Myna Bird Invasion - Photographs of Various Species and Video of White Myna and of Talking Myna

White Bali Myna

(Internet Photograph)

This white Bali Myna is so beautiful and it is my favorite species of Myna birds.  I have never seen one in "real life", however,   I stumbled across it by accident on the internet.  All myna (or mynah) birds belong to the starling family, particularly all those called Myna are in the Indian subcontinent.

Below is a video of this endangered bird.

Below are some of my own photographs that I took of the common myna, or Indian myna, here on the island of Oahu, Hawaii.  

The common myna with the extra white plumage got my curiosity up so I tried to find information about it on the internet, to no avail.   I guess it is a rare case of too much white on this species.   At any rate, that is how I discovered the white Bali myna on the web.  In 2000 the IUCN Species Survival Commission declared the common myna one of the world's most invasive species.   I am not really fond of these birds; they are noisy and have an ugly screech.   There was one myna I enjoyed, though, not long after I moved to Hawaii.   I first lived in Makiki suburb, which was home to a myna that used to give frequent wolf whistles.   I heard it often from where I lived, and it was great to get a wolf whistle from him when I walked down the street !  <Sigh !  Big grin.>  I attended a church not too far from my apartment, and one Sunday that whistling myna was interrupting our Sunday School class so much that the preacher's wife  also interrupted the study and said something to the effect of "Who taught that bird to whistle?"  (It has been several years since that incident so I cannot remember all of her exact words.)   The windows were open in our class so we got a good earful.  :-)

Below is a video of a talking myna bird.  He rather charms me into liking him.

In Hawaii the common or Indian myna is everywhere to be found on all of the islands.  It was first introduced from India in 1865 to control the insect population.   It is about 9 inches and both the male and female look pretty much alike.   When it flies you really notice the white wing patches.

They are very social birds and travel in pairs.   They gather in large groups and roost in trees.   They breed from February to August and they raise one to three broods a year.   They lay two to five eggs in each brood.   Incubation time is over 13 days and the babies fledge  sometime  later between 29 to 35 days.

Below are some photographs from the Internet of other species of Mynas.

White-necked Myna

Brahminy Myna

Sri Lanka Hill Myna

Inspirational Weekend - "Peace" (Photographs and Relaxing Videos)

"Thou wilt enjoy tranquility if thy heart condemn thee not." - Thomas A. Kempis

I got this peaceful photograph from the internet; baby animals are so innocent, but then they don't understand the difference between good and bad for the most part.   When corrected by us humans, they can, however, show guilt at times as all pet owners can attest to.    

The subject of peace for this blog post came to me by gentle prodding; I had originally intended another subject entirely.   Enjoy some peaceful photographs of mine as we take a refreshing break.

There is something soothing about water lilies in a pond; and when there are koi present, it is relaxing to watch them swim about among the lilies and other vegetation.   There is something special about beautiful flowers and even sleepy flamingos.   Nature can be a healer; it can take you from the hustle and bustle of this busy and sometimes frantic world and it can also remind you of your Creator and put things into proper perspective, if you let it.  After all, a closeness with the Lord is where true peace can be found.   As C. S. Lewis said, "God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing."

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee."   - Isaiah 26:3

Below is a beautiful video with soft classical music to start your happy weekend

Another video this time of wildlife at Yellowstone National Park:

The above photographs and videos are peaceful and positive, which we should always try to be.  They are guaranteed to relax you and put you in remembrance of God's awesomeness in His creation.    

However, we  need to keep in mind what Francois Fenelon said, " Peace does not dwell in outward things, but within the soul; we may preserve it in the midst of the bitterest pain, if our will remains firm and submissive.  Peace in this life springs from acquiescence to, not in an exemption from suffering."

A peaceful baby bear photo (not mine) for humor:

Scripture says:

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  - John 14:27

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation:  but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."  -  John 16:33

Inspirational Weekend - The Times We Live In

Pali Overlook, Oahu, Hawaii

Are you wishing to live on an island Paradise?   

Or live in the mountains as shown below?

Silverton, Colorado

Someone may have other plans for you.   Check out the following:    And also read   and pay particular attention to the article about 10 things that are soon going to happen.  But all that is not what I want to dwell on in this post.   There is good news for true believers in the Lord and it will happen soon.   Watch the video here .  

There is a lot of evil in this world but, despite that, there is still much good and much beauty and much to be thankful for.   Sometimes we might feel hemmed in or in difficult rocky places like the wildflowers in the photos below.

These wildflowers are not only hanging in there, but they seem to be thriving in rough territory.  When we depend on the Lord for strength and endurance and spend time with Him daily, He will see us through life's trials and will help us to carry on.   Our time here is a test and a school of sorts.  It is also of short duration compared to eternity.   Go here for more information.

There are so many things happening and converging all at once right now and in September of this year that we need to be alert and ready....for the good Lord.   Keep your eyes on what is happening in the Middle-East.   Isaiah 17:1 foretold that Damascus would become a destroyed city....completely wiped out, and later in Isaiah 17 it says that Israel would be the destroyer.   There is conflict right now between Israel and Syria, so that prophecy will be fulfilled soon.    

Bible prophecy has been of special interest to me for many years, and events right now (as foretold in the Bible) are happening fast and furious.....at an accelerated pace and several things all at once.   I have peace in my soul because a relationship with the Lord will do that for you.   I am not afraid of what the future holds because I have an everlasting hope.   

Still Waters -  peaceful pond

I realize the time is urgent, however, and I hope many will come to know the Lord before it is too late.       I felt I must post this message now, as time is also short.   

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."   Proverbs 3:5-6

Honey Island Swamp And Its Wildlife - Nature Photography

Honey Island Swamp is located near Slidell, Louisiana, about 35 miles north of downtown New Orleans.   I went with my daughter on a tour boat in 2008 and thoroughly enjoyed the 2 hour trip along this marshland of the Pearl River and the West Pearl River.   It is a 70,000 acre government protected wildlife area.   Below are a few of my photographs of some of the wildlife there.   They also have racoons, wild boar, nutria, bald eagles and many songbirds, as well as black bears; none of which I saw on my trip, however.

Yellow-Crowned Night Heron

I was thrilled at this, my first ever sighting of a yellow-crowned night heron, in Honey Island Swamp.  I was on a tour boat and was only able to take two photographs of this bird before the guide moved the boat away.   This is the only shot that came out.  I intend to paint this scene one day.   

Great Blue Herons like those above are a special treat for me.  You don't see them here in Hawaii; well, I recently found out that there are suppose to be Great Blue Herons on Oahu in a couple of isolated areas that I intend to check out one day.    

There were many alligators to be seen everywhere.   Yes, they did come up close to the boat we were in.   Below is a shot of one of the tour boats.  You can see how open they are,

There was a lot of spanish moss within the swamp, as seen in this photograph.  That enclosure on the water is a protective covering for a couple of boats, which is not easily observed at first glance.

It would be wonderful to go back to Honey Island Swamp in order to capture more wildlife with my camera.    There is one critter there I don't want to see if the legend is true: a 7 foot swamp monster with yellow eyes !!   But you know how these tales can go; much exaggerated and not true.

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