Genesis 1:28
God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
If you've followed Meditations of My Heart for any length of time, you know that the suburban, yet heavily forested, area in which we live provides not only for people, but for a wide variety of wildlife, coexisting peacefully with their human neighbors. Here is just a sampling from my husband, Danny's, photos.
And just when we think our backyard couldn't possibly get any wilder, look who shows up!
Turkeys! Danny can hardly believe his eyes! He used to spy turkeys years and years ago, before the apartments were built behind our house, but none since then. Where in the world, we wonder, did these two lovely specimens come from?
No matter from whence this mother and juvenile have originated, we are thrilled to have them roaming freely through our neck of the woods, partaking of the feast we leave on the ground for the birds and squirrels.
God's glorious creation never ceases to amaze and astound us. May we all resolve to be good stewards of the many blessings He has so graciously bestowed on us.
Amen!
Really wonderful photos. You are so lucky to live where you are with all these creatures around you - like in Paradise. God is good and generous.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you all, Martha.
Yes, Victor, I'm so very grateful for where we live. Wouldn't change it for the world.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Isn't it amazing? My son loves to take wildlife pics to. Once he got a great photo of a hummingbird with it's tongue out!
ReplyDeleteOh, wow, Rebecca, that must be an awesome photo to see! We don't get hummingbirds in our forest, and I do miss seeing them.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Wow! Danny is a great nature photographer! Loved seeing the owl photos. I have been reading a book about an owl.
ReplyDeleteYes, he truly is, Laurie, and I love the opportunity to feature his photos on the blog. And I'm curious - what book are you reading that features an owl? Please share!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Wow, Martha! You absolutely have the best of both worlds. Often a wooded and wildlife area is secluded and away from neighbors. Love all the pictures and glad you now have the turkeys to admire.
ReplyDeleteYes, we feel so very fortunate, Karen, and absolutely love where we live. There's a new wildlife adventure every day, and constant reminders of how vast and diverse God's creation is.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I love the wildlife in our urban neighborhood. However, this morning I let my little dog out earlier than usual, and she tangled with a raccoon in the back yard. Very ill advised on her part. I'm relieved that she escaped with just a cut under her eye. I don't blame the raccoon and I'm still going to enjoy seeing them, especially when they have little roly poly babies waddling after them. But I'm going to be more careful to ensure that we coexist more compatibly!
ReplyDeleteFunny, at my cabin I see so little wildlife. Birds and the occasional chipmunk or squirrel. There are bears and cougars in the area, but I've never seen one. The cabin is too high and forested for many deer -- no meadows for grazing. I'm off to the cabin today, so let's see what I see!
I loved your photos. Those are really professional looking!
I'll be sure to tell Danny that you liked his photos, Galen! Funny, but he and I were remarking on that same phenomenon when we go to a mountain cabin - we hardly ever see anything except for the occasional squirrel or hawks on the thermals. Our backyard is a virtual wild kingdom! Oh, and sorry your dog tussled with the raccoon, and so happy she wasn't hurt worse.
DeleteHave a great time at your cabin!
Love and blessings!
Nice photos. God’s creation never ceases to entertain and amaze us. What a generous and awesome God we worship.
ReplyDeleteYes, He is so loving, generous and awesome, Nells. What a mighty God we serve!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Why, I'd be thrilled to witness your parade of critters! Danny's photos are SO good; in particular, the squirrel. He/she has stolen my heartstrings.
ReplyDeleteThat's one of my favorite photos, too, Mevely! I need to use it on Facebook to promote The Glade Series; don't know why I haven't yet. Yes, we do enjoy quite the parade of wildlife here at the Orlando Compound. So fortunate!
DeleteLove and blessings!
If you feed them, they will come!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Yes, they will, Loralu! We're enjoying every moment with our "guests."
DeleteLove and blessings!
Wow! What amazing photos Danny captures of God's amazing creation. You both are truly blessed to live where you do. Thank you for caring for our furry and feathered friends. :) Wild turkeys are amazing creatures--I've seen a few outside of my small hometown.
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!
