Fig and Fig Tree

A greenhouse we frequent has some fig trees growing inside the greenhouse. Missouri winters are way to cold for most fig trees, but with the proper variety and winter strategy they may be grown in zones 5 and 6. There is a Chicago variety planted in these zones.

Here are some fig facts:

Figs have the same amount of calcium as milk by volume.

Fig Newtons started in 1892.

Figs hold in moisture in baked goods keeping them fresher.

Figs need well drained soil to grow. They can grow in poor soils.

Just as figs need well drained soils to live. Christians need a heart that gives as well as one that receives. It is as we give that we grow. It is not our getting but our giving that brings us into abundance.

Deuteronomy 8:7-9 "For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills; 8 a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; 9 a land where you will eat food without scarcity, in which you will not lack anything; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper."

Father give me the ability and willingness to give out to others. I don't want to just be a taker but also a giver. Thank you, In Jesus name it will happen.

Mourning Dove

Mourning Doves are also known as the Turtle Dove, American Mourning Dove or the Rain Dove, and was once known as the Carolina Pigeon or Carolina Turtledove.

One thing I notice about Mourning doves is the way they walk. Their head bobs back and forth funny as they walk. For some reason their head is attached differently compare to other birds. Their head also is smaller for their body sized compared to other birds.

When they take off their wings create a whistling sound. They will swallow seeds keeping them in their esophagus called the crop. When they get to a place where they are safe, they finishing eating them. They eat up to 20% of their body weight a day. There are about 350 million of them in the United States. They can live in desert areas by being able to drink brackish water that is up to 50% of the salt content of the ocean.

As we follow Christ there will be times where our sustenance is scarce. It is in those times when we are famished in the spirit we are tried. Strength is built in those hard times and we become stronger because of them.

Psalm 42:1

 "As the deer pants for the water brooks,

So y soul pants for You,

O God."

Father, just as the Mourning Dove has the ability to survive where water is scarce, give me strength to thrive with You wherever I am. In Jesus name, it will happen.

Jack-in-the-Pulpit Arisaema triphyllum

The part that looks like the preacher is the slender stalk called the spadix. The tiny greenish yellow flowers grow in a club shaped spike on the upper part of the stalk. (from You Ask Andy.com)

This plant grows in woodlands from the Atlantic to Minnesota and down to Texas. It is poisonous.

We were walking in a nature area and had been talking to a person that was a missionary in South America. She later pointed out this plant to us. So I got some photos of it to post on here.

Jack-in-the-Pulpit seems to be inconspicuous to those who are not looking for it. There are many plants we don't recognize as different or valuable. That is the way it seems to be with receiving the word of God from preaching. People have abandoned the preaching of the gospel and going to meetings to be with other believers.

Hebrews 10:24,25 "and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near."

It is encouraging to hear the Bible preached and to talk with other believers that are living the life we are living. Go to church or where other believers meet and encourage them and be encouraged by them and the word you hear preached.

Humming Bird

Caught this humming bird coming in for a drink. Setting the camera for continuous shooting the photos are about 1/2 second apart. When I saw the humming bird I just started shooting. The more I shoot the more the camera dials in the focus. So these 2 photos came out okay. The settings are 1/500 f6.3 ISO was set on auto and registered at ISO 2000 400mm lens.

The humming bird has a long beak to get nectar from flowers. Or sugar water from this humming bird feeder. 

The humming bird brain is 4.2% of its body. The largest of birds.

They don't use their beak like a straw but have hairs on the tip of their tongue to help them lap up nectar. 30% of their weight is made up of flight muscles.

The strength of a Christian comes from being with Jesus. Let us not neglect our devotion time, it is from these times with Him that will give us the strength to accomplish what we are called to do.

Acts 4:13 "Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus."

Common Grackle on a Mulberry Tree

This was a little early to be eating these mulberries. But if they like to eat them at this stage there is more than an abundance to eat.

Here the sun causes the iridescent feathers to shine.

Looking at all this fruit reminds me of God's promise to take care of the birds. 

Matthew 6:26 "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?"

Matthew 10:29  "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father."

Let us be sure that the abundance that the Common Grackle is living in right now is available for us also as we walk with God.

