Dogs, cats, birds, fish or whatever kind of pet you may have do not need to worry about getting enough food at the right time, because you make sure they get fed. But wild creatures must find their own food. However, the Creator does not neglect them, and this is particularly shown in the fall months when many birds are getting ready for their migrations. They could not make these flights without first building up their bodies with large quantities of food to provide the needed “fuel” for the long journeys ahead of them.
And that is, no doubt, one reason why the Creator has designed so many bushes and trees with abundant tasty and nourishing berries ripening in the late summer. Let’s take a look at some of these and the creatures that enjoy eating them.
In states along the Mississippi River, a bush called pokeweed produces clusters of deep purple, juicy berries late in the summer. Because of the dark juice, it is sometimes called the inkberry bush. This is a favorite, not only with birds, but with some small animals as well.
A similar bush in Ontario produces quantities of red, purple or black chokeberries—also a favorite treat for squirrels and other small animals, as well as numerous birds. And in Florida mockingbirds, which are great fruit eaters, eagerly eat the bright red berries growing in clusters on holly bushes that are at their peak in the fall months.
The juniper is an evergreen shrub that grows throughout the Northern Hemisphere in countries with a cold climate. It produces berries that range in color from blue to red. Robins especially will strip a bush of all its berries in a matter of days.
In some areas of the northeastern United States, wild cranberry bushes are favorites of birds, mice and other animals. Deep snow helps the mice and other small animals reach the tasty deep-pink fruit on taller bushes. In the same area there are another 100 different kinds of bushes and trees that produce tasty berries and wild fruits all through the winter months. These are favorites not only with birds, but also with all kinds of animals—from the tiny field mouse to big bears.
These are just a few examples of a vast number of plants, bushes and trees arranged by the Creator to provide the necessary nourishing food for His creatures during fall and winter months.
The psalmist, a faithful observer of God’s goodness, expressed it so well in Psalm 107:8-98Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 9For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. (Psalm 107:8‑9) when he declared, “Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He [satisfies] the longing soul, and [fills] the hungry soul with goodness.”
Have you thanked Him for His goodness to you?
ML-08/27/2017
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