Bird Nest Hole

This is a great place for a bird nest. The Black Locust thorns provide good protection against some predators that would not be able to negotiate this obstruction.

Our spiritual walk is hindered by many obstacles. When we guard against them we can live in safety.

Psalm 141:3
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;
Keep watch over the door of my lips.

Job 31:1
"I have made a covenant with my eyes; How then could I gaze at a virgin?

Keeping watch what you say and look at will protect you.

The problem is that we can't keep our own decisions if they go against our desires. The solution is not to keep rules but to focus on what God has for us. A mind set on the things of this world is death. A mind set on serving Jesus and following His direction is life.

Set as your purpose to live for God and not for the things of the world. Then understanding of Spiritual things will open up to you.

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."

Who Eats Hedge Apples?

Deer, horses, squirrels and cows will eat hedge apples. It is reported that deer relish eating them. We use them to repel crickets in our basement. Science reports that the natural compounds that repel insects are too low to be effective.

I definitely would not want to be under one when they fall.

Close up photo from last year. Hedge apples grow on Osage Orange trees.

Palm 40:5 "Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count."

Crow

Canon 7D Canon EF-S 55-250mm 1:4 - 5.6 IS STM lens 1/640 f/6.3 216mm ISO 100

Best photo yet of a crow. They don't give me much of a chance. I asked this guy to hang tight for a photo. He waited till I opened my car and got my camera and I got 3 photos and then he took off. :)

When I can live ready I get more chances. If I had my 400mm lens it would have been a better shot.

Luke 12:35 "“Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit."

Kentucky Coffee Tree

Revelation 5:9-10 "Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth."

Photos taken 11/18/18

Mulberry Buds

Photo taken 11/18/18

Revelation 4:11 "Worthy are You, our Lord and our God to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things and because of Your will they existed, and were created."

Red-shouldered Hawk

This Red-sholdered Hawk is just taking off, after eating a small snake.

Canon 6D 1/4000 f 5.6 105mm ISO 640 I had just got out of the car and walked about 100 feet when this happened.

Many times a hawk will sit on a tree and watch the land below. It is not bothered by the hustle and bustle below. We can be the same way. Don't worry about minor irritations that come. Instead be at peace. Life goes on and we can decide to enjoy life.

We can live above problems as we rest in Jesus.

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."

Hiking Trails in October

Proverbs 4:18 "But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day."

Isaiah 26:7 "The way of the righteous is smooth; O Upright One, make the path of the righteous level."

John 14:6 "Jesus said unto him, 'I am the way, and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me."

Don't follow the blind. Luke 6:39 "And He also spoke a parable to them: "A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit?"

Romans 5:1-2 "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God."

Wandering Jew

Chocolate Mint Flower

Fall is Coming

Hackberry leaf above and Northern Catalpa leaf below. (Celtis occidentalis  Catalpa speciosa)

Young Robin

Sunflowers

Black Cherries Provide Breakfast

This Black Cherry tree provides breakfast for birds. I noticed the branches moving as the birds feasted. These photos came from watching the birds enjoy God's bountiful gift.

Red Flower

Morning Fog

Purple Martin

Male Purple Martin

Female Purple Martin

Ant at Work

Great Blue Heron

Lilly