Let’s Work Together!

 

With my tripod and lens in hand, I was on the hunt for another spot to observe some birds. As my husband was setting up his area to try his hand at fishing, I heard a series of high-pitched squeaks reminiscent to a dog toy. Slowly and steadily I moved closer to the noise and noticed a small movement on a decaying tree in the lake. It was a Brown-headed Nuthatch! Another lifer!* This adorable acrobat of a bird is native to the southeastern pine areas and this one was busy! I sat in the golden-grass field, set up my camera and started filming. This little one was excavating a hole in the dead tree. In no time, another joined and began helping. It was a lovely Nuthatch couple hard at work. It was the next display of affection that helped me distinguish which one was the female. As she was drilling away diligently, her mate came to present her with a juicy insect to eat. This was the first time I had ever seen a courtship display in the bird world! As she stepped away to eat her meal, her mate took over and continued working. What teamwork!

There is always work to do everyday in this mundane-driven world. We can find ourselves drowned in it and can suffer burnout. It can be difficult to not only take a breather but to accept help when it has been offered. With no hesitation, this lovely little female took her meal offering and a break. While we can benefit from knowing our limitations and taking a break, it is also vital that we offer a helping hand when we see a need. I often remember the wisdom behind these words, “Do not withhold good from those to whom you should give it if it is within your power to help.” - Proverbs 3:27. This hardworking Nuthatch couple indeed taught me that we can work together! 

*Lifer is a birding term referencing a first-time sighting of a species. 

*If you wish to see the courtship display in action, visit my Instagram page: the_lens_poet > Reels

Brown-headed Nuthatch (female) Photo Credit: Dietra Semple - The Lens Poet Photography