#common rosefinch

[alonglistofbirds]

[2635/11080] Common rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus

Order: Passeriformes Suborder: Passeri Superfamily: Passeroidea Family: Fringillidae (true finches) Subfamily: Carduelinae (cardueline finches)

Photo credit: Edna Mosand via Macaulay Library

[avesdraws]

common rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus)

[outofangband]

Birds of Maglor’s Gap and Lothlann

This completes my series on birds of the Fëanorian realms pre Amon Ereb!!

March of Maedhros, Himlad, Thargelion, Estolad

Flora, Fauna, geography and environment of Arda Masterlist

Maglor’s Gap was the widest break in the mountains and cliffs dividing Beleriand and the lands to the north. It lay between the blue mountains to the east and the March of Maedhros to the west. Lothlann was a wide expanse of plains to the north of the Gap. The rivers greater and little Gelion ran around the western and eastern borders.

Steppes and plains: Daurian, see see partridge, yellowhammer, black grouse, grey necked bunting, great rosefinch, imperial Eagle, steppe eagle, golden eagle, Mongolian ground jay (rare), greater short toed lark, upland buzzard, Pallas’s sandgrouse, laughing dove, great bustard, bush quail, gray, black and painted francolin, snowcock, little bustard, merlin, cheer pheasant, crested lark, painted sandgrouse, scrubfowl, common quail, brown accentor, ring necked pheasant, grey partridge, black bellied sandgrouse, common buzzard, black kite

By greater and little Gelion (stream/river): black faced bunting, Pallas’s bunting, pin tailed sandgrouse (summer only), white throated dipper, brown dipper, common kingfisher, hobby, swamphen

World building notes

--Laughing doves appear on the sigil of some of Maglor’s host who are particularly skilled in the use of song in battle

-Many of Maglor’s cavalry hunt or fight with birds including golden, steppe and imperial eagles.

-Game birds of the prairie steppes such as partridge make up much of the meat that the cavalry and scouts eat, along with hares.

-Most of the cavalry have horse hair plumes but some of the lieutenants and generals have feathers from pheasants or eagles.

-Emu are actually domesticated in some parts of the world and I love the idea of them being kept in both the Gap and Himlad as well as by peoples East of the Ered Luin. They have a huge variety of uses including leather, oil, eggs and meat. And the chicks are very cute 💙

-I am a huge proponent of prehistoric and extinct animals living throughout Arda, as per Tolkien’s comments about “all creatures which walk or have walked the earth”. I really like the idea of small brush moas living near the mountain borders of the Gap

[globalworship]

The Parable of the Mustard Seed (icon)

“Jesus put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and rest in its branches." -Matthew 13:31-32

Recent icon of this passage by Kelly Latimore:

+++

Commenary by Kelly Latimore:

Jesus' parables are one of the ways Jesus trains his disciples. The parables, like the sermon on the mount, have always been crucial for the church to imagine the kind of community it is called to be. We discover again and again that Jesus' parables significance points to everyday life. The parables are meant to be lived.

The original audience may have been perplexed by this story. They would have known that no-one would intentionally plant a mustard shrub. In fact, the Jewish Mishnah forbade the growing of mustard seeds in the garden because they were 'useless annoying weeds'. In the Hebrew Scriptures the "birds of the air" can be a reference to Gentiles/Non-Jews, the foreigner.

