Omer 2019 Day 6: Emperor Penguins

Back to Day 5 | Skip to Day 7

Omer 2019 Day 6: Yesod in Chesed, Connection in Loving-Kindness
Emperor Penguins

Image by Siggy Nowak from Pixabay

It's World Penguin Day! And since penguins happen to be a great example of connection in loving-kindness, we're highlighting birds again in our Omer count.

Male emperor penguins guard their eggs and chicks all through the antarctic winter while also helping each other out by forming a massive huddle and alternating who is on the inside and outside.

In sad penguin news, the world's second largest emperor penguin colony has been wiped out after an ice shelf collapsed in Antarctica. The ice shelf collapsed in 2016 due to climate change and there has not been any breeding activity there since. The ice sheet collapse is another reminder of the interconnectedness of our planet and the impact of climate change around the world.

This year's animal Omer is a collaboration between myself and my friend Halli, a PhD in animal science. Thank you for counting the Omer with us!

Omer 2019 Day 5: Guide Dogs

Back to Day 4 | Skip to Day 6

Omer 2019 Day 5: Hod in Chesed, Glory/Humility in Loving-Kindness
Guide Dogs

Photo by Svetozar Milashevich from Pexels

We're breaking the bird streak today for International Guide Dogs Day! Dogs are man's best friend and none more so than guide dogs. These highly trained dogs provide direction, so that people who are blind can be independent in the world. The key to this relationship is trust and loving-kindness. Guide dogs show us that no matter our circumstances, we can achieve great things through kindness.

This year's animal Omer is a collaboration between myself and my friend Halli, a PhD in animal science. Thank you for counting the Omer with us!

Omer 2019 Day 4: Albatross

Back to Day 3 | Skip to Day 5

Omer 2019 Day 4: Netzach in Chesed, Endurance in Love
Albatross

Image by GoodGallagher from Pixabay

Albatross have the longest wingspan of any bird - up to 11 feet long! These long wings help them glide in the air without using much energy flapping their wings to stay aloft and they can fly for years without returning to dry land.

Albatross only find land again to meet up with their mates once a year. Like cranes (see day 1), albatross mate for life, and both parents stay to care for their chick when it is born.

This year's animal Omer is a collaboration between myself and my friend Halli, a PhD in animal science. Thank you for counting the Omer with us!