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.
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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Black-capped Chickadee by Dave’s BirdingPix
Thought you might enjoy watching Black-capped Chickadees being fed by hand. Video from LesleytheBirdNerd. It is one of the YouTube birders I follow. I like the music also.
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? (Matthew 6:26 KJV)
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, Measured heaven with a span And calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales And the hills in a balance? Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, Or as His counselor has taught Him? (Isaiah 40:12-13 NKJV)
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Black-capped Chickadee – All About Birds
Black-capped Chickadee – Audubon
Black-capped Chickadee – Wikipedia
Black-capped Chickadee – National Geographic
Black-capped Chickadee – What Bird
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Western Plantain-eater (Crinifer piscator) at Parrot Mountain
By them the birds of the heavens have their home; They sing among the branches. He waters the hills from His upper chambers; The earth is satisfied with the fruit of Your works. (Psalms 104:12-13 NKJV)
The western plantain-eater (Crinifer piscator), also known as the grey plantain-eater or western grey plantain-eater, is a large member of the Turaco family, a group of large arboreal near-passerine birds restricted to Africa.
Western Plantain-eater (Crinifer piscator) at Parrot Mountain
This species is a resident breeder in open woodland habitats in tropical west Africa. It lays two or three eggs in a tree platform nest.
These are common, noisy and conspicuous birds, despite lacking the brilliant colours of relatives such as the violet turaco. They are 50 cm long, including a long tail. Their plumage is mainly grey above spotted with brown. The head, erectile crest, neck and breast are brown streaked with silver. The underparts are whitish, heavily streaked with brown.
Western Plantain-eater (Crinifer piscator) at Parrot Mountain
Western plantain-eater has a thick bright yellow bill, and shows a white wing bar in flight. The sexes are identical, but immatures have a black woolly head without silver streaking.
Western Plantain-eater (Crinifer piscator) at Parrot Mountain
This bird is similar to the closely related eastern plantain-eater. The latter species has white tail bars, and lacks the chest bars and dark wing feather shafts of its western relative. This species feeds on fruit, especially figs, seeds and other vegetable matter.
We first encountered this amazing bird created by the Creator at the Houston Zoo this past spring. Those were in an enclosure with the normal fences to try to photograph through. That is what made this visit to Parrot Mountain so special because we were in a free-flying aviary with them.
Western Plantain-eater (Crinifer piscator) Houston Zoo by Lee
Western Plantain-eater (Crinifer piscator) Houston Zoo
Western plantain-eater has a loud cow-cow-cow call, very familiar in west Africa. (Info from Wikipedia)
Here is a video I took of the birds in the aviary feeding. The Plantain-eater comes in at tries to intimidate the Cardinal and then starts his call. If you watch him/her, you will notice it seems to be afraid of that cardboard dish holding the fruit. Hence my chuckle. I’ll tell you more about those other birds later.
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:17-18 NKJV)
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Other Parrot Mountain Blogs
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Trees along the Roaring Fork Drive
The trees have not turned that much yet, but the two videos below are just relaxing to watch. In about two weeks or so the leaves should really be at prime.
He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers. (Psalms 78:16 KJV)
But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. (Amos 5:24 KJV)
Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11 NKJV)
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Pacific White-sided Dolphin by Ian
For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea animal, can be tamed and has been tamed by human genius (nature). (James 3:7 AMP)
A friend sent me this link to a Dolphin Show in Israel. This is one reason my blog’s name ends with Plus so I can add “non-birdie” things.
Here are some more of the fantastic creatures that the Lord has given mankind. Enjoy!
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. (Isaiah 40:28 KJV)
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Aflac Momma Duck at Lake Morton by Lee
Last week Dan and I actually got to do a little birdwatching. My back has been improving, but not healed. After 12 therapy sessions, I felt brave enough to see what was going on at Lake Morton. It is in Lakeland, Florida and you can park across the street from the lake. Easy walk for me.
Needless to say, I was excited about getting out birdwatching, but the birds had other ideas. There were very few birds other than the normal residents hanging around for a hand out. Guess the winter birds haven’t arrived yet. That top pictures show the lack of birds on the lake.
Momma Duck at Lake Morton by Lee Close-up
“If you happen to come upon a bird’s nest along the way, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs, and the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young; you shall certainly let the mother go, but the young you may take for yourself, in order that it may be well with you and that you may prolong your days.” (Deuteronomy 22:6-7 NASB)
Aflac is not the name of this domestic Peking/Mallard Duck. She is pretty though she is a hybrid. She was busy working on her nest and you can see some of the things she was adding below.
Aflac Momma Duck at Lake Morton by Lee Close-up of nest material
Other interesting birds were some immature White Ibises, an immature Limpkin and some Wood Ducks. Like I said, it was rather quiet.
Immature White Ibis at Lake Morton by Lee
Limpkin Juvenile at Lake Morton by Lee
Wood Duck at Lake Morton by Lee
Any day we can go birdwatching is always enjoyable. There is usually something that is there to see. Life is not made up of big events all the time, just the everyday normal sights. When we do get to see special birds or whatever, then that makes them extra nice.
Here is a video of that Wood Duck and his mate bouncing around in the water. Trust you don’t get seasick. They seem to have been created to handle floating and bobbing well.
The water prevailed and increased greatly upon the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water. (Genesis 7:18 NASB)
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Here is an interesting Creation Moments Minute from Creation Moments:
I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls. (Job 30:29 KJV)
We see these quite frequently in the Zoos. Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa has one we have watched, but he usually just lays there and looks around. The one in the video surprised me that they can run that fast.
