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TITLE: Stellar Jays: Beautiful Terrorists 8/3/2024 By Lynae Fisher 08/03/24 |
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Dashing through the lanky pine trees brilliantly garbed in spectacularly blue garments fit for a king, these tomfoolerous reprobates are no other than the Stellar Jay. With cerulean blue wings and tail marked by cobalt blue head and cape, they are quite gorgeous. Be not deceived, however, their actions do not follow suit. They burglarize the nests of other birds, destroying and even consuming the eggs of fellow fowl. Also named amongst their ranks is the infamous crime of cannibalism. It can be difficult at times to imagine the exquisitely blue birds with beaks stained red and yellow.
Yet in the appalling story of the Stellar Jay, is a lesson from Nature and Scripture. Things are not always what they seem. Indeed, the things that sometimes seem so fabulous and attractive are deceiving and dangerous. The Bible warns us of such, particularly about such people. Proverbs 26:25, “When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.” The Stellar Jays can sing and put on a show, but they are terrible rascals.
I once saw two American Robins chasing a Stellar Jay in such haste a furry that they passed not more than about five feet in front of me very near to the ground. As I beheld the chase, I wondered what mischief that Stellar had caused. Likely, it had been caught raiding their nest nearby. No doubt, he thought the robins were away and decided to sneak in for a snack. Horrified, the robins had returned to find their nest and family ransacked. The poor birds had pounced on the criminal Stellar and had chased him through the trees to avenge the harm done. Apparently, he had messed with the wrong nest at the wrong time. Transgression often gets one in trouble. James 1:8, “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” The three birds quickly passed out of sight and I never knew what became of them.
Tucked away in the branches of an evergreen tree near our house, a couple of Mourning Doves have made their nest for several years. We have become suspicious as to why we have never seen any sign of those two Mourning Doves raising any young. Year after year, they return from the south and gather twigs for their nest, yet they never seem to multiply. Perhaps this is the fault of the enemy Stellar Jays, who resemble the enemy in John 10:10 that comes only to “steal, and to kill, and to destroy”. Whatever the case, the fact remains that the Mourning Doves have struggled to multiply.
The abundant Stellar Jays are boastful creatures, loving to set up a screech like a hawk to startle any little bird that could be prey to the Mr. Hawk. No doubt, that is another of their peace disturbing antics aimed at wreaking havoc on the fellow inhabitants of the evergreen forest. Stellar Jays are exceedingly proud creatures. I wonder if the Psalmist had ever seen a Stellar Jay or a similar fellow when he wrote Psalms 36:2-4. “For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful. The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good. He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.” Proud certainly describes these barbaric creatures as they flash their brightly color feather in the trees and strut about daringly. Nevertheless, like the American Robins found out, his actions are not at all loving towards his fellow feathered fowl. In his audacity, he is sometimes foolish and careless. The Stellar does not care who he harms, and is not afraid to make life miserable for the other birds.
Those naughty little Stellar Jays provide a great reminder that it is not what a person says or what they look like that matters, but what they do. The Bible warns us that actions are more important than words. Matthew 7:15-20 “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” As you go out into the world, whether enjoying the beauty and magnificence of nature, or into civilization surrounded by people, remember, that looks can be deceiving. Just because something looks good does not mean that it acts good.
(all verses quoted from the King James Bible)
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