Yes, it’s that time of year again.
The last book I published on Amazon.com was entitled “Showdown in the Umbrella Tree”. Probably a confusing title, but on the Quiet Side of the Great Lake where all my stories are set, we have an umbrella tree which sits on my neighbour’s fence-line and is right beside my back balcony (see cover below)
Once or twice a year the umbrella tree grows long spikes of red buds filled with sugary nectar. The brilliantly coloured Rainbow Lorikeets love this nectar and they come into the area to feast on it. The buds seem to be best around three to four o’clock in the afternoon.
It’s amazing that every bird has to sit in the one place! If you look closely there are eight lorikeets on this frond. Believe me they don’t hesitate to knock each other off!
The interesting thing is there are also some locals who love the nectar, and they don’t care much to share it. The little grey Noisy Miner birds who are native to our area and who are not related in any way to the brown Indian Myna birds are also nectar lovers
So the problem arises when the Noisy Miners who keep a steady eye on the progress of the red buds all year become inundated with Rainbow Lorikeets who have just dropped in for a feast and a good time.
Noisy Miner spying!
A game begins with the two different species chasing each other out of the tree. The lorikeets are all about fun and togetherness, playfully pushing and shoving. They are extremely noisy as they eat and play and get so excited that they don’t just push out the little “Noisies”, they even push each other out of the tree. With the lorikeets it’s “anything goes!”
It can get quite raucous in the tree as the lorikeets move in and the Noisy Miners object to their presence. The Noisies are less about fun and more strategic as they begin to attack in a bunch screeching. They can be headache material and get rid of the opposition by wearing them down. There is no “Do to others as you would like them to do to you.” Luke 6:31 NLT. But then again they are only birds.
And while it is highly entertaining watching them it also helps me realise that in the higher order of mankind at times we can be just as careless, thoughtlessly , jostling for positions at work and play at the expense of others.
Let’s this week make a concerted effort to “love one another” as Jesus told us to (John 13:34). To “treat others as we wish they would treat us”. Let’s be encouragers not discouragers, let us share not be selfish , may we help not hinder, love not hate. Let us bear fruit! Remember for those who love God, it will be “by their fruits you will know them.” (Matthew 7:20)
Blessings,
Marilyn