The Swallows Took The Pew In The Churchyard - SMAP 275

I've published a couple of blogs about the beautiful gifts of nature captured in my churchyard. The garden, flowers, wild blooms, cattle egrets, butterflies…. And it kinda feels like there's nothing more left to share.

But the thing is, there's no end to what nature presents in my church yard. Yeah. Fact is: I can't run out of stories about my church (St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Ogbor Hill). So keep an eye on this space for more tales from my church yard. Hehehe

On some days, the church is quiet. No Mass, no worshippers, nothing. But the churchyard is never totally quiet. The birds always come, filling the air with their chirp chirp chirpings, even when the pews are empty.

Amongst them is the Swallows. I guess these are Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica), no doubt. Their features gave them away;

• Sleek, small with deep blue-black colored wings, rusty orange throat and forehead, plus pale underparts.

• Tiny, weak legs and feet.

• Long forked tail with white spots underneath. You'd think they have scissors at the back.

• They always move in groups or flocks. Little wonder the phrase "birds of a feather, flock together."

• They're "noise makers", always chattering when perched together. Lol. And their favorite rendezvous spots are the power lines. From up there, they scout for flying insects to capture as food. I actually spotted one as it swooped down to catch a butterfly. Tried photographing it, but it was damn so fast.

See the way they're lined up like a choir waiting for Mass. Lol.

But far off, they look like notes on a music sheet. I believe musicians here would agree with me.

It's always fun watching these birds, and sometimes photographing them. Not everyone sees them. Some walk in and walk out. But nature lovers like me who pause, see them.

My church doesn’t change. But the creatures nature sends, do. And that’s why I keep my camera ready whenever I'm around there.

Author's Photos