Whatever you see, take care to consider it well, and you will not see it in vain. ~C.H. Spurgeon
Since these birds have become a part of my morning wake up routine I decided to learn a few things about them:
Woodpeckers can be found in wooded areas all over the world, except in Australia.
The woodpecker's strong, pointed beak acts as both a chisel and a crowbar to remove bark and find hiding insects. It has a very long tongue, up to four inches in some species - with a glue-like substance on the tip for catching insects.
Some species drum on trees to communicate to other woodpeckers and as a part of their courtship behavior.
Woodpeckers tap an estimated 8,000-12,000 times per day.
Woodpeckers have characteristic calls, but they also use a rhythmic pecking sequence to make their presence known.
While facts can answer a few questions, and be somewhat interesting, personal observations can also be taken into account. From the quote above the photo Spurgeon goes on to say 'you shall learn from every living beast, and bird and fish, and insect, and from every useful plant that springs up out of the ground.'
So what have I learned from the woodpecker?
Woodpeckers are beautiful to look at. But don't let that pretty face fool you. They are not all innocent.
Woodpeckers are loud. In a group, which is infrequent but does happen, the sound can be deafening.
Woodpeckers are persistent. They keep coming back to the same spot and repeating the same actions.
Are there any spiritual applications for me to be made from these observations? Probably. However, at 7 am when I am awakened by such annoying unwanted alarm clock it is difficult for me to learn from the ways of the woodpecker.
Perhaps another day!
