Tag Archives: Nature

Bible Birds Scrambled Puzzle

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Western Barn Owl (Tyto alba) by SSlayton

Western Barn Owl (Tyto alba) by SSlayton

Creation Moments has Scrambled Scriptures Puzzles each week that you can subscribe to. Click here to see all of them.

This is one that has the Birds of the Bible scrambled. By clicking the link below, you can download it. Then it can be printed. Enjoy!

L T R L N A G T U R T L E D O V E T
W Q T N E T E B C A O K R O T S U Q
O C N O V G G S L I A U Q E G E E G
R B A C A S A N P Y E R P S O N A L
F H R L R N R R I A M V C F O A Y E
Y J O A E O F R E G R Z T V K R Z D
H T M F S R I U T R H R U Y C C Z E
D H R C F E S Y I K U T O C U B P K
V C O S C H S W K Y J D H W C I O C
P I C G D H O O E A G L E A G O U O
V R D E G D I R T R A P O E W Y G C
U T N H V U U C U Z Y Q O P C K N A
L S N O N E D B K K B N W F P L I E
T O W O O U T D M E M K L B H Y W P
U U Z P G C O C H L N C W W P V P F
R T R O Q V W O L L A W S A T K A B
E X E E E U B I T T E R N X H L L C
R H E A W G N A C I L E P N A W S X  ©Creation Moments
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BITTERN
CHICKEN
CORMORANT
CRANE
CROW
CUCKOO
DOVE
EAGLE
FALCON
GLEDE
HAWK
HERON
HOOPOE
KITE
LAPWING
NIGHTHAWK
OSPREY
OSSIFRAGE
OSTRICH
OWL
PARTRIDGE
PEACOCK
PELICAN
PIGEON
QUAIL
RAVEN
SPARROW
STORK
SWALLOW
SWAN
TURTLEDOVE
VULTURE

Bible Birds Puzzle

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Lake Hollingsworth 1/17/14

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Lake Hollingsworth

Lake Hollingsworth 1-17-2014

Today we finally got out to do a little birdwatching. Dan wanted to check out something on his camera, so we stopped by Lake Hollingsworth in Lakeland today.

After working on the update for the Birds of the World, I thought I would take Peter England’s advice on his comment and get out in the sunshine.

Peter England

Well done Lee, go outside and enjoy the warm sun. Wear a hat….! Birds have a strange way of congratulating people like you !
Still your friend ? Peter E.

Yes, he is still my friend. :o)  I did not wear my hat though.  :o(    But I received kind congrats from the birds, so all is well.

We saw mostly the normal birds for that lake, though there was a lack of birds today. It had been cold last night and maybe they were still under their blankets.

Ibises and Wood Stork

The White Ibises, about 40 of them, greeted us. They were looking for a handout, but we were just there to take a few pictures. So they walked back off. Some of the birds seen were the Mallards, Common Gallinules, Royal Terns, Ring-billed Gulls, Double-crested Cormorants (way out on the lake), Anhingas, Muscovy Ducks, Tricolored and Great Blue Herons, Red-winged Blackbirds and Boat-tailed Grackles. A flock of about 200 or more Fish Crows flew over, making their calls as they flew by.

Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) yellow by Lee

Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) yellow by Lee

The hardest part was trying to get a photo of the numerous Warblers that were flitting around the trees. They kept moving so much, I couldn’t get a decent shot. I did ID a Palm Warbler because it was standing on the dock. Also, some Yellow-rumped Warblers, because their yellow rumps showed up. Not sure if they are one of the split ones like a Magnolia or not.

Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) by Lee at Circle B

Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) by Lee at Circle B

Dan got a decent photo of a Yellow-throated Warbler and I have one that is yellow, but not sure what it is. So, it is right here. Maybe someone knows for sure and will leave a comment. We get most of our Warblers down here in the winter and I really do not know that many of them. (Update: It is a Pine Warbler thanks to a reader.) It is easier to photograph the big birds like Herons, Ibises, Egrets, Anhingas and Cormorants which we see often.

Unknown Warbler by Lee

Unknown Warbler by Lee

We also found a snake sunning itself. Dan got up close to get its picture, but I stayed back. It never moved the whole time we were watching it. We were down in the mid-30’s (F) last night, so it may not have been able to scurry away.

Not a bad birdwatching adventure for about 30 minutes worth of time. I just enjoy seeing the Lord’s neat birds out and about doing their thing.

