Posted at 03:10 AM in Bird Watchers, Birder, Birding, Birds, Nature | Permalink | Comments (0)
Great Egret
The Light Through the Trees
Photography and Poem by Norma Beaird
Sometimes, in the midst of the trees and the brush,
over the cloudy and dark murky water,
there appears a beautiful and bright, white light.
It's in the distance, just waiting for you to finally see it,
this beautiful white light shines brightly to guide you
as you migrate through life's troubled journeys.
Though your wings may feel heavy, and the flight is so long,
you will soar through the sky and know that God's love
will strengthen you through the wind and the rain.
You may arrive to your destination quite exhausted and soaked,
but spread your wings and shake off the water.
You've made it. The Lord never leaves us in the storm alone.
Copyright 2022, Curtis and Norma Beaird. All rights reserved.
Posted at 10:44 PM in Bird Watchers, Birding, Birds, Birds of Georgia, Encouragement, God, Storms | Permalink | Comments (2)
Photography by Curtis and Norma Beaird
Article by Norma Beaird
Anyone who reads this blog knows that we love photography. We especially love bird and nature photography. To look at our pictures is to look at what appears to be a lifestyle of immeasurable peace and tranquility. However, looks can be deceiving.....as they say. To see the beautiful birds, the salmon-pink sunsets, the summer green pastures and the brilliant white moons seems to impart a location of sheer perfection, a place that dreams are made of.
As they say.......looks can be deceiving.
It is possible for a geographical location to create a seemingly endless struggle. Nature may welcome us with open arms, but a community may isolate their neighbors from the progression of new ideas. Even though nature makes us feel at home, sometimes a community will make us feel like fish out of water. Trying to be community-minded is generous in spirit, but receiving community cooperation may be as difficult as roping the wind. A spiritually oppressed people are unable to see the glass half-full. It is possible to have a half-full mentality but geographically live in a half-empty cultural condition. This can be undermining to the concept of success. Geographical spiritual oppression is just that - oppressive.
The Bible says in Proverbs 29:18 that "where there is no vision, the people perish...."
Living in a spiritual wilderness can be emotionally and spiritually debilitating. At times, it's like dragging around the proverbial ball and chain. Sometimes, you feel hungry in your spirit and crave that one morsel of encouragement that only God can give. It's during these times that God can send us manna in the wilderness, just like He sent a raven to feed Elijah by the brook Cherith.
I Kings 17: 4-6
4 And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
5 So he went and did according unto the word of the Lord: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
6 And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.
....and so the Lord did for us what He did for Elijah.
He may not have sent a raven to bring us food, but He sent us birds. Many birds.
He sent us Peanut, the Red-bellied Woodpecker.
He sent us Pierre, the Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
He sent us the Duke of Soperton, the Northern Cardinal.
He sent us Cisco and Coco, the Northern Bobwhite Quail.
In other words, God sent us spiritual manna. Elijah may have been fed physically, but we are fed spiritually by the wonders of God's glorious creation. There are days when our birds help us to keep our focus on the bigger goals and accomplishments. They inspire imagination and creativity. They teach us about faith. The world around us seems crazy and the struggle is exhausting, but in a wilderness of spiritual oppression, we find solace in Genesis 1.
We find peace in "....and God saw that it was good."
Discouragement with our geographical location forces us to look outside and see God's handiwork all around us. We are able to look past the disappointments and frustrations. The result? Hundreds of photographs of birds, birds and more birds. Full Moons. Sunsets. Landscapes. And.... the occasional squirrel in the bird feeder.
Living in the wilderness is not easy. It will never be easy. But.... God will send a bird.
Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Copyright 2017, Curtis and Norma Beaird. All rights reserved.
Posted at 11:29 AM in Birds, Birds of Georgia, Encouragement, Faith, Frustration, Imagination | Permalink | Comments (2)
Posted at 12:45 AM in Birds, Birds of Georgia, Flowers, Sunflowers | Permalink | Comments (0)
Article and Photography by Norma Beaird
At the end of last August, Curtis and I were on our way to the Recycle Center (the dumpster where we take our trash). Usually, we have our cameras with us in case of a new bird sighting or just in case the good Lord provides us with a unique sunset. On this particular day, we were driving slowly down the country road when something caught my eye. There were a line of trees on the right side of the road, but behind those trees was a pond lined with old Cypress Tree stumps. Standing on those trees was the most magnificent sight. There were approximately 75 Wood Storks standing on those stumps, all over the pond, and in the woods behind the pond.
This was not a sight that we expected to see. It was as though we were peeking into a fantasy world. Consequently, we had been wanting to photograph Wood Storks for quite a while. We had once again missed going to a National Wildlife Refuge where the storks breed each year in Georgia, and we were disappointed that we had missed this opportunity. However, God knew the desires of our heart and He birthed a blessing on the way to the dumpster.
