God said, “Let the waters swarm with living things, and let birds fly above the earth up in the dome of the sky.” God created the great sea animals and all the tiny living things that swarm in the waters, each according to its kind, and all the winged birds, each according to its kind. God saw how good it was. Then God blessed them: “Be fertile and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth…” And that’s what happened. God saw everything he had made: it was supremely good. – Genesis 1:20-22, 31

Today, gentle readers, you get a day off from the commentary, the opinion, and my tendency to get preachy. You’re welcome!

Instead I’m just going to share these new bird photos.

I know what you’re thinking: Didn’t he already post some a couple of times before, like, three or four months ago? Well, maybe I did. But not these pictures, these were all taken over the past two or three days.

It’s been a long time since I stood by the window watching the birds, camera in hand; then Wednesday during breakfast a woodpecker caught my eye and the image just grabbed me so I had to stay and watch for a few minutes.

They really are most wonderful creatures. It’s the grace, the fluidity, the verve, the flair, the élan, the apparent joy with which they move. Simply put, it seems like the birds all really enjoy being birds.

But who wouldn’t be excited if they knew how to fly? Who wouldn’t want to flaunt it with such poise, and spirit, and breathtaking athleticism?

So enjoy these photographs (28). I am especially pleased with the woodpecker in the tree, and the “stop-action” images of birds in flight, wings moving so fast. Such grace and beauty. I just want to say how grateful I am to live in a world designed with this much imagination and joy.

Thanks, God, I really do appreciate this life. – DEREK