You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created. (Revelation 4:11 NKJV)

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*** My original photos were hacked. These are not the ones used originally. ***
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Birdwatching Trips

Lake Hollingsworth Birdwatching Trips

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Family Pages Done – IOC 4.1

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Puffin with Sand Eels

Puffin with Sand Eels

All 237 Family pages are updated to the new I.O.C. 4.1 Version. I am still kicking up dust and now preparing the Alphabetical Indexes.

Stay Tuned! Thanks for the encouraging Likes and Comments.

And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. (Ecclesiastes 12:12 NKJV)

In the mean time, a friend sent me this article and I love the photo of the Puffin.

http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2014/01/a-trip-to-the-farne-islands/100658/

There are some great photos of the Farne Islands. It is from The Atlantic.

Birds of the World (When you see that page show 4.1 Version, you’ll know I am finished.)

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Odds and Ends – Jan 2014

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Sandhill Cranes and American White Ibis by Lee across street

Sandhill Cranes and American White Ibis by Lee across street

I am behind the scene kicking up dust again. The new I.O.C. World Bird List Version 4.1 just came out on the 7th. Yesterday, they finally released the Excel spreadsheet to update our sites. As you may know, I use the IOC’s list for my Birds of the World lists. So each page has to be updated, even if it is only changing 3.5 to 4.1. It still has to be done. There are around 350 pages involved.

There now 10,518 extant species and 150 extinct species of birds of the world (Version 4.1), with subspecies (20,976) and annotations. Classification of 40 Orders, 232 Families (plus 5 Incertae sedis), 2274 Genera are included. They added 12 new species and deleted one.

Superb Parrot (Polytelis swainsonii) by Ian

Superb Parrot (Polytelis swainsonii) by Ian

One of the big changes is in the Taxonomic orders of the Parrots and Falcons. They are now placed just before the Passerines and right after the Woodpeckers. I have that much done and am now starting on the Passeriformes Order. (Those are the perching birds and also the largest Order) Another big change is a reshuffling of the Muscicapidae – Chats, Old World Flycatchers family. (It is on my “to do” list :o) )

In the mean time, we had the privilege of seeing 22 Sandhill Cranes feeding across the street from my backyard a few days back. Then today, we spotted that same group feeding about a 1/2 mile down the road. Two more groups were spotted of 7 and 4. That is about the most I have ever seen in one day.

Did you enjoy the Sunday Inspiration – Eagles I posted Sunday? I am thinking about making that a weekly post. Either using photos of different families or some theme like “Rock Birds” in a slideshow and play a song related to the Rock of our salvation, etc. Sundays are busy for us and I don’t always post on that day. It is a day of “rest” you know.

On Duty Sandhill Crane by Lee

On Duty Sandhill Crane by Lee

By the way, when Sandhills eat, there is always at least one who is on guard and watches over the others. Brings to mind a couple of verses.

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. (Hebrews 13:17 NKJV)

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7 NKJV)

Back to the dust, I have work to do.

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Bird of the World – Blue-Cheeked Bee-eater

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What a neat video of the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater. I have seen photos of them, but seeing birds in action is always special. There are some birds that just hit my fancy as I admire the Lord’s Handiwork. The Bee-eaters are one of those.

By Igor Byshnev

Matthew 6:25-34 NKJV
(25) “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
(26) Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
(27) Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
(28) “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;
(29) and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
(30) Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
(31) “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
(32) For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
(33) But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
(34) Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Bee-eaters belong to the Meropidae – Bee-eaters Family which has 27 species.

As the name suggests, bee-eaters predominantly eat flying insects, especially bees and wasps, which are caught in the air by sallies from an open perch. While they pursue any type of flying insect, honey bees predominate in their diet. Hymenoptera (ants, bees and wasps) comprise from 20% to 96% of all insects eaten, with honey bees comprising approximately one-third of the Hymenoptera. (Wikipedia with editing)

Articles Mentioning Birds From This Family:

Other Websites that have photos of this Family:

Gideon

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Birds of the World – Blue-cheeked Bee-eater

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Southern Carmine Bee-eater (Merops nubicus) by Marc at Africaddict

Southern Carmine Bee-eater (Merops nubicus) by Marc at Africaddict

What a neat video of the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater. I have seen photos of them, but seeing birds in action is always special. There are some birds that just hit my fancy as I admire the Lord’s Handiwork. The Bee-eaters are one of those.

By Igor Byshnev

Matthew 6:25-34 NKJV
(25) “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
(26) Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
(27) Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
(28) “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;
(29) and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
(30) Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
(31) “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
(32) For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
(33) But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
(34) Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Bee-eaters belong to the Meropidae – Bee-eaters Family which has 27 species.

