Thomas Trock

Mountain Cathedrals: The Outdoors From a Different Perspective

Birds

Chickadee II

And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! – Revelation 15:3 NASB20 Chickadees have been one of my favorite birds for as long as I can remember. My fascination with these black-capped birds just increases when I encounter them singing and darting about the trees as I hike in the wilderness.  During the autumn months, these birds work hard storing food for winter. It has been estimated that one chickadee …

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Chickadee I

…do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. – Hebrews 6:12 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9 NIV “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in …

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Canada Jay

“The kingdom of heaven is like a [very precious] treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid again; then in his joy he goes and sells all he has and buys that field [securing the treasure for himself]. – Matthew 13:44 AMP “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 10:32 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. – John 14:6 Canada Jays flourish in cold weather. These birds live …

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Solitude

So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. – Luke 5:16 Although we all share several common traits as humans, the Lord creates each of us as unique individuals. And that is a really good thing. Sometimes a verse or passage I read in the Bible makes me pause to meditate on the wonderous truths of the words being spoken to my heart. The above Scripture is one such verse. Seeking Solitude For many, many years I have sought solitude in the wilderness. I was never taught to do this, nor did I see it modeled for me …

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Turkeys in the Snow

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:11-13 NLT Wild turkeys, like the four pictured above, actively consume a large variety of food during their lifetimes. Their diet changes with the seasons, and they tend to forage on whatever is available. …

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Turkey Snow Landing

For by Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, [things] visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [that is, by His activity] and for Him. And He Himself existed and is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. [His is the controlling, cohesive force of the universe.] – Colossians 1:16-17 AMP My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip–he who watches over you will not slumber; – Psalm 121:2-3 NIV As …

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Deer and Turkey Meet- N – Greet

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For [the LORD does] not [see] as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7 NKJV Do not neglect to extend hospitality to strangers [especially among the family of believers–being friendly, cordial, and gracious, sharing the comforts of your home and doing your part generously], for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. – Hebrews 13:2 AMP As I’ve mentioned in other posts, I …

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Quail Family

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. – Psalm 91:4 NLT Many critters in the wild have a built-in desire to protect their offspring, at least until the little …

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Turkey – Bird Brain

Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. – 1 Corinthians 13:12 NLT Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at …

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Nuthatch Egg

O LORD, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures. Psalm 104:24 NLT “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him …

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Eagles III

But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. – Isaiah 40:29, 31 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. – James 4:10 As noted in a recent post, I’ve had the privilege of taking long walks along a cold stream where life in the mountains was transitioning from fall to winter. Numerous salmon were completing their lifecycle by spawning – and dying – in the river and feeder streams. …

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Sandpipers

A song of ascents. Of David. How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore. Psalm 133:1-3 NIV There are different theories as to why some birds fly in unison – holding tight formations – moving as a single, synchronized unit. If you’ve ever seen this behavior, …

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Robin on Nest

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry.  Psalm 34:15 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. Luke 13:34 NLT Robins are widespread across the U.S., and their song is one of the first you’ll hear at the breaking of the day during the summer months. They are in the Thrush family, and their diet consists largely of fruit, insects, and …

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Squirrels and Bird Feeders

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, …

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Snow Birds

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall …

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Thanksgiving VI

At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You, Because of Your righteous judgments. Psalm 119:62 Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness.  Psalm 107:8-9 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  1 Thessalonians 5:18 As best I can tell without hiring a lawyer to interpret the hunting regs, it is now open season for wild turkeys in my neck of the …

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Quail Chicks…and Snakes!

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” Genesis 3:1 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. Psalm 91:13 “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19 When I took this picture from my kitchen window …

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Ruffed Grouse II Newborn Chick

How amazing are the deeds of the LORD! All who delight in Him should ponder them. Everything He does reveals His glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails. Psalm 111:2-3 NLT Not long ago I posted a short write-up about the Ruffed Grouse (see Ruffed Grouse and Springtime in the Mountains). I wrote about the drumming ritual which the male grouse performs to attract a female at the onset of nesting season. On an early summer hike, Cosmos the Wonderdog showed me this tiny grouse hidden amongst the fir needles and new plant growth. The chick was probably just a …

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Grosbeak II – Crash Recovery

Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. … Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.  Psalm 90:10, 12 NIV It is rare that we have two birds fly into our window at the same time. I don’t remember ever having three in unison fly so hard against the glass that all of them knocked themselves woozy. But on a winter day not long ago, that is exactly what happened, …

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Ruffed Grouse – Springtime in the Mountains – VII

Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD! Psalm 150:1-6 NKJV Except for their springtime drumming, Ruffed Grouse tend to be relatively quiet birds. Sometimes I have seen them slipping through …

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Hummingbird II Flying in the Snow

As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night. Genesis 8:22 NLT I know all the birds of the mountains, And the wild beasts of the field are Mine. Psalm 50:11 We usually take our hummingbird feeder down in the fall when we no longer see the little flying darts hovering about. This year it slipped under our radar as we prepped for the winter. Some people believe that keeping a hummingbird feeder up too long in the fall will cause the birds to miss their southern migration. …

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Thanksgiving V

Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! Psalm 105:1 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 When turkeys are young, the tips of their tail feathers are more or less uniform, with a sharp, defined edge to them. As they walk about and sometimes drag their tails on the ground, the ends of the feathers fray a bit, like in the above picture. This, along with the size of the birds and their …

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Evening Grosbeak

For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Romans 8:19-21 There is something very special which takes place whenever I have the privilege of touching a wild animal. It is beyond words. Most of the times when this happens, I have no chance of getting a picture, but on rare occasions …

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Winter Wren

I know all the birds of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are Mine. Psalm 50:11 But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; and the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Job 12:7 The winter wren is a secretive bird which lives in the deep mountains around us. They are really fast, and make for a tough photo opportunity. I have tried to get a good picture for years to no avail. It seems no matter how many times I venture out, I see about one winter wren per year. I’m …

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