For many years, storks have been part of a legend involving the birth of babies. The legend of the stork delivering a baby began with the famous 1838 fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen entitled, "The Storks". Even though storks don't deliver babies, the association of the stork and birth actually birthed a thought process and a question in my mind.
What if we actually lived every day with an attitude of hope and expectancy,
as though each day God could birth a new idea,
a new blessing or a new miracle in our lives?
So many times, we go through the day, never expecting anything good to happen. It's the same 'ole routine, the same 'ole job, same 'ole menu, same 'ole.....everything. We never expect anything good to happen or to be "birthed" in us because things like that always happen to other people. However, on this very ordinary day, going to do a very menial task of taking garbage to the dumpster, God blessed us to see something that many people never see. Wood Storks. And not just one Wood Stork, but many Wood Storks.
Since that day, I try to look at life a little differently. Maybe on this ordinary day, after eating my ordinary breakfast and drinking my ordinary cup of coffee, God may have a surprise blessing for me. Maybe the Lord will open up a door that has been closed for a long time. Maybe He will show me a path where He would have me to walk. Maybe He has a job for me to do where I can bless others. Every time I look at these pictures of our Wood Storks, I am reminded to never take any day for granted. You never know when God has a blessing.....just around the corner.
Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."
Copyright 2017, Curtis and Norma Beaird. All rights reserved.
Posted at 10:01 PM in Bird Species, Bird Watchers, Birding, Birds, Birds of Georgia, Birdwatching, Blessings, God, Hope | Permalink | Comments (0)
Photography by Curtis Beaird
Poem by Norma Beaird
"Birds of the Bible Series"
He waits on the fence post,
this pensive Black Vulture,
he knows it is dying,
the modern day culture.
When lust has destroyed,
those ruled by their greed
he'll wait by the roadside,
as they will soon bleed.
The traitors and sinners,
and keepers of gold,
have looted and stolen,
and traded their souls.
For treasures and mansions,
and white invitations,
for grandeur and power,
and sinful persuasions.
The land they have stolen,
from great tribal neighbors,
the slaves they've mistreated,
who gave them their labor.
The vulture is waiting,
as rich men buy castles,
while poor men are struggling,
with every day hassles.
The vain heathen pleasures,
reap comforts a while,
and sleep-walking mortals,
applaud wealth and style.
But dark clouds are rising,
all over this culture,
The sins of the spirit,
unleashing the vultures.
But blessed are those,
who work for the Lord,
and honor their Savior,
Who gives the rewards.
For those who continue,
to hurt those in need
will soon reap a harvest,
of sorrow and grief.
So turn to the Savior,
oh sad, sinful culture,
escape the invasion,
of waiting black vultures.
Revelation 19: 17 - 21
King James Version
17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
***Psalm 37 also details the plight of the wicked. God does not appreciate evil men who mistreat people. He will deal with them, as shown in this Psalm of King David.
Copyright 2016, Curtis and Norma Beaird. All rights reserved.
Posted at 07:30 PM in Bird Watchers, Birding, Birds, Birds of Georgia, Birds of the Bible, Birdwatching, Poem, Poetry | Permalink | Comments (0)
Papa Leonardo and Mama Lola, our Italian Eastern Bluebirds, have been busy this year.
The family brought their four toddlers to Le Avian Cafe for Family Day, where children under 4 eat free.
Meet the proud parents and their little ones - Gabi, Romeo, Sophia and Marco.
Also at the table on the far right is a very confused female House Finch named Layla.
Photography By Norma Beaird
Papa Leonardo finally gets a chance to enjoy his unsalted peanuts as Mama Lola tries to feed Marco.
As you can tell, Marco, the immature Eastern Bluebird, is rather impatient during meal time.
Mama Lola feeds her daughter Sophia as Papa Leonardo awaits his turn to feed her.
Sophia has quite an appetite and it takes both parents to feed their hungry little bluebird.
Copyright 2016, Curtis and Norma Beaird. All rights reserved.
Posted at 11:12 PM in Bird Species, Bird Watchers, Birding, Birds, Birds of Georgia, Birdwatching | Permalink | Comments (0)
Jet the Red-bellied Woodpecker and his daughter, Jetta, the juvenile, visit Le Avian Cafe.
Photography by Norma Beaird
Jet is feeding Jetta the unsalted peanuts prepared by Chef Curtis at Le Avian Cafe.
"Papa, I'm not finished eating! May I have some more peanuts?"
Copyright 2016, Curtis and Norma Beaird. All rights reserved.
