“The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.” (Malachi 2:6 KJV)
Australian Brushturkey (Alectura lathami) at NA by Dan
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“For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:25 KJV)
Southern Red Bishop (Euplectes orix) ©WikiC
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“Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?” (Jeremiah 23:23 KJV)
Mixture of birds at Merritt Island NWR by Lee
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“How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.” (Psalms 36:7 KJV)
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) With young ©CountryTraveler
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“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” (James 2:10 KJV)
Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) ©USFWS
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“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13 KJV)
Roseate Spoonbill at Merritt Island Black Point Drive by Lee
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“For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.” (1 John 3:11 KJV)
Flamingos In Love ©Pixabay
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“Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.” (Matthew 26:34 KJV)
“The Galliformes Order is the next order taxonomically. “The Galliformes are an order of heavy-bodied ground-feeding birds that includes turkey, grouse, chicken, New World quail and Old World quail, ptarmigan, partridge, pheasant, junglefowl and the Cracidae. The name derives from “gallus”, Latin for “cock” or “rooster”. Common names are gamefowl or gamebirds, landfowl, gallinaceous birds, or galliforms. “Wildfowl” or just “fowl” are also often used for the Galliformes, but usually these terms also refer to waterfowl (Anseriformes), [which we just finished] and occasionally to other commonly hunted birds. This group has about 299 species, one or more of which are found in essentially every part of the world’s continents (except for the innermost deserts and perpetual ice). They are rarer on islands, and in contrast to the closely related waterfowl, are essentially absent from oceanic islands—unless introduced there by humans. Several species have been domesticated during their long and extensive relationships with humans.”
Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa) ©WikiC
“As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.” (Jeremiah 17:11 KJV)
“This order contains five families: Phasianidae (including chicken, quail, partridges, pheasants, turkeys, peafowl and grouse), Odontophoridae (New World quails), Numididae (guineafowl), Cracidae (including chachalacas and curassows), and Megapodiidae (incubator birds like mallee fowl and brush-turkeys). They are important as seed dispersers and predators in the ecosystems they inhabit, and are often reared as game birds by humans for their meat and eggs and for recreational hunting. Many gallinaceous species are skilled runners and escape predators by running rather than flying. Males of most species are more colorful than the females. Males often have elaborate courtship behaviors that include strutting, fluffing of tail or head feathers, and vocal sounds. They are mainly nonmigratory.” (Wikipedia with editing)
Peacock at Magnolia Plantation by Dan
“Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?” (Job 39:13)
Here are a few birds from each of the five families:
“The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.” (Psalms 105:40 KJV)
“You are Worthy” ~ Faith Baptist Orchestra
Many of these birds are mentioned in the Bible, so they are also listed in our Birds of the Bible articles. Over the following Sunday, these families will be presented in smaller articles with the slideshows as in the previous articles.
Birds of the Bible – Chicken, Hens, and Roosters
Birds of the Bible – Partridge
Birds of the Bible – Peacocks
Birds of the Bible – Quail
Galliformes Order found here:
Megapodiidae – Megapodes
Cracidae – Chachalacas, Curassows and Guans
Numididae – Guineafowl
Odontophoridae – New World Quail
Phasianidae – Pheasants and allies
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Great Egret Relaxing at Black Point Dr.
“This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.” (Psalms 132:14 KJV)
Dan and I took a short break and drove to the east coast of Florida and spent two nights. On Tuesday, we drove through Merritt Island’s Black Point Drive. I was reading their page and it says, “The 7-mile, one-way drive follows a dike road around several shallow marsh impoundments and through pine flatwoods. This provides an excellent place to see waterfowl (in season), wading birds, shorebirds and raptors. Alligators, river otters, bobcats, various species of snakes, and other wildlife may be visible as well. A self-guiding brochure (available near the drive entrance) will provide information on things to look for. Driving time is approximately 40 minutes.” [emphasis mine] That 40 minutes is for those who are just viewing birds. Those of us who are birdwatchers and photographers have hardly gone halfway in 40 minutes.
We enjoyed seeing many of the wintering birds this time. Last time we visited, the ponds were almost dried up and so had the birdwatching. Much better this trip.
Zoomed in on Great White Egret
As those of you know who have been following this blog, that I am dealing with a back issue and will probably need surgery in a month or so. The benefit of visiting this place and Viera Wetlands, which we did on Wednesday, is that I can watch and take pictures from the car, or just step outside. That is what I did, so some of the shots may not be the best. I appreciate those of you who have been praying about my back. My MRI isn’t scheduled until the 26th of Jan. [insurance issue] At any rate, I trust that my adventure will encourage those of you who have health issues, to go ahead and figure out a way to still enjoy the Lord’s blessings in nature.
This Snowy Egret was trying to shuffle up a fish – Enlarge video to see the shuffling better:
“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19 KJV)
Most of the views are quite distant, but I always enjoy the challenge of trying to zoom in an catch some of these critters. Surprising, even at these distances, you can ID the birds.
Here are some of the photos that I took. Dan doesn’t have his ready yet.
I will have more of our trip later.
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Previous trips to Merritt Island:
“There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture’s eye hath not seen:” (Job 28:7 KJV)
King Vulture Brevard Zoo by Lee
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Accipitridae – Family (Kites, Hawks & Eagles)
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“And when the birds of prey swooped down upon the carcasses, Abram drove them away.” (Genesis 15:11 AMP)
Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) by Ian
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Accipitridae – Family (Kites, Hawks & Eagles)
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“Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.” (Isaiah 46:11 KJV)
Black-breasted Buzzard (Hamirostra melanosternon) by Ian
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Accipitridae – Family (Kites, Hawks & Eagles)
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Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus 