Posted in Biking, Outdoor, Photography, Reflection, Trees on February 21, 2022| 1 Comment »
Biking is a leisure pleasure for me. It’s fun to bike as a group to enhance team spirit and watching out for each other. I also enjoy riding alone, taking my sweet time, slowing down, savoring the stillness of the surrounding.
And I can resonate with what this naturalist artist says:
“I have lately got back to that glorious society called Solitude.” — Henry David Thoreau
Posted in Birds, Mountain, Outdoor, Snow on February 18, 2022| 3 Comments »
On one of the hiking trips, I overheard a conversation on raven. One guy asked his friends if they knew which is the most intelligent bird; I eavesdropping him said it is the raven.
I didn’t hear the rest of the conversation but the fact that the raven is the smartest bird fascinated me and stuck in my head for a long time.
Then I recalled several stories related to ravens and seems like they are pretty smart:
One is from the story of Noah. After the global flood, the first bird that Noah sent out to explore the dry land was a raven (Genesis 8). Sometimes I wondered why the raven; perhaps the birds have great survival skills in the wilderness and resilience to harsh surroundings.
Another story is from the Aesop fable where we heard it during the elementary school: While searching for water on one scorching day, the black bird excitedly spotted water in a tall pitcher; Instead of knocking off the jar to get the little water at the bottom of the jar, the bird creatively put in some pebbles into the pitcher until the water raised up so it could have a sip. Indeed, the bird is smart to solve the problem to quench its thirst; and the moral of this fable on the black bird is truly inspiring and a great life lesson to help one thinks outside the box https://fablesofaesop.com/the-crow-and-the-pitcher.html.
I Kings 17:2-5 also mentioned about ravens, on how God told the flying creatures to feed Elijah the prophet food by the ravine, during the several years of drought season.
Luke 12:24 reads: Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! (English Standard Version, ESV)
Encountering ravens for me is a delight! When I’m up on the mountain, I always look forward to meeting the birds who never fail to keeping me company especially during my lunch time; either they are trying to snatch my food away or wanting to remind me that my daily food is provided by our Heavenly Father.
Posted in Birds, Eagles, Mountain, Nature, Outdoor, Photography, Precious moment, Snow on February 11, 2022| 4 Comments »
On a trip up the snow mountain one sunny day , we spotted a young bold eagle flying freely on the windy clear blue sky.
Suddenly, another eagle appeared and joined the bird gliding through the floating clouds.
Love must be in the fresh mountain air!
The spiral and courting dance by the eagles look like an acrobatic dance in the sky, very mesmerizing!
The images of the spectacular air show put out by the flying eagles circling the big blue sky were so vivid in the mind of my artist friend that she just have to paint the memory.
Encountering eagles flying in the sky often delight me and remind me of God who renews mind and strengthens our spirit.
Posted in Birds, God, Nature, Outdoor, Photography, Precious moment, Reflection, Trees on February 10, 2022| 2 Comments »
When I go for a walk and if I see a nest resting on tree branches, I would usually take a photo of it.
I am always drawn to a nest and I feel like it’s my heart resting on the outstretch arm of God.
Thank you God for your tender hand that enfolding my fragile heart.
And that my heart be a nest for God’s dwelling.
“Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord,
and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:3,4
Piece of Mind 