Canada Jay

“The kingdom of heaven is like a [very precious] treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid again; then in his joy he goes and sells all he has and buys that field [securing the treasure for himself]. – Matthew 13:44 AMP

“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 10:32

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. – John 14:6

Canada Jays flourish in cold weather.

These birds live in subalpine forests where the freezing winters can be rather harsh. These birds can fluff out their plumage in the cold to cover both their legs and feet to protect them from the icy weather. They even nest remarkably early in the year – in late winter while snow is still on the ground.

The diet of the Canada Jay consists of a variety of foods, including berries, seeds, nuts, insects, spiders, fungi, small rodents, and even dead animals.

It’s what they do with their food once they find it that is remarkable. And this is where the cold weather becomes their ally.

Food Caching  

Canada jays cache their food in the bark of trees – yellow cedar and black spruce being two preferred species – as both have resins in their bark which slow the deterioration of their stored sustenance. The jays coat their food with saliva to help it stick in crevices and holes in the tree’s bark. They also store some of their ‘groceries’ in lichens on these same trees, as lichens can have antibiotic properties to help preserve the food from decay.

These jays hide food in crevices of trees far above the expected snow line so it will be available to them in the dead of winter. They may use an area as big as ½ a square mile to hide their tasty morsels. This obviously calls for an amazing recall ability, since the bird’s very survival depends on it being able to locate the food stored many months before.

The above Scriptures speak about the kingdom of heaven, and just how precious a treasure it is to those who have found the way to enter into it. Jesus makes it clear that God the Father is in heaven, and it is only through Him (Jesus) that we can get there.

Personally, I’m glad there aren’t many different ways for me to get to heaven. I’m glad there aren’t even two. I like simple, and just one way is something I can understand!

If you are not sure how you can find this precious treasure of heaven for yourself, please see Got God?

Hope you have a really great day.