks for a little bit of your time. Maybe we can take this journey of life together, what do you guys and gals think?
Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.” (Genesis 1:20 NKJV
What a fantastic video – WOW! It is a bit long, but worth every minute of it. This is the 2nd one. See Part I How can anyone watch these birds flying and not realize they have a fantastic Creator? This was produced by Wittydud on YouTube *
I know all the birds of the mountains, And the wild beasts of the field are Mine. (Psalms 50:11 NKJV)
Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.” (Genesis 1:20 NKJV
What a fantastic video – WOW! It is a bit long, but worth every minute of it.
How can anyone watch these birds flying and not realize they have a fantastic Creator?
African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer) by Africaddict
Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. (Proverbs 23:5)
Using e-Sword’s search for just the word “fly,” there are 15 verses in the AMP, 16 in the ESV, and 25 in the KJV. They can’t all refer to a bird flying around, so let’s see how many actually refer to the birds.
Here are the verses from the KJV:
And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. (Gen_1:20)
Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD? (1Sa_15:19)
And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind. (2Sa_22:11)
Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. (Job_5:7)
He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night. (Job_20:8)
Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south? (Job_39:26)
And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. (Psa_18:10)
And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. (Psa_55:6)
The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. (Psa_90:10)
Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. (Pro_23:5)
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. (Isa_6:2)
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria. (Isa_7:18)
But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them. (Isa_11:14)
Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? (Isa_60:8)
For thus saith the LORD; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab. (Jer_48:40)
Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs. (Jer_49:22)
Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly. (Eze_13:20)
Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. (Dan_9:21)
As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception. (Hos_9:11)
Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat. (Hab_1:8)
And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. (Rev_12:14)
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, (Rev_14:6)
And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; (Rev_19:17)
How many do you think directly relate to birds? Some refer to their speed of flying. How many birds were actually named?
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) by Daves BirdingPix
I trust you enjoy digging into God’s Word more than just reading it. If you have a program like e-Sword (free) or something similiar or a good concordance, you can do these type of searches.
Back to the questions – which verses have birds mentioned?
fowlthat may fly above the earth (Gen_1:20)
hawk fly (Job_39:26)
dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. (Psa_55:6)
fly away as an eagletoward heaven. (Pro_23:5)
fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? (Isa_60:8)
shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab. (Jer_48:40)
fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah (Jer_49:22)
their glory shall fly away like a bird, (Hos_9:11)
fly as the eaglethat hasteth to eat. (Hab_1:8)
two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness (Rev_12:14)
all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven (Rev_19:17)
The Bible tells us:
But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; And the birds of the air, and they will tell you; (Job 12:7 NKJV)
If you had never watched a bird fly, would any of those verses above make sense to you? The Lord not only has given all the numerous birds for us to enjoy, but also to teach us lessons.
Would you understand “…for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. (Proverbs 23:5) if you had not seen how fast an eagle flies? How fast can we waste our riches?
Thinking about how birds fly, reread the verses above, even the ones that do not mention birds and see if that doesn’t help explain parts of the verse.
Do birds carry
heavy or light luggage
when they fly?
Never,
cos,
they know that
its easier to fly light
without excess weight…
Though we wait
on the LORD,
we still are not able to
fly high over the storm..
Why?
Is it cos
we carry all the junk like
fears and tears,
and,
anger and pain?
LETS FLY LIGHT
FOR THE LIGHT…
Therefore seeing we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily ensnare us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1)
On the fifth day of the Creation Week, God created swarms of sea creatures. He also created flying creatures. In Genesis 1:20, God says: “Let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” The birds were not, in fact, in the firmament. When the KJV translates the phrase as “in the open firmament”, the word open reminds us that the birds are simply seen against the background of the firmament, and are not in it. We heard in the previous Creation Moment that God created whole swarms of sea creatures. It could also be assumed that He created a very large variety of flying creatures.
Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus 