Tag Archives: Inspiration

Lord’s Avian Wonders – Juvenile Scarlet Ibis

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Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber) Juvenile Lowry Park Zoo

Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber) Juvenile Lowry Park Zoo

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (1 Corinthians 15:51-53 NKJV) (emphasis mine)

While in the Aviary at Lowry Park last week, this little avian wonder caught my attention. Our Scarlet Ibis juvenile is in the process of becoming a beautiful adult, but at present he is still in transition. The Lord’s Creative Hand gave these ibises protection while growing up, but now that change to a full-grown Scarlet Ibis is becoming very evident.

Scarlet Ibis adults in the Aviary

Scarlet Ibis adults in the Aviary

Adult plumage is virtually all scarlet. The feathers may show various tints and shades, but only the tips of their wings deviate from their namesake color. A small but reliable marking, these wingtips are a rich inky black (or occasionally dark blue) and are found only on the longest primaries – otherwise the birds’ coloration is “a vivid orange-red, almost luminous in quality.” Scarlet ibises have red bills and feet however the bill is sometimes blackish, especially toward the end. They have a long, narrow, decurved bill. Their legs and neck are long and extended in flight.

Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber) Juvenile Lowry Park Zoo

A juvenile scarlet ibis is a mix of grey, brown, and white. As it grows, a heavy diet of red crustaceans produces the scarlet coloration. The color change begins with the juvenile’s second moult, around the time it begins to fly: the change starts on the back and spreads gradually across the body while increasing in intensity over a period of about two years. The scarlet ibis is the only shorebird with red coloration in the world.

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. (1 Peter 2:2-3 KJV) (emphasis mine)

As these young Scarlet Ibises are growing into beautifully colored adults, you can see how they have grown from the baby to where they are now.

So, we as Christians, should be growing and changing as we grow in the Lord. How do we grow? Reading God’s Word, attending a good Bible preaching church, praying, studying, and doing whatever the Lord may lead you to do to help out. These juveniles are starting to change and so will you as grow in the Lord. Sooner or later you will bloom into a mature Christian able and willing to serve Our Lord wherever or however He chooses.

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Peter 3:17-18 NASB)

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. (Romans 1:20-23 NKJV) (emphasis mine)

Scarlet Ibis – Threskiornithidae – Ibises, Spoonbills

Orni-Theology

Lowry Park Zoo Articles

Sharing The Gospel

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Chats and Old World Flycatchers III

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White-tailed Robin (Myiomela leucura) ©WikiC

White-tailed Robin (Myiomela leucura) ©WikiC

This third part of the Muscicapidae – Chats, Old World Flycatchers family starts with the White-tailed Robin (Myiomela leucura). What an amazing group of avian wonders from Our Lord, their Creator.

Part I and Part II of the Sunday Inspiration covered over half of the 321 member Chat and Old World Flycatcher family. This week, we should be able to finish up. Meagan Fee came back for the Christmas break (she was our summer intern at Faith) and played a fantastic violin piece for our offering last Sunday. It is fantastic and long enough, I hope, to cover the slideshow. :0)

Back to the flycatchers. The Genera covered this week are the Myiomela, Tarsiger, Enicurus, Myophonus, Cinclidium, Ficedula, Muscicapella, Phoenicurus, Monticola, Saxicola, Campicoloides, Emarginata, Pinarochroa, Thamnolaea, Myrmecocichla, Oenanthe, Pinarornis, Namibornis and Humblotia.

Old World flycatchers live in almost every environment with a suitable supply of trees, from dense forest to open scrub, and even the montane woodland of the Himalayas. The more northerly species migrate south in winter, ensuring a continuous diet of insects.

Malabar Whistling Thrush (Myophonus horsfieldii) by Nikhil Devasar

Malabar Whistling Thrush (Myophonus horsfieldii) by Nikhil Devasar

“I will whistle for them to gather them together, For I have redeemed them; And they will be as numerous as they were before. (Zechariah 10:8 NASB)

Whistling thrushes are mostly seen in hilly areas except during winter when they may descend to streams near the plains. They specialize in feeding on snails and their strong hooked bills are used to deal with them. They may choose a particular rock on which they crack the shells.

The whistling of a Malabar Whistling Thrush from xeno-canto by David Farrow.

Blue-fronted Robin (Cinclidium frontale) ©WikiC

Blue-fronted Robin (Cinclidium frontale) ©WikiC

The Blue-fronted Robin (Cinclidium frontale) is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is the only species in the monotypic genus Cinclidium. It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and possibly Nepal. Its natural habitat is temperate forests.

Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) Breeding male ©WikiC

Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) Breeding male ©WikiC

The Wheatears, Oenanthe, have characteristic black and white or red and white markings on their rumps or their long tails. Most species are strongly sexually dimorphic; only the male has the striking plumage patterns characteristic of the genus, though the females share the white or red rump patches.

