Northern Goshawk
When this Northern Goshawk showed up in a Hawthorn Tree, something predictable happened. Suddenly there wasn’t another bird in sight. The Cardinals, Blue Jays, House Finches, and Downy Woodpeckers, that had been hanging around our bird feeders were suddenly nowhere to be seen. Only when the big boy left did they slowly return.
Interesting isn’t it. The birds recognize something in a Hawk or an Owl, that terrifies them. How do they learn it? Is it something they learn from experience, or are there mysterious images programmed into their DNA?
Has me thinking about our own sense of danger.
I’m convinced that the same Creator who gave a Gold Finch the sense to give space to a Goshawk inspired the Apostle Paul to write, “We are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. [Therefore] use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm.” (Eph 6:12-13).
Then Paul went on to describe what those who believed in such danger needed to do… to take advantage of the defenses given to them by their Creator (14-18).
Has me thinking again today about what it takes to recognize dangers that are far more real than our fallen minds are inclined to recognize.
PS thank you for all of the New Years greeting, prayers, and conversation. Am so grateful for all of you! Steve (WV) e-mailed me some pictures of the deer that he refers to in a comment below. So I’m posting them here. If you click on the pics they should enlarge. I’ve been trying to remember to use the “click-enlargement” option for the pictures I’ve been posting lately too (per a suggestion from the group).
Also, if you have pictures that illustrate something you are talking about or have some great nature shots etc. You can send them to me at mart.dehaan@rbc.org.
Remember to click on the pictures above and below to see larger.
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