aussiebirder

Praise the Lord ! I finally had a day that was worthy of birding for both me and the birds, however the bird numbers were not great for this time of year. So I set out alone for a walk as my wife was occupied with a friend needing encouragement. It was lovely to walk in the crisp morning air and not be either too hot or too cold or too windy or too wet for a change as our weather has been somewhat erratic these last few weeks. Thankfully our local birds have been frequenting our birdbaths to keep me well entertained, It was pleasing to meet two sets of husband and wife birders decked out with their long lenses, some for the first time to our reserve. Click on photos to enlarge them.

A pair of young Rainbow Lorikeets were hanging around a nesting hole in an Angophora tree and flew off on sighting me. Rainbows have a long nesting season here as the summers are longer due to the changing weather patters. Lorikeets usually have a clutch of two birds and sometimes three. It is common to see immature birds return to the empty nest they were raised in to check it out, as we may do to check out where we grew up.

I noticed a new arboreal white ant nest which had already been pierced by a Laughing Kookaburra or Sacred Kingfisher. These are prime real estate for these birds and often competed for by other tree hole nesters such as Rainbow Lorikeets. It appears to be an in and out portal so it may be a Laughing Kookaburra nest being the larger bird, and also our largest species of Kingfisher. They fly towards the nest at great speed and break into it with their large strong beaks. They then carve out with a drilling action the remainder of the opening with their powerful beaks.

The highlight of the walk was this beautiful Eastern Crimson Rosella that I surprised while it fed from the seed pods of a native bush. Many of the Parrot family are feeding on the seed pods of the Spring-Summer season as the eucalypt flowers become fewer, having finished flowering. They will soon feed on their gumnuts when ready.

Eastern Crimson Rosella

The sunny weather after the cold spells brought some of the small lizards and skinks are out resting on a line of rocks along the path. This usually is only a winter occurrence but due to the weather they are out absorbing what sunshine they can for more rain is on its way.

As I approached the Ponds I could hear the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo calling out a warning as many of the birds were in raucous turmoil. We birders know to look up when we here them as they are the best indicator of a hovering raptor, in this case a rather battered White-bellied Sea-Eagle, gliding high on the thermals. They seldom attack Cockies but will if they are extremely food deprived. Though they are called Sea-Eagles many of these birds inhabit our inland rivers and lakes, having a varied diet as opportunistic carnivores. They also include birds and reptiles to their aquatic diet.

How unseasonable the seasons are at present, to think that we are into February and this is my first official birding walk where I actually saw birds I could photograph.

Never before in the history of the world have we experienced so many uncertainties. Increased instances of destructive weather, wars, pandemic disease, volcanic activity, economic instability, murder, rape, fraud, violence, selfish disrespectful behaviour and world instability. When I was a lad growing up life was fairly predictable and relatively unchanging. When you left school you could find a job and stay there for life if you wanted. It was more peaceful and less stressful. People were generally friendly, helpful and easy going where Aussie mateship continued to be the rule of the day. But fear, anxiety and depression has increased over life’s uncertainties which are all now very real and imminent. Faith accepts life as it is and presses forward through it without devaluing or compromising its Truth. It does not shrink beck in fear but presses ever forward through life’s uncertain difficulties by a sure Hope, that there is more to life than current earthly experience.

Jesus said to his Followers:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 (NIV)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13

The Lord Jesus gives true lasting hope, peace and joy to those who put their trust in him and place their life under his authority and care, turning from selfish, empty living to a purposeful fulfilling life which lasts forever. Check out the Good News about Jesus for yourself in the Gospel of John in the Christian Bible (Gospel means Good News). Jesus Christ is historical fact.

I am a spirit who has a soul and lives in a body. True Faith, Hope and Love work from our spirit independant from our flesh or (soul/body complex). When we live out of the forgiveness and victory over sin in Jesus we do so out of our born again spirit which is interfaced with God’s Holy Spirit who has entered our life as we accepted his forgiveness and authority over our life. The Holy Spirit is the Helper and Teacher the Lord Jesus promised would come in his physical absence, to enable the gradual holy change in our lives until he returns to take us who have believed, to be with him forever and finally receive new sinless whole bodies.

“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:23

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