Swanson's Hawk

Out of the corner of my eye I saw this hawk fly into the woods. I noticed a bump on a branch thinking that might be the hawk and took a photo of it and it came out fairly nice. Can't blow the photo up more than this because it was a long way off. (maybe 150 yards)

The tail feathers match up and the dark around the edges of the wings match with a Swanson's hawk.  I saw one of these birds flying over the lake nearby, so that is another indication that this would be a Swanson's Hawk.

The vastness of the woods behind the hawk would cause the hawk to be invisible from the distance I was at if I hadn't seen the bird fly into the woods. Being alert was the key for me that day to find this photograph.

In most endeavours of life, being alert to what you are doing is essential to success. Some things seem like they don't take much effort like going to church and being a Christian. But that is a mistake because, we may not realise there is a war going on around us.

Stay alert and keep vigilant in your efforts to live for Jesus. Learn to use the weapons and skills He has given you.

Father, I look to you for protection. Strengthen me to be a vigilant worker in Your kingdom.

For further reading on this subject, go to some posts on my other blog.

Northern Pintail

The 2 ducks having a horizontal white stripe on their head are Northern pintails. Also IDed with longer neck, white breast and male has thin pintail.

They are  dabbling ducks.

List of:American Dabbling Ducks
American Black Duck
American Wigeon
Blue-winged Teal
Cinnamon Teal
Gadwall
Green-winged Teal
Mallard
Mottled Duck
Northern Pintail
Northern Shoveler
Wood Duck

These ducks feed mainly on the top of the water rather than diving below for food.

The Northern Pintails average in population over five million. The added wetlands help to increase breeding. The population drops during dry years and increases in wet years. They hybrid with a number of different birds.

Pintails migrate early in spring and move north as soon as the wetlands are ice free.

This early migration is a type of eagerness that Christians should strive for. We should always be ready to go and serve as we are led by God.

1 Peter 3:15 "but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;"

Father, I want to be eager to follow your directions.

Ostrich

Males have black feathers and females have brown. They grow up to 9' tall and 320 pounds. Their diet consists of plants and bugs, locusts, snakes, lizards and rodents. Like all birds they eat sand and pebbles to digest their food.

They don't need to drink water. The plants they eat provide the water they need. But if they come to a watering hole they will drink from it.

Ostrich birds are the largest. They can't fly. Their bodies are built for running. They have been known to sprint up to 43 miles an hour and can maintain a run of 31 miles an hour.

They don't bury their head in the sand as fables have noted. But they do lie down with their head on the ground which may look like it is buried.

Isaiah 13:21 "But desert creatures will lie down there, And their houses will be full of owls; Ostriches also will live there, and shaggy goats will frolic there."

This verse refers to the destruction of Babylon. Ostriches show up where the land is desolate of civilization. As a type, the Ostrich represents desolation. Babylon was destroying Israel. God will support Israel and He will support us. We can trust God to come to our aid when the enemy strikes.

Father, lead me from desolation to the light of life.

Clouded Sulphur Butterfly

A nice shot of this butterfly on white flowers. Butterflies are attracted to flowers to get the nectar.

1 John 2:15-17
"Do not love the world nor the things in the world.
 If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world,
the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life,
is not from the Father, but is from the world.
17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts;
but the one who does the will of God lives forever."

Watch what you respond to so that your life will be a blessing to others.

Large White Oak

Photo taken 10/18/2016

f9 1/500 12mm ISO 1600

This White oak dominates in these woods. The other trees are much smaller and looked to be from another generation. Why does one tree dominate while others fail to make the size. Part of the reason is the type of tree it is. White oaks grow to a large size if given the right conditions. 

These oaks need to grow in full sunlight to gain full potential. If the tree is overshadowed it will grow slowly and bide its time till there is an opening in the canopy. With full sunlight, the tree that had been growing slowly will start to grow faster.

Christians need to receive light from our Lord Jesus to grow to their potential. At the same time there needs also the fellowship of other believers to encourage and guide them to better growth. We need the right mix of freedom and support to mature. 

Father, guide me to stay focused on You. Whether I'm a small tree or a large one, I look to you for my support.

Swanson's Hawk

The nest of the Swanson's hawk is about 2' in diameter and about a foot high.

The oldest Swanson's hawk was caught for rebanding and was found to be 23 years and 11 months old. The North American breeding population runs abound 580,000.

