Eagles, Hawks and Wild Turkeys!

Wild Bird Wednesday!

Last week was a great week for bird photos.

My neighbor across the street called me up and said,

"Esther, I know you'll want to see this.

Bring your camera.

There's an eagle in the tree in my back yard!"

I could hardly believe it!
I'd been running to the lake on the other side of town to get pictures of eagles,
and here was a big one right on the edge of our neighborhood duck pond!

It made him a little nervous as I went in closer and closer
to try for some great shots,...

...And off he flew!

Just a couple of days later I spotted a large bird high in a tree top
as my husband and I were on our way home from Searcy County.

My husband graciously pulled over so that I could "zoom in".

The large bird seemed unafraid, and just looked at us
until my husband got out of the truck and made some noise...

...so that I could get a photo of him in flight.

A red-tailed hawk is what my husband thinks this is...
What do you think he is?
Majestic! That's for sure!

Just before the Marion County line we encountered these turkeys.
"Walk on left facing traffic!"
...I don't think these wild turkeys had heard that line!

Thanks for stopping by!

And in case you're wondering,

I came back from a blogging break on Rock4Today.

(To see that post, click on the highlighted letters above.)

The "River of Life"

What Grandparents do in their "spare" time!

Our grandson had been looking forward to a float trip
on the Buffalo National River.

It was evident that area businesses were gearing up for the floating season,
but my grandson and his buddies couldn't afford to rent canoes.

No problem!
"Grampa Gary" to the rescue,
providing a canoe and a kayak,
...and paddles, of course!

It was decided that Buffalo Point would be the place
from which the float trip would start.

His group was anxious to get started on their trip,
but I got them to pause long enough to capture
a few photos with my cell phone.

The river looked peaceful and quiet as they carried
the canoe and kayak down to the water's edge.

I wasn't sure how they were going to fit all their gear
into their small boats!

This placard by the place they put in the river proclaimed the Buffalo River to be
"The River of Life".
I found that very interesting,
because of what the Book of Revelation says about the
 River of Life in Revelation 22. 
It states that it flows from the Throne of God,
and only those whose names are written in the
Book of Life
will see this River of Life!


 



(Billy Graham has an excellent video available called "The Cross"

that shows how you can have your name written in the "Book of Life".

Click HERE to see it!)

 

 

My husband didn't sleep very well that night;

I often found him missing in our bed.

He was concerned about the kids out on the river,

and spent considerable time praying for their safety.

 

Consequently, the next morning we headed out earlier than planned to pick them up...

Gary was afraid they would over shoot the place where they were to land.

 

As we went, I couldn't help but notice businesses getting ready
for spring float trips and guided fishing tours.
 

We drove past the abandoned mining town of "Rush" on our way to the river.

The group was already there waiting for us,
although we were nearly 3 hours early!
They were relieved not to have to wait for us,
and Gary was extremely relieved that they were all okay
and had not gone past the selected landing!

Minutes after we arrived a ranger dropped by,
checking to see if all was okay.

The satisfied look on our grandson's face as they loaded up,
made it all worthwhile!

If you've followed many of my posts,

you know of my love for the Buffalo National River!

To see a related post, click HERE!

 

(To see any of these photos more clearly, just click on them to enlarge them!)

 

 



Baby Eagles in the Nest!

Yes, there are baby eagles...

Although I'm not sure how many...

As we first drove up, one baby eagle was visible...

 

 

But we only got a quick glimpse of it before it was tucked down in the nest.

 

I was so focused on the baby and the activity in the nest...

 

That I almost missed the mate sitting on a tree limb not far away.
We watched his colors seem to change as the sun sank lower...

And got home just as the sun was setting.

Yes, I have to admit, I do have a fascination with these birds.

Besides being our national bird,

they just seem to command our attention.

I think God must have liked them, also,

because He made a lot of interesting references to them in the Bible.

(If you're interested, click HERE to see a few of them.)

 

One that I find very interesting is from Proverbs 30:18-19 which says:

"There are three things that are too amazing for me,

four that I do not understand:

the way of an eagle in the sky,

the way of a snake on a rock,

the way of a ship on the high seas,

and the way of a man with a maid."

 

 

Check out other bird photos from around the world at
Wild Bird Wednesday! 

 

 



Shadow Monster!

This past weekend, my new friend Terri Sigafus invited me to a booksigning for the release of her latest book:  

"THE SHADOW MONSTER"

What fun it was to listen to her concert,
and watch the children interacting with her.

Besides signing books,
monster cookies and punch were served.

Chad and Terri have been a singing team for years,
but the addition of the "Shadow Monster" is a new and exciting venture!

For a preview of their book, click on this LINK,
which also gives information how to get your own copy.

Did you know that monsters are mentioned in the Bible?

Speaking of God, Psalm 74:13 says,

"It was You who split open the sea by Your power,

You broke the heads of the monster in the waters."

I'm still taking a blogging break from Rock4Today,

but HERE is a link to one of my popular posts there!

Thanks for dropping by!

Resolutions!

Resolute - "Marked by firm determination"

Resolution - "Firmness of resolve"

I had to laugh at this starling this morning...

Resolutely, he tried again and again to gain entrance into the bird house...

Because it was built for a bluebird, his size would not allow him entrance

.

The mate left the scene and scrambled for leftovers under my birdfeeder.

Meanwhile, the goldfinches appeared to have resolved to devour all my peach blossoms...

Resolutions can be powerful things.

This verse from Luke 9:51 caught my eye this morning,

"Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem".

Then a few verses later when speaking of the opposition that Jesus felt,

Luke 9:53 says, "the people there did not welcome Him,

because He was heading to Jerusalem."

Was Jesus thinking of His resolve to accomplish our salvation when He said in Luke 9:62,

"No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God"?

An old hymn that I hadn't thought of in years came to my mind

as I thought about the words resolute, resolution, and resolve.

It was written by Palmer Hartsough, who lived from 1844-1932.

I AM RESOLVED

I am resolved no longer to linger, Charmed by the world's delight;

Things that are higher, things that are nobler, These have allured by sight.

 I am resolved to go to the Saviour, Leaving my sin and strife;

He is the true One, He is the just One, He hath the words of life.

I am resolved to follow the Saviour, Faithful and true each day;

Heed what He sayeth, do what He willeth, He is the living way.

I am resolved to enter the Kingdom, Leaving the paths of sin;

Friends may oppose me, foes may beset me, Still will I enter in.

I will hasten to Him, Hasten so glad and free;

Jesus, Greatest, Highest, I will come to Thee.

Someone that demonstrates great resolve to me is my nephew Joel.

In his fight against glioblastoma brain cancer, 

he and his wife Codie have resolved to give God the glory no matter what.

Seeing their bravery and faith in action has stirred up my resolve

to be more faithful than ever in praying for his recovery.

How about you?

It doesn't have to be New Year's to make a resolution!