SOUTHERN DELAWARE 2011

The Billett Family has been going to Rehoboth Beach every June sine 1954. I was born in 1955, so the summer would not seem right with out the family time there. Florence and I were able to enjoy a “36 hour poor man's vacation" this year. We took Myron Hostetter along and he paid the gas, Mom and Dad left us sleep at their place, and Aunt Jane took us out to eat twice. Thanks to all of them or we would not have been able to go. Of course when I go to Delaware I have to spend time at one of the National Wildlife Refuges there. I spent about 4 hours at Prime Hook NWR. The birds were not plentiful (I went in the early pm) but the insects were out in force. I got more pictures than bites thanks to Mr. Deet. Here are some of the better shots. I do not know much about Dragon Flies so maybe you can help with their ID.

 Dragon Fly (1) at Turkle Pond

 Dragon Fly (2) at Turkle Pond

 Dragon Fly (3) at Turkle Pond

A friendly local (Purple Martin) gives me directions

Red Admiral

CREATION APPRECIATION MENAGERIE

Here is a copy of an email i sent to the children of Mark and Loraine Martin that I want to share with all of you -

-- Children - get out there and see what God has done - It is so blessed to see His fingerprints - one of the lessons God teaches us about Himself through nature is His awesomeness - the more you learn about nature the more you see that you do not know - same with God - you can not build a box big enough to hold Him - our human brains (as amazing as they are) can never understand His greatness, His goodness, or His beauty.  As one of my dear friends often says "We just can't wrap our minds around Him."  -- also you may want to know that the menagerie at our house is growing.  We have 2 parakeets, 2 love birds, 2 cockatiels, 1 red eared slider turtle, 1 yellow belly slider turtle, 1 painted turtle, a garter snake, about 10 earthworms, the 6 wood frog tadpoles you saw at Root's, and many stinkbugs (that we do not want) - (even Charles the garter snake won't eat them - but I swallowed one with my coffee two weeks ago - ugg!!!!)  Lord willing tomorrow night I will pick up two African clawed frogs. and we are still trying to find a large talking bird for a "cheap" price.  (you can pray that someone will donate one)  Remember that you can send your "nature reports" to me and I will send you another Creator Card to add to your collection.

 This is a male Bobolink in full breeding plumage.  I "shot" him at Middle Creek last week.  Bobolinks used to be common in Lancaster County but not anymore - they are ground nesters and modern farming practices have cut down their habitat greatly.  Look these guys up in a book or the Internet - they have the longest migration of all the song birds I know about.  They winter in Argentina.

 We went to York County to pick up a microscope and set of prepared nature slide that was given to us and found this robin nest in the shrubs in front of the house of our new friends.  Look closely there is an egg and a very recently hatched chick.  This reminds me about a poem that our children learned in first or second grade.  

"We have a little secret, just we three

The Robin, me, and the sweet Cherry tree

The Robin told the tree and the tree told me"

(It went something like that - If you know it -send me a copy)

 

Here is the American Bittern I mentioned in the email.  When he knows your around he raises his bill in there air and rocks back an forth like a reed in the wind.  I have been told that he is a very shy bird but we got within twenty feet of him before he walked away.  Thank you to Dick Brown who told us about this bird on his pond near Mount Gretna.

Here is a Bob White Quail, I have seen many before but not in the wild.  This picture was taken on the Myron and John Dietz farm in York County (near Wrightsville).  I suspect that he was a "farm raised" bird that was released for hunters because he did not run for cover but stayed on the edge of the road while I followed him.  What a treat it would have been to hear him but he was not in the mood to talk.

Thanks for reading the blog and GET OUT to see what God is doing.  After all He did all of this for you.

WELOME BACK BUTTERFLIES

We have been privilaged to see some of the "summer" butteries. While we always enjoy the angle wings etc in the spring but when the others start showing up I become "born again, again."

Here are three we saw  on Thursday April 28 in Perry County.

American Lady

Tiger Swallowtail - a very poor picture, sorry.  I was so happy to see him but he was not willing to pose.

Red Admiral


My friend John Laskowski drove me to the monthly Butterfly Club meeting at the North Museum in Lancaster on Monday eve.  Our speaker was a local MD (surgeon) - Dr Newcommer.  He has been an active member of the club for years and does great photography.  He is extremely well versed in insects and other field biology.  I enjoyed his presentation entitled "the evolution of insects"  You all know that I did not agree with a lot he said but I was not there to debate the man (nor do I think myself qualified to).  I have been to meetings where these people are literally attacked by creationist and treated rudely - we as Christian need to be kind and loving as well as not being ashamed of what we believe. 

Yes, I am not ashamed to say I believe the Biblical account of Creation.  However, I am not blind enough to to think that there are no questions and not so ignorant to think that all of the questions have answers (until then).  If you think that is doubting, pray for me.