This parable suggests that the kingdom of heaven is available to everyone. Even those who may be considered outsiders or not "Worthy". Jesus is calling us to see the significance in the insignificant. The parables of the kingdom of heaven make clear that the kingdom of heaven is not "up there". Through the parables Jesus is teaching us to "be for the world the material reality of the kingdom of heaven brought down to earth." As Jesus is himself the parable of the father so the church is meant to be the parable of Christ. A people in space and time welcoming the outcast, the foreigner, and the stranger. These kind of communities will look like unwanted weeds to the world, or even to other christians. However, this may be exactly the church Jesus is asking us to embody. Prints, Digital Downloads, and Calendars available All of the birds in this icon are native to the Holy Land. Birds in the icon: Palestine Sunbird, Scrub Warbler, Common Rosefinch, Laughing dove, Barn Swallow, House Sparrow, Fire-Fronted Serin, Red- Rumped Swallow, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin, Woodchat Shrike, European Greenfinch, Tree Pipit, Nubian Nightjar, Northern Wheatear, Green Bee Eater, Eurasian Golden Oriole, European Roller, Eurasian Jay, Great Tit, Hooded Crow, Eurasian Blackbird, Common Chiffchaff, Rock Bunting, Crested Lark, and White Spectacled Bulbul.  https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1006593093924270&set=a.437194030864182 https://www.facebook.com/kellylatimoreicons

[mutant-distraction]

Manish Ahuja

Common Rosefinch and yellow breasted Green Finch

Sangla valley (India)

[givemebishies]

I love birds and I also love ABM

So here are some birds I imagine as the wings of some of the angels!

Lucifer - Vinaceous Rosefinch

Michael - Brow-Headed Cowbird (female)

Rosier - Sulfur Crested Cockatoo

Asmodeus - Pink Cockatoo

Baal - Common Grackle

Uriel - African Firefinch

Raphael - Turquoise Green Cheek Conure

Gabriel - Blue Ground Dove

Phanuel - Kakapo

Dina - Common Starling

I can only post 10 images on mobile but I plan on doing more! :>

I might also change my mind if I find better options but it’s what I thought fits atm lol

[beyourselfchulanmaria]

Photo : 站在武嶺往西南可眺台14甲線橫亙合歡山腹 by Chu Lan

Wuling 武嶺，舊名/日語：佐久間峠 Sakuma tōge or 南嶺，為台灣中央山脈北段高峰合歡東峰、合歡主峰間嶺線的鞍部，海拔3,275公尺，是台灣公路最高點，位於台14甲線31.5公里處，在太魯閣國家公園西境，為合歡山森林遊樂區一處景點，行政區劃屬南投縣仁愛鄉大同村。

在武嶺建有一座觀景台，供遊客眺望遠近風景。由於地處偏僻，少有光害，也是夜間觀星的良好地點。

formerly known as Sakuma Pass (佐久間峠, Sakuma-tōge), It's a mountain pass located in Ren'ai, Nantou, Taiwan, transversing the Central Mountain Range near the peak of Hehuanshan within Taroko National Park. It is the highest paved road in elevation in Taiwan.

Many races are held to ride to Wuling, most notably the Taiwan KOM Challenge, a non-UCI sanctioned race beginning in Qixingtan Beach and takes the eastern route. The 107 km race is regarded as an intense climb within the cycling community, with Grand Tour winner Vincenzo Nibali commenting: "I've never ridden such a long and hard climb before in my entire life." Wuling is also a popular stargazing and bird-watching location. Common birds include the Taiwan rosefinch, white-whiskered laughingthrush, and collared bush robin.

and

2023 Taiwan KOM Challenge Race Teaser video 臺灣自行車登山王挑戰

當我沒有目的地，當我並沒有要抵達任何特定的地方，而只為了與山同行而出發時，山就完全地展現了他自己，就像一個人拜訪一位朋友，除了與他在一起之外，沒有其他任何意圖。

The mountain gives itself most completely when I have no destination, when I reach nowhere in particular, but have gone out merely to be with the mountain as one visits a friend with no intention but to be with him.

— Nan Shepherd, The Living Mountain. 💕

[hanniebones]

Finally finished Beatrix's (Bea's) official character ref! (based on the common rosefinch)

Species: Skog

Occupation: Navigator of the Nightingales, wicked drum player, Junko fangirl

[wildflowerwoodsworld]

I don't really talk about my aus on here, but I'm pretty proud of the work I've put into this one so I thought I'd share

Nobody ask how long this took.