Kim, I agree that we are so blessed to live here! And looking at the turkeys close up? I can start to understand why Ben Franklin wanted them to be our national bird. They really are quite stunning.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Danny captured so many great photos! How lovely to live where so many of God's creatures roam!! That buck is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteIsn't he, Terri? We have tons of deer photos, but this is the one I chose to share. Yes, as I've said above, we are so fortunate and thankful to live where we do. God's creation enlightens and entertains at every turn.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Love the photos, especially the chipmunk. I live in a city of nearly 400,000 and there are a lot of wild turkeys in the subdivision where my pastor and wife live. It's funny seeing a whole string of them crossing the road from one backyard to another. Thanks for sharing these beautiful reminders of God's creation. If the weather stays like today, I hope to take a friend to a conservation area for a walk and hopefully some good photos. God bless.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed the photos, Diane, and that chipmunk is a cutie, that's for sure. And I would love to see a whole string of turkeys crossing the road! Right now, though, I'll settle for the two who have deemed us worthy of a visit now and again. Hope you were able to take that walk and get some great photos.
DeleteLove and blessings!
What amazing photos. Thank you for sharing them. We are so blessed to live in an area with a lot of wildlife as well. I love watching them.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's great to hear, Carol! There's nothing like the thrill of seeing wild animals roaming where we think only humans reside. They are such a wonderful reminder that we are all a part of the web that God has woven.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh so wonderful! You may have to take my place with posting the wildlife pictures from now on. I don't think we will have quite the activity that we've had in the past at our new place. I love these pictures. You do have quite the variety of God's wonderful creatures. Thank you for sharing them with us. The turkeys just trotted in for a little visit. Maybe they flew in...who knows? But what a treat for you! Enjoy them...they knew you would appreciate them!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, and how we do appreciate them, Pamela! Don't give up hope on your new locale, you just might be pleasantly surprised. And Danny always manages to get the best photos, doesn't he? Even if I practice every day with my camera, I don't think I'll ever beat him at it. And that's okay. He has no interest in writing a blog. Lol!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Wonderful photos Martha. You and Danny ought to put together a book of his photos and devotions written by you.
ReplyDeleteBill, that's a terrific idea, but the cost? Oh, dear, I don't even want to contemplate that. Thanks for the compliment, my friend!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh, Martha, I love it! Critters in our backyard is something I've missed since moving to our new home. Thanks for allowing me to relive the memories! Beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteDeb, believe me, if we ever had to move for some reason, I'd miss my feathered and furry friends, too. Thank goodness we're not even contemplating that. :)
DeleteLove and blessings!
I miss seeing wild animals outside my windows or doors. We do get squirrels and birds in the neighbor hood we live in. It's good to get out of the city and just sit for a while somewhere remote and listen to the noise animals make even if we don't see them. Great pictures Martha.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed the photos, Betty. We do need to be reminded that God's creation has many facets, even when we can't experience them in the moment, and be so appreciative of all He has done, and continues to do, for us.
DeleteLove and blessings!
What wonderful photos you have to share! It is always such a blessing to see God's creation and the many little creatures He sends our way. Have a blessed Lord's Day, sweet friend!
ReplyDeleteYes, Danny's photos are wonderful, and we are so fortunate to live where the critters can entertain us on a daily basis. God's creation is marvelous!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Love the photos, love the woods. God's creation is amazing for sure.
ReplyDeleteStirs my desire to go camping again. It has been to long.
Glad you enjoyed this post, Ryan! Yes, I so treasure the woods all around us. Can't think of any place I'd rather be, unless it's a cabin in the mountains.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I so love spotting wildlife in our yard, too! It's nice to know that it's not just humans in our spaces, but lots of other critters as well. :) We haven't had turkeys, though. lol.
ReplyDeleteYes, Lisa, watching the wildlife is so much fun, and it really relaxes me. Luckily, our turkeys have been very loyal about returning here at least once a day that we know about. Hope they will keep on coming!
DeleteLove and blessings!
WONDERFUL wildlife photos!!! The squirrel and owl are looking right at the camera! What a treat to have nature so close to you.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, Barbara, it's a treat, indeed, and one we treasure!
DeleteLove and blessings!