A Surprise in the Back Yard

Standing on the back porch, I saw them gliding in low, one by one–like avian 747’s. At first I thought they were large hawks, but most hawks don’t flock.

Five, six, seven, they kept coming, landing in my neighbor’s cottonwood. Peering through my binoculars, their crimson heads and hooked beaks gave them away. Turkey Vultures. At least 10 of them, weighing down the still leafy branches like over-sized Christmas tree ornaments.

Talk about creepy! Of course I Googled, “Why are Turkey Vultures roosting near my home?” Basically it said, “Duh! There’s something dead close by.”


Lightening that comes from the east can be seen in the west. It will be the same when the Son of Man comes. The vultures will gather wherever there is a dead body.

Matthew 24:27-28 (NIRV)

Jesus prefaced these verses with the warning that, in the end times, people will say, “Look, Jesus is over here!” or “Hey, He’s over there!” But Christ said, “Don’t believe it.”

Kind reader, there are plenty of imitators, but there’s only one Savior–Jesus Christ. And he can always be found where His true worshipers flock. How? Look for the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

For the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

Thank you for reading. 🙏❤️ Prayers and love.



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25 responses to “A Surprise in the Back Yard”

  1. Crystal Byers Avatar

    Ha ha! We’ll survive the torture, won’t we? Congrats to you, David! And on to the next!

    Liked by 1 person

  2. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thanks, Crystal. I saw your piece about your 300th post. Congrats! I meant to be your first commenter, this morning, but didn’t get it done. I recently passed the 300 milestone, as well–with no recognition from Word Press. Oh well, I will continue the live the life of a tortured blogger.🙃

    Like

  3. Crystal Byers Avatar

    Thanks for the fun facts, David. I went from, “Ew, creepy!” to “Aww, the Peace Bird!” just like that. Perspective is everything.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. davidsdailydose Avatar

    It spooked me a little to see all of them gliding in to my neighbor’s back yard. I haven’t seen or heard from them since.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. davidsdailydose Avatar

    You’re right, Gary Fultz would know! They are probably bigger than turkeys up in Northern Minnesota.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. jesusluvsall Avatar

    Not the best looking bird to see in one’s trees. I wonder if they taste like turkey. I bet Gary would know

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Beth Alisan Avatar

    A timely post David! During the winter months, black vultures roost (we’re talking 50-100) in the oak trees of our community. Each morning they take off at the same time to search for the meal of the day. It is quite a noise and has spooked our dogs more than once.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. davidsdailydose Avatar

    It was eerie, indeed, Nicola! Especially so, because they kept coming.

    Like

  9. seeingliketheeagle Avatar

    Wow David, if I saw those Turkey Vultures in the trees around my garden I’d be staying indoors with the doors and windows locked 🤪

    Liked by 1 person

  10. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, my brother. It’s strange that a phrase about birds who flock to dead animals points to true believers flocking to God, but it’s spot on! As we say in the US, “The proof is in the pudding.”—the end result is what matters most. So, where are folk flocking?
    God Bless. Prayers for you and yours and Scotland. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

    Liked by 1 person

  11. davidsdailydose Avatar

    🤔 hmmm… It’s more likely to be a dead coyote, or other varmint. We live in the edge of a small town. Cow pastures and overgrown creek beds are only a few hundred yards away.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Alan Kearns Avatar

    Excellent advice David, to always look for the life of Christ in others…He is the only source of Life. Thank you for your faithful posts brother, they are such an encouragement. God bless you this weekend 🙏

    Liked by 1 person

  13. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Agreed, sister. It seems like an odd reference, but vultures are just doing what God made them to do. I think the point is, real believers flock to the real Jesus—every time. Led by the Holy Spirit, of course.
    God Bless!

    Liked by 1 person

  14. davidsdailydose Avatar

    When I started writing, I had no scriptural context in mind. However, Christ’s comment about the vultures gathering popped into my head. Maybe it was a common saying in NT times? Confession: I read Matthew Henry’s commentary for insight. His angle is, when vultures gather you know something’s dead. It’s not a mannequin or stuffed animal on the highway. Same thing with gathering 🦈 sharks. There’s blood in the water. Gathering true Christians? Blood of Christ! Rambling here. Thank you for sharing, brother!

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Jeffrey H. King Avatar

    Thanks for this, David. I could never figure out the vulture reference as I always think of vultures as a negative. I couldn’t understand how rotten vultures could apply to the coming of Christ. I guess not all cultures see vultures negatively. I just recall our biology department in college had rescued vulture in a cage with a carcass. Smelled and looked horrible!!!

    Anyway, you gave me a better insight into that verse. Thank you1

    Liked by 1 person

  16. God Still Speaks Avatar

    Wow! I’d much rather flock around other followers of Jesus than dead things! We need to be the sweet smelling aroma to those around us, not the stench of death!

    Liked by 2 people

  17. Catsandcoffee Avatar

    Oh Dear, Have you checked the local news? I hope a body wasn’t found nearby.

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Don't Lose Hope Avatar

    Amen. There is only the one Saviour!

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Betty Avatar

    Woo hoo!

    Liked by 1 person

  20. davidsdailydose Avatar

    It’s Fall break for a week!

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Betty Avatar

    Interesting facts, David! Hope you enjoy the weekend, too!

    Liked by 1 person

  22. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, Betty!
    A little research on Turkey Vultures revealed some fun facts.
    Early Native Americans called them the “Peace Bird,” because they do not kill their prey—it’s already dead.
    They mate for life (which can be up to 20 years in the wild), and are communal—often hunting and roosting in large groups. Lastly, they are famous for soaring on the thermals, with only a few wings flaps—now and again. These guys can fly up 140 miles in one day!

    Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your weekend. Hey, you’re retired, it’s a perpetual weekend!😀

    Liked by 1 person

  23. davidsdailydose Avatar

    I don’t know, Barb. And it only adds to the mystery. I haven’t seen the vultures again, either. We are on Fall break, so I’ll be watching for them every late afternoon. Thank you for reading and commenting. I hope school is going well. God Bless!

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Betty Avatar

    David, you always pick the best verses. One of my favorites is your last one on the fruit of the Spirit. Those turkey vultures may look creepy, but they do perform a valuable service – part of God’s amazing design in nature.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. My Life in Our Father's World Avatar

    What is dead ? I gotta know…

    Liked by 1 person

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