There It Is Again!

Back when I was a biology professor, the class I enjoyed teaching more than any other was Ornithology, the study of birds. The school at which I was teaching held graduation on the first weekend in May, and I scheduled my class to begin as soon as spring exams were finished. This allowed us to travel from central Massachusetts to Pt. Pelee National Park in Ontario, Canada. Pt. Pelee is one of the premier birding spots during spring migration, and the first ten to fifteen days of May are the peak of activity. So we were able to be there at the best time to do the field portion of the class.

The first day we’d spend looking at most every bird we saw, helping the students to learn a bird’s body regions, feather arrangement, and basic behavior which might be useful in identifying birds. An attempt was also made to teach students how to use binoculars properly – keeping the eye on the target and lifting the glasses into place. The next three days consisted of intensive birding from about 5:30 in the morning till dark. Not only did we work on learning birds by sight, but the students were also taught to recognize the calls/songs of at least the more common birds.

Days five and six were for the students to practice what they’d learned, since on day seven there was a field exam. While I encouraged them to work with me at least on day five, students could go throughout the park on their own, or stay with me as they wished both days. I gave them a general schedule where I’d be so they could decide how to use their time. Most students came to realize during the first few days that they had a greater chance of confirming their sightings and seeing unusual birds if they stuck with me.

One year it was kind of funny. As soon as a particular student would go into the nature center to use the restroom without me going inside also, something “good” for the list would pass overhead. One day it was a single Sandhill Crane; the next, a Peregrine Falcon. A year later, she was with a small group of former students that joined me on a pelagic (open ocean) trip to see some sea birds. The one time she went inside without me going in, we saw the only Sabine’s Gull recorded on that trip. Some folks never learn.

One year, the class included an engaged couple, neither of which were Biology majors. On day six, they decided they’d rather spend the day studying their field guides than looking at birds. So they stayed in camp, memorizing the details of the birds we’d seen the previous five days. Of course, when the final test was given, they realized that most birds don’t look exactly like the pictures in the book, nor do they always sit in the same position as the models used by the artists. It was not a pleasant experience for them.

And then there were the bird songs included in the test. I would choose only the more common ones the students had heard many times. And every time I heard one during the test, I would give them another chance: “There’s number #52 singing again.” Or, “You can hear #17 singing over in that clump of trees.” In fact, #52 became a rather frequent fixture in the department for several years.

I’ve drawn several spiritual lessons from those experiences. First of all, we’re more successful in our Christian walk if we stay with the Master. In fact, I would suggest that success apart from the Master is impossible. We’ll definitely miss something vital if we leave His side.

Secondly, knowing ABOUT Christ is not the same as KNOWING Christ. In fact, there are several passages in scriptures where some folks who thought they should be accepted by Him were rejected. As He Himself put it, “I do not know you.” We’ve got to have the personal experiential knowledge of Him. I guess I would put it this way: Christianity isn’t something we are to do; it is what we are to be.

And finally, we’ve got to learn to recognize His voice. How else can we be sure it is Him we are following? Parent penguins can pick their offspring out of a humongous flock of chicks by voice alone. Can I pick His voice out of the clamor and din surrounding me each day? I must practice listening until I recognize it every time.

It is my hope that each time you see a bird from now on, it will remind you to stick close to Him. Happy Birding! Dr. G







Good 'ol # 52