As the name suggests, bee-eaters predominantly eat flying insects, especially bees and wasps, which are caught in the air by sallies from an open perch. While they pursue any type of flying insect, honey bees predominate in their diet. Hymenoptera (ants, bees and wasps) comprise from 20% to 96% of all insects eaten, with honey bees comprising approximately one-third of the Hymenoptera. (Wikipedia with editing)

Articles Mentioning Birds From This Family:

Other Websites that have photos of this Family:

Wordless Birds

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Grey (or Gray) Catbird Mimicry

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Grey Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) by Africaddict

Grey Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) by Africaddict

I came across a very interesting YouTube from the LabofOrnithology. It tells about how the Grey (Gray) Catbird mimics so many bird species (and a frog also). Listen as Greg Budney, audio curator at the Macaulay Library, dissects the recording and notes each snippet of mimicked song. (IOC uses the name Grey Catbird and some others still use the Gray spelling.)

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Isn’t that amazing? He produced it very well by showing the bird and then the Catbird mimicking it. I have always enjoyed finding our Grey Catbirds in this area. (When you can find them!)

Catbirds get their name because they belong to several unrelated groups of songbirds because their wailing calls, which resemble a cat’s meowing. The genus name Ailuroedus likewise is from the Greek for “cat-singer” or “cat-voiced”.

Australasian catbirds are the genera Ailuroedus and the monotypic Scenopooetes. They belong to the bowerbird family (Ptilonorhynchidae) of the basal songbirds:

  • White-eared Catbird (Ailuroedus buccoides) *LLABS
  • Green Catbird (Ailuroedus crassirostris)
  • Spotted Catbird (Ailuroedus melanotis)

New World catbirds are two monotypic genera from the mimid family (Mimidae) of the passeridan superfamily Muscicapoidea. Among the Mimidae, they represent independent basal lineages probably closer to the Caribbean thrasher and trembler assemblage than to the mockingbirds and Toxostoma thrashers:

  • Grey Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)*LLABS*
  • Black Catbird (Melanoptila glabrirostris)

A monotypic genus from Africa. It is tentatively placed in the Sylviidae – Sylviid Babblers of the passeridan superfamily Sylvioidea, but possibly closer to the typical warblers of the Sylviidae.

  • Abyssinian Catbird (Parophasma galinieri)
Grey Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) by Raymond Barlow

Grey Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) by Raymond Barlow

Woe to the world for such temptations to sin and influences to do wrong!… (Matthew 18:7 AMP)

And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he repeated them in the hearing of the LORD. (1 Samuel 8:21 NKJV)

He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends. (Proverbs 17:9 AMP)

By the blessing of the influence of the upright and God’s favor [because of them] the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. He who belittles and despises his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding keeps silent. He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy and faithful in spirit keeps the matter hidden. (Proverbs 11:11-13 AMP)

As I was watching the video some verses came to mind. What are we mimicking? I’ve written about the birds that repeat what we say in, Birds of the Bible – Repeating Birds. When we watch TV, listen to music, listen to speeches, read the newspaper, etc. We are being influenced. There are times when we “mimic” what we have seen or heard. It can go either way.

We can hear and mimic (copy) the good OR we can hear and mimic (copy) the bad. I trust we are following the Lord and His teachings.

If we mimic, let us mimic the Lord.

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Interesting Things – Dragonfly

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Thinking

Here is an interesting video fromYouTube.com – Exploration Films about the Dragonflies. It is very interesting.

Dragonfly by Phil Kwong

Dragonfly by Phil Kwong

Learning from the Dragonfly by Creation Moments

“Scientists studying the dragonfly are learning even more secrets of flight. Our best high-performance aircraft can barely lift themselves off the ground. However, the dragonfly can lift 15 times his own weight into the air.”

The Amazing Mosquito Hawk by Creation Moments

But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?
(Job 12:7-9 KJV)

More articles from Creation Moments:

100 Foot Ferns “dragonflies had wingspans of six feet”

The Pre-Flood Atmosphere “dragonflies were the size of hawks”

From Creation Ministries International:

“Dragonflies

Dragonflies are probably the most beautiful of the flying insects. There are about 4,500 different varieties. They begin their life in water, where eggs hatch into rather ugly brown nymphs. The time spent living in water varies from a few weeks to several years, but for all the varieties the day comes when the nymph suddenly has the urge to climb out of the water. It sits for a while at the top of a piece of grass until its skin splits open and out comes a dragonfly! After waiting for its wings to become firm and dry, the dragonfly flies away, its lovely colours glinting in the sunshine.