As per usual, several of the ocs on this list (Nickole, Bastian, Aella, Madlyn, Ruth, Madeline, Vivian, Cornelia, Silas, Angela, Primrose, Lerola, Dalila, Levi, Sylvia, Hannah, Juniper, Silvester, Alexandra and Alderbrand) belong to the lovely @crazedstoryteller, the rest of the ocs (Fiona, Lana, Tondra and Lia) are mine, and obviously canon chracters are canon

(alternate version of the table under the cut)

Surname Name Height Bird Wingspan

Poizot Gueldre 194cm Common Ostrich 142cm

Vermillion Mimosa 161cm Beautiful Sheartail 143cm

Vermillion Kirsch 182cm Purple-Throated Carib 152cm

Unsworth Dorothy 145cm Green Peafowl 158cm

Mehmad Rhya 181cm Superb Lyrebird 168cm

Adlai Marie 135cm Eurasian Magpie 182cm

Becquerel Letoile 165cm Zebra Dove 187cm

Vermillion Nickole 168cm Rufous-collared kingfisher 191cm

Silva Nebra 170cm Buff-Breasted Paradise Kingfisher 192cm

Tenmanyashiki Fujio 176cm Anna’s Hummingbird 192cm

Florimond Bastian 176cm Turkey 202cm

Pappitson Charmy 142cm Dalmatian Pelican 216cm

Silva Acier 167cm Kookaburra 217cm

Clarkson Aella 165cm Northern Cardinal 218cm

Swallowtail Secre 152cm Anti-Bird 225cm

Francois Marx 167cm Common Grackle 226cm

Faust Morgen 180cm White-Necked Raven 228cm

Silva Nozel 177cm Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher 228cm

Faust Nacht 180cm White-Necked Raven 228cm

Fiore Madlyn 149cm European Robin 234cm

Roselei Ruth 169cm House Sparrow 235cm

Bergen Fana 162cm Baltimore oriole 236cm

Mehmad Fana 162cm Baltimore oriole 236cm

Angel Puli 168cm Tundra Swan 236cm

Wechsler Grey 159cm Kererū 238.5cm

Funar Recca 153cm European Robin 240cm

Thorncroft Madeline 171cm Black Swan 241cm

Mikuriya Fumito 176cm Eurasian Teal 241cm

Adlai Gauche 181cm Eurasian Magpie 245cm

Tium Shiren 183cm Great Potoo 245cm

Silva Solid 169cm Yellow Billed Kingfisher 246.5cm

Silva Noelle 161cm Common Kingfisher 250cm

Vaude Langris 166cm Western Tanager 253cm

Tormenta Fragil 162cm European Robin 254cm

Portaport Cob 173cm Willow Ptarmigan 256cm

Shipley Vivian 175cm European Robin 257cm

Franklin Cornelia 159cm Black-necked Grebe 257cm

Kozma Lolopechka 165cm American White Pelican 257cm

Luftair Randall 175cm Mute Swan 263cm

Libardirt Morris 177cm Mallard 267cm

Vaude Silas 173cm Hepatic Tanager 271cm

Keller Mariella 157cm Pacific Loon 271cm

Code Dominante 167cm Superb Starling 272cm

Clarkson Angela 168cm Vermilion Cardinal 274cm

Hage Asta 155cm Shining Bronze Cuckoo 275cm

Bullard Sally 160cm Pacific Loon 277cm

Roulacase Fiona 171cm Common Snipe 278cm

Marron Sol 180cm European Robin 282cm

Enoteca Vanessa 170cm Taiwan Rosefinch 283.5cm

Roselei Lerola 170cm Aztec Thrush 283cm

Roselei Primrose 175cm Varied Thrush 283cm

Holt Nash 136cm Common Kestrel 286cm

Ringard En 176cm Great Spotted Woodpecker 286cm

