It’s Friday! Since most of our news consumption consists of bad news, especially during this time with a pandemic, rioting, protests, murder hornets, and alcoholic killer monkeys. I wanted to take the time to offer up some non-political positive and good news. Something that can inspire us or, at the very least, make us smile.
I apologize for missing the last couple weeks. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
1. Osprey 1 Shark 0
I saw this video on Twitter today, and it is amazing. There’s some dispute about whether this Osprey has a shark or just some other large fish.
I don’t care. It’s cool.
2. These birds are changing their tune.
Literally. National Geographic reports that white-throated sparrows across Canada are abandoning an old song in exchange for a trendy new tune.
No one knows why.
Corryn Wetzel for National Geographic writes, “Over the course of two decades, white-throated sparrows across western and central Canada have changed one of their songs, replacing a three-note call with a two-note one. The new tune started in British Columbia and spread west—now, most of Canada’s birds are singing it. And it’s still spreading in Quebec, more than 2,000 miles from where it originated.”
And apparently, birds can learn a lot from those songs.
“Birdsongs are not just pleasant to listen to, they’re also rich with information, such as the health and fitness of the speaker. Like other birds, male sparrows sing to establish territory and to entice females. It’s only the males that sing certain tunes, and they learn them during a critical window early in their development,” the article continues.
You can read the whole article here.
3. Critters taking over the play set.
British wildlife artist Robert Fuller set up cameras in his garden after he noticed creatures were climbing all over the second hand play set he bought for his daughters. His footage footage shows the abandoned play equipment being visited by weasels, hedgehogs, badgers, owls, deer, songbirds, and even a family of stoats.
4. Ray Ortlund on Isaiah 53
This video is from The Gospel Coalition, Ray Ortlund explains how the suffering Servant of Isaiah 53 offers us the opportunity to have our history re-written.
Can’t find better news than that!
5. Nacho Table Time!
This Michigan family turns their table into a nachos buffet. Sounds like a fun and delicious family activity. Sanitary? Not so much.
Have good or positive news that you would like to share? Drop me a line at shane@caffeinatedthoughts.com for your story to possibly be shared in next week’s Friday Five.