A Walk in the Woods

I've always been intrigued by those bristlecone pine trees that are thousands of years old. In fact, the oldest living tree, a bristlecone pine aptly named Methuselah, is believed to be over 5000 years old! It seems incredible to me that something could live that long. So when we found out that Highlands Hammock State Park in Sebring, Florida has live oak trees that are 1000 years old, we decided to check them out.

As we walked along a path in the woods, we listened for birds in the tree tops. A few palm warblers chipped nearby. A cardinal sang somewhere in the distance. And a flock of robins flew overhead when we came to a small clearing. Wild orange trees grew along the path, and sweet gum trees were scattered about, their prickly fruit littering the ground.

Back in the woods, we rounded a corner, and there stood a big old oak tree, looking much like an Ent from The Lord of the Rings. As we admired its gnarled trunk and branches, we could almost see a face staring at us. Then suddenly, we heard it speaking! A sort of pulsating sound seemed to be emanating from somewhere within. But as we looked up toward the top of the tree, we discovered the source of the voice we heard. A yellow-bellied sapsucker clung to a branch, tapping away at the bark.The roots of the tree reminded us of feet, with giant toes that dug into the earth. Half expecting the thing to start walking around, we noticed the supporting structure that had been built decades ago to help hold the ancient trunk upright. As I circled around the base of the tree, I noticed a small hole near the ground and speculated who might live inside.

I wondered what this mighty oak has seen during its long life. Perhaps it was just a seedling when Leif Erikson sailed to North America. Squirrels ate its acorns as it grew, and many generations of birds built nests in its branches. Panthers probably lay in the limbs next to orchids, ferns, and moss that dangled from the canopy. And ivory-billed woodpeckers, now extinct, tapped away at the trunk of the majestic oak, harvesting insects for dinner. Perhaps children from some native tribe played in its shade, or a young couple met under the tree for a romantic rendezvous in the moonlight. By the time Ponce de Leon landed on the east coast of Florida and gave the place its name, the big oak was half a century old. Wars were fought, a nation was born, and people built towns nearby. A thousand years have passed, and squirrels still scamper about. Bobcats prowl in the woods at night. Ferns and moss adorn the tree, while birds flit to and fro catching mosquitoes. And a couple of curious hikers stare at the tree and wonder.

Green Cay Wetlands

This past Saturday, while many people were fighting crowds of shoppers for bargains on Christmas decorations and the latest in electronic gadgets, my husband and I enjoyed the quiet of nature. We got up early and, instead of driving to the mall, we went on an excursion to Green Cay Wetlands in Boynton Beach, Florida. Previously a green pepper farm, the property was made into a wetland for the enjoyment of animals and people alike. Construction began on 100 acres in 2003. This water reclamation project naturally filters millions of gallons of water each day. The park is so well-designed and filled with life, one would never know it is a man-made preserve. The 1.5-mile boardwalk allows visitors to stroll through the park and enjoy the scenery. Some people go there just to get some exercise; others will stand in the same spot for hours with their cameras, waiting for that merlin who was spotted in a certain dead tree.

The place is filled with an abundance of wildlife. Marsh rabbits hop along the grassy banks, alligators swim in the water, butterflies flit among the flowers, and birds are everywhere. One stand of trees was filled with several species of warbler. Dead trees served as perches for great egrets, anhingas, wood storks, and hawks.

A beautiful red-shouldered hawk soared overhead. Two roseate spoonbills waded along the edge of the water, and a common snipe hid shyly in the grass. Turtles, whose shells were covered with algae, basked in the sun or swam in the water with their little noses poking up for air. And a tricolored heron walked along the rail of the boardwalk investigating the people who respectfully gave him space so he wouldn't be startled.

Before we left, we walked through the nature center, which has educational dioramas, posters, and films explaining the wildlife and the water cycle of Green Cay. Aerial photographs depict the development of the wetlands over the years; the change in the landscape in just a few short years is incredible! As we walked back to our car, we were serenaded by cicadas, and we finished our visit with a glimpse of the butterfly garden filled with milkweed, wild coffee, and beautyberry bushes.

Our Saturday morning was a peaceful, pleasant time. The fresh air and sunshine, and the music of insects and birds was much more rewarding than the dollars we may have saved on some unnecessary trinket from the mall. The beauty of God's creation is so much more lovely than the glitter of tinsel and flashing lights. Why not take some time this Christmas season to enjoy the blessings of the outdoors? Whether it is filled with snow or sunshine, you will be refreshed and restored. And best of all -- it's free!

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)

Bird Watching

There is a mockingbird sitting in a palm tree outside my dining room window. Every day he stops by to eat the red berries that grow in clusters at the top of the trunk. And every day he sings a beautiful song. On and on he goes, his music filling the air as he fills his belly with fruit. Sometimes he brings his family, and they all happily dine on the delicious treat. And sometimes an intruder comes along and tries to steal his food.

I didn't always pay attention to birds. I remember, as a child, my mom would exclaim over sighting a Baltimore oriole or an indigo bunting. But I never noticed anything other than robins, blue jays, and the occasional cardinal. To me, birds were just birds, and I was too busy playing to notice the variety of winged creatures around me. And then I moved to Florida!

Suddenly, birds seemed to be everywhere, and not just robins and blue jays. There were egrets, with beautiful white plumage and long sticks for legs, that waded along the edges of lakes and streams to catch their breakfast. Anhingas swam in the water with just their necks poking out, earning them the nickname snake-birds. An anhinga would stab his prey with a spear-like bill, then flip the fish into the air and swallow it whole. Then he would stand on the bank with his wings spread out to dry in the sun.

Warblers flew about catching insects -- and there were so many different varieties! Hawks soared way up high, gliding effortlessly on air currents while scanning the ground below for their next meal. And there were even parrots, with emerald green feathers and loud voices clamoring for attention. Thus began my fascination with birds.

My husband and I got ourselves some good binoculars and a field guide, and started our quest to see and identify as many birds as possible. A hot tip on a new bird would send us on a wild goose chase to find the elusive creature. We would load up the stroller and wheel it through the woods while our little girl enjoyed the fun. Each time we went exploring, it seemed, we saw a new species and added it to our list. And often, we saw other wildlife as well.

As our family grew, our outings became less frequent. Life was busy, and there were mouths to feed and diapers to change...Then one day, I saw a burrowing owl standing in the yard. I hurried and got the kids gathered up, and we peeked out the window at our visitor. I told them about bird watching, and how some people keep a list of all the different birds they see, and how exciting it is to spot a new one to add to the list. I could see their eyes light up with interest, and I knew then and there that I had started something. That Christmas, the only things they asked for were Roger Tory Peterson field guides and a trip to Everglades National Park to look for birds. Thus began their fascination with birds, and their life lists were started. 

A life list is what birders call that inventory of birds that a person sees and identifies. Our state has a wonderful program called Wings Over Florida, in which certificates are awarded at varying levels depending on the number of birds spotted. There are also certificates for those who do the same with butterflies. It's a fun way to explore the outdoors, and a great incentive to see and appreciate the beauty of God's creation. Perhaps your state has a similar program. If not, try setting a goal and reward yourself with a treat when you reach it. You will be amazed at the variety and abundance of creatures you will see when you open your eyes. As Mr. Fitzpatrick, my art teacher from long ago at The Carnegie Institute, often said,

Look, to See, to Remember...to Enjoy!