Wednesday, August 28, 2013

The Intelligent Design of Birds

by Donna L. Watkins

I was very excited when asked to review a DVD release of Flight, The Genius of Birds, which is based on intelligent design. I'm not being paid to do this (other than the wonderful gift of the DVD), so my comments are truly from my heart.

The poet William Blake wrote that to see an eagle in the air is to observe "a portion of genius." My thoughts are that it's more than simply genius, which is a term used for humanity. The science behind the video shows the evidence of intelligent design, purpose and plan.  It was filmed in North America, Peru, England, Greenland and Antarctica.

"All nature cries aloud that there is a supreme intelligence." -- Voltaire

More than a million animal species have been identified. Five times that number may await discovery. The scope of this variety is only partially defined by color, behavior and size. Concealed beneath the skin is an orchestration of amazing functions for survival.  Instincts being put into the genetic design.

We will never exhaust the wonder and magnificence of our God and Creator of the Universe. The ingenuity of a bird's behavior and biology shows the artistry of our Risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." -- Romans 1:20

From microscopic organisms to blue whales the menagerie of creatures that inhabit the earth is truly incredible! The elaborate network of a million component parts that make a bird's feather an aerodynamic masterpiece is not even a drop in the bucket of the awe and wonder found within the natural world. The intermittent music is lovely, seemingly taking you into the air with the birds.

The hummingbird section was totally incredible with their maneuverability. The wonder of a hummingbird almost transcends language. Our response is more on the level of soul and emotions. Words can't do it justice, so you just stand or sit and mentally applaud.  There is no other bird that can fly like a hummingbird. To keep the muscles powered, the bird's heart has to beat as much as 1250 beats a minute. Hummingbirds eat every 10-15 minutes to consume twice its body weight in food each day. The detailed information on its tongue was awesome.

There are 9000 species of birds and every one of them is equipped with specific traits to help them survive. Birds' eggs range in weight from an ounce to three pounds, but all develop very similarly with the definition of the bird's head being seen by day two. The amazing photography of what goes on inside an egg transcends anything we can imagine. To see that little heart beating is priceless.

A flock of 200,00 Starlings in England is like a ballet seemingly without a specific leader. For such a common bird, it's an incredible display of our Father's choreography. Another stimulating account is of the Arctic Tern which migrates from pole to pole each year. The flight path and distance of 43,496 miles (70,000 kilometers) round trip wasn't published until January 2010. They spend most of their lives in the air, flying almost non-stop for two months in each direction which is 300 miles a day.

I was excited about being able to review the DVD, but never expected the emotional connection that we spiritually have with all Creation. There is never an end of learning more about the natural world that God, our Father in Heaven, made for our enjoyment.

"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,' even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:7-14

This is the first film in a new series called, The Design of Life, from Illustra Media which produces video documentaries that examine the scientific case for intelligent design. Each episode of this new series will explore a different realm of the animal kingdom and the remarkable biological systems that make life on Earth possible for them.

Be sure to view the film trailer.  You can purchase this amazing DVD at the same website.

I have also been asked to review Metamorphosis, The Beauty and Design of Butterflies. I'm super excited to get that DVD when it arrives.  You will see that post pretty soon after the DVD gets here.  Take a sneak peak at the website and sign-up to get a free download of the book that is a companion to the film.  View the Metamorphosis trailer.  It's an incredible account of the beauty and wonder of our Lord's design of these magical little creatures.



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1 comment:

Lee said...

Wow! That really is a great write-up about this DVD. This film about the birds is so good.
Thanks for sharing it.

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