Killdeer

Have you ever heard of a Killdeer? If I could record their call and include it in my post I am sure you would recognize their call. They are often in our meadow each spring. A couple of years ago I was able to capture some pictures of a pair raising their little family. This week's post doesn't really have a devotional theme to go with it, but it is to share pictures of one of the zillion creatures our God has created. I also want to share a short story before you look at the pictures. When God gives you a gift or the ability to do something I find that is a way that you may feel the most near to Him. For me it is creation. For you it might be music, prayer, scripture, serving others, teaching, etc.

I watched the parents lay on the eggs. I watched the parents run as I cut grass and avoided the nest they placed on a pile of stones. I watched the parents as they sounded the alarm when a barn cat would come near. So imagine my surprise to see the little guys hatched and I missed it. Yet, the parents kept chirping loudly as I searched. Something about a Killdeer that you may not know is, that unlike many birds when their young hatch they are ready to run. Eyes open and legs of blue ready to sprint! They don't have to bring food to their young, they have to take their young to the food. As I leaned on the fence post early that morning with camera in hand I simply couldn't find them. They should have been zipping through the grass like bumble bees, but not any to be seen. Yet, as I said, the parents were having a fit. So, I did what I always do, I prayed a simple prayer. Something like, "Lord, you know exactly where they are. I just want a glimpse of them and a quick picture". I had just finished praying and opened my eyes to turn and almost stepped right on them. They had been hiding in the fence row and the parents knew they were in serious danger. They tried everything to get my attention so their young would be safe. They tried flying. They tried acting like they had a broken wing so I would go after them (classic thing they do). I was shocked! I didn't move. I just stood there in amazement. They were there all the time. I could have stood by any of the fence posts, but they were at the one I stopped at.  Then I thought,"Sue, why are you amazed? You asked God to show you where they were, and before you finished He answered your prayer. Isn't that how God is? Why do we doubt? Do we believe or hope He will answer our prayers? I know He didn't need to show them to me and I would have still believed in Him and loved Him, but I also know that when He made me, He gave me a love for His creation. He knew how badly I watched and waited and didn't want to miss it. I don't know why the answer is sometimes no and sometimes yes, except to say, that He is God and He does what is best. They were gone as fast as they had come. A few nights of running in the tall grass and they were off. Enjoy the pictures I was able to get. They had three batches that spring, and the pictures I am posting are a combination of those three batches. They are a treasure to me.

The eggs blend in very well with the pile of stones she laid her eggs in.

Mom trying to act like she has a broken wing. Dad in the background.

Just drying off and getting ready to run!You can see a part of their blue legs sticking out.

A quote I came across this week that I want to pass along as a word of encouragement. I am not sure what your week has been like but maybe this is meant for you.

"Sometimes God doesn't change your situation because He's trying to change your heart."