Category Archives: Birds

Gull Builds its Nest in our Chimney

Posted in Birds, Motherhood, My thoughts, Nature, Testimony Tuesday by

As I write I hear the whistling of birds from a nest in my chimney. The sound is from young gulls. These birds normally build their nests on cliff edges safe from intruders.

I have just published a book called, Look at the Birds. Today I have the opportunity to observe the life of a seagull close by. There are no cliffs. Instead this bird has built a nest in our chimney and at least two eggs have hatched.

I was working outside in the alleyway enjoying the warm weather. A gull was upset with me and dived overhead in my direction calling as it flew overhead. Whenever Brendan or I go outside this gull gets upset and flys around us. Why was it attacking us. Haven’t I written a book about how I enjoy bird watching?

I did some research about gulls. A mother sea gull fiercely defends its young. There must be young in the nest above our house!

The gull gets more aggressive every day. As Brendan was getting something from his car it dive bombed him and deposited mess all over his tee shirt.

All has been revealed. Two young birds can be seen moving near the nest on my chimney. One of the chicks moves across the roof. This mother has been defending her brood.

My neighbour who has lived in Haypark all her life has never heard of gulls nesting here before.

I encouraged Brendan. Let us not be annoyed. We are blessed that the gull has chosen our chimney to nest in. Doesn’t the scripture say the birds find a nest near your altar where they can read their young. Psalm 84 v 3.

See mother and chick in the photo.

Launch of my book “Look at the Birds” on Kindle

Posted in Birds, Healing, Ireland, My thoughts, Nations, Nature, Prayer, Thoughtful Thursday, Travel by

My book “Look at The Birds” is launched today on kindle.

ATTENTION! ATTENTION!

Something good has happened today!

Brendan has launched my book on Kindle.

I’m as surprised as you are.

It’s like having a baby.

I was working on this book for about nine months.

It’s been a quick birth.

Brendan is a good midwife.

I gave my book over to him to put the finishing touches.

He has completed the job and published my book on Kindle today.

He was there for all our fourteen children’s births.

Please celebrate with us this new “baby”

My book is about being healed in my mind and heart from trauma after having fourth stage cancer thirteen years ago. Jesus said look at the birds of the air. You are more important than they are. Matt 6:21. Living in the midst of nature brought about my healing. By the Stripes of Jesus I am made whole. God is in the business of total restoration!

Here is the link to my book on Kindle.

If you buy, read and like my book please write a review.

https://amzn.eu/d/78nVR11

Freedom of Little Child

Posted in Birds, Family, Motherhood, My thoughts by

Hello this new morning.

Whether in the town or country I always hear a bird singing in the early morning while it is still dark.

It’s a new day and a new year. I learn from the little children they awake and expect they will get breakfast. They play and look for something they enjoy doing. Until mum calls them to get washed and dressed.

Isn’t it easier to start if we have something to ease us into the new day and the work ahead of us. For someone it is that hot cup of coffee and sitting by the heat to wake us up. Or listening to the radio, checking one’s Facebook or a chat to a friend.

Whether you are happy or sad there is someone who is with you whom you can’t see but He is there. His name is Jesus. He sticks closer than a brother. You have a guardian angel with you all the time. He watches over you. Take time to welcome Jesus presence. Just like that little bird singing outside, I can’t see him but I can hear him.

I was blessed this week by the little children. On New Year’s morning we went along to a friend’s gathering. There was a little girl there. She was about six years old. She skipped and danced the whole time. When the worship music started she twirled and did head springs. Her mum gave her a bag of sweets to share. She had no fear and approached everyone to offer him a sweet.

When I visit with my son’s family his daughter greets me and wants to show me how she can dance and pirroet. Next time I will pay more attention and share in her joy.

My son’s children are free like little birds that jump about near the mothers nest till they can fly. When we visit they run, leap and dive from the chair into the settee. I would have been correcting them in the past and wanting them to behave. But no. Let them be free.

