Snake skins as nest filler?

A few weeks ago as I cleaned out my blue bird house,

I was shocked to find a snake skin intertwined in an old nest.

Last year I had hoped for a blue bird to build its nest in my box,

but had never noticed any nesting going on.

Bluebirds had come and looked at it,

but I didn't think it had met with their qualifications.
If they raised babies there, I hadn't seen them!

So as I removed the old nest,

I wondered what bird had resided there last year.
AND...
What bird would use snake skins as their nesting material?!!!

So, yesterday I was surprised to see a pair of birds checking out the box.
It was the Nuthatches!

I wondered if they had been the tenants from last year.
Were they the ones who had used the snake skins in building their nest?
If so, is this a usual practice?
Was it good nesting material,
or did it keep other predators away?

The female went in and out of the box multiple times,
while the male scurried around the outside
appearing to check the surroundings.

When the female stayed inside the box for a prolonged period of time.
the impatient male poked his head in to check on her.

"Whatcha doing in there, honey?"
he seemed to be saying.
"Do you think this is the right place to build a nest?"

I'm not sure what her answer was,
but she looked pretty satisfied.
It remains to be seen if that's where they choose to raise their babies!

Because I am no expert,
seeing God's hand in nature reminds me of this verse from Luke 10:21,
, "O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way."

...And this verse from Psalm 84:3:
"Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar, O LORD of Heaven's Armies, my King and my God! "


To see the Name for God painted on Rocks for this week, click   HERE!