“And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.”
(Daniel 1:15 KJV)
Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) by Reinier Munguia
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“The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted; Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.” (Psalms 104:16-17 KJV)
Dan’s Wood Stork Tree
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“Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.” (Daniel 1:12 KJV)
Great Blue Heron (Drinking) at Lake Morgan by Dan
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One of the birders that I follow, has a Channel on YouTube, VideoBirder of their birdwatching videos. This Prothontary Warbler, shows the difficulty that photographers and videographers have of trying to catch a bird. They flit all over the place and if your lucky or blessed, you may get a brief view. In this video, this beautiful bird sings, and then off he goes again.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Matthew 6:33-34 KJV)
As I was watching that video and thinking about the verse above, why do we worry or fret? Sometimes life is like that bird. We are busy going from here to there. Some times you can see him clearly and so in life things seem clear and we have “smooth sailing.” Other times, that bird is hidden behind the branches and you can’t see it so clear. In our lives things can have “bumps in the road” or problems that show up. Yet, the Lord knows all about it and guides us through those rough parts of our walk through life.
Right now, Dan and I have been dealing with health issues. One reason you have not seen very few, if any “birdwatching adventures” lately, is because we haven’t been on any adventures. At least not that kind. I am so thankful for James J. S. Johnson and Emma Forster for helping supply articles for the blog. Others have sent emails with birds which we have placed on the blog. Even the daily devotionals have helped keep this blog active. Dr. Jim, (James Johnson) as I call him, has even been helping with ideas for the devotionals.
Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) In a cavity nest ©WikiC
So, if you have wondered where the “adventures” have been, now you know.
First I slipped the disc in my back, back in the fall, and I have been living with that. Made it almost through the winter and caught Bronchitis, which usually last longer than I would like. Now Dan, who is our main photographer, at least the better one, has been dealing with something for almost the last two months. Even spent time in the hospital last week, and we are still dealing with tests and Doctor visits.
Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) Neal Addy Gallery
Like the bird, we are flitting here and there, yet, we can still sing. We have a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who knows all about our issues and none of this is catching Him by surprise. He knows what the outcome will be of the tests, diagnosis, and cure. Dan has lost quite a bit of weight and is still weak, plus other issues. We are just resting and trusting in Him. Many of our friends are praying to us and your prayers will also be appreciated.
If a day gets missed and no blog comes out, this may give you an idea why. We are looking forward to getting back out there birdwatching and trying to catch a photo of birds like that Prothontary Warbler, or a Warbler we see here. Lord’s Blessings on all of you.
Palm Warbler by Dan
“Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:31 KJV)
Prothonotary Warbler – All About Birds
Prothonotary Warbler – Wikipedia
“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24 KJV)
Greylag Goose (Anser anser) Pals Walking ©Pinterest
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“And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.” (Daniel 2:1 KJV)
Black-cheeked Lovebird (Agapornis nigrigenis) Sleeping ©Worth 1000
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“And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.” (James 5:18 KJV)
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) by Daves BirdingPix
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Vermilion Tanager (Calochaetes coccineus) ©Nick Athanas
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18 KJV)
Last week’s Sunday Inspiration of Tanagers and Allies started us off on this huge family. We will continue, starting with the five Lanio genus of Shrike-Tanagers.
Brazilian Tanager (Ramphocelus bresilius) by Dario Sanches
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. (Psalms 12:6 KJV)
Wait until you see the second very colorful genus, the Ramphocelus. These are Neotropical birds that have enlarged shiny whitish or bluish-grey lower mandibles, which are pointed upwards in display. However, this is greatly reduced in the females of most species. Males are black and red, orange or yellow, while females resemble a duller version of the males, or are brownish or greyish combined with dull red, orange or yellowish.
Cherrie’s Tanager (Ramphocelus costaricensis) Female by Raymond Barlow
Ramphocelus tanagers are found in semi-open areas. The nest is a cup built by the female of plant materials such as moss, rootlets, and strips of large leaves like banana or Heliconia, and is often in a fairly open site in a tree. The female usually lays pale blue eggs, with grey, brown or lavender spots, and the young stay in the nest for only about 12 days. The songs of this genus are repetitions of rich one- or two-syllable whistles. Most of these are of a crimson or reddish hue.
Sayaca Tanager (Thraupis sayaca) ©WikiC
The Thraupis Tanagers are another beautiful genera of the Lord’s Creation. This time, blue will is the dominate color. “These tanagers are mainly found in semi-open habitats including plantations and open woodland, but some will venture into towns. They feed from medium to high levels in trees, taking mainly fruit, with some nectar, and insects which may be taken in flight.” (Wikipedia)
Blue-backed Tanager (Cyanicterus cyanicterus) ©Francesco_Veronesi
This week will end with two genus that have only one species each, the Vermilion Tanager (Calochaetes coccineus) and the Blue-backed Tanager (Cyanicterus cyanicterus). All the birds this week live from Mexico down through South America.
I know all the birds of the mountains, And the wild beasts of the field are Mine. (Psalms 50:11 NKJV)
“My Faith Still Holds” ~ Faith Baptist Orchestra
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Sunday Inspiration – Thraupidae – Tanagers and Allies I
Traupidae Family – Tanagers and Allies
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“The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.” (Psalms 14:2 KJV)
Micronesian Kingfisher (Todiramphus cinnamominus) Houston Zoo 5-6-15 by Lee
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“And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” (Hebrews 6:15 KJV)
Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) with Young ©WikiC
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“In that day the Branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious; And the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and appealing For those of Israel who have escaped.” (Isaiah 4:2 NKJV)
Marvelous Spatuletail (Loddigesia mirabilis) ©©Dubi Shapiro
Sorry about mixing up yesterday’s devotional. Since I (Lee) put the 4 word one up by mistake, today we are putting up the 3 word one. (My husband, Dan, has been sick and we put him in the hospital yesterday.) Mistakes happen. This was not Jim Johnson’s fault .
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Pigeon on Keyboard ©©
“that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up;” (Daniel 3:5 NKJV)
Pigeon on Keyboard ©©Playing on YouTube
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Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus 