Last week we looked at the lovely sandpipers in general. Here are some interesting facts about a few of them.
The one named spotted is one of the best known all along the Pacific coast. It is usually seen running along the shore, stopping now and then to teeter up and down several times, then running again. This has given it the nickname “tip-up.”
The large-beaked spoonbill and the broad-billed are among the great migrators. Their large beaks contrast with the small beaks of others. The westerns, also migrators, are very pretty with white breasts and underparts and mottled dark and light brown wings, tan heads and sharply pointed beaks.
An unusual one that doesn’t migrate is named eastern. It spends winters and summers in the midwestern United States in deep woods, wading in shallow ponds and swamps, stirring up food with its feet.
The greater yellowlegs has long, colorful legs, making it nearly a foot tall. Another tall one is the nine-inch-high stilt, living along the Atlantic coast and in Texas.
Among the shorter ones is the least, probably given this name because it is so small. It is quite pretty with black wings, speckled top and tail feathers and white underparts. Its head, with a sharp black beak, fits snugly into its round little body. It often stands a long time on one leg, the other tucked under its body and completely hidden.
The one called purple is really black with gray and brown markings. Its winter home is in Central America, but it migrates far north in spring and summer. Then there is the red-headed, with a long black beak and pretty reddish feathers so smooth against its small skull that it looks almost bald.
A provision the Creator made for many birds is in Delaware Bay, near Washington, D.C. This is where great numbers of horseshoe crabs migrate each spring and lay millions of eggs, which many birds eat. Great numbers of sandpipers find this a good stopping place when migrating north, including the semi-palmateds. Feeding on this tasty treat, they fatten up for the last lap of a several-thousand-mile migration. Many other kinds of birds join them in this feast.
We must stop here, although there are many more interesting species. These are all examples of God’s creation, placed on the earth by Him and are dependant on Him for their short life span. They do not know of God’s care over them, but we can know about His care over us and thank Him for it. The Bible tells us, “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him” (Nahum 1:77The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. (Nahum 1:7)). Does He know you because you trust in Him?
ML-11/20/2005