DAY 90: DESPERATE MEASURES!

Oh boy, the stuff that goes down in nature.
This tiny little lizard up against the big white brute!
But the sentiment is one of such truth:  

          DESPERATION CAN PROVIDE UNEXPECTED STRENGTH

There are many stories to support this truth. Here is justone:

In 1982, Angela Cavallo of Lawrenceville, Georgia received the Mom of the Year Award. (Not a real award, but if it existed, she would probably win, hands down). Her son Tony was working on the suspension of his 1964 Chevy Impala when the car suddenly slipped off the jack and pinned him in the wheel well.

Angela dashed outside to see her unconscious son trapped under the car. She yelled for a neighbor to get help but it was taking too long, so she took matters into her own hands. Literally. She proceeded to lift the car—high enough to replace the jacks—and pull Tony out from beneath.

Yep, you read that correctly. She lifted a 3,500-pound car from the ground.

There's not much more information to be found about Mrs. Cavallo aside from this incredible story, but I'll safely assume she wasn't a body builder. In fact, I'll bet the same for the  other individuals who have also demonstrated this sort of 'hysterical strength.  But that's beside the point—if you were placed in a similar situation, you could probably lift a car, too!

It's all thanks to the handy little hormone called adrenaline.

DAY 89: THE SUGAR CACHE

How does this little thief know there's sugar in those sealed sachets?  

I'm married to someone who can't resist taking home the unused sugar sachets given to us with tea or coffee in restaurants or coffee bars, so we have quite a collection of them at home, as he doesn't take sugar, & I only take 1 tsp in a cup.  It mounts up, like anything else one collects.  

The best part is when you run out of sugar & have forgotten to buy a bag of it, and then you suddenly remember the cache of sachets.......THEN you do the happy dance, and don't think taking home sugar sachets from the restaurant is so dumb, after all!  

DAY 88: POPULAR AS A PELICAN

                                                 


Awesome shot of a pelican cooling itself down through its 'gular pouch'.....the pink lower part of its large beak.  Either that or it was shouting 'Hi' to it's pals flying past!

It's interesting to see how extremely popular the word 'pelican' is - just look at a few of the organizations that have adopted it as their trade name:

Baseball team
Basketball team
Hockey team
Restaurants
Condominiums
B & Bs
Hotels
Golf clubs
Various products
Even a movie.....remember The Pelican Brief?

DAY 87: THE DANCE OF JOY

I wonder what this grey crowned crane was thinking as it looked in the rear-view mirror?

Perhaps -

'my hair looks an absolute mess' 

or 

'who is this gorgeous creature, anyway?'

It certainly is a gorgeous creature, proudly wearing its straw-colored crown, and strutting its

long elegant frame.  What I particularly love is the fact that cranes do the most beautiful courtship routine consisting of dancing around each other, bowing and jumping.  Their dance is said to be more than a courtship, but an expression of joy.  Ain't nature grand!  Thank you, God.....

DAY 86: CLOSE FELLOWSHIP

"Keepers at a zoo in the USA report that Bea, a 3-year-old giraffe, and Wilma, a 10-year-old ostrich -- have become inseparable pals. 

The two are both residents of Busch Gardens' Serengeti Plain exhibit -- and before you start thinking that the two are bound by close quarters that necessitate the closeness of their relationship, the exhibit sprawls over 65 acres (meaning that Bea and Wilma could certainly keep some distance from each other if they wanted to.)"

It seems to me that they enjoy each other's company......maybe the identification has something to do with their similar long necked-ness!

DAY 85: DEATH WISH

An egret with a death wish?  Looks like it, but in fact there is a fascinating relationship going on.....the egret is actually the personal dental hygienist to the croc and a very necessary factor in its health.  Which explains the egret's superior attitude and cheeky stance.  Another helpful factor is that the croc basically feeds on fish, so the bird is safe.

DAY 84: THE OSTRICH

Is it really true that ostriches stick their heads in the sand? No, not at all.
This saying is attributed to their behavior when their nest is threatened by a predator ...... They flop to the ground, laying the head on the sand to blend in, so from a distance it looks like the head is buried.       

Any predator needs to be very courageous, however, as the ostrich's kick is powerful enough to kill a lion!       

Unlike many other birds, ostriches don't have the ability to waterproof their feathers so can be soaked in the rain.

Lastly, ostriches can live from 30 to 50 years.




       

DAY 83: KING OF FISHERMEN

When I was a kid, my parents took our family to Doonside KZN, on a caravan holiday. While we were there, I can remember my brother taking me to fish from a bridge over a nearby lagoon.  I was the first one to catch a fish with my rod and line, but was highly disgusted when my brother pounced on the fish and cut it up for bait! That marked the end of my fishing career.

