Name These Birds

Hello everyone,

I'm still sharing the beautiful birds I photographed at the Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver this summer.

Today I'm featuring three small birds.

This bird was prettily perched on a huge palm leaf so I almost missed it.

This little bird was busily gathering feathers for nest building.

This bird has the loveliest colours. I have more photos of it.

Do any of you know the names of these birds? If "yes' you can write them in the comments section. I have the names  of the birds. I'm just curious to see how many of my readers already know them since there are a huge number of bird watchers out there. I will return and post the names in a few days.

I also saw a very pretty sky earlier this week and haven't had a chance to upload the photos yet. I hope you like them too.

I'm joining in with Saturday's Critters and Skywatch Friday this week. 

I'm a bit late for both but here goes anyway.

Update: August 23/15:  Bird in photo 1 is a Cuban Finch, Bird in photo 2 is a Zebra Finch (female) and Bird in photo 3 is a Gouldian Finch. Well done to those who participated in Name These Birds.

By the way, if you missed the awesome news in my post yesterday please have a look here if you have time.

Baby & Mom Fly to Canada - See it Yourself

Dear Friends,

At last the Baby Fidelis and her mom are on the way to Canada!
In fact they may have arrived in Toronto as this news is being posted.

See and hear all the details in the video I've posted.

I cannot wait to see how the baby looks after surgery and facial reconstruction.

I'm so delighted that she and her family will have a new lease on life.

Thank you to those who gave and to those who prayed.

May God richly bless you all!
Have a wonderful weekend.

UPDATE August 23/15:  Sorry dear readers. The video I posted has now been removed from youtube. I have no idea why. It might have to do with the fact that the baby's identity information (passport) was also posted.

Praise Report Concerning Baby Fidelis

Graphic Credit: touched2betouched.tumblr.com

Approximately 9 hours ago ( 3 p.m. Pacific Standard Time), the Kenyan reporters were saying the family was still trying to get visa and funds together. Slightly overlapping that update, was news that

Baby Fidelis and mom will be travelling from Kenya to Canada on Friday (tomorrow).

In another development,  His Excellency, President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya was reported to have  gotten involved in the Baby Fidelis case.  It is said that he has donated money.  This is in addition to the funds donated by Muranga governor Mwangi Wairia.  The amount donated should cover all the costs associated with the long stay in Canada.

As for Joseph  (aka Alejandro) Wanjau, he was arrested on Thursday.  The police used two friends to lead him to a place where he was then arrested.  It remains to be seen what the defense will be.

I want to thank all those that have prayed for a good outcome for Baby Fidelis despite the circumstances.

Baby Fidelis

Please continue to pray that all will work out well for this family and the Baby and that there won't be any more hiccups and delays.

It has been difficult to get precise and up-to-date information concerning this situation but I have been sharing about the Baby's need on my blog for some time and know that there are people praying for this child and who want to know the outcomes. I am hopeful that things have now turned around for this family.

Today's inspirational graphic was selected because I'm inspired by the example of  the baby's family.  They haven't given up hope for this baby.  When faced with hardships and trials in a seemingly losing situation, they are doing the utmost to keep hope alive for Baby Fidelis.

There is power in love and hope.

God bless you for continuing to pray and hold this family in your thoughts.

Update on Baby Fidelis, August 19, 2015

Hello everyone,

This post will be brief.

I am so sad to report that Baby Fidelis' surgery in Toronto did  not go forward on August 18, 2015 as scheduled.

A monetary dispute between Fidelis' family and the family advocate, Joseph, has erupted and interfered with the scheduled surgery. Serious allegations have been made and the police are now involved. I don't have too many details and I'm looking for positives in this matter.

The advocate says no funds have been stolen or lost.  So if he can be believed, that is good news.  However to the best of my knowledge, the funds haven't been transferred to Baby Fidelis' family yet.  Neither have the Canadian visitor's visas been given over to the baby and her mother.

A bit of good news is that the hospital in Canada says they will open a new surgery date for Baby Fidelis if the family can get to Canada soon.  Major hospitals in Kenya cannot do the type of surgery that Baby Fidelis requires which is why she has to travel abroad.

The challenge is that Baby Fidelis has a team of doctors  that have travelled to do the surgery.  They come from different countries and cannot indefinitely stay in Canada waiting for the baby and her mother to arrive.  I've heard that the doctors will remain in Canada  for 3 more weeks in hopes that the family can come up with the funds to fly to Toronto and to cover travel insurance.

Another bit of good news is that the county government where Baby Fidelis and family reside in Kenya, have officially  gotten involved in this case due to it's high profile nature and the devastating turn of events.

The Honourable Joseph M. Mbai, Chief Officer (Health & Sanitation) in Muranga County has contacted the Canadian Consulate in Nairobi concerning re-issuance of travel visas. Once visas are in hand, the county government will also pay for air travel for Baby Fidelis and her mother.  The baby and her mom will stay with a host family in Canada.  The host family originates from Kenya and can communicate with the mom in Swahili.  The host family members will also escort the baby and mother to the hospital each day.  The only remaining issue seems to be the general maintenance involved in half a year's stay in Canada.  Good Kenyans are now frantically fund-raising once again to help make all this happen very soon.

Sadly, this child has been caught in the middle of a dispute and it appears that the family advocate has seriously let her down.  As each day passes, the baby's face becomes more disfigured and the needed surgery becomes more complicated.

Baby Fidelis

Please continue to pray for this baby and her family.

Note:  I have revised, updated or deleted some of my earlier blog posts regarding Baby Fidelis and the advocate and will continue to try and do so.  Particularly those requesting donations be sent to the Hope Foundation in Kenya., an organization helping the very disabled in Kenya.  As a result of this dispute, the police have now frozen the Hope Foundation's  accounts pending resolution of this matter.  No funds should be sent there.

Sky Tonight

View north to the mountains which are obscured by low lying cloud.

When night falls, the cross on the church steeple will be illuminated.

Southeastern view of the sky.  I always like to see the flag waving in the wind.

At last we might be getting a bit of rain here in Vancouver. Not much has fallen yet but hopefully tonight it will.

Checking in with Skywatch Friday.