Posted at 03:27 PM in Bird Watchers, Birder, Birding, Birds, Birds of Georgia, Birdwatching | Permalink | Comments (0)
An Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on a Mexican Sunflower.
As the butterfly takes nectar from the flower,
we must take spiritual sustenance from the wisdom of the scriptures.
Photography by Curtis and Norma Beaird
Article by Norma Beaird
2 Timothy 3:1
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
For the last few weeks, I admit that I have had a very difficult time posting an article on our blog. To be quite honest, the constant barrage of bad news has really gotten to me. I don't know where to start with the news. It just gets worse. From the attacks on the police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge to the terrorist attacks in San Bernardino, Orlando, Nice and Munich, the sadness just seems to consume everything. Then, I buy a copy of the Savannah Morning News and read that the 30th homicide this year has just occurred.
If that isn't enough, we have the constant barrage of political circus, to include the conventions, debates and controversy. It seems that we live under a cloud of deep spiritual oppression. You don't know who you can trust. Is it possible to even go to the grocery store and feel safe anymore? Is it possible to buy a carton of eggs without fear that there's a lunatic on the same aisle looking at the low fat milk?
You wake up in the morning and attempt to motivate yourself, but then you learn that something else happened while you were asleep. More shootings, more death, more protests, more terror and more scandal. Walking to the coffee pot for that first cup of coffee doesn't begin to soothe the tension that lives in your soul. For years, you heard them preach about it. You read about it in the scriptures. You know it's coming. From what you can tell, it's already here.
Matthew 24: 4 - 8
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled:
for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
In the midst of the madness and sorrow, there is life and hope. In the last few years, our birds have been a constant source of inspiration and encouragement. As I inhale the aroma of freshly made coffee and open the blinds, I look outside the kitchen window and see the adult Eastern Bluebird bring his immature toddler to the feeder. This instantly brightens my day and helps to relieve the pressure of a world gone crazy. God's glorious creation once again brings peace to my spirit.
Papa Leonardo and his immature bluebird!
Some days, it seems that the media doles out large doses of doom and gloom. If you read the comment sections on social media or under any online news article, you can see that fear and the anxiety of "what may happen" in the future is epidemic. People are prepping and preparing, locking and loading and even moving out of large cities. They are very worried, tired and frustrated. And, I can understand how they feel. Things are not going well. If the shootings and protests are not bad enough, we have the serious problems of illegal immigration, drug trafficking, unemployment and a common mistrust of the government and Wall Street.
As it has been said before, it seems that the inmates are running the asylum. Of course, if you're rich, highly successful and living in the lap of luxury, you may not be spiritually aware that we're living in a very dark world. Somehow, when everything is going right, it's much more difficult to see that everything is going wrong. Money and success cover up a multitude of problems. Why? Because you have the ability to separate yourself from a lot of misery. How miserable can you be if you're in a hotel suite somewhere in the middle of the Caribbean? As a matter of fact, if you're floating somewhere in a deep turquoise sea, you're probably feeling pretty good right now.
On the other hand, if you're not on a vacation or a yacht, if you're not checking on your dividends, you may be more tuned in to the chaos that ignites on the evening news. Living paycheck to paycheck and suffering through financial shortages will tune us in to worldly struggles. However......rich or poor, black or white, young or old, no matter who you are, it's time to tune in to the cloud of oppression that hovers over this nation. It's time to become spiritually aware in a very dark world. Our very life depends on it.
Mexican Sunflower
It's time to pray, read the Bible and ask God for spiritual wisdom, discernment and guidance. It's time to walk outside and listen for the the bird song. It's time to enjoy the colorful flowers, the fluttering butterflies and the sweet little rabbit hopping through your yard. Prayer, Bible reading and observing God's glorious creation will make you more sensitive to spiritual matters. When you pay attention to and learn about bird migration, cloud formations and moon phases, you become more aware in every area of your life, and this is very important. God can use His creatures and creation to teach us very important lessons about life and spirituality. God can even use metaphors of weather to help you understand the wrestling of the soul.
Meet Oliver, the Eastern Cottontail, is taking a break next to the Rabbit Hole!
At the risk of sounding apocalyptic, things are going to get worse. It's Biblical. We're living in perilous times. There is a storm brewing over this country. So many people can feel it and sense it. The spiritually aware know that it's coming. The clouds are gathering and the demons are planning while some poor souls continue to fret over the color of their granite countertops. What a shame. They are the ones who will suffer the most when the Category 5 storm makes physical and spiritual landfall.