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Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me. (Isaiah 38:14 KJV)

“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”  by Meagan Fee on Violin and Jill Foster accompanying

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Sunday Inspiration – Chats and Old World Flycatchers I
Sunday Inspiration – Chats and Old World Flycatchers II
Muscicapidae – Chats, Old World Flycatchers

Gideon

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Sunday Inspiration – Chats and Old World Flycatchers II

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Rufous-bellied Niltava (Niltava sundara) by Nikhil Devasar

Rufous-bellied Niltava (Niltava sundara) by Nikhil Devasar

Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. (Genesis 2:19 NASB)

Last week’s Sunday Inspiration – Chats and Old World Flycatchers covered the first part of the Muscicapidae Family. This week, we will show the some more of the Family. There are 321 Members that make up the Muscicapidae Family. What great looking birds from their Creator.

Blue-and-white Flycatcher (Cyanoptila cyanomelana) ©WikiC

Blue-and-white Flycatcher (Cyanoptila cyanomelana) ©WikiC

Chats (formerly sometimes known as “chat-thrushes”) are a group of small Old World insectivorous birds formerly classified as members of the thrush family Turdidae, but now are considered Old World flycatchers. The name is normally applied to the more robust ground-feeding flycatchers found in Europe and Asia and most northern species are strong migrants.

The Old World flycatchers, the Muscicapidae, are small passerine birds mostly restricted to the Old World (Europe, Africa and Asia). These are mainly small arboreal insectivores, many of which, as the name implies, take their prey on the wing.

White-starred Robin (Pogonocichla stellata) WikiC

White-starred Robin (Pogonocichla stellata) ©WikiC

The appearance of these birds is very varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls. They are small to medium birds, ranging from 9 to 22 cm in length. Many species are dull brown in colour, but the plumage of some can be much brighter, especially in the males. Most have broad, flattened bills suited to catching insects in flight, although the few ground-foraging species typically have finer bills.

Old World flycatchers live in almost every environment with a suitable supply of trees, from dense forest to open scrub, and even the montane woodland of the Himalayas. The more northerly species migrate south in winter, ensuring a continuous diet of insects.

Depending on the species, their nests are either well-constructed cups placed in a tree or cliff ledge, or simply lining in a pre-existing tree hole. The hole-nesting species tend to lay larger clutches, with an average of eight eggs, rather than just two to five.

White-browed Robin-Chat (Cossypha heuglini) by Daves BirdingPix

White-browed Robin-Chat (Cossypha heuglini) by Daves BirdingPix

Because this Muscicapidae family is so large, this week’s Sunday Inspiration and last week’s were divided. The reason for this is so the slideshow will not be too long. This divides them in taxonomic order in to several groups. I was going to divide this family in half, but there are so many photos available that I would have to find a symphony to provide enough music to show them all at once. ☺♪♫☺

Last week, the first 97-98 members were shown from these genera: Alethe, Cercotrichas, Copsychus, Fraseria, Myioparus, Melaenornis, Empidornis, Muscicapa, Anthipes, Cyornis.

This Slideshow of Muscicapidae in taxonomic order – Second Part (includes the genera- Niltava, Cyanoptila, Eumyias, Erithacus, Pseudalethe, Cossyphicula, Cossypha, Swynnertonia, Pogonocichla, Stiphrornis, Sheppardia, Cichladusa, Heinrichia, Leonardina, Heteroxenicus, Brachypteryx , Vauriella, Larvivora, Luscinia, Irania and Calliope.) 75 Species

Start with Niltava 

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Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11 NKJV)

“The Birthday of a King” ~ by Dr. Richard Gregory, now in Glory.

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Sunday Inspiration – Chats and Old World Flycatchers I

