As a Naturalist I have often admired the way every living creature seems to have a plan to live by. Insects, reptiles, birds, and even plants live out their lives, however long or short, doing just what the Master Designer intended them to do.

I have often watched the birds in the tree tops, hidden among the leaves chirping as they hunt for small insects. Then it dawned on me one day that the trees depend on a group of birds to keep it healthy and free from insects on leaves and the bark.

First the Woodpeckers chip away all the dead wood and eat beetle grubs that might destroy the trees if left to grow. Then the Nuthatches start at the upper branches and work all around and down the tree and do it upside down! Next the little Brown Creeper flies to the bottom of the tree and works around and up the tree trunk. And almost hidden is the little Wren who does a complete grooming of the roots. There are many different kinds of Woodpeckers and Nuthatches and Wrens but only one little Brown Creeper. They are secretive little birds so feel very fortunate if you ever see one. The trees then provide homes for the birds and in many instances provide nuts and berries for the birds, animals and man. Let's thank the Master Designer for these little tree groomers that do their jobs so happily.

Burney Tompkins

    - Uncle Burney