Although they are very small, dragonflies are wonderfully designed for flying. Their two pairs of wings are very light, but strengthened by a network of tiny veins, which not only carry blood fluid to keep the wings stiff, but also nerves and oxygen. Some dragonflies beat their wings 40 times in one second! Dragonflies are like tiny helicopters—they can even fly backwards! In fact, Igor Sikorsky, who first designed helicopters, for the idea from watching dragonflies.

Dragonfly by QuyTran

Dragonfly by QuyTran

Another wonderful thing about dragonflies is their eyes. Each pair of eyes is actually made up of as many as 30,000 separate eyes, each with its own lens! This enables the insect to see what is happening over a wide area, and spot every tiny movement without moving its head.

The supposedly oldest fossil dragonflies are just like dragonflies are now, except that they were much larger—75 centimeters (2.5 feet) from wing-tip to wing-tip! So there is no evidence that they evolved from ancestors without wings. And surely those amazing eyes did not evolve? Dragonflies are another of the many wonders of God’s creation!” From Our World (Answers for Kids.)

Astonishing acrobatics – dragonflies – by Johathan Sarfati

(Updated 4/29/09)

Dragonflies and fighter pilots – what can we learn? by Ken Ham

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Originally posted in 2009 – this is a duplicate.

More Interesting Things:

Interesting Things – Dragonflies II

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Birds of the Bible – Snowy Owl in Florida

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Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) by Raymond Barlow

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) by Raymond Barlow (Not the one being seen)

the ostrich, the short-eared owl, the sea gull, and the hawk after its kind; the little owl, the fisher owl, and the screech owl; the white owl, the jackdaw, and the carrion vulture;
(Leviticus 11:16-18 NKJV)

And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind, And the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl, (Leviticus 11:16-17 KJV)

Florida birdwatchers are pleased to have an odd appearance of a Snowy Owl. She is a young owl, but she has quite a following down here. What makes this so unusual is that she is way out of the normal winter grounds for these birds. This is only the third observation of the Snowy Owl in Florida. We are known for our “Snowbirds,” but the Snowy Owl definitely qualifies as a “Snowbird.”

This bird has made a temporary home at the Little Talbot Island State Park. Not sure how the bird has any privacy. Birdwatchers from all around are making trips to Duval County, where Jacksonville is located. She was still there as of yesterday, Jan 5, 2014.

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) Female in Florida 2013-2014 ©©minds-eye

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) Female in Florida 2013-2014 ©©minds-eye

Snowy Owl (bubo scandiacus) are members of the Strigidae – Owl Family. They are the largest North American Owl. Owls are a Bird of the Bible and depending on which version you use, Owls are mentioned in 14 verses in the KJV, but a “Snowy Owl” is not mentioned, but the “great” and “white” owls are mentioned. What a lovely creation from our Lord.

This yellow-eyed, black-beaked white bird is easily recognizable. It is 52–71 cm (20–28 in) long, with a 125–150 cm (49–59 in) wingspan. Also, these birds can weigh anywhere from 1.6 to 3 kg (3.5 to 6.6 lb).[3] It is one of the largest species of owl and, in North America, is on average the heaviest owl species. The adult male is virtually pure white, but females and young birds have some dark scalloping; the young are heavily barred, and dark spotting may even predominate. Its thick plumage, heavily feathered taloned feet, and colouration render the Snowy Owl well-adapted for life north of the Arctic Circle.

Snowy Owl calls are varied, but the alarm call is a barking, almost quacking krek-krek; the female also has a softer mewling pyee-pyee or prek-prek. The song is a deep repeated gahw. They may also clap their beak in response to threats or annoyances. While called clapping, it is believed this sound may actually be a clicking of the tongue, not the beak.

This powerful bird relies primarily on lemmings and other small rodents for food during the breeding season, but at times of low prey density, or during the ptarmigan nesting period, they may switch to favoring juvenile ptarmigan. They are opportunistic hunters and prey species may vary considerably, especially in winter. They feed on a wide variety of small mammals such as meadow voles and deer mice, but will take advantage of larger prey, frequently following traplines to find food. Some of the larger mammal prey includes hares, muskrats, marmots, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, prairie dogs, rats, moles, smaller birds, entrapped furbearers. Birds preyed upon include ptarmigan, other ducks, geese, shorebirds, pheasants, grouse, coots, grebes, gulls, songbirds, and even other raptors, including other owl species. Most of the owls’ hunting is done in the “sit and wait” style; prey may be captured on the ground or in the air, or fish may be snatched off the surface of bodies of water using their sharp talons. Each bird must capture roughly 7 to 12 mice per day to meet its food requirement and can eat more than 1,600 lemmings per year.

