Bird watchers the world over know the most difficult birds to watch and to count are the ones located way up in the canopy of the world's forests. Many trees in the rain forest grow almost 200 feet tall and there dwell a whole different set of animals, amphibians, reptiles and birds. All these eat, sleep, and live their entire lives without coming to the ground except in some instances to lay eggs in or near a larger body of water.

In the United States we have tall trees also that host their own family of wildlife consisting of birds, insects, and some amphibians. Most people never know what lives just 50 to 100 feet above them. For many years scientist wondered where a certain little tern was nesting. No nests were ever found on the ground like other terns usually did. And then some years ago some men were cutting trees out west and discovered the most beautiful little white tern nesting on a very fragile nest on the limbs of these giant pines, needless to say this section of the forest has been saved so these little birds can return to nest year after year.

We bird watchers often observe many interesting and colorful birds hidden up among the green leaves during the early spring when many are still in their migration north. They flit and flutter through the branches looking for newly hatched caterpillars eating on the tender green leaves.

One of my favorite treetop dwellers is the scarlet tanager with its crimson scarlet feathers and black wings. Many other warblers and orioles also inhabit this habitat.

Just think that one of these days, and it doesn't appear long now, we will travel the heavens above and observe and learn from our Creator more beauties of nature than we could ever imagine. Prepare now by studying God's handiwork on this earth to more appreciate heaven to come.

Burney Tompkins

    - Uncle Burney