Roulacase Finral 172cm Great Snipe 287cm

Lister Dalila 177cm Great Spotted Woodpecker 288cm

Legolant Henry 190cm Trumpet Swan 290cm

McNamara Owen 180cm Great Spotted Woodpecker 293cm

Roe Levi 178cm American Coot 294cm

Vaude Sylvia 167cm Summer Tanager 295cm

Orfai Orsi 180cm American Coot 297cm

Hangatsuji Jozo 178cm Alpine Chough 297cm

Aquaria Lily 160cm Grey Heron 306cm

Kruger Fanzell 178cm Spur-Winged Goose 310cm

Kezokaku Ginnojomorifuyu 169cm Pygmy Falcon 313cm

Sandler Alecdora 178cm Common Cuckoo 314cm

Caseus Hamon 170cm Least Sandpiper 317cm

Starr Mars 170cm Common Starling 325cm

Gerver Hannah 169cm Chimney Swift 338cm

Ideale Zara 177cm Carrion Crow 340cm

Bronzazza Sekke 175cm Rock Dove 341cm

Rapual Theresa 162cm Common Kestrel 341cm

Salik Revchi 176cm Rock Dove 342cm

Lugner Xerx 177cm Snowy Sheathbill 345cm

Roselei Charlotte 171cm Mountain Bluebird 346cm

Voltia Luck 167cm Peregrine Falcon 348cm

Vaude Lana 168cm White Winged Tanager 349cm

Dorthonion Ladros 180cm Rock Dove 350cm

Landvik Valtos 178cm Chimney Swift 356cm

Ideale Zora 176cm Hooded Crow 357cm

Vermillion Leopold 170cm Brown Falcon 360cm

Boismortier Rill 165cm Kea 363cm

Swing Magna 169cm Gyrfalcon 364cm

Lunettes Klaus 176cm European Nightjar 371cm

Fodor Gadjah 176cm Magnificent Frigatebird 377cm

Novachrono Julius 180cm European Golden Eagle 379cm

Granvorka Kaiser 193cm Kori Buzzard 393cm

Mushogatake Yosuga 181cm Saker Falcon 400cm

Grinberryall Yuno 172cm Common Swift 404cm

Kay Juniper 170cm Great Shearwater 406cm

Sturm Tondra 167cm Barn Owl 407cm

Vermillion Mereoleona 178cm Fox Kestrel 409cm

Yami Ichika 156cm Northern Royal Albatross 414cm

Gidul Vetto 196cm California Condor 420cm

Vermillion Fuegoleon 188cm Nunkeen Kestrel 421cm

Garver Silvester 184cm Eurasian Hobby 429cm

Spirito Rades 174cm Hooded Vulture 435cm

Swallow David 175cm Tree Swallow 438cm

Imari Komari 160cm White-Throated Needletail 440cm

Mehmad Patri 172cm New Zealand Dotterel 440cm

Vangeance William 172cm New Zealand Dotterel 440cm

Vermillion Alexandra 181cm Madagascar Fish Eagle 441cm

O’oka Daizaemon 193cm Great Buzzard 453cm

Bardsley Lia 168cm White-Throated Needletail 462cm

Summerfield Jack 197cm Common Swift 464cm

Agrippa Gordon 187cm Rüppell’s Vulture 468cm

Yami Sukehiro 183cm Wandering Albatross 476cm

Vermillion Alderbrand 185cm African Fish Eagle 493cm

Ryuudou Ryuuya 182cm Amsterdam Albatross 507cm

[cuckoo-among-beasts]

Huaisang's Aviary

Some of these birds are tame and kept more or less as pets. Others are wild ones that either permanently or seasonally lives in one of the garden's Huaisang has re-made to be good habitats for birds. Common birds for the region will (for now) not be on this list (although most birds found in the Unclean Realm are of this variety), unless it has become a tame pet.