MY FATHER'S GARDEN

What a blessing it has been to welcome more spring wildflowers.
We have taking several trips to Shenk's ferry and one to our cousins cabins and Fowler's Hollow State Park in Perry County.  At Shenk's Ferry I often sit on the bench that is about half way back the trail and strike up conversations with folks as they are walking by.  I always ask them if they are enjoying my Father's garden.  Their reactions are varied but I think it is important to remind them who it is that made this beauty.  Here are some of the flowers we have been seeing.

 Rue Anemone

Trillium Granda Flora (pink morph)

Trillium Granda Flora 

Wild Geranium

Bluets - Quaker Ladies

Red Bud

Rue Anemone

Black Snake Root

Common Buttercup

Marsh Marigolds

 Pussytoes

Common Shad Bush (Service Berry)

 Blue Violets

Purple Violets

SPRING WILDFLOWERS FOR EASTER

It is time to get out and enjoy - the weather and my health have been "ify" but I did manage to get out and enjoy a bit of the beauty God is displaying in his wonderful gallery called earth.

In late March I was able to get a view (through a scope) of a Mountain Bluebird at Middle Creek.  A very infrequent visitor to PA a a first sigthing for me.  I was so far away that the only photos I got were not good enough to share but the scope gave me a personal memory picture I will not forget.

The Wildflowers are blooming at Shenk's Ferry and as always the weather changes the order of their appearing as well as quality and quantity of blossoms.  here are 3 pictures taken this week (between the rain drops)

 Blood Root

 Dutchman's Breeches

Spring Beauty

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

I have not posted since December - hard to believe - but it is my goal not to "overdo it" - I do not want to be a pest - my goal is every two weeks but in winter time much less.

We had a wonderful time at the Creation Appreciation breakfast on March 19th at Sonlight River Brethren School.  Some where between 80 and 100 folks attended.   There is no way it could have happened without the support and labor of many.  Thank You!!!!

Programs ----

I am in the middle of a 5 week program (every Friday for 5 weeks) for the Genesis Home School group in Chester County.

There have been several senior programs in the last month and several more latter this spring. 

I will be doing a butterfly program for Bethany UMC at Cresswell in April and the Woman's Night out at the Central Mannor Church of God in May. 

Roots is ongoing weekly stop in to visit sometime - we always have chairs available so you can sit and talk. 

There have been some more requests for programs in KY and we are praying about the opportunity and the price of gas.


It has been a goal of Florence and I to visit Shenk's Ferry wildflower preserve - I normally have been there several times by this date.  It looks like it may happen tomorrow. (Monday 3/28)

The work of Creation Appreciation is expanding - and "it is the Lord's doing and it is marvelous in our eyes"

Our pets have increased do to donations - we now have 5 birds including a beautiful pair of lovebirds given to us.  We have also acquired 3 small (baby) turtles - a painted, a red eared slider and a yellow bellied slider.  they all have been traveling with Charles (the garter snake) and I to programs.  If your interested email or call me about the bible lesson that Charles teaches.

Photo sales have been down to almost nothing this winter - so the rent at Roots in behind a little - the managers there are so kind and gracious to us about it - if you are looking for a way to help pray about this and do only as you are led by God.

I am praying that we will come up with some good pictures to share with you after our hike tomorrow.

KEEP US IN YOUR PRAYERS  - Don B

FARM SHOW 2011

The 2011 PA Farm Show will be held January 8th thru 15th.  Stop by to visit at the Family Living center - east side of the main hall near the McClay Street entrance.

This is my 7th year as a speaker and exhibitor and it is always a wonderful opportunity, but a tiring one - ten 12 hour days (including set up)  in a row is not easy for this old man.   This year I will be getting more rest because I am "camping" in the Creation Van rather than commuting from home. The Farm Show camping facilities include electric hook up so I will have heat, hot water for bathing, my fridge and a hotplate for meals. (Farm show food is always good but also expensive, so I am planning to cook my breakfast and supper in the van.)

Pray for me that I have strength, make good contacts, and say "the right thing at the right time".  Pray that our investment in the postcard handout proves worthwhile. (that folks save them and respond)  If you think of me say a special prayer for me at 2pm on the 13th and 14th as I will be speaking at the Family Living center stage.

In addition to the photography my conversation starter this year revolves around the pocket watch pictured above. It was running and keeping good time when I dismantled in and put all the pieces in a clear plastic container. (not an original idea - I borrowed it from somewhere??) How many times will we have to shake the jar until the pieces "fall together" and it starts running again?   I know that the theory of evolution is much more complicated than this simple illustration but it does make a point and starts some interesting discussions.

For a "hand out" we will be using the butterfly postcard I designed and emailed to most of you on December 11.  I am including the front and back images of that card below.  My hope is that a "pretty" picture post card will be less likely to be trashed than the other things folks pick up at the show.


Front of card (click on it for complete image)

back of card  (click on it for larger size)