More Sunday Inspirations

Muscicapidae – Chats and Old World Flycatchers

Faith Baptist Church

Gospel Presentation

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Good One – An Email

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Peek-a-boo ©Flickr Kathy

Peek-a-boo ©Flickr Kathy

GOOD ONE
We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly sitting and talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, ‘Hi.’ He pounded his fat baby hands on the high chair tray. His eyes were crinkled in laughter and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin, as he wriggled and giggled with merriment.
I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man whose pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map.
We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled.. His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists.. ‘Hi there, baby; hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster,’ the man said to Erik.
My husband and I exchanged looks, ‘What do we do?’
Erik continued to laugh and answer, ‘Hi.’
Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, ‘Do ya patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek- a-boo.’
Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk. My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skid-row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments.
We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door. ‘Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik,’ I prayed. As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to sidestep him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby’s ‘pick-me-up’ position. Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man.
Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love and kinship. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the man’s ragged shoulder. The man’s eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain, and hard labor, cradled my baby’s bottom and stroked his back. No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time.
I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, ‘You take care of this baby.’
Somehow I managed, ‘I will,’ from a throat that contained a stone.
He pried Erik from his chest, lovingly and longingly, as though he were in pain. I received my baby, and the man said, ‘God bless you, ma’am, you’ve given me my Christmas gift.’
I said nothing more than a muttered thanks. With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, ‘My God, my God, forgive me.’
I had just witnessed Christ’s love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not.. I felt it was God asking, ‘Are you willing to share your son for a moment?’ when He shared His for all eternity. How did God feel when he put his baby in our arms 2000 years ago.
The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me, ‘To enter the Kingdom of God , we must become as little children.’
If this has blessed you, please bless others by sending it on. Sometimes, it takes a child to remind us of what is really important. We must always remember who we are, where we came from and, most importantly, how we feel about others. The clothes on your back or the car that you drive or the house that you live in does not define you at all; it is how you treat your fellow man that identifies who you are.
This one is a keeper.
‘It is better to be liked for the true you, than to be loved for who people think you are……'(Amen! )
Old man and baby ©Flickr Gustavo Devito

Old man and baby ©Flickr Gustavo Devito

(Author Unknown)
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Merry Christmas 2015

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Merry Christmas

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. (1 John 1:1-4 KJV)

I would like to share with you our Christmas Cantata presented on December 13, 2015 at Faith Baptist Church in Winter Haven, Florida. They all did fantastic and thought you would enjoy it also.

It was entitled, “Lord of Glory” Christmas Cantata

May the Lord bless you as you share Christmas with family and friends. Dan and I would both like to wish you a great Christmas day full of blessings from the Lord.

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“Movie On Cwismus”

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So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:6-7 NKJV)

Here is a special video sent to me by James J. S. Johnson. It is about kids telling the story of Cwismus (Christmas) by the Mobberly Kids. Enjoy.

Good News

Birds in Christmas Hymns – Review

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Christmas Island White-eye (Zosterops natalis) by Ian

Christmas Island White-eye (Zosterops natalis) by Ian

Birds in Christmas Hymns

Birds in Christmas Hymns

And when they had sung an hymn, they went out… (Mark 14:26a KJV)

Here are the Birds in Christmas Hymns from the Birds in Hymns Page. Many writers of these hymns must have enjoyed our beautiful created birds and included them in these Christmas Hymns.

Carol of Birds (Bird, Nightingale, Sparrow, Finch, Partridge, Nest), (Australian Birds)
Christmas Brings Joy To Every Heart – (Birds, Perch, Sparrow, Dove)
Hail to the Lord’s Anointed (Eagle, Dove, Wing, Pinion)
I Wonder As I Wander (Bird)
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee – (Singing bird)
The Day The Christ-Child’s Tender Eyes – (Birds, Feather)
The Friendly Beasts – (Dove)
The Worcester Christmas Carol – (Bird)
This Endris Night – (Bird)
Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne –  (Bird, Nest)
Welcome To Christmas – (Dove, Wing)

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O Holy Night – Card

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That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (1 John 1:1 KJV)

Please Click Here To See The Card

Here is the video they used with it:

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A friend sent this to me and I trust you also are as moved by it as I am. Tears are still flowing as I type this.

Yes, I know the Wise Men showed up later, but enjoy the video.

Sunday Inspiration – Chats and Old World Flycatchers I

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Bearded Scrub Robin (Cercotrichas quadrivirgata) ©WikiC

Bearded Scrub Robin (Cercotrichas quadrivirgata) ©WikiC

In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty. (Proverbs 14:23 NKJV)

The Old World flycatchers are a large family (321 Members), the Muscicapidae, of small passerine birds mostly restricted to the Old World (Europe, Africa and Asia). These are mainly small arboreal insectivores, many of which, as the name implies, take their prey on the wing.

The appearance of these birds is very varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls. They are small to medium birds, ranging from 9 to 22 cm in length. Many species are dull brown in color, but the plumage of some can be much brighter, especially in the males. Most have broad, flattened bills suited to catching insects in flight, although the few ground-foraging species typically have finer bills.

Old World flycatchers live in almost every environment with a suitable supply of trees, from dense forest to open scrub, and even the montane woodland of the Himalayas. The more northerly species migrate south in winter, ensuring a continuous diet of insects.
Depending on the species, their nests are either well-constructed cups placed in a tree or cliff ledge, or simply lining in a pre-existing tree hole. The hole-nesting species tend to lay larger clutches, with an average of eight eggs, rather than just two to five.

