A Foul Day for Feathered Friends

Sorry for the blurriness of these first pictures. It was pouring down rain and this beautiful Great Egret was enjoying hunting in the weeds surrounding Still Waters Pond this morning.

The Canada Geese swam in for a closer look...

They kind of kept a close eye on the Great Egret, as if she was in their territory.

She tried to ignore them and go on about her business...

She finally got tired of them hanging around and took off for the other side of the pond:

There she is over on the other side, but it wasn't long before the geese swam over to join her there too. 

Pretty soon she left altogether, but I did see her show up again back on our side of the pond later when they weren't around.

But our most interesting visitor came calling after the rain stopped, and apparently hung around to let his wings dry out for a spell:

I am not sure, but I believe this is a Red Tailed Hawk, but if anyone has any other ideas, please let me know! 

I think he's beautiful, whatever he is!

He flew from the back of the Adirondack chair to the top of the bird feeder, and then sat there to air dry for quite a while.

You can see how soaked his feathers were:

Just letting them blow dry in the breeze...

Of course no other birds came around to the bird feeder as long as he was sitting there...

He does look rather grumpy, doesn't he?

Testing his wings...almost dry enough to fly...

Should I fly or not?

And this was the last picture I was able to take. He flew away right after this. So I guess he was dry enough to fly!

I know I've shared these verses many times, but I just happened to turn to this when I opened my Bible, and I thought, well, why not? It seems to fit...and perhaps someone needs to hear these words again from 

Psalm 91:

1.  He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide

under the shadow of the Almighty.

2. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress;

My God, in Him I will trust."

3.  Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler

and from the perilous pestilence.

4.  He shall cover you with His feathers,

and under His wings you shall take refuge;

His truth shall be your shield and buckler

5.  You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,

nor of the arrow that flies by day.

6.  Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,

nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

7.  A thousand may fall at your side,

and ten thousand at your right hand;

But it shall not come near you.

8.  Only with your eyes shall you look,

and see the reward of the wicked.

9.  Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,

even the Most High, your dwelling place,

10.  No evil shall befall you,

Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

11.  For He shall give His angels charge over you,

to keep you in all your ways.

12.  In their hands they shall bear you up, 

lest you dash your foot against a stone.

13.  You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,

the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

14.  "Because he has set his love upon Me, 

therefore I will deliver him;

I will set him on high, because he has known My name.

15.  He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;

I  will be with him in trouble;

I will deliver him and honor him.

16.  With long life I will satisfy him,

And show him My salvation."

Have a blessed and peaceful evening and

Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow!

 

In case you missed the post about Lily Grace's Valentine's Surprises, you can click HERE to read it!