The Great Blue Heron was enjoying the day here at Still Waters Pond...
Yesterday I put on this "Life is Good" T-Shirt for the first time this year. I'm just getting out all of my short-sleeved shirts to wear now that it seems the weather is going to be staying more on the warm side from here on out. I first told you about this particular T-shirt HERE last year, when I received it unexpectedly as a gift from my cousin Becky.
Remember? It says "The earth has music for those who listen". There is a picture of a Great Blue Heron on a pond...much like what you see here on our Still Waters Pond.
And when I put this shirt on yesterday I had to chuckle! If you recall, my "One Word" for 2023 is "LISTEN". How appropriate that this shirt is a reminder to me again of that word, "Listen".
Well, today I was definitely listening for the sound of raindrops on the rooftop. We haven't had any significant rain in a very long time, and Still Waters Pond is starting to dry up more than it should. That heron is standing way out in the pond where it should be much deeper than that.
We've been praying for rain, and it was predicted for today.
Mrs. Sand Hill Crane is also waiting for the rain...or is that Mr. Sand Hill Crane? I recently learned that they actually take turns sitting on the nest, and because they look so much alike it is really difficult to tell which one is which unless they are standing next to each other, and then the female tends to be a little bit smaller than the male.
Uh-oh...there goes one of our neighborhood cats, out on the prowl for whatever it is that cats like to prey upon around the pond...tadpoles, lizards, small fish? Just so they stay away from our birds!!!!
Finally! The Sound of the Abundance of Rain!
I Kings 18:41
"Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.”
Mrs. Sand Hill Crane continues to sit on her nest, probably enjoying the wonderful fresh rain falling down around her and refreshing her weary body.
If you look below at the dark rim around the edge of the pond, that is where there is usually water, but the pond has receded that much because of the lack of rain.
Rejoice! The Rain has come!
Rejoice! "Oh sing to the Lord and new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth."
Psalm 96:1
I knew if I waited out there on the porch long enough the Bluebirds would come back to check on the babies in the nest.
However, when they saw me there on the porch, they pretended they couldn't see me.
They were waiting for me to leave, I guess, because they still consider me a threat to the babies.
But oh my goodness! When there was a lull in the rain, all the little birdies started flying back to the trees and singing their hearts out!
Isn't this one so sweet?
Hello Mr. Sparrow! God's eye may be on the Sparrow, but I think this one is watching me! LOL.
"Why should I feel discouraged
Why should the shadows come
Why should my heart feel lonely
And long for heaven and home
When Jesus is my portion
A constant friend is He
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches over me
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me"
(Refrain)
"I sing because I'm happy
I sing because I'm free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me (He watches me)
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches
I know He watches
I know He watches me"
2 “Let not your heart be troubled,”
His tender word I hear,
And resting on his goodness,
I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path he leadeth,
But one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know he watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know he watches me.
[Refrain]
3 Whenever I am tempted,
Whenever clouds arise;
When songs give place to sighing,
When hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to him,
From care he sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know he watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know he watches me.
[Refrain]
"I sing because I'm happy
I sing because I'm free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me (He watches me)
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches
I know He watches
I know He watches me"
Are you listening to the music? All of God's creation is singing to us, if we just tune our ears to hear.
Finally I decided to go back inside and let the Bluebirds get back to their nest. It rained off and on for a little while, but stopped after a while.
Just before sundown, my hubby called me to the window and said to look a little closer at the Sand Hill Crane nest through the binoculars.
We can't tell if those eggs are hatching and the young "colts" are being born, or if she is just turning the eggs. She later sat back down on them. It seems a bit early for them to hatch. We first noticed the nest and the eggs on February 14th, and they normally incubate for about 30 days, so they still have about 10 days to go, unless the eggs had been laid earlier than we noticed...
Stay "tuned" for further developments!
Psalm 5:11 NIV
But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
Amen.