The Kingfisher, on the other hand, can't afford to give up like I did, as fishing is how he stays alive, and he's not called KINGfisher for nothing.  The family shown in the picture could catch and eat up to 100 small fishes per day.  

The Kingfisher is admired for its beautiful vibrant coloring and has a large beak, but the sad fact about these amazing birds is that their lifespan is a mere 2 years.

DAY 82: PURDY THE PARROT

Parrots are a lot of fun!  Our daughter & son-in-law have one called Purdy, who provides the family with endless entertainment.  It's really funny to hear the parrot mimicking members of the family and making sounds like the ring of the telephone & other household noises. Purdy is at her loudest when the family are sitting outside on the patio & she's left indoors in her cage - she kicks up quite a racket to remind them of her need for company.

Parrots have also been the subject of many jokes, most of which emphasize their ability to pick up bad language. Perhaps this originated with Long John Silver of Treasure Island fame, who not only had a foul-mouthed parrot for a constant companion, but was also known for having a pegleg!  So here is a joke without that particular slant .....

A guy goes to a pet shop to buy a parrot. 

There he sees a parrot with a red string tied to it's left leg and a green string tied to it's right leg. 

He asks the owner the significance of the strings. 

"Well, this is a highly trained parrot.

If you pull the red string he speaks French; 

if you pull the green string he speaks German," replies the shopkeeper.
"And what happens if I pull both the strings?" our curious shopper inquires. 

"I'll fall off my perch, stupid!" said the parrot.

DAY 81: THE BIRDS & THE BEES

Every family with kids has to face it sooner or later....the birds and bees talk!

But how did this expression originate, and what have birds and bees to do with sex education, for goodness sake?  Nobody (Google, that is) really knows, it seems.  Maybe they all believe the stork story.....

However, a song that was written and became popular a lo-----ng time ago, refers to this in the refrain, as follows:

Birds do it, 

bees do it,

Even educated fleas do it,

Let's do it,

Let's fall in love!

Such a lovely way of putting it.

PS:  Sweating on the top line, a dad gave his son the birds & bees

       talk in answer to his question 'Where did I come from?'

       At the close of 'the talk' the youngster commented:

       'Oh.....Cos Billy next door came from Port Elizabeth!'

       

 Well, maybe SOME people had never heard that one before.......

DAY 80: SWARMING STARLINGS

This most unusual shape is formed by several hundred starlings grouping together when under threat from a larger predatory bird.  The birds form 

a large 'murmuration' or 'swarm' for safety.  

That in itself is interesting, but get a hold of another fascinating fact.......

In swarming like this, each starling tracks seven others in order to produce a wonderful ballet in the air.  Now that's what you call spatial awareness and movement.

DAY 79: FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND....

It's odd to see a wild goose walking instead of flying, but in fact, they spend a lot of time on the ground because they are grazers - they eat grass and seed and plants.  

During the early part of the 19th century, huge flocks of geese were reared for food in Britain. The farmers used to drive them to market several thousand at a time, so the geese had to waddle as much as 8 to 10 miles a day on the journey.

DAY 78: RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME

There's nothing like the experience of being in the right place at the right time, is there?  Who used the phrase 'I like it when a plan comes together?'. (Yes, him!).  Here, Mr. Pelican had an easy meal with no work involved, perhaps just a watchful sharp eye.

But real life is not always like that, so we learn to take it on the chin and press on regardless.

However, we need never be swallowed up in doom 'n gloom, as we have a most magnificent promise in the bible :

               And we know that all things work together for good 

               to those who love God, to those who are the called 

               according to His purpose.   Romans 8:28

DAY 77: MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE

All together now 1, 2, 3.......

But when we sing, we shouldn't all be singing the same notes, as music is incomplete without three ingredients: 

                melody, harmony, rhythm.

Choirs usually comprise four voices: 

                 Soprano, alto, tenor, bass.

So, if you struggle to sing along with certain songs, it could be because you are more comfortable in a different 'voice' register. 

But if, like these seven birdies, you are just crying out for some food, then sing at the top of your voice in order to be heard!  

And if, like lots of worshippers, you don't have a wonderful singing voice, then sing at the top of your voice, because the bible tells us to make a joyful NOISE unto the Lord, with a sincere heart.  He loves to hear us praising and worshiping Him.

DAY 76: SCRATCH WHERE YOU ITCH

Oxpeckers and starlings have, like all of God's masterpieces, been designed in 

a very special way.  They are the cleaners in nature, and feed on the parasites that live and irritate the hell out of the hides of wild animals.  In this picture you can see that even though he may look like he is under attack, the impala is quite welcoming of his little helpers - small wonder.....how would YOU like to have a whole lot of itches that you can't scratch?

