Peregrine Falcon
John Miller
01/26/21
- Windstream Mail
R E F L E C T I O N S Thoughts on nature and the Christian faith - 1/25/21 __________________________________________________________________________ "I know all the birds of the hills." - Ps. 50:11 |
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If you were to ask the average person to name the fastest animal on earth, most would cite the cheetah which can run up to 80 mph. But the real champion of speed is the Peregrine falcon. These falcons feed mostly on other birds, attacking them from above in a steep dive called a "stoop". These dives have been clocked at over 240 mph. Think about that. Imagine being a bird cruising along high in the sky watching what lies below you when, all of a sudden, you are hit with a 240 mph missile from above. Most birds die immediately from the impact. The others fall to the ground and are dispatched by the falcon's sharp beak. In order to even breathe at such speeds these falcons have modified nostrils which enable them to breathe as they dive. In the unlikely event that a bird would see the approaching falcon and try to swerve to get away, Peregrine falcons can make turns that generate 27 Gs. One G is the force of gravity and humans lose consciousness at 9 Gs. This is indeed a remarkable creature. I took the image of this one as it rested in a tree in the mountains of southern West Virginia and marveled at the complexity of this two pound creation. What power, what wisdom, what artistry lies behind such a creation? As scripture tells us, only a fool can say in his heart that there is no God. The beauty and complexity of a Peregrine falcon existed first of all in the mind of God. And these creatures were brought into existence to serve as witnesses to their Creator. What right has man in all of his supposed wisdom to deny that these creatures had to have a Creator? What folly it is to deny the obvious. And to fail to worship such a Creator is the very definition of a fool. - John
