A Bird in the hand...

Did you ever get a sign when someone belonging to you has died? Something that tells you they are trying to make contact with you from the Spirit world?
I have on a few occasions. Sometimes it's a smell, sometimes it's a bird. A number of years ago a really good friend died tragically. He was in his 30's at the time and left a wife and 2 young children behind. We had been friends since childhood and he was a character, always in trouble for nonsense things and great fun to hang out with. His death shattered the wide community and left such a void in our lives.
About 2 months after he died we stayed with his wife and kids for the night. At 5am we were woken by a knocking, tap tap tap. Himself thinking it was at the bedroom door shouted "Come in". It came again, tap tap tap. Being a little more awake we realised it was coming not from the door but from the bedroom window. As we were on the first floor this was weird.
I lifted the curtain and peeped out hesitantly to see a big black crow on the ledge and as i did he tapped on the window again, tap tap tap. It was so strange and we both felt it was just like something my friend would have done.
The first time i experienced something like this was when we bought our first house back in the '80s.
The house had been owned by an old lady who apparently had become very cranky in her old age. She had died a year before we bought the house. We settled in and were very happy in our new home. One day I was hanging out the clothes on the line in the back garden, when the scruffiest female black bird started squaking at me from the top of the lawn near the shed. She was staring right at me with her beady little eyes and she gave me goosebumps. The old lady popped straight into my mind, i'm not sure what she was trying to say but we went on to spend several happy years in that house.
The best of all was the bird my dearly departed father in law sent but i'll tell you about that another time .

I took the photographs below in Cork City last week. I was passing the Peace Park when i spotted this man feeding the pigeons. I always think there's something special about someone who can get that close to be trusted by birds. I hope they aren't the spirits of his dearly departed as there are so many of them. I don't know anything about him as he wouldn't speak to me just nodded when i asked him if i could take a few photographs.

Camera settings - Camera Canon 70D, lens Canon 50mm, exp 1/320sec, f2.5, ISO 100

Camera settings - Camera Canon 70D, lens Canon 50mm, exp 1/320sec, f2.5, ISO 100

Camera settings - Camera Canon 70D, lens Canon 50mm, exp 1/320sec, f2.5, ISO 100

Camera settings - Camera Canon 70D, lens Canon 50mm, exp 1/160 sec, f4, ISO 100

Camera settings - Camera Canon 70D, lens Canon 50mm, exp 1/160sec, f4, ISO 100

Camera settings - Camera Canon 70D, lens Canon 50mm, exp 1/320sec, f2.5, ISO 100

Guess what? I know where Heaven is.

I found out where Heaven is a few months back thanks to my 5 year old niece Eva. Eva and Adam are twins and they should know.
This is how it came about. Last October 12 months our faithful 13 year old dog Gypsy died. Any dog lover out there will understand how awfully sad it is to lose such a beloved animal.
We buried Gypsy in the garden of our holiday cottage in Ring Co. Waterford beside Misty. (an earlier tragedy)
Adam and Eva were only 4 at the time and they loved her dearly. She in turn was very gentle with them. After she died their mother Karina told them that Gypsy had died and gone to Heaven.  They got over it as children do and when we got Bonnie a few months later they fell in love with her too.

The following summer Karina brought the children to Ring for an afternoon to visit us. While playing in the garden they came across the stone slab covering the burial spot. Himself was gardening at the time and they asked him why it was there. He told them that Gypsy was buried beneath it. He thought no more about it and carried on gardening but the pair were amazed. They ran into their mother with the great news that they knew where Heaven was. It was in Maurice and cha cha Mary's (they are half Polish) house in Ring.

That's all very fine though until grandma or someone else dies and all of a sudden I could become the grim reaper.

These photographs were taken in the garden in Ring on a cold February afternoon last week. They were taken with an old lens i got a present of. It's a Tamrom 28mm 2.5 Adaptall lens. It doesn't communicate with the camera so it only has manual focus which is fine if you have good eyesight. The lovely thing about the 2.5 aperture is that it throws the background out of focus and gives fab bokeh effect.

Crocus

Camera settings - Camera Canon 70D, lens Tamron 28mm. exp 1/800sec, f2.5, ISO 100

Camera settings - Camera Canon 70D, lens Tamron 28mm, exp 1,250sec, f2.5, ISO 200

Camera settings - Camera Canon 70D, Lens Tamron 28mm, exp 1/160sec, f2.5, ISO 200

Camera settings - Canon 70D, lens Tamron 28mm, exp 1/1600, f2.5, ISO 200

Fig tree

Camera settings - Camera Canon 70D, lens Tamron 28mm, Exp 1/1000 sec, f2.5, ISO 100

Honey Suckle

Camera settings - Camera Canon 70D, lens Tamron 28mm, exp 1/500sec, f2.5, ISO 100

Camera settings - Camera Canon 70D, lens Tamron 28mm, exp 1/1000, f2.5, ISO 100

Camera settings - Camera Canon 70D, lens Tamron 28mm, exp 1/3200 sec, f2.5, ISO 100

Primrose

Camera settings - Camera Canon 70D lens Tamron 28mm, exp 1/800 sec, f2.5, ISO 200

A Little Birdie told me...................