Snowy Owls, like many other birds, swallow their small prey whole. Strong stomach juices digest the flesh, while the indigestible bones, teeth, fur, and feathers are compacted into oval pellets that the bird regurgitates 18 to 24 hours after feeding. Regurgitation often takes place at regular perches, where dozens of pellets may be found. Biologists frequently examine these pellets to determine the quantity and types of prey the birds have eaten. When large prey are eaten in small pieces, pellets will not be produced. (Wikipedia)

Here are some of the links to articles:

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Bible Birds – Crane’s Introduction

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Crane’s Introduction

Sandhill Cranes and Babies in yard by Lee

Sandhill Cranes and Babies in yard

Even the stork in the heavens knows her times, and the turtledove, swallow, and crane keep the time of their coming, but my people know not the rules of the LORD. (Jeremiah 8:7 ESV)

Cranes are in the Gruidae Family of the Gruiformes Order. At present there are 15 species or members of that family. All of them are called Cranes, except for one member. That is the Brolga which is found in New Guinea and Australia. Cranes are another of the Lord’s creation that I enjoy watching. We are fortunate to be able to see Sandhill Cranes almost daily. Just spotted 18 today across from my backyard and will post an article about it soon.

Brolga(Grusrubicunda) by Ian

Brolga(Grusrubicunda) by Ian

Cranes bear a general resemblance to Herons in that they are long-legged, long-necked birds, but when on the wing, they carry the neck fully extended, a habit which will readily distinguish them from the curved neck Herons. Cranes are less aquatic than Herons and are often found feeding on the prairies or pine-barrens where worms, grasshoppers, lizards, roots, etc., form their fare. They nest on the ground laying two buffy eggs thickly marked with brown. The young, unlike the nearly naked, helpless young of Herons, are born covered with down and can soon follow their parents. The Cranes have loud sonorous voices; the Herons raucous croaks.

Sandhill Crane from Color Key to North American Birds, by Frank M. Chapman

Sandhill Crane from Color Key to North American Birds, by Frank M. Chapman

They have the hind-toe elevated, that is, leaving the foot at a higher level than the front toes; tail short; legs usually long. All fly with the neck extended, a fact by which Cranes in flight may be known from Herons. (Color Key to North American Birds, by Frank M. Chapman)

Cranes are a Bible Bird and appear in two verses, the one above (Jeremiah 8:7) and in the following verse:

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)

A Sandhill Crane call. Does it sound like a chatter?

(From xeno.canto)

Cranes construct platform nests in shallow water, and typically lay two eggs at a time. Both parents help to rear the young, which remain with them until the next breeding season.

Cranes migrate (travel to a warmer climate in winter) as mention in Jeremiah 8:7. Here is a photo of Common Cranes in Israel gathered together.

Common Cranes in Israel. Many species of crane gather in large groups during migration and on their wintering grounds ©WikiC

Common Cranes in Israel. Many species of crane gather in large groups during migration and on their wintering grounds ©WikiC

Cranes are one of the tallest flying birds, but more on that in another Bible Birds article.

See:

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Wordless Birds
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You’re the King(‘s) Bird

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Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) by Margaret Sloan

Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) by Margaret Sloan

You’re the King(‘s) Bird ~ by a j mithra

With dark gray upper parts and a neat white tip to the tail, the Eastern Kingbird looks like it’s wearing a business suit.

And this big-headed, broad-shouldered bird does mean business—just watch one harassing crows, Red-tailed Hawks, Great Blue Herons, and other birds that pass over its territory.

Eastern Kingbirds often perch on wires in open areas and either sally out for flying insects or flutter slowly over the tops of grasses.

They spend winters in South American forests, where they eat mainly fruit.

Kingbirds are “passerines,” a taxonomic group commonly referred to as perching birds or songbirds. But kingbirds and other flycatchers are in a different subgroup from true songbirds, and they don’t have nearly as complex voices. Rather than learning their calls they probably perform them innately. The young begin to give adult calls at about two weeks of age.

God created us to worship Him after He threw satan.