Asian Green Bee-eater (gift)

Baikal Teal (caught)

Black Stork (seasonal)

Common Hill Myna (spiritual birds, he has two, a male and female)

Fairy Pitta (gift)

Golden Pheasant (caught)

Green Peafowl (gift from a-yao, unfortunately only owns a male, it's a surly one that he named Wanyin and affectionately calls A-Yin, he's looking for a female companion for the bird)

Long-tailed Rosefinch (wild, but very tame and eats from your hand)

Mandarin Duck (gift)

Red-billed Blue Magpie (caught)

Saker Falcon (gift)

White-naped Crane (seasonal)

[libelelle]

Honeycreepers? 👀

YAYYYYY YAY THANK YOU FOR ENABLING ME

alright so honeycreepers are these really cool birds native to the islands of Hawai‘i and they are INTERESTING. so many reasons why but one of them is that they have some extreme adaptations to their environment. famously extreme.

this is an Asian rosefinch

specifically a Chinese white browed rosefinch but that's not important. this is a rosefinch.

now a long LONG time ago, a rosefinch from Asia made an huge flight from Asia to the islands of Hawai‘i. this rosefinch species became the ancestor of a HUGE variety of birds.

evolution like this is pretty common. islands are a hotspot for evolution because of the isolated and unique environments. I could talk so much about that. anyways what's incredible about this is that the descendants look like this

ADAPTIVE RADIATION!

Rosefinches were one of 14 species of birds who originally settled on the islands, and make up the islands native bird species. the islands were pretty new and had very little diversity so there was a LOT of work to do

with so many niches to fill, these birds got to work. they took up roles in the ecosystem that were taken by other animals on the mainland. over time they started to evolve, emphasizing certain traits that allowed them to fill these new roles better.

take for example the ‘I‘iwi. the ‘I‘iwi is this angel

when the rosefinch arrived, there were no bees, so one of the roles they needed to fill was that of pollination. this bird evolved a long curved beak via coevolution (alongside the flowers of the islands) this allows them to reach deep inside the flowers to get nectar, and the flower will have it's sexual organs positioned to leave pollen on their foreheads. then they go to the next flower and deposit it and boom! pollination! the shape also makes it less straining to reach in.

another example: ‘Akiapōlā‘au, ‘Aki for short.

LOOK AT THAT BEAST. anywyas this one fulfills a fantastic and essential role: a woodpeckers.

which like. ??? with that beak???? but yeah. as you can see the bottom mandible is very straight and solid, not unlike a woodpecker. how they do it is they open up wide, angle their upper mandible out of the way and hit the bottom one against the wood of the tree! they look like they're screaming : )

they're very effective too! like the sapsuckers, which are woodpeckers, they'll peck holes into trees and use them as sap well, which are also used by other birds as well

the other honeycreepers are similar, adapting to fill the roles of warblers (insectivores) or to eat fruit and nuts. its fascinating and a beautiful example of evolution and adaptation and it is so damn cool

most of the information here was taken from this book by Douglas Pratt and the information and knowledge I knew from before. mostly from the book though.

DISCLAIMER. I am not a biologist I am an enthusiast. if I got something wrong tell me. anywyas thanks for letting me ramble I LOVE BIRDS

[leviathiane]

wing au

Pokemon-wings (not taking into account hisui specific locale)

Kamado - Salamance

Laventon - 

Cyllene - Xatu

Akari - ledian 

Rei - starly

Adaman - Swellow(?)

Iscan - vivillion 

Arezu - togetic? illumise? 

Mai - frosmoth

Melli - Oricorio (sensu style) or swanna

Sabi - Rufflet

Irida - Pikipek or cutiefly

Lian - combee

Calaba - Honchkrow

Gaeric - toucannon (if so, irida is pikipek), Hawlucha if not

Ingo - corviknight or noivern

Palina - masquerain or butterfree

Volo - sigilyph

Cogita -  altaria

Wings-wings:

kamado - eagle

laventon - Kea

cyllene - secretary bird

akari - cuckoo 

rei - common rosefinch

adaman - bluejay

Iscan - songbird (maybe a chickadee?)

