The American Dipper – The Intercessor ~ by a j mithra

A chunky bird of western streams, the American Dipper is North America’s only truly aquatic songbird. It catches all of its food underwater in swiftly flowing streams by swimming and walking on the stream bottom. Dipping may help them deal with a crazy visual field that is constantly in motion…

Maybe the relentless up and down motion changes the light angle, allowing dippers to see into the water. Or it may help them remain oriented next to the forever moving current. Or it may be a way of communicating near noisy streams–except that dippers sometimes dip even when they’re alone….

Unless we are in communion with GOD, the Light, through prayers, we will never be able to deal with the visual field that is constantly in motion. We will never be able to see the Light at the end of the tunnel…

Do we have a personal relationship with GOD?

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Mathew 6:6)

Formerly known as the water ouzel, this bird was rechristened by ornithologists several years ago because of its curious habit of dipping, bending and straightening its knees. So who knows?

Maybe their habit of dipping just helps these little birds keep fit for those incredible dives into raging torrents…

They’re absolutely amazing….We can’t even stand up in these streams, but here are these tiny birds that dive right into raging white water.”

Those who kneel before GOD, can stand before anything…

Prayer helps us stay fit and is the secret behind coming out unscathed, even after diving into the raging water…

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. (Mathew 21:22)

Young birds may practice dipping while still in the nest, and adults do it repeatedly when resting between feeding dives, while courting, during territorial disputes and when alarmed…

The dipping rate tends to rise with the degree of arousal to as many as 60 dips per minute.

Do we teach our children about the importance of prayer when they are young?

How many times do we dip, I mean, kneel before GOD during alarming situations?

…that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children. (Deuteronomy 4:10)
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. (Luke 21:36)

The American Dipper chooses a nest site, invariably along a stream, that provides security from floods and predators. Availability of suitable nest sites appears to limit its populations. To be able to survive in cold waters during the winter, the American Dipper has a low metabolic rate, extra oxygen-carrying capacity in its blood, and a thick coat of feathers.

Unlike most other songbirds, but similarly to ducks, the American Dipper molts its wing and tail feathers all at once in the late summer. The bird is flightless during this time.

American dippers occupy an unusual niche in the songbird world. Inextricably tied to racing streams, they routinely feed where few other terrestrial animals dare to go. They rear young just feet from churning whirlpools. They are splendidly adapted for their aquatic life-style, yet even in the wilderness have trouble finding appropriate nest sites. Abundant oil from an oversized gland above the tail keeps dipper feathers virtually waterproof. A flap of skin covers the nostrils while submerged, and translucent eyelids permit underwater sight. Dippers rarely venture more than a few yards from water, and even when airborne they follow a stream’s zigzagging course….

Our lives would be safe when we dare not venture away from the Living Water and just follow the course of JESUS, the Living Water…

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (John 10:27)

Dippers build their traditionally elaborate nests over the fastest moving part of a stream normally on mid-stream boulders or rock ledges just above the water….

Researchers discovered that area bridges offered a viable alternative as nesting sites. And in subsequent research, the biologist found that bridge nests in the valley actually produced more young than the natural nests in her study area…

Bridges actually are a key to dipper’s reproductive success in many areas….

We are the key to the extension of GOD’s kingdom… Do you know that?

GOD has called us to bridge the gap between the lost and the LAMB…

The success of populating the flock of GOD depends on our availability…

GOD is searching for someone who would stand in the gap for HIS people, are you ready to bridge the gap?

And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. ( Ezekiel 22:30)

Have a blessed day!

Your’s in YESHUA,
a j mithra

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Lee’s Addition:

Dippers are in the Cinclidae Family of the Passeriformes Order. There are 5 Dippers in the family; White-throated, Brown, American, White-capped, Rufous-throated Dipper.

Video of an American Dipper

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