Ospreys
John Miller
05/18/21
- Windstream Mail
R E F L E C T I O N S Thoughts on nature and the Christian faith - 5/17/21 ___________________________________________________________________ And God said, "Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens. . .And God saw that it was good.” - Gen. 1:20-21 |
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Ospreys are masters at catching fish, so much so that they are often called fish hawks. Their success rate when they dive after fish is close to 70%. They make human fishermen look pretty inept. I was able to photograph this one as it hovered in the air searching the water below. When ospreys do seize a fish, they turn it so its head is facing forward. This makes them more aerodynamic when they fly back to their nest. Perfectly equipped for swift descents and with talons especially designed to hold slippery fish, they are marvels of grace and efficiency. Every species of bird is endowed by their Creator with specific and unique gifts which constantly amaze me and fill me with awe. To carefully observe the natural world is to witness the awesome hand of God. It is to our shame that we pay so little attention to the creatures God has given us for our enjoyment because they all bear witness to his creative power. Life, in all its forms, is a gift to be cherished and a pointer to the One it is our honor to worship. If nature is looked at only as a commodity to be used, we are not only missing the reason for its existence, we are dishonoring its Creator. For me to say that this osprey brought me closer to God might sound silly, but it is true. God created and fashioned ospreys, and when he was done he declared them to be good. Far be it from me to disagree with God, but when I see his creative hand in nature, I want to say it is more than good. It is great! - John