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) Finch

Got this photo of a Indigo Bunting at a nature area bird feeder. A colorful bird which stands out among the common birds. Shot info 1/500 f/6.3 ISO 2000 400mm lens Canon T3

An attitude of joy stands out among people. Jesus gives us the reason for joy. He said in His word these things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation but be of good courage, I have overcome the world. John 16:33 Our joy flows from the understanding of God working in our life in the midst of chaos the world gives.

The wise men rejoiced with great joy when they saw the star Matthew 2:10 This star was direction for them to find the Christ child. God's direction will give us joy as we see a way through the darkness.

Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrhonota)

Saw these Cliff Swallows under a bridge that we were walking by. I was looking for photos of flooding but the creek I was at was handling the rain well.

These birds build nest under bridges along creeks. I suppose in nature they build under natural cliffs. They catch bugs by flying just over the water, sometimes even picking up the bugs off the water. They also fly above the water 10 to 20 feet or more in the air. It is fun to watch them make a 45 degree turn for a bug.

Some swallows lay eggs in other nests they did not build. These same birds will lay eggs in their own nests. The foster mother will sit on all the eggs whether they are hers or another birds. 

The Cliff Swallow winters in Paraguay and SE Brazil. 

Cave Swallows look similar but have a more brownish forehead, while the Cliff Swallow has a more light colored. Cave Swallows are rare in the Midwest US. Cave Swallows have a range in southern Texas and Mexico.

Psalm 84:3 "The bird also has found a house,

And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young,

Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts,

My King and my God."

The psalmist (the sons of Korah)  is jealous of the swallow that has access to the courts of the Lord and builds its nest there. God has now given us access to His presence by faith in prayer and meditation of Scriptures.

Crab Apple Tree Flower Buds & Flowers

Above is the flower buds of a Crab Apple tree. Below is the tree in full bloom. A Red Bud tree is in the background.

Close up of Crab Apple tree flowers.

The leaves form before the flowers bloom. Usually this happens the other way.

Just as we enjoy God's creative work with flowers like these. God also has great things in store for us as we follow Him. Don't fear what God will do. Realize that what He has for us is far greater than we could do for ourselves.

1 Corinthians 2:9 - "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

Congestion

Bird feeder is taken by the Common Grackle while the house sparrow must come back latter.

Has there been times when you looked to gain insight from the Bible but could not find any? Many distractions have hindered you. The phone rings. There is  a problem with the car that needs to be fixed. A problem came up at work and you must spend extra time to solve it.

Set aside some time to seek the Lord and read from the Bible.. Turn everything off make seeking the Lord a priority. Press into the answer and you will not be disappointed.

Psalm 63:1 "O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water."

Wasp / Yellow Jackets

We were walking in the park last summer and I saw this pile of dirt that seemed out of place so I headed over there to see what was up. When I got close I saw that is was a hornets nest.

I didn't stay close for long. I felt it best to keep away. 

Proverbs 22:3  "The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, But the naive go on, and are punished for it."

Northern Parula (Parula americana) Warbler

I saw this bird landing at different places before it landed here. This is a male, the female does not have the black neck band. Their range is more to the south then up in western Missouri.

When I first saw the bird I thought it was a wren. The size being small like a wren. I had a 75mm to 300mm zoom lens on my camera. The shot was an f5 1/400 sec. at 230 mm ISO was set at auto and registered 400. We were sitting at a lookout over a creek and had been talking for more than 5 minutes. It was a cloudy day but not hot at all. There had been some rain the day before so the trails were muddy but we were walking on a paved trail.

To see a bird like this is a treat for me for I don't find many birds in the summer woods up till now. I hope to find more birds in the summer as I sit listening, watching and waiting. I not only wait for birds but also the Lord as He will speak to my inner ear. It is not so much that God speaks but that I hear what I have been learning from the Bible.

To hear what I have been learning from the Bible is a funny statement. Jesus said many times, he who has ears to hear, let him hear. We at times hear but don't receive what we hear. Why? Because it is not what we want to hear. But God's ways are different then our ways. So as I listen, I learn from my errors to turn towards God and follow the direction I receive from Him.

