Waterville 

Now after [the magi] had left, an angel of God appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” ~Matthew 2:13 Who doesn’t love Mute Swans? The other waterfowl on the pond that these invasive species nest in for one. There are swans native to North America, but Mute Swans are not among them. So ornithologists are inclined to agree w

“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” ~Matthew 1:20-21 Recently, researchers affiliated with the San Diego Zoo revealed genetic data that proved two of the zoo’s condors were born through parthenogenesis, an occurrence where an unfertilized egg produces offspring. It is not unheard of in nature,

Again YHWH spoke to Ahaz, saying, “Ask a sign of YHWH your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” ~ Isaiah 7:10 It was Plum Island and the birder staring intently into a thicket had the requisite expensive optics (at a time when only the most serious birders made the investment), so chances were good that the bird being seen was worth a look. “So what do you have.” “Just a House Sparrow.” Huh? Why would a good birder in a good location be looking at such a common bi

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom; ~ Isaiah 35:1 The longer I watch birds, the more I’m able to predict what birds will be present when I’m in the field. That comes not only from learning what species are common in each season, but also which birds utilize specific habitats. Some of that knowledge comes through education. Field guides provide a lot of that information and local birding groups often produce lists that indi