This one was taken at the Palm Beach Zoo in Florida last year.
Kamodo Dragon Palm Beach Zoo by Lee
The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen. (Isaiah 43:20 KJV)
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Tombstone AZ 2015 by Lee
After quickly passing through New Mexico, (NM Going West), Interstate 10 brings you to Arizona. While stopped at the Welcome Center, again to get maps and brochures, we were told to not miss stopping in Tombstone. We dove the about 25 miles south of I-10 to get there, but well worth the detour.
Have you not asked those who travel the road? … (Job 21:29a NKJV)
We both grew up watching “westerns” and even remember riding one of these as a kid. So, going to Tombstone brought back lots of memories.
They have a reenactment of the Shootout at OK Corral, so we watched it. I have a clip of the beginning of it, just to whet your taste. If you want to see it, go to Tombstone. At the end of the video is a Jester, or whatever you want to call him, entertaining some kids.
Many people were dressed up and after talking to several of them, not all were workers in the different businesses. Some where just townspeople who dress and come to town to just be part of the “happenings” like this man and his dog.
Local residents
Thinking back, we never took a single photo of a bird in Tombstone. Either they were not around or we were just too busy seeing all the sites. Not to worry, there are plenty more bird photos to come. Stay turned! :)
“The very mention of Tombstone brings to mind images of the lawless Old West, gunfights at the O.K. Corral, epic feuds between the Earps and the Mclaurys and Clantons, Gold Rush fever and the promise of silver and gold. The heritage of the American West is still alive here today, where historic saloons, post offices and the famous Boot Hill cemetery stand restored and painstakingly preserved alongside more modern, tourist-focused recreations of period architecture.” From TripAdvisor
As Christians, we have a different type of “Fight” to get involved in:
The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:14 NKJV)
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:12 NKJV)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7-8 NKJV)
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Tombstone, Arizona – Wikipedia
In case you missed the last few Vacation articles:
Wonga Pigeon (Leucosarcia melanoleuca) Houston Zoo by Lee
And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. (Psalms 55:6 KJV)
Thought I’d share two videos and some photos of the Wonga Dove and the Taveta Weavers. They were in the Tropical Bird House which had enclosures with a glass in front of them and not a cage (YEAH!)
Tropical Bird House Houston Zoo by Lee
The Wonga Dove was calling and could be heard everywhere in the Bird House. One video is of the dove calling and the weavers next door. You will hear the sound of the dove even while videoing the weavers.
Taveta Weaver (Ploceus castaneiceps) Houston Zoo by Lee
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)
The second video is of the Guira Cuckoos. Forgot to add it to that article. Houston Zoo – Vacation – Part 2-B
Here are the photos of these two species of birds:
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Another friend sent this video. It is worth watching. Amazing photography. The cactus flower part was very interesting considering we saw so many of them on our recent trip.
Cactus Flower – Arizona Living Desert Museum by Lee
From the e-mail:
Take just 4 1/2 minutes of your time to WATCH this…..It is worth every moment…..
Then ask yourself “How do atheists explain these wonderful happenings ? “
Be sure to watch this on the largest computer screen you have (HD if possible)
And have your sound turned on.
The hummingbird doing rolls chasing a bee is not to be missed.
Be sure and watch closely (around 2 min 40 sec) and check out the baby bat under its mother. Unreal.
If you never knew what goes on in the garden when you aren’t paying attention, watch this – some of the finest photography you will ever see.
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Wordless Birds
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American Robin (Turdus migratorius)with youngsters by Raymond Barlow
“And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” (Luke 9:58)
Parents, wouldn’t it be nice if you didn’t have to deal with dirty diapers during the early years of your child’s life? And think of the money you would save! Too bad your little angel isn’t more like a little robin.
Some birds, including the familiar robin, have it all figured out. You see, just seconds after a young robin has eaten, he eliminates waste into what can best be described as a white disposable diaper. All the parents have to do is pick it up and fly off with it, leaving the nest neat and clean.
This disposable diaper is called the fecal sac. It is made of thick, strong mucus that the parent can pick up and dispose of without puncturing it with its sharp beak. Robins will usually drop the sac twenty to fifty yards away before returning to the nest with another meal for its chicks. Once the young robin has matured enough to leave its nest, it no longer produces the fecal sac. Instead, its droppings are disposed of most often on your car’s windshield.
Now, just imagine what a robin’s nest would look like if their Creator hadn’t come up with this ingenious plan. Without this disposable diaper, the nest would quickly become unsuitable for life. So the next time you find an abandoned robin’s nest, take a peek inside. The only reason it’s so clean is because God provided the robin with a disposable diaper service!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, the more I learn about Your creation – even the robin and its young – the more I am filled with praise for You! Amen.
Notes:
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/spring/FecalSacs.html. “Disposable Diapers for Birds: The Scoop on Poop”, Journey North. Photo: Robin removing a fecal sac from its nest. © 2014, Steve Creek. Used with permission. http://stevecreek.com/a-robin-removing-fecal-sac/. ©Creation Moments 2015
Lee’s Addition:
Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana) Removing Fecal Sac ©WikiC
Here is a Bluebird flying off with a fecal sac. Many birds use this method of removing the “disposable diapers.” I didn’t have permission to show the other photo, but check out the link http://stevecreek.com/a-robin-removing-fecal-sac/ above. It has a great sequence of the Robin.
Also, check out this YouTube on the internet:
Isn’t the Lord gracious to His Creation?
Oak Titmouse removing a fecal sac ©WikiC
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Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus 