It was a beautiful and disturbing sight. There was a layer of snow decorating our patio and rhododendrons. Giant soft fluffy flakes were gently falling. A gorgeous male cardinal was accenting the scene. One would have to be blind not to be stunned by him. Then out of seeming nowhere a sharp shinned hawk swept across the patio about a foot off the ground. It was an “aha moment” for me. I realized a great flaw in Darwin’s theory. If there had been a snow bunting or some other less conspicuous bird it most likely would not have been dinner for the hawk unlike the bright red cardinal.
If the theory of adaptation for safety and survival was true cardinals would not be sitting in a blaze of glory in snow. Like gold finches which change colors with the seasons most birds should be green in the summer and white and brown in the winter. Evolutions say the red color scares off the predators. This might be true if there were poisonous red birds but there are not.
I am not denying micro adaptation. The finches in the Galapagos are a prime example of limited adaptation. But they are all finches and did not adapt into eagles. Birds are an amazing gift to us from a loving Creator. Not the end of a line from dinosaurs. I realize some will think me ignorant for this. However, I am open for a logical explanation as to why after thousands of years cardinals have not adapted by toning down.
“In six days the Lord created heaven and earth and all that is in them.” It is a bold declaration in the heart of the Ten Commandments given to Moses by the Creator Himself.
Written by Roger Bothwell on January 18, 2016
Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org