Observant: Epic Event and a Water Droplet

Snow blanketed the landscape with deep, powdery white flakes. This was not the typical crusty flurries that barely make a snowman, but perfectly delicate snow so fluffy and light that it beckoned you to step out and play. The trepidation about a significant winter event melted away in wonder and awe at the beauty of this rare snowfall. The air was filled with the crisp scent of fresh snow.

Birds swirled and swooped, forming a collective. A round of robins landed in the backyard. An echo of mockingbirds congregate on the limbs of an old River Birch tree out front. A conclave of cardinals sat along the fence row, as a cloud of blackbirds landed in the trees behind the fence.

It was a sight that piqued my curiosity- birds gathering in family clusters. Yet, they seemed to be ignoring the scattered birdseed. Why? The snow-covered ground was devoid of food, a rare sight indeed. It was as unusual as a fifteen-inch snowfall for hungry birds not to eat. This was fascinating to watch. Clueless as to why the birds waited, the answer came suddenly.

From the window, I watch a robin swoop in to catch a water droplet from an icicle in mid-flight. The birds were thirsty.

With their usual water sources frozen, birds migrated in flocks in search of water. As I filled water trays and scattered them around the yard, I saw a bigger picture of nature’s workings. A simple solution to the problem was provided. Still, it was a rare moment to witness the shared struggle for survival in the face of adversity. The birds drank, ate, and then disappeared.

Even though I was clueless at first, God was not. Seeing a bird catch a water droplet in mid-air was fantastic and incredible. But more importantly, it was my clue to see the bigger picture.

Still, cold,
 frozen white
 icicle glistening.

 Droplets drip
 amid a frozen field,
Nature’s water fountain.