Woodstock’s New Visit and Nest

“Make me hear joy and gladness,…”(Psalms 51:8a NKJV)

I am sure by now most of the readers here know I am a friend of Woodstock cartoons. A few days ago, he showed up in Heathcliff’s bird bath. [I follow just 5 cartoons via email from ArcaMax.com], and today, Woodstock seems to have been shopping. Maybe he was out shopping the day he landed at Garfield’s.

Woodstock visits Heathcliff

The first cartoon reminds me of how excited we birdwatchers become when a bird shows up in an area that is not its normal range. A few years back, 2014, here in Florida, many were reporting the Snowy Owl. Birds of the Bible – Snowy Owl In Florida.

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

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

But today’s order for Woodstock really tickled me:

Woodstock’s New Nest

That poor bird has problems with nest, as has been shown before. Woodstock’s High-rise Nest. Have you ever seen a nest that was in need of repairs or better yet, replacement? The Weavers trying to make nest that can be quite entertaining.

Wren nest in a Pepsi paper cup.

Wren nest in a Pepsi paper cup in my brother’s old refrigerator.

Lesser Masked Weaver (Ploceus intermedius) by Bob-Nan

Lesser Masked Weaver (Ploceus intermedius) by Bob-Nan

Southern Brown-throated Weaver Working on Nest (Ploceus xanthopterus) ©WikiC

The thought of Woodstock ordering a ready made nest is funny. Maybe he received that package from Amazon, or Fed EX. Not sure where he found one, it makes for a joyful laugh. We have enough bad news in this world. I trust you also take time to chuckle now and then.

Our Salvation in the Lord does give us joy. He lets us enjoy “clean” fun.

“Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” (Psalms 32:11 NKJV)

Western Tanager: Red, Yellow, Black and White

Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) ©WikiC

Orni-Theology and Woodstock’s High-rise Nest

Woodstock’s High-rise Nest

Woodstock is not the only bird to live in a nest complex. Birds in this area, central Florida, have at least one bird, the Monk Parakeet, or Quaker Parakeet that makes an “apartment” nest.

Monk Parakeet and Nest

Monk Parakeet and Nest – Near South Lake Howard Nature Park

We used to own two Monk Parakeets, so I was familiar with them when we moved here. In South Florida, where we lived in the past, they were wild there also. In fact, Bandi, our first Monk parakeet had been shot out of the tree next door by teenagers. Some neighbor kids brought her to me and long story short, her wing had to be amputated. So, she never went back to the wild.

Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) Hoppy & Bandi

Hoppy in front, Bandi in back – Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus)

Hoppy, our second one, had a broken leg, which our vet fixed up. That is the bandage on his leg. Back to the High-rise.

Sociable Weaver nest (Philetairus socius) © Ingo Arndt-NPL

The Sociable Weaver (Philetairus socius) is a great example of building a “Highrise.” [from 16 Most Amazing Bird Nest ]

Weaverbirds Nests are Like Huts has a great photo of an elaborate “homestead.” Also, it is a very interesting article about how they make the nest.

Sociable Weaver nest (Philetairus socius) ©Dillon Marsh

Then again, maybe Woodstock would like to visit the Montezuma Orpendola and select one of the higher nest apartments.

Montezuma Oropendola (Psarocolius montezuma) Nest Complex ©WikiC

There are many more examples of how the Lord, in His Wisdom, has given the birds the knowledge to build these nest and also, to know that “community” can aid in their protection.

The book of Ecclesiastes has great words of wisdom from Solomon when he refers to one person, versus two or more:

“There is one alone, without companion: He has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his labors, Nor is his eye satisfied with riches. But he never asks, “For whom do I toil and deprive myself of good?” This also is vanity and a grave misfortune. Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:8-12 NKJV)


Birdwatching, Bugs, and Woodstock

Family Circus Bug And Birdwatching ©ArcMax

When you go birdwatching, do you get side-tracked by other critters? It is easy to do. Since the Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ created all of them, they are all amazing and enjoyable to examine up close.

So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” (Genesis 1:21-22 NKJV)

Ladybug ©WikiC

Or maybe he was watching one of these:

Brevard Zoo Butterflies 4-3-2018 by Lee

Or could this be what he was looking at through his magnifying glass?

Caterpillar of the Old World Swallowtail – Size 42mm ©WikiC

“Then God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind’; and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:24-25 NKJV)

Red-billed Oxpecker on equid “neighbor” (zebra), inspecting ear for bugs ©ibc.lynxeds

If you were to watch Woodstock, he would definitely entertain you.

Woodstock playing Elevator ©Arcamax

Then again, maybe Woodstock is trying to copy the behavior of the Widowbirds:

Trust you enjoy your day. A little humor helps our days be brighter.