Ferruginous Flycatcher (Muscicapa ferruginea) by MAMuin

Ferruginous Flycatcher (Muscicapa ferruginea) by MAMuin

“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “HE CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR OWN CRAFTINESS”; (1 Corinthians 3:19 NKJV)

Because this Muscicapidae family is so large, this Sunday Inspiration and next week’s will be divided. The reason for this is so the slideshow is not too long. This will divide them in taxonomic order about half way.

Slideshow of Muscicapidae in taxonomic order – First Half

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Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. (Matthew 2:1-2 KJV)

“Wise Men Still Seek Him” – Trio and Choir

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“Heaven’s Announcement” – message by Pastor Osborne last Sunday. About the birth of Christ.

Shepherd ©Flickr

Shepherd ©Flickr

More Sunday Inspirations

Muscicapidae – Chats and Old World Flycatchers

Faith Baptist Church

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Sunday Inspiration – Oxpeckers and Thrushes

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Red-billed Oxpecker (Buphagus erythrorynchus) by Africaddict

Red-billed Oxpecker (Buphagus erythrorynchus) by Africaddict

Then He answered them, saying, “Which of you, having a donkey or an ox that has fallen into a pit, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?” (Luke 14:5 NKJV)

This Sunday’s continuation of the Passerines (Songbirds) bring us to two more families, one small with only 2 species of Oxpeckers and the other, the large Thrush family with 167 members.

Yellow-billed Oxpecker with Water Buffalo ©©

Yellow-billed Oxpecker with Water Buffalo ©©

The oxpeckers are two species of bird which make up the family Buphagidae. Oxpeckers are endemic to the savanna of Sub-Saharan Africa. Both the English and scientific names arise from their habit of perching on large mammals (both wild and domesticated) such as cattle or rhinoceroses, and eating ticks, botfly larvae, and other parasites.

Oxpeckers feed exclusively on the backs of large mammals. Certain species are seemingly preferred, whereas others, like the Lichtenstein’s hartebeest or Topi are generally avoided. Smaller antelope such as lechwe, duikers and reedbuck are also avoided, the smallest regularly used species is the Impala, probably because of the heavy tick load and social nature of that species. In many parts of their range they now feed on cattle, but avoid camels. They feed on ectoparasites, particularly ticks, as well as insects infecting wounds and the flesh and blood of some wounds as well. (Info from Wikipedia)

Orange-headed Thrush (Geokichla citrina) ©WikiC

Orange-headed Thrush (Geokichla citrina) ©WikiC

Thrushes are medium-sized mostly insectivorous or omnivorous birds. The genus, Turdus, is the largest genus of the thrush family, Turdidae.

The Turdus genus has a cosmopolitan distribution, with species in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. Several species have also colonized some oceanic islands, and two species have been introduced to New Zealand. Some New World species are called robins, the most famous of which is the American robin. Several species are migratory.

American Robin (Turdus migratorius)with youngsters by Raymond Barlow

American Robin (Turdus migratorius)with youngsters by Raymond Barlow

They are insectivorous, but most species also eat worms, land snails, and fruit. Many species are permanently resident in warm climes, while others migrate to higher latitudes during summer, often over considerable distances.

Thrushes build cup-shaped nests, sometimes lining them with mud. They lay two to five speckled eggs, sometimes laying two or more clutches per year. Both parents help in raising the young.

The songs of some species, including members of the genera Catharus, Myadestes, and Turdus, are considered to be among the most beautiful in the avian world. (Info from Wikipedia)

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“Even the stork in the sky Knows her seasons; And the turtledove and the swift and the thrush Observe the time of their migration; But My people do not know The ordinance of the LORD. (Jeremiah 8:7 NASB)

“I Heard The Bells With Peace On Earth” – with Jessie Padgett, Angel Long and the FX Girls

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Faith Baptist has just recently started posting our services on YouTube. Here is last Sunday’s Message (Dec 6, 2015) if you would like to watch it. We have a great pastor and church. He is doing a Christmas theme during December.

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Sunday Inspirations

Buphagidae – Oxpeckers Family

Turdidae – Thrushes Family

PASSERIFORMES Order

Birds of the Bible – Thrushes

Birds of the Bible – Bluebirds

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FBT Little Quartet – Christmas Carols

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A friend sent me this and thought I would share it.

O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.
(Psalms 67:4 KJV)

Plus – Elephants Helping A Calf Out of a Waterhole

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Baby Elephant at Lowry Park Zoo by Lee

Baby Elephant at Lowry Park Zoo by Lee

Focusing On Wildlife.com shared this video of Elephants Helping A Calf Out of a Waterhole.

It is very touching and neat to see them all work together to get the little one out.

Enjoy!!!

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As these elephants helped the youngster, may we remember these verse to encourage us:

For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. (Psalms 72:12 KJV)

Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper. (Psalms 30:10 KJV)

Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul. (Psalms 54:4 KJV)

So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper,…(Hebrews 13:6a KJV)

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