Starling

Here is a attractive bird that doesn't belong here. They are intruders in the USA. They push out other species of birds.

These birds remind me of addictions and bullies in my life. How do we get rid of them? Unlike the birds, we can take authority over opposition in our life by the blood of Jesus. Look to Jesus for help.

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

European Starlings

I was driving out of a nature area and I came across a flock of Starlings taking a bath in this puddle. Water was flying everywhere as you can see. Then all at once they took off in a cloud as if on cue. I had seen birds flying in formation like this but never seen them stopping to take a bath in unison. After flying around for a while they came back for another bath. I think it was because there was not enough room for all of them to utilize the puddle. Anyway it was interesting to watch them and their response to maintain formation in the flock.

They may be flying this way to protect themselves from a predator

The group is not led by a leader, but the flock of Starlings flies as a group. It is called Starling Murmuration.

Here is a youtube video of this type of formation.

This flying formation could represent the leading of the Holy Spirit on the church. We don't realize the Holy Spirit is leading others as He is leading us. We can rely on Him to guide us in difficult days.

Romans 8:26 "... the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words:"

Father, let me be led of Your Spirit to flow with the church to bring glory to Your name.

European Starlings

There is little difference between the sexes in these Starlings. The female has a yellow ring along the edge of their iris.

Most birds have strong muscles to snap their bill shut. European Starlings muscles do the opposite. They force the bill open. This helps them grub through grassy areas to find food.

European Starlings present a problem with managed forests in that their droppings burn out an area where they roost. They are trying to move them from place to place to turn this problem into a benefit.

The Starlings thrive where man has altered the environment. From 100 birds released in Central Park of New York City in 1890-91. There are now, more than 200,000,000 birds in North America. The birds take over areas that had been used by local birds.

Just as Starlings have intruded into the population of North America. So bad influences can made their way into our lives. It is important to realize that there are long range results to the things we decide to do.

Some may say they will dabble in sin for a short time and then walk away. They think it will be fun and they won't get hurt. Instead they find they are trapped in the sin they thought was harmless and it may be decades before they are free. Some people never get free from their problems.

Proverbs 29:6 

"By transgression an evil man is ensnared, But the righteous sings and rejoices."

Father, give me the grace to walk in Your light and not to fall into temptation. 

Birds Devour Fruit

These birds are enjoying the bountiful fruit from a vine growing in my Eastern Red bud tree. The bottom bird is a Starling, the one in the middle could be a Cedar Waxwing and the top one is a Robin.

Matthew 6:25,26,33 

"For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 

26 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Can we trust God with our needs?  The Bible says we can, but there is a condition. Seek God first! How do we seek Him first? With our time, our money, and our priorities. Live for the purpose of pleasing God. We put Him first with all our heart, soul and strength. Deuteronomy 6:5

Rusty blackbirds flock to our neghborhood

Rusty black birds flock to our house and the surrounding area for a couple of blocks. As I walked my dog to a park they did not flock by the park. Although I did hear one rusty gate call of a Starling. It is interesting that birds pick one area over another.



I saw my first purple finch of the Fall on our bird bath this afternoon. He got some water. After he left I refilled the birdbath with fresh water. I need to get the bird seed out for migrants coming through.