Photo and Commentary ©2023 by Robert Howson
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
It was hot – very hot. The mercury had long since passed the triple digit mark making life difficult, even for those accustomed to the desert heat. Among those was the Lucy’s Warbler, the smallest of the North American warblers, and one that nests in the mesquite and dry washes of the Southwest.
Birds have an average body temperature of 105° Fahrenheit, yet they have no sweat glands so are unable to cool themselves this way. Consequently, other methods are used such as gaping, as shown here, where the bird opens its beak to help dissipate heat. The hotter the day, the wider they open their beaks. In conjunction with this, they may employ gular fluttering where the neck muscles “flutter” promoting further heat loss. They will also lessen their activity level and seek shade. On my part, I employed these last two methodologies, which, along with a half consumed tall glass of ice water and lounge chair, found myself quite comfortable.
Of course we can’t know for sure, but in my imagination I picture the events that took place in Exodus 17 prompted by such a day – hot – very hot. Only they didn’t have that tall glass of ice water. So instead they opened their mouths, not for the purpose of gular fluttering, but to complain to Moses. “Give us water to drink,” was their demand. (verse 2) And you remember the rest of the story. Through the hand of Moses water was provided. And the warbler? They were provided for too, not as miraculously as with the Children of Israel, but still provided for. The bird bath put out by my cousin brought welcome relief. God will provide for all our needs.