Honey Locust

The canopy of this tree shows that it used to be larger with all the broken branches.

One of the sure ways to recognise Honey Locust is by the thorns on the twigs.

Leaf stem left from the summer. Also the buds are encased by the bark of the twig.

Here is some sap seeping out of the bark.

Thorns growing from the base of the tree is another good way to recognise a Honey Locust.

Here is a photo showing the base of the tree and bark.

Broken branches. Many Black locust trees are susceptible to wind damage.

The Lord is good, His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.

Father I look to You for truth and goodness that You always give.

James 1:17 "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."

Mallard Ducks in Flight

Watching ducks in flight is always interesting. When in flight they always seem to be in a hurry. Many times they are not in a hurry to land. They check the area for predators and hunters.

We should have the same idea in what we do. Look for God's help.

Psalm 25:15 "My eyes are continually toward the Lord,
For He will pluck my feet out of the net."

Father I look for Your help if I am trapped.

Block of Ice

Block of ice reflecting some sun as it floats down the river.

Wind Damaged Shingle Oak

We came across this wind damaged Shingle oak. All the limbs were broken off except the top left one. Not sure if the tree was dying before the storm or not.  There are not trees on the other side of the tree to shelter it from the storm.

Some trees need the shelter of other trees to survive a strong storm.  This tree may have grown up with other trees and then they died back and left it alone. It did fine for years but a storm came and tore it apart recently.

Other trees that grow in an open field, called wolf trees, put down stronger roots and the tree is better able to withstand the storms of nature.

Christians need to be able to stand in the midst of trials.  It is good to be with other people that have faith and courage to walk with God in life. But there comes times when you can't rely on others. God is our source and we need to rely on Him and not others. Let us put our foundation in Jesus.

Proverbs 10:25 "When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more,
But the righteous has an everlasting foundation."

Ice Forming on Lake

How does water freeze on a lake?

Water becomes more dense when it gets down to 40 degrees. This causes that water to fall and warmer water that is less dense rises.

When the whole lake reaches 40 degrees the water on top then becomes colder and starts to freeze. The water at the shore is shallower and so this water will get colder faster and  that is why the lake freezes from the shore to the center.

The air is much colder than the ground. the cold air will bring the temperature of the water down.

Ice is lighter than water causing the ice to float on top of the water. That is why ice floats in a glass of water. If it was the other way around life in a lake for fish would not be possible.

Water below the ice allows fish to survive.

The uniqueness of water is one of the things in nature that points to a Creator God.

Bald Eagles

Bald Eagles hanging out by some ducks and geese.

Ran across some Bald Eagles that were hanging around a group of Snow geese that numbered in the tens of thousands. We had gone by the day before and there was not any Bald Eagles to be seen. On this day around 20 were there.

In the wild they live about 35 to 40 years. They get their adult plumage at 5 years old. They breed in the north and come south in the winter. I would assume they are following the Snow geese.

Bald Eagles build their nest in the tallest tree possible. They return to the nest year after year. If the tree is blown down. They will build one nearby. They stay loyal to the same breeding area.

They lay 2 eggs a year. Many of the young don't make it past the first year. I have read that 10 to 20% of the young live beyond the first year.

Their ability to see is 7 times better than humans. They can spot prey from 1000 feet in the air. (300 meters) They can see prey in a 3 square mile area. (8 square km) They can view things from the side or in front of them.

Their view of life is from above. Christians can view life and live from above as well as we learn our place in Christ. We are seated with Christ in the heavens.

Ephesians 2:5,6
"Even when we were dead in our transgressions, {God} made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,"

Migrating Geese

Here is a group of birds of different species migrating south. They stopped at a lake nearby that I happened to notice. There are Canada geese, Snows and Blue geese, Mallard ducks, Swans and other ducks I can't make out.

Migration is a time of activity and change. Usually these birds will stay to themselves but here they are intermixed. Off to the side there are Bald Eagles and they were eating birds on the ice nearby.

One of the reasons the geese stay together is that they are protected from predators.  The encouragement we gain from other believers will strengthen  and protect us.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 "And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart."

Eastern Blue Bird

Blue bird caught out in the cold snap we are having. It was about 10 F  -12 C.

According to the map Eastern Blue birds should not be this far north in the winter. But with warmer winters some may have been induced to remain all year. But the cold this year may change their minds.

They eat wild fruit and insects. With the winter there are not insects, so they must eat only wild fruit. There is a lot of that around, especially the berries of Asian honeysuckle.

They next in cavities in trees etc. Many Blue bird houses are put up in parks to help them. We make these and put them around as well. There is a breeding population of 22,000,000. They catch their prey from 60' or more away.

What this Blue bird reminds me of is resiliency. Even when things are against him, this bird soldiers on. Better days are coming little bird. But it will be a while.

Life will bring bitterness but also blessings. We can overcome the bitterness and be a blessing to others as we live our life with faith in Christ.

Exodus 15:23-25
"When they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter; therefore it was named Marah. 24 So the people grumbled at Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” 25 Then he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree; and he threw it into the waters, and the waters became sweet."

What brought sweetness to the water was the tree. Jesus was crucified on a tree and as we accept His guidelines in our life our life can be turned around.