"I will stand on my guard post and station my self on the rampart;
And I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me,
And how I may reply when I am reproved." Habakkuk 2:1

I have questions to ask God and my heart is at times troubled. As I wait for Him, He will direct me in the right way. When I discern His direction I will be encouraged. Each time I hear I am energized.

Slippery Elm Seed

Ran across this Slippery Elm seed the other day. I have not found many of these trees so I'm glad to ID this one.

Lady Bug

Got this shot of a lady bug on an Eastern White Pine tree.

Red Bud Tree Flower

The Red Bud tree flower has now bloomed in our yard.

Hawthorne Tree Flower

Red Bud Flower

Red Tailed Hawk

The tail is not distictive but the black stripe on the inner front of the wing is a good marker for a Red Tailed Hawk.

Spring Buds

Hawthorne tree bud. Taken March 6th 2016.

Crab apple tree.

Lilac bush buds.

Downy Woodpeckers

The male has the red splash on its head.

Abandoned Pasture

This mess of trees is growing on an old pasture that was clear of trees when I hiked by this area 28 years ago.  This area is being taken over by pioneer trees that grow in open areas of heavy upland grass. After these trees run their course other trees able to grow taller will grow up here.

People say then want to have an area of nature stay the same, but that isn't possible with out management. For the forest is always changing and adapting to the environment and conditions through time.

Our life is like the soil of this pasture. What we allow or neglect will dictate what happens to us. If we let our life just go with the flow not much is accomplished. But if we apply ourselves to wisdom we grow as a person and become useful to ourselves and others.

Proverbs 2:2

"Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding;"

Buffalo

Buffalo roamed the plains for 1000's of years. Until the settlers came and cleared them out.

The army needed a lot of buffalo to supply their troops with food and leather. Indians also were stampeding buffalo over cliffs for an easy kill harvest. There was a demand for the hides in the east and in Europe. People were conducting contests on how many buffalo they could kill. Then the government wanted to clear the buffalo out of the plains to force the Indians to the reservations.

Buffalo were down to just a few 1000 around 1900. But they have made a comeback to around 500,000 today.

 I was reading Theodore Roosevelt’s account of running a ranch in the Dakotas. They had a severe winter and many of their cattle died in the deep snows. Buffalo can survive the harsh winters on the northern plains of North America. They are adapted to the climate, while the cattle brought over from Europe are not.

Are we adapted to a life lived for Jesus? Or will the harshness at times that come to Christians cause us to forsake our beliefs?

Romans 8:17,18 

"and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

Moss

Walking in the woods I would come across some moss now and then at the trails edge. Some moss was sort of sketchy or sporadic with twig debris all through it. This was one of the better ones I found.

Moss will establish itself in the winter when most plants are dormant. 

Moss grows and thrives in poor and compacted soils. It thrives in the shady moist areas.

Though home owners would not usually like moss in their yards or on their house or buildings, moss is a beautiful plant. I enjoy the softness that it provides  color in the woods that is void of color and drab. I always enjoy finding it in the woods.

Just as moss in its right place is enjoyable, we can find peace in life as we live with  a purpose for God.

Wolf Tree

A wolf tree is noticed while other trees blend into the forest.
What do wolf trees represent?
They take up more space than normal because of the lack of competition.
They become the dominate tree in the area.

Wolf trees take what others need to advance.  A wolf tree takes up space. Keeps other trees from growing by using up the sunlight.  The tree has many branches and usually does not grow tall. So the tree is not good for lumber.

Oh wolf tree growing in the park.
That started when the land was void of trees.
The land has now has change its purpose,
As other trees have grown, the land has on the map been marked.

The wolf tree is a picture of a person that does not have other people around it to help them or teach them or direct them. The tree never shed its lower branches because there were no other trees to shade out the lower parts of the tree. So the branches just kept growing and the tree became more and more dominate.

This can be a picture of people not having a proper place in society, therefore they grow and  develop in ways that are not useful.

Let us find our proper place with others that will enable us to develop useful skills. Let not our abilities go to waste but have them flourish as God gives.

Ezekiel 17:24
"All the trees of the field will know that I am the LORD; I bring down the high tree, exalt the low tree, dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will perform it."