These hawks have one the of the longest migrations of the American Raptors. When these hawks are breeding they eat the normal hawks diet of rodents, reptiles and rabbits. They will scour the open fields for food and nest in nearby trees along the edge of fields. After they are done breeding they make a major switch in diet to insects. They will run on foot after insects with their wings partly spread.

Maybe it is because they are adaptable to different diets that their population remains stable.

I find it interesting that a majestic hawk like this will chase after a lowly insect.

Proverbs 16:19 "It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud."

Father, remind me to stay humble and look to You for my strength.

Pied-Billed Grebe

Pied-billed Grebes don't fly well. They are not spotted often in flight. Usually they are seen on the water. They are divers and are able to hold water in their feathers to allow them to dive and stay under water for a while. They eat a lot of their own feathers, which is used to filter their food so that harmful parts won't get into their intestines.

Their defense is to dive under water. Sometimes they are submerged with just their eyes and bill out for breathing.

They build their nests in the water. They use the plants in the water to anchor their nests.

Pied-billed Grebes are water birds like ducks and can be IDed by the thick bill and large head and brown feathers.

The large head reminds me at times of people that think they know something. We need to remember, it is not what we know, but what we can testify of that matters. Life with Jesus does not consist of knowledge alone, but what we do with our knowledge in love for others.

1 Corinthians 8:1 "...knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies."

Father, lead me in the love You have for me.

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.

White Throated Sparrow

These birds breed in Canada but have come south for the winter. We have not had a cool fall as normal, but these sparrows have arrived and I was glad to get a shot.

They sometimes mate with Dark eyed Juncos and produce  hybrids. These offspring have white tail feathers and look like dully marked White Throated sparrows.

They nest near the ground or up to 18" high. The oldest White Throated sparrow was found to be 14 years and 11 months. from a banding operation.

These birds don't stay long in one place and I was following this bird from branch to branch before I got my shot.

Like a sparrow that often moves our life is busy at times. We should be about the purposes of God and not just rest. Let us make sure what we do is profitable and we will be blessed.

1 Corinthians 15:58

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."

Father, I thank you for the work You have given me. I rejoice in the grace you have given me.

Clover Flower

This clover will winter and come the next year. It is used as a cover crop which keeps erosion in check by having it growing hold the ground during rain. One value is the plant fixes nitrogen in the soil. This nitrogen causes other plants to grow much better in the year to come.

This plant can be sown in fields that have been harvested but the stubble has not been tilled under.

Christians need strength in their life to produce fruit in the future. Having God's word hid in your heart builds strength if you use it.

We don't need strength when life is easy. But when troubles come we need the strength of God. How do we get access to strength? By turning to God and His promises. Rely on God and what He has promised and you can trust Him.

Lord I trust you and when troubles come I will not fear but put my eyes on You.

Psalm 112:7 "He will not fear evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord."

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. 

Great Horned Owl

The most common owl in North America. They are fierce predators, which are able to take large birds such as Osprey and other owls. Of course they eat smaller animals also.

If you see a mass of agitated crows, they may be bothering a Great Horned owl. They may stay after the owl for hours. This owl is the greatest threat to the crow.

Owls have special feathers that allow them to fly quietly and sneak up on their prey. The primary feathers are divided like a comb. This configuration breaks up the turbulence of the wind passing over the wings, causing less noise. Owls wings also are wide and short allowing them to fly through a forest easier.

Because of the nocturnal life of owls they are associated with evil in the past. Owls and witches go together at Halloween.

Ephesians 5:11 "Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;"

With a true knowledge of nature we understand the role owls play in nature. Yet because of superstitions and ignorance people are afraid at times. We should not fear problems when we have Christ with us. Instead we can rejoice in the victory we have had and will have in Christ as we serve Him.

Father, I thank you for Your guidance in my life and the victory that is coming by Your power and direction.

Cedar Waxwing

The red spot on the wing is interesting. I don't see it often. This red spot is made up of a waxy substance in the mature birds. Females prefer birds with this marking. 2nd year birds usually don't have these markings. Older birds do have them. Therefore the waxwing name. They like to eat Cedar berries. 

The Cowbird will lay its eggs in the Cedar Waxwing nests. But they reject the eggs by either abandoning the nest or ejecting them. Sometimes they damage the eggs. 

Cedar Waxwings will eat old fruit that has been fermented which makes them drunk or kills the bird if they eat too many.

