On June 3rd, 4th, and 5th, the birds visiting the yard slowed down. On Thursday the 3rd, a White Ibis, the normal four Pekins, a female Anhinga and a Boat-tailed Grackle wandered around, and a Great Egret flew by. Friday, the 4th was even slower with only the female Anhinga, Muscovy, the four Pekins, the White Ibis and two Sandhill Cranes strutting around.
Yesterday was even less entertaining with the Pekins, Boat-tailed Grackle, and the Loggerhead Shrike. The Shrike was gathering grass and flying across the pond to a tree. We actually spotted a second Shrike. Wonder if they are making a nest. That would be blessing to see baby Shrikes later on. Today is Sunday and we really didn’t spend much time at breakfast.
Isn’t it just like the birds to slow down their morning visits when I decide to start a new series. We have gotten some rain finally in the last few days, and maybe the worms have come up for air. The birds may busy catching them instead of coming by here. Oh, well. Stay tuned!
Church Signs:
How cool is it that the same God who created mountains and oceans and galaxies thought the world needed one of you too!
A good example has twice the value of good advice.
Truths To Consider:
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8 NKJV) “For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” (John 13:15-17 NKJV)
A couple more great Church Signs and Verses. There are some challenges here for us to consider.
While we were eating breakfast, I was making a list of the birds that were out our back door. You have seen many of the photos, and posts about these Breakfast Blessings. Yet, like Tuesday, we were just eating and watching the antics of our Avian Wonders. There is always a squabble or two going on over something, one standing watch guard, as the rest are eating, seeing a new injury, or a bird that hasn’t stopped or flown by lately. What a delight!
Also, in our reading of Scripture, there is always a passage, or verse that catches your attention. Plus, I have a daily calander this year that has sayings from Church Signs. Humm! What if I tie all three of these into a series for the blog? So, after thinking along that trail, here is the first attempt at writing a new series.
Birdingwatching and Blessings – 6/1/21
We were blessed with having a parade of birds come into view while having our breakfast this morning. A couple of Mourning Doves landed first, and then two Loggerhead Shrikes landed on the feeder hook. First time we have spotted two of them. The Black-Bellied Whistling Duck couple showed up next to check out the ground feeders. They are becoming quite regular visitors. Mornings and in the evening. Three Boat-tailed Grackles landed across the water, and flew over to harrass the Whistling Ducks.
The neighborhood Muscovy ducks waddled and strutted around, while a Green Heron landed by the water. He looked around a minute or two, and then flew off. I walked outside to put some more seed in the feeders, when I heard and saw a Killdeer fly by. Had it not been calling, I would have missed seeing it. As I was walking back in the house, when I turned to close the door, a Tricolored Heron landed by the water. Not bad for a span of about 30 minutes!! [No photos for any of this.]
Church Signs:
Here are two to start us off:
Fix another person’s crown without telling the world it was crooked.
Failure and success are on the same road. Success is just further down that road.
Truths To Consider:
God’s Steadfast Love and Compassion
“Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea. (Micah 7:18-19)
What a great promise!
Stay tuned as this series is developed. Lord’s Blessing on you.
[P.S. It’s dated two days ago because that is when these birds were spotted and the series idea began to grow.]
“Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,” (1 Chronicles 16:12 NKJV)
Yesterday, the Eleventh Anniversary of Blogging About Birds article mentioned our early beginnings for this blog. Today, I’d like to continue with what the Lord has enabled us to do. Over the years, there have been Anniversary articles written. Each one tried to update the latest events, but also, to look back and thank the Lord for His blessings. The Lord wants us to “Remember.” His blessings.
“Remember to magnify His work, Of which men have sung.” (Job 36:24 NKJV)
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) by Dan
Here are six of those years:
“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands.” (Psalms 143:5 NKJV)
Actually, yesterday, I used a quotes from Jim Elliot, but was actually thinking of a quote I used in the Happy One Year Anniversary! article. This is what happens as you age. :) Both men were great missionaries and showed tremendous insight in their quotes.
“Our pastor just reminded us of a quote by William Carey, an English Missionary to India:
“Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.”
It appears that I forgot to produce a Third or Fourth year anniversary article. Plenty was going on. The number of visitors to this blog, for which I am thankful for everyone who visits every time, was up to 250,000 on Apr. 9, 2011. 500,000 visits by Mar. 1, 2012, and about 850,000 by the time the Fifth Anniversary rolled around. Formed by Him started around the beginning of 2012. Also, many very talented photographers allowed me the permission to use their photos. There has been a list of them in the right column for years.
White-throated Sparrow by Ray Barlow
In 2013, I remembered to produce a Fifth Blog Anniversary post. There I mentioned the second blog site, Birds of the Bible for Kids. That website was started to get back to the roots of the whole purpose of blogging. That is, introducing young people to the Birds that are mentioned in the Bible. Like this main blog, it also has had growing pains. It was started, then I killed it and moved all the articles over here. Then last year, I decided to restart it back up. Much of the ups and downs of doing the “kids blog” has been due to my health issues. Right now it is up and running, not full speed, but then, neither am I running at full speed. Though I am much improved from last summer’s back surgery. Let’s hope and pray that the young people’s blog starts producing more articles.
