An Unusual Ingredient

Every now and then, I’ll have someone ask me how I get so many birds to come to my backyard. Well, most of the answers are obvious: a plentiful supply of food, a source of fresh water, places to perch, and some safe shelter. But there is one other ingredient that’s a bit more unusual…I pray.

Now, please don’t quickly deem me a religious weirdo and hit the unfollow button! I can’t fully deny the second adjective, but I really wouldn’t call myself “religious” – the word in our culture carries too many connotations of rigid rules and regulations. Honestly, I just genuinely love God and can’t get over the fact that He loves me too. I talk to Him about everything (not exaggerating there!) so, it is natural for me, when I head out with the camera, to ask Him to send me some birds.

That’s what I did this morning, and look who showed up.

This stunning Yellow-bellied Sapsucker gave the Bark Butter a glance…

…and then gave it a sample.

Pretty sure he (you can tell it’s a male by the red throat) liked it since he wasn’t in any hurry to leave. The only reason he flew off was because a Pine Warbler scared him away!

I wish I could have gotten an angle with better background lighting. If I were tech savvy, I could go in and make edits, but I’m not that clever. And honestly, I like taking pictures more than I like making pictures.
Perhaps I’ll pray that next time he shows up he lands where I can get a better shot!

By the way, I know there are voices in society that would say otherwise, but even if you find my faith foolish and don’t share the same views, we can still be friends! And (I say this with sincerity), if you ever need someone to pray for you, I’d be happy to.

Published by kathydoremus

Amateur nature "photogriter." One who still marvels at majesty.

19 thoughts on “An Unusual Ingredient”

  1. Your Faith is not foolish, but admirable! You definitely have more and different species of birds visiting than do I…and I use Bark Butter and a high quality bird food which the Squirrels love too! You deserve two quotes that were memorized in childhood : 1) “To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” – St. Thomas Aquinas. 2) “Prayer should be the key of the day and the lock of the night.” – George Herbert, Priest of the Church of England. Thank-you!

    1. I love your quotes! I have read Herbert’s biography several times and it is always a blessing!
      As for the squirrels…I mix Frank’s hot sauce into the bark butter to help deter them.

  2. I love what you shared, and I too pray for lots of different things. This morning in fact, I glanced out the window hoping AND praying to see a different visitor-and I saw a Downy Woodpecker! An only intermittent bird in my yard. The Blue Jays also decided to make an appearance. I enjoy God’s beautiful feathered friends!

  3. thank you for your testimony. prayer does put us in touch with the Lord.

    On Tue, Jan 25, 2022 at 3:11 PM Backyard Bird Nerd wrote:

    > kathydoremus posted: ” Every now and then, I’ll have someone ask me how I > get so many birds to come to my backyard. Well, most of the answers are > obvious: a plentiful supply of food, a source of fresh water, places to > perch, and some safe shelter. But there is one other ingre” >

  4. Talking to God should never be considered foolish, and prayers are definitely answered according to His divine will. With you being so appreciative of His creation, as I am too, I can understand why He speaks to you through it. He certainly does with me and my family.

  5. Your birds are beautiful, your photography is beautiful, your words are beautiful, your faith is beautiful. Thank you for sharing them all with the world. Thank you for sharing them with me.

  6. Hi, I enjoyed reading about your “unusual ingredient” to get birds to come to your yard! I also, “talk” and pray to my heavenly Father. I try and start and end my day, thanking Him. It’s hard to believe that the Creator of the universe loves someone like me, but He does and I will always be thankful for that!

    Keeping my eyes on Him, Mary P.S. I love your pictures, thank you for sharing. ________________________________

Comments are closed.