Cattails

Found cattails near a couple of ponds we have hiked by. Cattails offer a number of natural food options. For instance in March the new shoots coming up from the roots provide a substitute for pickles. Later that month you can spread out the leaves and the inner core of the plant tastes like  a cucumber. The top spike of the plant can be broken off and cooked like corn on the cob.

I have always found the plant by water, showing their adaptation to this environment. 

This walkway through the cattails was interesting.  We had hiked a ways to get to this place and enjoyed our time here. It will be nice to come back in the summer time to see these plants in full bloom and growth.

Isaiah 35:7

"The scorched land will become a pool

And the thirsty ground springs of water;

In the haunt of jackals, its resting place,

Grass becomes reeds and rushes."

Let the promise of God's rejuvenation bring hope to your life.

Frost

Humidity turns from vapor to frost as the water particles touch the ice cold glass. The slight scratches on the glass directs the formation of crystals.

Frost is damaging to some plants. Farmers make every effort to protect their corps or plant according to the tables that show them the from frost free dates.  The water in the plants will expand breading the cells within the plant. This ruins the plant for market.

Just as frost damages plants so Christians need to guard their heart from turning cold. A cold heart is not receptive to the things of God. Without our being willing to receive from God we can't believe God's word and follow Him.

Psalm 78:47 "He destroyed their vines with hailstones And their sycamore trees with frost."

Lord let us not be cold towards You. Give us willing hearts that will respond to Your direction. Thank you. In Jesus name. Amen.

Crows on Guard

We drove to an area I new crows stayed at in the winter. Sure enough there were a bunch of crows flying back and forth between a park area and a row of trees. We parked in a gravel area where I positioned the car to photo the crows flying back and forth.

Crows summer and nest to the north and come south in the winter. I don't see crows around here in the summer. So I'm assuming they all leave. There are some crows that stay in an area all year around. If they stay in the Kansas City area I don't know of it.

Crows are moving more and more to urban areas. Could it be that they have learned that hunting is not allowed in the city? They will eat food waste that is around cities,.

They will roost in large groups. This could be for protection as an owl might attack at night. With a large group they will hear the alarm and scatter.

I have read they live up to at least 17 years. Though up to half of the new born crows don't make it long. One thing I always notice about crows they have a guard crow up in a tree watching for the crows that are foraging along the ground. If the guard crows sound the alarm the crows will all flay away.

Christians need to on guard as well. Many things will sneak up on us and hinder our walk and service for God.

1 Peter 5:8

"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

Northern Pintail

Vast area of distribution. Breeds in northern Europe, Asia and North America. Then winters south down to the equator.

The stripe on the side of the head is distinctive. The duck has a longish neck and the bill is blue gray and gray legs and feet. The males long tail feathers give point to its name.

Hens call is course quack and males sounds like a woodwind instrument whistle.

The nesting area is many times far removed from water.

Psalm 81:10-16
"I, the Lord, am your God,
Who brought you up from the land of Egypt;
Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.
11 “But My people did not listen to My voice,
And Israel did not obey Me.
12 “So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart,
To walk in their own devices.
13 “Oh that My people would listen to Me,
That Israel would walk in My ways!
14 “I would quickly subdue their enemies
And turn My hand against their adversaries.
15 “Those who hate the Lord would pretend obedience to Him,
And their time of punishment would be forever.
16 “But I would feed you with the finest of the wheat,
And with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

Flood Recovery

This stand of Cottonwood trees have grown up since the 1993 flood along the Missouri river.

The land was formally farmland. After the flood the government took the land and allowed it to revert back to a natural wildlife area. The area is in the Big Muddy Wildlife area along the Missouri river.

Cottonwood trees do well in this wetland environment. You can see the work of beaver on a few trees that are showing whitish bark being chewed off by the beavers.

Growth comes to land after a flood disaster. The type of tree that seeds into a flooded area is a special type of tree that survives well in wet soil.

Christians also can bounce back after a disaster. The process of recovery is related to the type of problem they encounter. 

It says in 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ."

God uses what Satan throws at us and turns it for our good and the good of others. Knowing this, we can look with expectancy for the good God will work in our life. Just as land managers expect nature to recover after a flood.