The Rain of The Holy Spirit

Posted in Birds, Family, Ireland, My thoughts, Nations, Nature, Travel by

The sun is coming up. It’s s new day. The birds are singing. In every country I have been to I hear the birdsong every morning. Behind prison bars one can hear. If one’s heart is heavy the sound of the birdsong lifts one up. Life is all around.

Yesterday was Father’s day. If you remembered your dad on Father’s Day and got in touch well done. Better still honouring your father comes with a promise. It will go well with you and you will live a long life.

I was on holiday in Florida for my fiftieth birthday, a present from my family. I was talking to a lady in a store, saying I was from Ireland and that I had fourteen children. She said Oh your poor husband. She understood the difficulty of rearing a big family.

It was only when I had children of my own that I appreciated my father and mother’s sacrifice in rearing us. It can be too late to thank them or say you love them. Often people die of a broken heart, sad because of loneliness or not hearing from family.

Whether a father, a son or a daughter take heart. God promises to pour his Spirit out on you today. You need never be alone.

I joined with the birds in singing this morning. I remembered the chorus.

It’s beginning to rai-ai-ain-hear the the voice of my father-
He’s saying who so ever will, come and drink of my water-
He’s promised to pour his spirit out, on your sons and your daughters-
If your thisty and dry, look up to the sky, it’s beginning to rain!

At that first drop of rain that you start to hear, throw open the windows-
Call all your children together, and throw wide the door!
When the rains of the spirit are starting to fall, fill every vessal-
He who drinks his fill, will thirst no more!

It’s beginning to rain- hear the voice of my Father-
He’s saying who so ever will come and drink of my water!
He’s promised! To pour his spirit out, on your sons and your daughters!
You will find this song on U Tube

God sends the rain for the farmers to plant crops in springtime . I believe this springtime God is pouring out the rain of the Holy Spirit on his people. We are weary, sick and sad after the long lockdown. People need new hope and life and love.

Look up. It’s beginning to rain over you.

Please respond if this post is meaningful .
Angela

A Sign in the Sky

Posted in Birds, My thoughts, Nature by

Last Friday night Brendan and I were driving to a friend’s house outside the city. Up ahead of us in the sky we saw the full moon silhouetted between two blocks of flats. It hung in the sky larger than normal. We drove on outside the city. The moon was high in the sky but not looking so big. Did we see an optical illusion? The moon can be seen all over the world when it is night The reason the moon looks bigger is because at this time of the year the moon is closest to the earth on its path around the earth. It is a sign that the season has changed. We have moved from winter to spring.

I enquired from my friend if she saw the moon.  Yes, she said.  It is called the Worm Moon because the worms begin to move through the soil as the land gets warmer.  I enquired more about the Worm Moon.  A farmer friend told me the worm is a farmer’s best friend.  The quantity of soil each worm moves is fantastic, maintaining the health of the soil.  It causes the nutrients on the surface of the soil from dead leaves, animal waste and other debris to be passed down into the lower layers of soil. The movement of worms in the top layers aerates the soil.  The seeds the farmer has planted absorb the nutrients and oxygen the worms have pulled down from the surface.  

As I looked up at the moon that evening, I took my eyes off my immediate difficulties. I am amazed how everything is in order in nature. I agree with the scripture from Psalm 65,

Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders.  

From where the sun rises to where it sets you inspire shouts of joy. 

I am happy for the change of season. These last weeks have been cold, wet and windy. I am enjoying the sunshine. The daffodils lift their heads and the tulip buds open up in full colour. The birds begin to pair up again to build their nests to rear their young. By the time the nest is built and the young have hatched there will be plenty of worms available under dead leaves or in the vegetable patch to fetch for the hungry mouths.

Day Trip in Northern Ireland Series

Posted in Birds, Cancer, Family Friday, Healing, My thoughts, Nature, Travel by

Hurrah. Lockdown has eased in Northern Ireland. Shops are open and people can dine out again in Belfast.

Brendan and I were going on a Mystery Tour with Our daughter, Ruth. Mary Black’s songs were seranading us as we headed north out of Belfast.

