“The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works. All Thy works shall praise Thee, O Lord.”
Psalm 145:910
The water ouzel, or dipper bird, is an interesting little bird about the size of a robin and has bluish-gray, waterproof feathers. It lives mostly in the Sierra Mountains of California, the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington, and the mountains of British Columbia. Along a swiftly flowing stream with white-water cascades, rapids and waterfalls and where trees grow to the water’s edge, you might get a glimpse of one. However, it will be well hidden among the rocks, shadows and foliage and difficult to find.
The life of the dipper bird is spent near these mountain streams. It is a cheerful bird, full of happy sounds but with no distinctive song. It sings these happy calls regardless of what the weather may be, just as though it wants its Creator to know how happy it is. It flies rapidly over its watery homeland, following the stream’s course and never taking a shortcut between bends as most birds do. A waterfall is its greatest delight, as it flies through the spray or darts behind it. Just for fun it will float right over a waterfall or rapids, then fly upstream and do it again.
Of course, it cannot spend all its time this way. Like all birds it must keep busy finding food, which, for the dipper bird, comes almost entirely from the bottom of the stream, usually in shallow areas, but sometimes in deeper water. It eats all kinds of water bugs and other insects, and is especially fond of mosquito larvae and periwinkles. It catches these larvae by walking along the bottom of the stream with its body completely covered by water. Gripping the rock bottom with its strong feet and working its wings like oars, it can walk through strong currents safely.
Finished with underwater food gathering, it will suddenly pop out of the water, fly to a rock or log and burst into song again. It nods and curtsies, bobbing up and down as it sings. This is where it gets its name of dipper bird.
No canyon is too dark or isolated for this bird, just so there is a waterfall nearby. The male and female build their nest together in spring by a waterfall. It is made of moss, woven into an oven-like shape. It is usually placed on the ledge of a rock where spray from the water keeps it moist. Ferns grow up and surround it, concealing it from enemies.
Just as God watches over the lowly sparrow and not one falls to the ground without His knowing it (Matthew 10:2929Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. (Matthew 10:29)), so He watches over this lonely but cheerful, little dipper. He provides for all its needs and gives it the ability to carry on its unusual way of life.
And we are assured of His care over us too. In a more special way, our Saviour has said to those who love Him, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper” (Hebrews 13:5-65Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. (Hebrews 13:5‑6)). Do you know Him as your Saviour, and do you thank Him for this loving care, watching over you every moment of your life?
NOVEMBER 26, 1995
“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus.”
Hebrews 12:1212Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; (Hebrews 12:12)
ML-11/26/1995