In the past ten years, I have wondered why the Lord opened the door for me to move to rural Georgia. At times, it has not been easy, not at all. The rural South can be a challenging place to live if you're originally from another part of the planet. Culturally, it's different from anywhere else, but God wanted to teach us a few things. Over four years ago, around the time our house was burglarized, the Lord began to open doors to birdwatching and bird photography. This has been a blessing beyond anything that we could have imagined. We have seen wonders of nature that we would not have seen in a large city or town. We have fed birds that we would not have fed if we lived in the midst of high rise buildings.
Peanotta, our female Red-bellied Woodpecker and defender of the buffet.
We have seen birds nesting, migrating and taking care of their young. We have seen different species of birds enjoying a lunch together at our very own Le Avian Cafe. We have discovered that our birds have personalities, and from this discovery, we have given them names and stories. Our birdwatching has fine-tuned our senses, making us aware of weather patterns and how they affect avian movement and migration. In addition to the joy of birdwatching, we have become more tuned in to moon phases; and, because we're not in the middle of city lights, we are blessed with clear pictures of the moon. Our senses are no longer on auto-pilot because God has taught us to pay attention to everything around us, above and below. Consequently, being aware of nature has placed gratitude in our hearts for what the Lord has created for us. Through watching birds nest and raise their young, God has taught us about faith and provision. These lessons of faith will be very helpful in the coming seasons in this nation.
Matthew 10: 30-32
30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
32 Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men,
him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Peanotta, the Red-bellied Woodpecker and the Duchess of Soperton, our Northern Cardinal.
No matter who wins the presidential election, dark times are coming. Many do not see this because they are not spiritually aware. For the most part, our culture has become pagan and our churches are secular. When you take God out of the equation, you will always end up with a minus instead of a plus. You can't go against the natural laws of God and expect life to work out for you. Even the birds live their lives according to the natural laws and seasons of their Creator. When it's time to nest, they nest. When it's time to migrate, they migrate. They don't go against the laws of nature. Therefore, life works for them on a level that is difficult for many to understand.
In closing. I must say this. It's time to become spiritually aware in this very dark world. This is critical. It's time to pray and seek God and read the scriptures. Pray for discernment, pray for protection, pray for your family and pray for this nation. It's time to let go of materialism and worldly desires and seek God's will for your life. The only answer to this nation's woes is God. Repentance and prayer will turn the tide of evil, not another political promise or declaration. Don't get caught in this storm without a spiritual umbrella. The clouds are gathering and the storm is brewing. Only God can save us now. It's time to confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and obey the leadership of the Holy Spirit. God gave us a promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14. However, it is up to us to reap the blessings of His promise. The ball is in our court.
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves,
and pray, and seek My face,
and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven,
and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Titus 2: 11 - 14
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope,
and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity,
and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Copyright 2016, Curtis and Norma Beaird. All rights reserved.
Posted at 02:34 AM in Birds, Birdwatching, Blessings, Faith, Lessons | Permalink | Comments (2)
Meet Cisco, the male Northern Bobwhite
Photography by Curtis and Norma Beaird
Article by Norma Beaird
We serve a God who loves us and wants us to talk to Him, no matter how big or how small the request. He's our Father, He created us, and He's interested in our thoughts, requests and desires. Sometimes, Christians don't think about petitioning Him unless they have big requests that involve health issues, financial burdens, family troubles or problems at work. However, He's interested in every aspect of our lives. Why? Because we're His children and He loves us.
Curtis and I are avid birdwatchers and bird photographers. Since 2013, we have been submitting bird species checklists to eBird, a division of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. We recently passed 1,000 checklists for Montgomery County, Georgia. As Citizen Scientists, we contribute to avian research for our region of Georgia.
Last year, we kept hearing the entertaining call of the Northern Bobwhite and we kept hoping that he would find his way into our yard, but he never made a visit. This year, we heard him in the woods again. One morning I prayed in faith and said, "Lord, I wish you would send the Northern Bobwhite into our yard. I would really like to photograph him!" Well, a few days later, not only did the Lord send Mr. Bobwhite, He sent the Mrs. as well. God answers prayer! Many times, He answers above and beyond what we could ever think or ask. Praise the Lord!
God is good and He seeks to teach us lessons of faith. We can find wonder in these small lessons of faith. These small lessons will increase our faith when we have even bigger prayers that need an answer from the Lord. At times, we can allow doubt to creep in and tell us that the Northern Bobwhite will never show up. On the other hand, we can believe.
Meet Coco, the female Northern Bobwhite
Matthew 18:3
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children,
ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mark 11:24
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray,
believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Copyright 2016, Curtis and Norma Beaird. All rights reserved.
Posted at 12:45 AM in Bird Species, Bird Watchers, Birder, Birding, Birds, Birds of Georgia, Birdwatching, Blessings, Faith, Nature | Permalink | Comments (0)
© 2006 - 2023 Curtis and Norma Beaird. All rights reserved.