Brendan and I were singing a different song eleven years ago as we went to the hospital to have a test to check for cancer. “Because he lives I can face tomorrow”. The Cherry Blossom trees at the entrance were in full bloom.

Today eleven years on Cherry Blossom Trees are in full glory in the sunshine. They seemed to line our journey today, waving from gardens and hedgerows. Scripture says the trees of the field will clap their hands as we go out with joy. Yes I have joy after those sad days of cancer eleven years ago. I am healed by the power of the name of Jesus.

Our first stop was Ballyronan, a caravan and woodland park on the shores of Lough Neagh, the largest lake in the British Isles. Plenty of wildlife flourish here. We saw two healthy herons up ahead on the walkway. Whopper swans and ducks come here from Iceland. Chaffinches and sparrows sang overhead in the Ash tree branches. Although we didn’t see any, there is a good population of bats and owls.

Our next stop was where the River Blackwater joins the Lough Neagh. We lingered there in the stillness. A kingfisher flew over the water and disappeared in a flash.

Time for lunch. We headed towards Ardboe. At a crossroads not far away was a small building with a sign outside saying

High Cow Bagels, Drive Through. Coffee.

Brendan said “Let’s stop here. This guy has a sense of humour.” High Cow is the English translation of Ardboe. Ard means High and Bo means Cow.

I asked the Chef, “Is there any cow on the menu.” We chatted back and forth and had a good laugh. I told him I was healed of cancer. He was happy to receive some of my books.

Ruth looked at the menu.

High Cow Classic, High Cow Melt, The Cowboy Melt, High Cow Big Breakfast and much more. We enjoyed a unique tasty lunch, coffee and a High Cow Classic Bagel al fresco. The chef was a bundle of fun and the food was five star. I’d definitely go back again.

You never know what you may find when you leave the motorway and go on the roads less traveled.

Bird Watching in Northern Ireland. Guillemots

Posted in Birds, My thoughts, Nature, Testimony Tuesday by

Jesus said to look at the birds. They don’t sow nor reap yet their Heavenly Father looks after them. I love bird watching. I had plenty of opportunity to study different birds when I lived along the shores of Strangford Lough. Near where we lived in Portaferry was a favoured nesting place for three couples of Guillemots. These are small sea birds that spend their time at sea until spring. They build their nests in crevices above the water line on the stone wall. The south facing wall received the full warmth of the sun, a comfortable place to get the maximum heat for their vulnerable young. The chicks were hidden from the blast of chilly winds and out of reach from predators. This particular group of Guillemots became quite tame. They would sit on the wall above their nests unafraid of walkers passing by. They are a feature every spring. One is sure to see these little black birds flying or swimming near their nests. I was able to photograph one couple last year close up from my car. They didn’t fly away even though I was very near them. Their black feathers flow smoothly back from their pointed black beak. They have bright red legs and a patch of white on each wing. Their feathers look as of they are smoothed with oil. This gives the bird effective movement down underwater to feed on food at the bottom of the Lough. During the strong winds and storms of February 2020 the shore wall a further few miles along from Portaferry was broken. The road remained closed for several months. The reason for the delay in the repair was because it is a nesting site for a colony of Guillemots. Many pairs make their nests and rear their young safely. There was even less disruption to their nesting and feeding because the road above was closed. Well done to the council who waited till the birds had reared their young before repairing the road. Last week on a drive north along the Antrim coast we stopped at Glenarm. This village has a small, picturesque harbour with white limestone walls rising from the deep blue water. We walked close and to our delight little black birds flew out from the walls and skimmed along the water away from us. Guillemots were nesting here. It is an ideal nesting site, with crevices between the stones on the south facing walls and small fish swimming below in the water for them to feed on. We watched the birds. It was lovely to see the black and white birds below us before they ventured back to their nests. This harbour is an ideal place for the Guillemots to rear their young. Seeing the Guillemots reminded me of God’s faithfulness to me when he tells me not to worry.
Matthew 6 v 25 to 27
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Bird Singing in the Night