I forgot again on the Sixth anniversary of the blog, but WordPress reminded me. Never Give Up
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand. I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.” (Psalms 37:23-25 NKJV)
Enough for now. I trust you are enjoying seeing how the Lord leads in our lives. Who ever thought that six years into doing a blog would have lead me to that point. I’ll tell you more in the next part.
Whatever your talent or abilities, if you know the Lord as your Savior, let Him use you. This is just a little blog in the midst of millions, yet the Lord has been using it. That is what I read from your remarks. Thank you for visiting over the years.
“The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.” (Exodus 15:2 NKJV)
Trust you will enjoy a different Sunday Inspiration. A friend sent this and I wanted to share it, plus, I have been dealing with my back problem and am awaiting surgery. Thanks for understanding not using birds for a change.
“This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalms 118:23-24 KJV)
“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” (Isaiah 40:8 KJV)
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” (Matthew 23:37 KJV)
Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. (Psalms 96:1-4 NKJV)
For the last two weeks, I have had to stay close to home. First, the disc in my back slipped a little more, causing great pain and lack of mobility. (The biggest slip was back in August) Then, after making it almost through the winter without bronchitis, it caught up with me. The pollen was so heavy, that it was necessary to just stay home to get things back in control. So, this was all mentioned for several reasons. 1) Prayers are always accepted. 2) I was able to work on my online course from the School of Biblical Apologetics. 3) Best of all, the Lord kept sending Avian Wonders for me to watch and be reminded that He always cares for them and us.
“[Even the migratory birds are punctual to their seasons.] Yes, the stork [excelling in the great height of her flight] in the heavens knows her appointed times [of migration], and the turtledove, the swallow, and the crane observe the time of their return. But My people do not know the law of the Lord [which the lower animals instinctively recognize in so far as it applies to them].” (Jeremiah 8:7 AMP)
The most surprising was the American Goldfinches that started coming to my feeders. Very seldom do any come by to dine. Maybe one or two at most. Several times over a week or so, we saw as many as 14 at one time. We figured that they were probably a small flock making their way north for the summer, and with the Lord’s help, landed here to rest and “tank-up” for the rest of their journey. They seem to have now continued their migration. Haven’t seen but the one or two who come by occasionally for the last two days. (OOPS!!!) Just looked out the window while working on this article and now there are at least 10 of them out there feeding. YEAH!!
Here are some of the photos of them, unfortunately, photographed through a screened window.
Goldfinches at feeders by Lee thru screen
Goldfinches at feeders by Lee thru screen
Goldfinches at feeders by Lee thru screen
Goldfinches at feeders by Lee thru screen
Goldfinches at feeders by Lee thru screen
Goldfinches at feeders by Lee thru screen
Goldfinches at feeders by Lee thru screen
Goldfinches at feeders by Lee thru screen
Goldfinches at feeders by Lee thru screen
Goldfinches at feeders by Lee thru screen
Sandhill Youngster in Yard 3-26-16
Then on Saturday, mom and pop Sandhill Crane came to the yard with their two new youngsters. This time, Dan was able to take the camera and get a few photos of them.
Sandhill Youngster in Yard 3-26-16
Sandhill Youngster in Yard 3-26-16
Sandhill Youngster in Yard 3-26-16
Sandhill Youngster in Yard 3-26-16
Yesterday, Easter, we drove over to Tampa to the Bayside Community Church to hear Dr. James J. S. Johnson from the Institute for Creation Research speak. On the way over, we had two Swallow tailed Kites fly right over us. They migrate through here this time of the year. They seem to stay for about 2-3 months and then head on north. They are so beautiful to watch.
Swallow-tailed Kite
We always have the Lord’s Wonders to behold, if we just stay alert. He sends blessings to us, even when we may think we are “down.”
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.
Michael Powell loves to take photographs of Dragonflies and other neat things – up close. This one caught my attention because it reminds me of a great promise from the Lord.
“Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us.” (Hosea 6:1 NASB)
Tree Swallows Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge by jeremyjonkman on Flickr From Pinterest
“Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9:11 KJV)
While thinking about a post for this Thanksgiving, I looked back to see what had been written in the past. Wow! Had forgotten so many have been posted. From way back in 2008, the first year of the blog until last year when I got wound up and posted several. So, today, the day before Thanksgiving, it’s time to bring those back out to review. Part of Thanksgiving is remembering all our blessings from the past.
Happy Thanksgivingwas written in 2008. (I actually still had some color in my hair.) :))
I can see I am going to be challenged to come up with something for tomorrow. But the following verse assures me, there are still many blessings to recount. Your visits to the blog are a great blessings.
Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23 NKJV)
Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus 