Quail Watchman

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:20-23 (NIV)

For thus has the Lord said to me: Go, set a watchman, Let him declare what he sees. Isaiah 21:6  

We are fortunate to have some remarkable sights out our back window. Pictured above is a male California quail. During the autumn season, they like to drop in several times a day, especially early morning and late evening.

These quail seem to prefer scooting across the ground rather than flying, at least most of the time. They tend to follow each other across the yard, running in the same path as the one in front. In winter, I’ve watched the leader scurry across the snow, disappear into a boot print and come up on the other side, still running wide-open. The next bird in line often runs into and out of the same depression rather than going around it.

Bombed by Quail

These birds do take to the air when necessary. In the summer when I’ve been playing guitar on our patio, I’ve had a large covey suddenly bomb in all around me. They cluck and clamor as they whoosh through the air, landing a bit clumsily on the grass. There are times when their arrival reminds me of Ferdinand the Duck in the movie Babe.

It is rare that I ever see quail in our yard without a sentry posted on a nearby branch or stump. These watchmen perch long minutes as their families scarf down seeds from the nearby feeder. Depending on the watchman’s call, I’ve seen flocks of quail either freeze or scatter at a moment’s notice. Inevitably, a cat or hawk will appear within seconds of the sentinel’s warning.

I’ve seen these exceptional quail-watchman risk a lot to guard what is important to them. I’ve yet to see a hawk get one, nor do I want to. But it has been close at times.

As the above Scripture states, it is once again with uncanny wisdom that the Lord instructs us to guard our hearts. In fact, He says above all else, guard your heart. Things can go bad in a hurry – and take a lifetime to mend – if we don’t.

If you’d like to know how you can have the most important relationship of all in your heart, please see Got God

Our hearts carry important issues pertaining to our lives. Very important.

They’re worth guarding.

Hope you have a great day.