Monday, February 20, 2012

Grateful Moments - Great Backyard Bird Count


This past Friday we began participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count - it was an opportunity 
for the boys to help gather scientific data and enter it online for Cornell University. 

My husband has worked hard lately clearing our backyard along the waterfront - so it was a perfect spot
 for us to sit and enjoy the fruits of his labor while we did our scientific data collection. 


We really like the kind of science that involves a fishing pole! 


We even made stick fishing poles (Huck Finn style) for the little guys 



Our first visitor was a sea gull - a very stubborn sea gull.
He circled around


and came swooping down for a fish


He circled around again and again
"Look mother, at his reflection as he swoops down to the water!"



He swooped, and then again after his prey


Even though he was just a sea gull 



He was majestic, and beautiful 


It was a wonderful project

Although the picture isn't as fabulous - the little bird that takes the cake this week is:

The American Kestrel 


North America's Littlest Falcon! 


 A bird of many colors
Although it is the Great Backyard Bird Count - this guy was hanging out in the front yard 
since I could clearly see him from the backyard - he counts! 

Quiet  moments with my boys - exploring God's creation - from the chairs in our own yard - moments for which I am extremely grateful.  Little boys fishing with a stick and some bread - excited as the gull circles around - It's difficult to keep quiet - sometimes they don't quite pull it off - but they try - and they do it well - better than most because they've practiced. They practice being quiet - waiting patiently for nature to surprise. It rarely disappoints. One of our favorite pastimes is something I do hope you'll try. Spend some time outside as a family - practice being quiet - and discover something special together. 

Counting to #1000 and beyond: 

160. quiet moments with my children 
161. peace by the water
162. pure delight at the splash of a bird after prey
163. awe and amazement as he swoops down upon his dinner
164. finding just the right stick to tie with a string - a hook for bread
165. impatient little boys learning to be patient - inspired by nature 
166. learning together about God's creation 
167. watching boys share and help each other
168. joy in learning that such a little bird can be so powerful
169. resting in the truth that He cares for us and knows our every need 

Matthew 6:26
"Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap nor gather into barns;
yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are they not much better than they?"






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8 comments:

ThaiHoa Burroughs said...

Your pictures are absolutely amazing. It is such a huge blessing to have a backyard/frontyard like yours! So jealous. I get to see other houses and streets...hhahaha

Unknown said...

I so want to come and sit at your house! It looks so inviting! What a fun homeschool day :)

Anonymous said...

what a wonderful place you have to do something so great with the boys...I love the pics...
Blessings and continued prayers...

Unknown said...

It's a blessing we've been able to keep our home in this economy! We're self employed and it's been really tough :) God is faithful- we're walking on faith!

Anonymous said...

Great photos and your home looks very similar to mine in coastal SC. We consider seagulls a nuisance while visitors think they are cool! Great idea, taking them outside and learning to see in the quiet.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your pictures! My youngest loves bird-watching, something he learned from his great grandmother. He was watching a woodpecker this morning. We're trying to identify birds based on their calls.

I love the idea of being quiet. Great skill for my boys to learn. "Be still & know that I am God." :-)

Unknown said...

What COOL action shots of the seagull!

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

What a fun project for your boys.

Fondly,
Glenda