Unlike a lot of human relationships (!) this scenario is a two way street - the animals get rid of bothersome parasites, and the birds get fed.  

If you would like some more info about God's meticulous design in nature, keep reading my blog......and read the book of Job!

DAY 75: THREE AMIGOS

The wild turkey is also known as a 'gobbler' because of the sound it produces.
But that's not all it produces:  How interesting to know that male turkeys produce spiral-shaped stools, whereas female turkeys produce 'J' shaped ones!  Apologies for raising the subject, everyone!

To get back to the picture, though - it speaks to me of companionship - three pals off on a jaunt.   What fun to go jaunting with pals, even if it's only down to the mall for coffee, or to the shops.  Just love my pals.....

DAY 74: MR. ROOSTER RULES!

The world of Mr Rooster is not a quiet one! You may think his prime job is to announce the start of a new day, but you would be wrong....because he crows all day long and is triggered by a wide variety of everyday sounds.

And have you heard about crowing contests where there are a few roosters around?  Something sets the first rooster off crowing (like a phone ringing) and every other rooster within hearing distance cannot resist hollering back....and each one tries to have the last word.....er, crow!

Mr. Rooster sees himself as the boss of the brood of chickens.  He protects Mrs. Hen and helps her to find food, even makes a clucking sound that signifies this important fact.  They growl at other roosters to threaten them or keep them in line, and are generally super egocentric aggressive creatures!

DAY 73: THE EARLY BIRD

DAY 72: WiFi

He uses WiFi......or.....no visible means of support.  

You know where we're going with this one, don't you?

Its irresistible....

So, let's make this post interactive.....complete the following:

• We walk by faith and not by -----.
• ----- is believing.
• Blessed are those who have not ---- and yet believe.

I was recently exercised by the following observation:

YOU LOOK WITH YOUR EYES BUT YOU SEE WITH YOUR MIND.

Hmmmm, interesting. 

DAY 71: KEEP GOING...

"I've come so far, as you can see, but I still have so much further to go!"

A long journey achieved, with many kilometers on the clock, but there's no time for looking behind you. You have to keep traveling onwards and upwards, no matter what.

Jesus said “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

DAY 70: STRENGTH

DAY 69: START AGAIN...

DAY 68: NEXT TIME

Sometimes it's good to have space to breathe and stretch out a bit,which the little guy in the middle obviously doesn't have.  But you get what you pay for, and he knows what to do next time!

But there are other times when it's just so great to be surrounded by people who love you and want to be with you, hanging close.  SO great!  

DAY 67: A SWEEP OF PEACOCKS

I guess a good title for this picture would be 'A Sweep of Peacocks' but I know the collective term for several peacocks is actually 'a party.'

Out of all birdlife, peacocks are the most ostentatious, and although quite social with their own kind, they are rather aggressive towards other birds.  

Another interesting fact is that they can grow up to 200 long beautiful feathers,

which are highly prized because of their attractiveness.

DAY 66: HUNGRY MOUTHS

The life of an Atlantic Puffin is not an easy one.  Having quite a few mouths to feed is hard work, but this mama Puffin had a good haul while fishing today, and is no doubt on her way back to the nest to feed all the hungry baby Puffniks.

DAY 65: CLOSE FELLOWSHIP

This is a good demonstration of 'close fellowship' .... and quite a few more little birds will probably fit on the branch!  

Good friends stick together, and enjoy each other's company. Families stick together and enjoy each other's company.  

That's so cool...

DAY 64: FAMILY LIKENESS

                                      

You can see the family resemblance, can't you? Of course!  They're definitely related, probably twins.  I wonder if they squawk alike....

That's the great thing about the family of God....that we speak the same language.  We may come from differing backgrounds & cultures, we may have very little in common, we don't look the same, BUT we are nevertheless one blood in Christ Jesus, and family of the King.  

DAY 63: GETTING OUT

I would say that these two little guys have bitten off more than they can chew!

However, sometimes there is no turning back....they got in, they have to get out. But the up side is in all the effort involved, they are developing many things i.e. muscle, perseverance, stick-ability. All the important things in life, and not only for ducklings.

DAY 62: TALENTS

Believe in the abilities and inner resources with which you have been blessed.

God has invested much in your life, and expects a rich return on His investment. To whom much has been given, much will be expected!

He has His eye on more than this day, this week, this month, this year or this lifetime - He is preparing us for the Kingdom to come & will repay us according to how we have stewarded & multiplied our talents.