Birds

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 …

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 …

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 …

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. …

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, …

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 …

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 …

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, …

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 …

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, just as we hope in You. Psalm 33:18-22 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not …