This alcohol is a type of the problems people face. I have never heard of a marriage that claims alcohol saved their marriage. I have seen a lot of marriages that are ruined by alcohol. I worked downtown for a number of years inspecting streets. During that time I ran into a lot of homeless people. Many of them had a real problem with alcohol. I have never heard of anyone getting their life back together because of alcohol.

Many families are hard up because of money being spent on alcohol instead of using it wisely. Alcohol is a problem and the best way to deal with it is to quit. Some can't without help. Jesus offers us the best help. Turn to Jesus with your life and He will bring you to peace. Not only peace, but a purpose in life. With Jesus we can live as we were made to live. Not with religious rules, but with the vibrancy of service that comes with the love Jesus gives us.

Luke 11:13 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your [a]heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"

Psalm 121:2 "My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth."

Father, I look to you for Your help. I thank You for all You do for me.

Wetlands

Walked over this boardwalk. It goes for a mile or more. The land is not flooded currently but during rains the nearby river will overflow and flood this forest, leaving standing water.

Not much oxygen is in these low land soils. Some plants get their oxygen from from the stems that are spongy, which are able to absorb carbon dioxide from the air.

We are able to easily view this environment because of the boardwalk built for us. God has made a way for us to be with Him. He sent Jesus and died for us, paying for our sin. Now we can come to Him as we accept His free gift.

Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Father, I don't want to ignore Your gift today. I decide to walk with You today. In Jesus name You will do it.

Mississippi River

The Mississippi river has one of the main watersheds in the world. The Ohio, the Missouri and the Arkansas rivers flow into the Mississippi.

Here is a view of the Mississippi river from Hannibal Missouri.

In the north by St. Anthony Falls the flow rate is about 6 cubic feet a second. At the first lock and dam the flow rate is about 12,00 cubic feet a second. And by New Orleans the flow rate is 600,000 cubic feet a second.

I think of God's love when I see this type of river. The flow of God's love  and support for us is beyond what we can imagine.

Ephesians 3:20 "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,"

Father, I worship You, I praise You, I thank You for life, light and your purpose.

Young Red Headed Woodpecker

These birds gain insects from trees. But they also acquire food in flight. They will eat seeds and store the nuts for the future.

The young birds are the new generation that continue to live, breed, nest and give life and to our world. Their nature is passed on from parent to baby. Human nature and learning is passed on from the parents to their children. As Christians we teach our kids about God and how to follow Him.

Psalm 78:8

"And not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not prepare its heart And whose spirit was not faithful to God."

Let us not be unfaithful to God. Let us prepare our heart to receive God's word, believe it and follow it.

Sunlight on Pawpaw leaves

The large leaves of this Pawpaw sapling are receiving a bunch of sunlight. I find it interesting to see the different shades of green by the amount of sunlight the leaves receive.

I was looking for these leaves to have already turned yellow. Instead I get a green leaf photo. Many of the leaves have already fallen so more light is getting in.

This tree will never grow like an oak or maple. It is not made for that. It is happy, so to speak, to grow under the forest canopy of the giants.

Our growth at times is limited by the amount of light we receive. And other times our growth is limited by our ability to use what we receive. We grow in God as we position ourselves to receive from Him and rid our life of things that waste our time to hear and grow.

Ephesians 5:15-17 "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."

Father, I give you my day to use for You. I listen for Your direction. So it will be in Jesus name.

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

Blue Jay

I have been trying to get a photo of a Blue Jay for a long time. They seem to realize that and hide behind a leaf or branch so I don't have a clear shot. Yesterday I got this one.

Most of their diet is insects and nuts. They imitate the calls of hawks and the Red shouldered Hawk often. They are noisy and their presence is known from their noisy call. They don't have a regular migration. A bird may migrate one year and not the next.

Psalm 128:1,2

"How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,

Who walks in His ways.

2 When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands,

You will be happy and it will be well with you."

In their boisterous way Blue jays seem to be happy with their lot in life. Let us be happy as we walk with God. He will bless us as we minister as we are led. God will provide for our life to serve others. We can trust God to meet our needs as we meet the needs of others.

Red Tailed Hawk

I watched this hawk for 45 minutes, hoping for it to move to another position. He didn't move except to take another bite from his catch. He kept watch in all 4 directions constantly.

This reminds me of the verse in Psalm 130:6 "My soul waits for the Lord
More than the watchmen for the morning;
Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning."

Let us be awake to the world around us. There are many opportunities to share the Lord and to pray for the needy. Keep watch, the Lord will bring opportunities our way.

Father, I look to you for your guidance and direction in life. Let me see Your guidance. In Jesus name it will happen.