Not What I Was Expecting

Doing my rounds I went to the pond near my home. I like going there to visit one of my favorite bird. There is a male wood duck that calls this pond his home and I love taking pictures of him.

But this visit I came across something different. This green heron was not what I was expecting to see. It was a nice surprise. I sat in my car watching it hunt for it meal. I must have taken around thirty pictures.

The one thing I did notice, each time he was ready to strike the feathers on the side of his neck would fluff up. That was cool to watch and I knew when to get my camera ready.

I love when God gives me things that I was not expecting. He knows my heart's desire and gives beyond my expectations. Knowing He cares about me helps me to face each day. I can't wait to see what He has to show me tomorrow.

Tight Skin

While painting the outside of the trailer I notice a praying mantis on the shed. It looked kind of weird. Than I notice that it was shedding.

It took a very long time for him to get the outer skin off. You could tell it was very tight. I thought that it would be night time before he was finished. Finally before sunset he was free from his tight skin.

When God tells me it is time to grow I find it hard to get out of the tight skin. Between my old habits, stubbornness and fears I hang onto my skin.

When I finally let go I find so much relief. I can feel the weight of my burdens lifted and move on.

I have been going through many trials lately. I think it is time to get out of my tight skin and move forward.

You Tell Me

I usually can give a guess at what I am looking at. But this one got me. It did not matter at what angle I took pictures of this bug, an answer did not come to mind. So you tell me. I really would like to know.

I can tell you that it is no bigger than an ant. My camera had a hard time focusing on it because it was so small. I saw around ten or so along the same fence. I am stumped.

So I am counting on my bug friends to help me out. I searched the web and went through the insect books that I have at home. I even went to Barnes n Noble with no luck. I need you to tell me what this is.

Are you up to it?

Half Right

When I first saw this thing flying from flower to flower I thought it was a humming bird. I was half right. When I looked it up it turned out to be a hummingbird moth.

It fooled me. But that is not that hard to do. I know so little about nature. God's creations are every where and I have yet to skim the surface.

When I find myself half right about things in life, I turn to God to set the record straight. I can count on Him to show me the whole picture.

Near Miss

Today as I turned onto the road to leave I saw a boxed turtle trying to cross. Before I could do anything a pickup ran over the poor little guy. I expected to see a flat shell. To my pleasure the turtle was just find. It was a near miss.

I decided to pull over and get the poor little guy off the road. Of course I had to take some pictures first. He seemed to know that I was coming to help because he did not pull back into his shell when I came close. I picked him up and put him in the grass and off he went. I wanted to follow him to keep him safe. Yet I know that was not possible.

It is good to know that when Jesus get us out of a near miss He stays by us and keeps us safe. He knows our every moves and rescues us when we call out to Him.