This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.” Isaiah 43:21

Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) by Daves BirdingPix

Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) by Daves BirdingPix

Like these birds, worship in our lives should be innate.

  • But, what are we doing in our lives?

We seem to have preset, pre-timed and pre-modeled our spiritual lives in tune with traditional church practices. Come Sunday, we celebrate and worship like as if that would be the last day of our lives. What about week days? Week days seem to be weak days with no personal worship. Corporate worship is fine, but, if personal worship is missing in our lives, is it possible to survive the spiritual warfare against satan. After all, it’s the worship that breaks the hell loose isn’t it?

  • Did not Joshua and his men bring down the walls of Jericho through their worship?”
  • The worship of King Josiah’s choir brought them victory over their enemies isn’t it?
  • Peter and Silas worshipped and their worship broke their chains?

How many times have we read them all, but, do we practice them in our lives?
May be we think that these instances tell us about the power of corporate worship!

Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Psalm 100:2

If only we had set our lives based on the above verse, our lives would be as triumphant as King David isn’t it? That is the reason why God calls David as a man after His own heart!

And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. Acts 13:22

The Bible calls us as the Royal priesthood. The price to be paid to be called so is worship.

  • David worshipped at all times and God turned him into a king.

I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1

  • Are we worthy to be called the Royal priesthood?
King's Crown ©©British Columbia Field Ornithologists

King’s Crown ©©British Columbia Field Ornithologists

It’s not called a kingbird for nothing. The Eastern Kingbird has a crown of yellow, orange, or red feathers on its head, but the crown is usually concealed.

We as children of the King of kings are not called the royal priesthood for nothing. That doesn’t mean that we are born with crowns over our heads, but, God is waiting
for us to finish our race to get our crown. We need to cross check our lives with that of the word of God to find out which crown we deserve to get at the end of the race.

Here are a few crowns waiting for us.

The Incorruptible Crown:

And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I Corinthians 9:25

The crown of rejoicing:

“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?” 1 Thessalonians 2:19

The crown of righteousness:

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8

The crown of glory:

And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 1 Peter 5:4

The crown of life :

Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10)

Above all God calls us as His crown. What privilege it is for sinners like me to be called as the crown that the Creator Himself holds in His hands!

Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. Isaiah 62:3

When they encounter a potential predator the kingbird may simultaneously raise its bright crown patch,stretch its beak wide open to reveal a red gape, and dive-bomb the intruder.

What do we do when we encounter satan’s plans in our lives?

  • Raise our crown?
  • Dive-bomb?

Our God has given us double barreled ammunition to thwart and nullify satan’s plans. Be still and worship the King and He shall sent His heavenly army to raise a banner for us. For, He is Jehovah Nissi.

So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19

Yours in YESHUA,
a j mithra

Lee’s Addition:

Thanks A J. Glad you are finally getting better and able to produce another great article for us. Our prayers are with you.

The Eastern Kingbird, featured in this article is part of the Tyrannidae – Tyrant Flycatchers Family. There are 11 Kingbirds in the family. They belong to flycatchers

Snowy-throated Kingbird (Tyrannus niveigularis)
White-throated Kingbird (Tyrannus albogularis)
Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus)
Couch’s Kingbird (Tyrannus couchii)
Cassin’s Kingbird (Tyrannus vociferans)
Thick-billed Kingbird (Tyrannus crassirostris)
Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis)
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus)
Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana)
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)
Grey Kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis)
Giant Kingbird (Tyrannus cubensis)
Loggerhead Kingbird (Tyrannus caudifasciatus)

As the name implies, a great majority of tyrant-flycatchers are entirely insectivorous (though do not necessarily specialized in flies). However, food can vary greatly and some (like the large Great Kiskadee) will eat fruit or small vertebrates (e.g. small frogs). In North America, most species are associated with a “sallying” feeding style, where they fly up to catch an insect directly from their perch and then immediately return to the same perch. Most tropical species however do not feed in this fashion and several types prefer to glean insects from leaves and barks. Tropical species are sometimes found in mixed-species foraging flocks, where various types of passerines and other smallish birds are found feeding in proximity. (Wikipedia)

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Just Because – If It Fits, I Sits Supercut Video

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Owl in Drain - If It Fits-I Sits

Owl in Drain – If It Fits-I Sits

Here is the  – If It Fits, I Sits Supercut Video

If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity and their years in pleasantness and joy. (Job 36:11 AMP)

I couldn’t resist. I received an email with a lot of photos and then found this video. Enjoy!

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Additional Photos

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