Arezu - wren? likely a seed eating songbird

mai - montagu’s Harrier

melli - Cockatoo or peacock

Sabi - green-cheeked parakeet

Irida - shrike or ruby throated hummingbird

Lian - western honeybee or goldfinch

Calaba - kakapo

Gaeric - rough-legged hawk

Ingo - white bellbird

Palina - kingfisher

Volo - honeyguide

Cogita - Luna moth or raven

[alpinebirdingworld-blog]

Benefits of Going to Yunnan in China for a Birding Trip 

Watching birds live their lives in their natural homes can be extremely relaxing for anyone. If you are wondering about going on a bird watching trip to an exotic country, then you should think about booking one of the popular Yunnan birding tours in China. Yunnan is popular for its rich biodiversity and its extensive natural landscapes are home to hundreds of different types of birds. Going on a bird watching trip to a different country also allows you to enjoy the benefits of traveling while you enjoy delving into your passion for observing the birds. 

Bird Species in the Yunnan Region 

The Yunnan Province of southwestern China is home to more than 900 species of birds. The lakes, mountains, plateaus, plains, and wetlands create a unique environment that provides the perfect space for these birds to grow and thrive. So when you come down to the birding sites in and around the Yunnan Province, you can see many different types of pheasants, hornbills, babblers, laughingthrushes, and parrotbills. The popular birds in the Yunnan Province include the White-cheeked Partridge, Kalij Pheasant, Great Hornbill, Long-tailed Broadbill, Golden-throated Barbet, and Lady Amherst’s Pheasant. 

Major Attractions of a Birding Trip in Yunnan 

Have a look at the main highlights of your birding excursion to Yunnan.

Visiting the Kunming Botanical Garden and Zixi Mountain Forest Park 

Kunming Botanical Garden is a huge garden that offers a nice habitat for different types of resident and wintering birds, such as Red-tailed Minla, Red-billed Leiothrix, Blue-winged Minla, and Japanese White-eye. The Zixi Mountain Forest Park is yet another popular site in the region that is known for its unspoiled natural beauty. It is also the home to many popular birds in the Yunnan region.

Gonggangling 

Next, you can visit the lush Alpine forests of Gonggangling covered with coniferous trees. These trees are home to numerous forest birds, such as the Sichuan Wood Owl, Blue Eared Pheasant, Blood Pheasant, Chinese White-browed Rosefinch, and Three-banded Rosefinch. 

Ruoergai

Ruoergai is an extensive grassland spreading across the Tibetan Plateau that offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. It is the perfect place for you to go for a nice drive. When you are here, you can spot some of the local birds, such as the Himalayan Griffon, Amur Falcon, Upland Buzzard, Common Kestrel, and the Black Kite.     

Importance of Availing Custom Birding Trips 

Exploring the unique sights and sounds of the Yunnan region can be an unforgettable adventure that is going to leave a lasting impact on your senses. However, you need some professional help to get there and visit the numerous notable birding sites for which the Yunnan region is so famous. Consulting with a reputed tour operator like Alpine Birding can help you to know all about the region in advance so that you can plan your trip properly.

Whether you take an academic interest in birds, love to watch them in their natural surroundings, or are an avid photographer, you can benefit a lot from booking a curated birding trip to China’s Yunnan Province. 

[outofangband]

Birds of Nan Elmoth

Other bird and ecology posts in the Beleriand tag!

Written for @melestasflight

Nan Elmoth or the Valley of Stars was a deep forest East of Doriath and on the Eastern banks of the river Celon, a tributary to Aros which was itself a tributary to Sirion.

We can only speculate about the species of trees that grew here with the primary descriptor being that they block the sun. The climate and habitat is a deep, mixed deciduous forest with high moisture.

Note: I do have to give some license because of the enchantments, which means that the inspiration will take from real places, will not match exactly to the flora and fauna not that I’ve described here, but I’ve done my best, and I’ve done my best to include species that exist in deep forests, and not in open spaces, or at the very least live part time or migratory species in deeper forests.

