Nature’s Organized Chaos

Rebecca MorganConservation & Wildlife Management, Hunting & Outdoor Lifestyle

After a quiet winter, at least in respect to wildlife, there’s a lot of buzz going on in the outdoors, and I don’t mean the bees or gossip.  As I go for my almost daily walks, I never cease to hear or see something that fills me with wonder. 

I often hear what I refer to as the percussion section, with a well-played drumroll from an unseen partridge. Let’s call him Danny from the Partridge Family. (Okay, I’m dating myself here.) I hear the tenacious woodpeckers of many varieties. They sound like woodland carpenters hard at work as though in a construction zone.  There’s a lot going on out there.  Speaking of construction, many a home is being built this time of year and instead of grumbling and the occasional expletive, all I hear is joyful noise as happy builders whistle while they work.  If only the human world were a little more that way, trusting that all will work together for good, knowing that all their needs will be met by their creator.  (A familiar hymn comes to mind here.) 

Red-bellied woodpecker

Not all the sounds are related to employees hard at work.  Some of this busyness is related to an overwhelming desire to begin or grow a family.  Of course, for that, you need a mate.  And to attract the perfect mate takes a little effort, especially on the part of the male it would seem.  He must prove his worthiness.  In the bird world, visually pleasing is essential.  But how does one attract the attention of his intended if he can’t get her to even give him a second glance?  That’s where some skillful vocalization comes in handy.  It sure seems to work for the turkey, among other birds.  Who could ever question the intent of the forte evening sounds of the bullfrog?  Or the persistent chirp of the cricket? 

All of this busyness will soon include the bees pollinating the many colorful flowers nature provides as part of the Master plan for the perpetuation of plant life.  We are blessed to live in Northeast Michigan where there’s much of this display to see, with more to look forward to as we recognize how God is in the details!

Rebecca Morgan
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