I hear a blue jay. It’s not near and I can’t see it, but I know its voice. And there is a crow, too. I’ve heard robins, and cardinals and chickadees from my recliner. I close my eyes and enjoy the songs.
Like many people, I bird-watch. But birds can be hard to spot. They hang out in the tops of trees and fly faster, higher and farther than you can follow, even with binoculars.
But bird-listening is another thing. Those same elusive birds are extremely generous with their song. In the spring and the early morning, their voices fill the air, before they get down to their business of the day.
I identified my first birdsong as a child. I often heard the song but I did not know what bird it was. So I walked down the street until it was right over my head. It was a robin. I was so pleased with myself!
Scientists says birdsong is strictly utilitarian, used for courtship and mating, territory marking, and sounding alarms. But I feel joy when I hear birds. Whatever those birds might be saying among themselves, I hear praise to God.
And I just have to praise Him, too.
Lord, Your creation is amazing. Just looking at birds, I see that You not only create with size and color, You create with sound: nature’s music. Then you add charm of movement to delight us. Everything you make is beautiful. Forgive me for being so distracted that I miss evidence of Your glorious generosity. I love You, Lord. Amen
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So, while I was putting this together, I listened to some YouTube videos about identifying birdsongs. And I was not alone: Hunter and Zoey, eyes wide, were fixated on the plastic box-thing that was making such interesting sounds: invisible birds! Right in this room! (How do you even begin to explain the Internet to cats?)