I usually include world building notes on these post, so they’re not just me listing species but because there’s not a settlement or society here I wasn’t really sure what to do so I included world building notes for the Sindar more generally as well as nearby cultures, including Nandor and Avarin elves, I think all three have spent intermittent time in Nan Elmoth

I do not think that Nan Elmoth has a large amount of fauna because of its enchantments however there are species that have adapted to living there and in the surrounding regions. Most of these species are passerines who do not flock in large numbers. There are also species that do not exist in this world

Deep in the woods: chaffinch, hawfinch, pine grosbeak , common bullfinch, tawny owl, wood grouse, song thrush, common nightingale, hermit thrush

On the outskirts: northern parula, chestnut bunting, brambling, lesser redpoll, common nightingale, common wren

By the pool and in wetlands: rustic bunting, purple heron (migratory)

By the river banks: black faced bunting, common rosefinch, white throated dipper, common crane

Migratory: little bunting, northern wryneck, Bohemian waxwing (breeds in conifers), scaly thrush

World building notes:

-Nightingales, usually species of forest edges and clearings live in Nan Elmoth and have since Melian herself was there. Their song is lower than their kin in other regions and many feel it is more eerie, almost mournful.

-Birds that feed on yew berries and other species poisonous to elves and men are considered symbols of endurance and faith in some Sindar culture.

-The whistling cry of waxwings appears in Avarin music, often emulated through flutes carved from wood and reed.

-Rusting buntings are symbols of maternity and childbearing in some Avari and Sindar cultures

-It is told among the Avari of this region that thrushes and other songbirds guided them to find food in the faint dawn of their awakening.

[globalworship]

The Parable of the Mustard Seed (new icon)

A new icon by Kelly Latimore, followed by his commentary.

“He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and rest in its branches." -Matthew 13:31-32

+++

Commentarry by Kelly Latimore, from his FB page at https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=963990678184512&set=a.437194030864182

Jesus' parables are one of the ways Jesus trains his disciples. The parables, like the sermon on the mount, have always been crucial for the church to imagine the kind of community it is called to be. We discover again and again that Jesus' parables significance points to everyday life. The parables are meant to be lived. The original audience may have been perplexed by this story. They would have known that no-one would intentionally plant a mustard shrub. In fact, the Jewish Mishnah forbade the growing of mustard seeds in the garden because they were 'useless annoying weeds'. In the Hebrew Scriptures the "birds of the air" can be a reference to Gentiles/Non-Jews, the foreigner. This parable suggests that the kingdom of heaven is available to everyone. Even those who may be considered outsiders or not "Worthy". Jesus is calling us to see the significance in the insignificant. The parables of the kingdom of heaven make clear that the kingdom of heaven is not "up there". Through the parables Jesus is teaching us to "be for the world the material reality of the kingdom of heaven brought down to earth." As Jesus is himself the parable of the father so the church is meant to be the parable of Christ. A people in space and time welcoming the outcast, the foreigner, and the stranger. These kind of communities will look like unwanted weeds to the world, or even to other christians. However, this may be exactly the church Jesus is asking us to embody.

Prints, Digital Downloads, and Original Icon available: kellylatimoreicons.com https://www.facebook.com/kellylatimoreicons

All of the birds in this icon are native to the Holy Land. Birds in the icon: Palestine Sunbird, Scrub Warbler, Common Rosefinch, Laughing dove, Barn Swallow, House Sparrow, Fire-Fronted Serin, Red- Rumped Swallow, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin, Woodchat Shrike, European Greenfinch, Tree Pipit, Nubian Nightjar, Northern Wheatear, Green Bee Eater, Eurasian Golden Oriole, European Roller, Eurasian Jay, Great Tit, Hooded Crow, Eurasian Blackbird, Common Chiffchaff, Rock Bunting, Crested Lark, and White Spectacled Bulbul.

[sariskatehla]

The Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the highest concentration of Peafowl in India, as well as a key stopover for many passage migrant bird species, including the Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus, which occurs in huge flocks between March and October, where you can also have a pleasant stay at our resort in Sariska.