Birding

I really enjoy going on the monthly bird walks by the college!

Cardinal - love the various songs and chirps it has.  A most beautiful bird!  I find it hard to get good pictures of birds on these walks, but I try.  Often we hear more birds than we can actually see.

There are regular birders who come most every month, but sometimes there are new people too.

 Mississippi kites - they sometimes will dive bomb a person

 Brown thrasher - they sing melodies in doubles.  A mockingbird will sing songs in sevens.

Make way for the Walton Breakfast Club on their bikes!

A family of thrashers - our guide likened their call to the smack of a wet washcloth

 We could clearly hear the red-eyed vireo although they were elusive and I could not get a picture.  They sing all day.  They were high up in the trees.

We could hear the tufted titmouse - peter, peter, peter!

I also could not get a picture of the Carolina wren although it too made it's voice heard.  Very loudly for such a small bird!  It is one of my favorite birds!

Chickadees were pretty abundant.

They are just so dear too!!

We were told that the red headed woodpeckers are in decline.

Squirrels are not in decline, however.

We heard a yellow billed cuckoo also.

When I drove home, at the stop sign I saw a scissor-tailed flycatcher.  I couldn't get a good picture of it.  There was no traffic at all so I was able to whip out the camera but then it flew away.

As I think  about birds, it reminds me of a hymn that I really love.

Under His wings I am safely abiding,
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me,
He has redeemed me, and I am His child.

      Refrain

      Under His wings, under His wings,
      Who from His love can sever?
      Under His wings my soul shall abide,
      Safely abide forever.

Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!
How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.

      Refrain

Under His wings, oh, what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me,
Resting in Jesus, I’m safe evermore.