Great Horned Owl in Madison

We took a trip to Madison today for a vet appointment. Little did we know we'd be seeing a female Great Horned Owl. There were two babies somewhere but we couldn't find those.












Same picture. Just zoomed in.














Another shot. And if you can't see her. I've zoomed in again on the next picture.

Digital cameras. Just amazing. Even considering this is a relatively cheap camera.
















Spooky!

More bird pictures

My daughter's pictures from the Bird Banding/Bird Fest Saturday May 8, 2010




Birds in waiting













Banding in action














Woodcock











Yellow-headed Black Bird

Bible Class

We studied Psalm 124 last night in Bible class.

Our Help Is in the Name of the Lord

1 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side--
let Israel now say--
2 if it had not been the LORD who was on our side
when people rose up against us,
3 then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
4 then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
5 then over us would have gone the raging waters.
6 Blessed be the LORD,
who has not given us as prey to their teeth!
7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken, and we have escaped!
8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

And here are the notes from the Lutheran Study Bible (CPH) for verse 7:

Imagery of earthbound people nearly drowned in the flood (vv4-5) is followed by a comparison of people to birds caught in the subtlety of a snare. The flood's danger is open and frightening; the snare is hidden and tempting. But God delivers from both extremes.

And the final note for the entire psalm:

We need this psalm's reminder that our strength and safety come only by God's hand. We are in danger from flood and snare, the overwhelming and the enticing. But God is faithful for His name's sake. He rescues us so that we will continue to bless and call on His name.

Lead us safely, Lord so we may always give glory to Your name. Amen.

This psalm really came to life for me after this weekend and seeing the birds caught in the "snare". It truly is "hidden".












Our strength and safety come only by God's hand.

He rescues us so that we will continue to bless and call on His name.

God gets us out of the mess we are in.

Want to see what happens when I try to help or struggle as God is getting me out of the "snare".








I get stuck worse than I was at first.

Bird Fest 2010

We enjoyed the bird fest this weekend.

We got out of bed two days in a row (at 5:15am!) to attend the bird banding demonstration. It was our most favorite part!

These pictures are from Sunday, May 9th, 6am. We only had an hour and a half before we had to leave to get ready for Sunday school and church. On Saturday we stayed for 3 hours. Unfortunately my camera's batteries were dead. So no pictures on my camera Saturday.

They netted and banded 100 birds Saturday even though the weather was cloudy, cold, and windy. Sunday was calm and sunny but not as many birds moving.







































Tree Swallow
















Yellow-Rumped Warbler














Yellow Warbler

























Common Yellow Throat

(Not to be confused with the Yellow-throated Warbler.)