[726 words, 4 minutes]
Now for something a little different. Some of you know I have a thing for bird photography—nature photography in general, really. It may be a hobby, but I cannot overstate what it’s done for my soul. I have discovered a healing in it that’s hard to put into words.
It started with a simple bird feeder in our backyard years ago (circa 2015). Over time that feeder attracted as many as fifteen different varieties of colorful songbirds to our yard. At its zenith our backyard not only became a sanctuary for birds but a quiet sanctuary for my soul.
Still grieving the loss of our only child, and respiting from massive health issues that required years of rehabilitation, I sought refuge in the backyard by watching (and listening) to “my” birds. It may have only been my imagination, but I was certain the trees came alive with the sounds of chatting songbirds every time I rolled out onto our back patio. Birds are very smart, you know. Undoubtedly they chittered on about the old guy and their supper.
Early on, when it seemed like birdwatching was becoming more than just a hobby of mine, I asked Sandy what she thought about my buying a camera to photograph and post “my” birds on social media. Sandy’s first reaction was a good natured laugh.
“Are you sure? I mean, I’ve seen some of the photos you’ve taken with the phone,” she chortled playfully. “More than a few have our heads cut off.”
“Ha. Ha. Very funny. Anyway, I could learn. Oh, and it so happens Amazon is having a sale on cameras this week…”
That conversation sparked my journey through a range of cameras, from an entry-level Nikon to Canon, then an upgraded Canon, and finally back to Nikon. I’d love to own a mirrorless someday, but that’s not financially feasible.
While I don’t get out with my camera quite as often as I used to — or as often as I’d like — I still can’t help myself from mentally framing a shot when I spot a bird out in the wild of suburbia.
Here are a few shots that I’m pretty happy to have in my camera roll, some new, some taken quite early on. If you’ll indulge me, I’ll just leave these with you for now.
One of my favorite theologians, John Stott, was an avowed birder. Of the estimated 9,000 species of birds in the world today, Stott claims to have spotted 2,500 in his 87 years. He first developed a love for birdwatching by taking long walks with his dad. “Close your mouth and open your eyes and your ears, son,” his father instructed him.
He found “the highest possible authority” for his hobby in the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus tells us to “look at the birds of the air” (Matthew 6:26). He says that, in basic English, Jesus is telling us to “watch birds” and he points out that the Greek verb used means “to fix the eyes on or take a good look at.”
I believe I’ll keep on doing that until the day I die, with or without a camera. I’ve already asked the Lord for a thriving bird sanctuary in the new heavens and new earth, and I have little doubt my Father will oblige. I know I won’t get bored.
Selah, beloved.
Glorious! These are so beautiful!!!!
My heartfelt thank you, Kimberly! What a blessing you are. May you and your family have a blessed, joyful, and healthy Advent this season.
Keep shooting and capturing the LORD’S beauty. His wonders will never cease. Thank you for sharing some with us. Our love to you both.
Coming from the likes of you…a fellow birder and superior photographer…is high praise indeed. Thanks, Brett. Blessings and love from us.
Thank you for sharing your heart, love ya Scott.
Thanks so much, Joe. You’re a true blessing! Love you back.
I absolutely love everything about this post. The photographs are just so stunning… and so calming… like a call to come away from the madness and notice. I needed that today. Your description of HIS meeting you… healing you… with HIS birds… just speaks to my soul. Let’s do a book titled… All Creation Calls HIS NAME… your pictures… my list of HIS NAMES… what a lovely book that would be. Love you guys so much!!
I really, truly, enthusiastically agree with your proposal! We’ve talked of it before, Kelli, so what I think is we should start planning our next couples’ road trip where we can vision it out. Wouldn’t that be grand (canyon)? 😄 A great big thank you for your generous support of what I’m trying to do here. Your words always humble me.
I love seeing your photographs! And that first one of the Cardinal is one of my favorits as the Cardinal is the state bird of NC.
Wonderful to hear from you, Terri! Thank you so much for your kind words. Those cardinals were the biggest part of my healing. The trees in our yard were covered with them back then! I can certainly understand why you love them.
Wow!!! I love your photography. I love all animals and birds too. Thanks for sharing.
I hope you and Sandy are well. Miss and love you both.
April Acklin
Our dear April, what joy you continue to bring us! It’s always a huge blessing to hear from you. You are often remembered for your generous love and support of us. Thank you again for encouraging me today! Our love to you.
Good True and Beautiful!
Glimpses of Paradise are everywhere. Thanks for pointing us to them today.
Thank you, Fred. You’re a true blessing and faithful steward of the good grace of God!
Oh, my! Those are gorgeous pics of birds you’ve captured! Thank you for sharing! Where we live along a creek we often see everything from Great Blue Heron, Cardinals, Red-Shouldered Hawks (my favorites) to the infamous Texas state bird–the mockingbird ! I got up within a foot of a cardinal, that flew into our big windows, as it sat stunned on a porch chair and snapped away some nice up close and personal pics. Several times the big Red Shouldered Hawks have graced our porch chairs squawking as mockingbirds chased them away from their nests. Then God sends along the beautiful tiny hummingbirds to entertain us. I meditate on the fact that God sees even the sparrow fall and how much He cares about us. Two sparrows came the other morning and sat on a chair facing our windows and serenaded me eating breakfast. It is very uplifting to just pause and watch beautiful God’s birds !
I’ve just read your comments with joy in my heart, Beth! I share your enthusiasm. The sermons and counseling sessions and pep talks I’ve received from the Holy Spirit by doing the very things you mentioned are too many to count and will stay with me for a lifetime. I’ll never forget the time I asked the Lord to send me a hawk simply because I had seen every variety of bird in our backyard, but had yet to spot a hawk… Well, you can guess. Within minutes, a Cooper’s Hawk sped through our backyard chasing down a red cardinal (!), and then just perched in a tree limb where I could get a perfect view. I sat and watched him for the longest, my breath taken away by the sight of him and the specific answered prayer. Thank you for sharing your experiences! I’m living them with you for sure.