Posted in Birds, Family Friday, Holiday, My thoughts, Nature, poetry, Prayer by

Outside my hotel window

It is the dead of night

Wem

A bird is singing Is he announcing good news? Is he calling for attention. Like the multitude of heavenly hosts praising God. When the angel announced Jesus birth to the shepherds. Singing Glory to God in the highest. And on earth good will to all men. There is room for me in the Inn. In a soft plush bed Because He was born in a straw lined manger. The Christmas street lights are bright

October

Posted in Birds, Canada, Healing, My thoughts, Nations, Nature by

Many artists have written poetry, songs or painted scenes from October! The month of October for me brings a season of change and harvest. Situations I have been praying for seems to get answered in October. Our large family made a move from Coleraine to Co Down in Northern Ireland back in October the seventh in 1998. One son and two grandchildren have been born in this month. Another son, his Canadian wife and three young sons have just returned from Vancouver after six years away. He left with a suitcase and has returned with his arms literally full. My book, “The Grapes are Worth It” was completed and printed this month.

Change is reflected in nature. The full moon in the sky hails change. It is called the harvest moon. In our area the fields are emptied of rich crops of potatoes, wheat, barley and corn. The brown earth has yielded its goodness to the farmers.
The leaves of the trees have changed color from summer green to amber. I am reminded of a verse from scripture, where the Angel of the Lord is described .

I saw a figure that appeared to be a man. From what appeared to be his waist down, he looked like a burning flame. From the waist up he looked like gleaming amber. Ezekiel 8 v 2

We took a drive through the Mourne Mountains at the weekend. The trees’ leaves in the valley and hillside near Rostrevor painted a glorious picture that will stay with me. Seeing the beauty of the leaves of the trees at this season is healing to the soul. Scripture tells me “The leaves are for the healing of the nations.” It is true.

Brent Geese return form Canada in October. Seventy five per cent of the population of Brent geese in the world come to Strangford Lough for winter. Their brown necks and shoulders blend in well with the seaweed and stones. Underneath they have white feathers.

One morning I was traveling up the Ards peninsula. The sun was rising in the sky behind me. Birds were feeding along the shore of Strangford Lough, enjoying the warmth of the early morning sun’s rays. I noticed a large group of sea birds in the distance. They looked like white gulls. But to my surprise they were Brent Geese. Their white underbelly feathers reflected the low sun’s light.

These are some of my reflections this October of 2020.

Black Guillemots Nest Nearby

Posted in Birds, Family Friday, Ireland, My thoughts, Nature by

The Loughshore Rd in Portaferry, Co Down is very popular with local walkers, and more so during the Covid restrictions. There is less vehicle traffic. A family of Black Guillemots have become quit celebrities to local visitors. They have brought joy to many people during this difficult time when people have had to self isolate. Getting out in nature among God’s creation brings healing to the soul and mind.

The Black Guillemot is a small black sea bird with a white patch on each wing. Each has a pointed beak, smooth feathers and red feet. They feed on sea creatures and can dive very deep underwater to feed. It’s a privilege to get to see such wild life nearby.

Black Guillemots have a nest amid the rocks in the wall along the shoreline of Strangford Lough. They have become quite tame. Passersby stop to watch them as their family play in the water below. My daughter was driving past last evening. Two birds were sitting on the wall. I asked her to reverse the car to see if we could see them up close.

Amazingly the two birds were not disturbed as we stopped. They didn’t fly off. We were able to take photos of them close up. What a delight.

The waves from storms in February breached the shoreline wall in various places. Some were repaired before the lockdown. The road had to be closed to traffic about a mile along the shore from where we live. The wall was broken and part of the road fell into the sea. The Covid lockdown prevented workers getting to fix it.

Then in July when work was due to start to repair the road, it was discovered that another group of Black guillemots had built nests nearby. They were still feeding their young in the nests. The department of the Environment stepped in and advised work to stop. The repair didn’t go ahead. The workers are waiting till the Black Guillemots are finished reading their young.