A Little Bird Comes to Town

There is a very special little bird in town right now. He came all the way from South America to pay us a visit. A variegated flycatcher somehow found his way to our area, causing much excitement. You see, he is only the sixth variegated flycatcher on record to be seen in North America. People from near and far have been flocking to Evergreen Cemetery to catch a glimpse of him and add him to their life lists. 

This weekend, my husband and I got up early and spent a morning at the cemetery. It is a beautiful, peaceful place. The oldest intact cemetery in town, it is the final resting place for many of the city's founding families. But it is also well known for its hospitality to birds. Many big old trees grow there, in an out-of-the-way corner of the city, an oasis in the midst of highways and high rises. A large strangler fig, 200 feet south of the flagpole, seems to be a favorite of our feathered friends. Some of the birds nibble at the figs high up in the tree, while others snack on the insects that are also feasting on the fruit. 

As we drove through the gate at the entrance to the cemetery, we saw that a crowd had already gathered under the canopy of the Ficus aurea. Many had cameras with huge telephoto lenses standing on tripods. Armed with our binoculars and cell phone cameras, we joined the crowd. Several people pointed out the visitor to us, and we happily watched him as he posed for his picture. One man talked about a rose-breasted grosbeak that he had seen the day before. A few folks discussed their plans to make a trip down the road where another rare bird had been sighted.

We walked through the cemetery, looking for other birds and reading the inscriptions on the grave markers. A gray catbird meowed from a thicket of Brazilian peppers. A hawk flew over head. And warblers flitted about in the trees. It was a lovely way to spend a Saturday morning.

It seems like a silly thing for so many people to get excited about. One little bird comes to town, and it makes national news. But to bird watching enthusiasts, it is always a joy to see a new bird. We feel privileged to have had the opportunity to watch this little fellow enjoy the beauty of our neighborhood. There is Someone else who considers each little bird to be special. And in His concern for such a small creature, He shows us how special each of us is to Him.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Matthew 10:29-31

(ESV)