Ecclesiastes 10:20  Even in your thoughts do not make light of the king, nor in the privacy of your bedroom revile the rich, because the birds of the air may carry your voice, a winged creature may tell what you say.

I think this is possibly where the saying "A little birdie told me..." came from. I could have killed that little birdie when I was a child. He got us kids into so much trouble. I think my mother was well in with the little tell-tale.

In spite of all the trouble they got me into i love the little feathered creatures. Only today I was standing in the square in town talking to a friend. He was talking to me about something quite serious and while i was trying to give him my undivided attention i was getting distracted by the antics of a crow.

We were standing chatting near a cafe. There were some tables outside for the smokers and a man was sitting at one with his little dog, he was finishing his coffee while reading a book. A crow arrived and landed with aplomb on the back of the chair next to the man who was totally oblivious to him. The bird was gazing longingly at a crust of bread on the table. He hopped onto the back of the next chair but found he was further away from his goal so he hopped back again. I was trying to ignore him while  wishing i had my camera to capture the scene and listening intently to my friend.

The crow didn't achieve his goal while I was there but he kept me entertained with his hilarious balancing act, over-reaching, trying to get to the bread and nearly falling off his perch. I'm not sure whether i was easily entertained, easily distracted or just not in the right environment  for serious conversation.

The Wagtail

 Camera settings - Camera Canon 70D, LensCanon 70-300mm@300mm, exp 1/320sec, f5.6, ISO 400

Young Blackbird

 Camera settings - Camera Canon 500D, Lens Canon 55-250mm@250mm, exp 1/64sec, f5.6, ISO200

The Magpie

 Camera settings - Camera Canon 500D, Lens 55-250mm@250mm, exp 1/1000sec, f5.6, ISO 100

The Pigeon

Camera settings - Camera Canon 70D, Lens Canon 70-300mm@110mm, exp 1/250sec, f6.3, ISO 100

The Sparrow

 Camera settings - Camera Canon 70D, Lens Canon70-300mm@300mm, exp 1/640sec, f6.3, ISO100

Young Sparrow

 Camera settings - Camera Canon70D, Lens Canon 70-300mm@300mm, exp 1/400sec, f6.3, ISO 125

Young Blackbird

 Camera settings - Camera Canon500D, Lens Canon 55-250mm@250mm, exp 1/250sec, f5.6,ISO100

Robin

Camera settings - Camera Canon 70D, Lens Canon70-300mm@300mm, exp 1/320sec, f11, ISO320

Horses for courses.

I put together a collection of my horse photos for this blog post. I'm a bit nervous of horses so I've never ridden one but they are beautiful creatures and as long as there is a fence between me and them that's fine.

As a child I remember my mother's love for watching Horse racing on television. She wasn't interested in gambling but always had a few shillings on the Grand National. Her favourite horse of all time was Arkle. She was obsessed with him and used to get so excited watching him racing.
I googled Arkle tonight to find out when exactly he was at the height of his career and was astonished to see that it was the mid 60's when I was a young child.

I introduced you to my mother in an earlier post 'A Cross to Bear' http://mfkidneyphotography.blogspot.ie/2014/08/a-cross-to-bear.html  and again in  'A Haunting we will go' http://mfkidneyphotography.blogspot.ie/2014/10/a-haunting-we-will-go.html

I clearly remember mam jumping up and down off the couch and screaming at the television - "Come on Arkle".  She made such a racket that  a neighbour from down the road and around the corner called to the house to see if Mrs Buckley was alright.

Arkle was trained in Co Meath, Ireland by Tom Dreaper and ridden by Pat Taffe. Some races he won by as much as 20 lengths. He won the Irish Grand National in 1964 by 1 length carrying 2 and 1/2 stone heavier than his rivals. I think this could have been the race that brought the neighbour to the door. I would have been 5 but I remember it like it was yesterday.

Camera settings - Camera Canon 70D, Lens Tamron 10-24mm@10mm,exp1/125sec, f10, ISO 200

 Camera Settings - Camera Canon 70D, Lens Canon 18-135mm@135mm, exp 1/1250sec, f5.6, ISO 200

 Camera Settings - Camera Canon 500D, Lens Canon 55-250mm@134mm, exp 1/500sec, f8, ISO 100

Camera Settings - Camera Canon 70D, Lens Canon 18-135mm@18mm, exp 1/1000sec, f8, ISO 100

 Camera settings - Camera Canon 500D, Lens Canon 55-250mm@109mm, exp 1/64sec, f11, ISO 100

 Camera settings - Camera Canon 70D, Lens Tamron10-24mm@12mm, exp 1/125sec, f7.1. ISO 100

Camera settings - Camera Canon 70D, Lens Tamron 10-24mm@12mm, exp 1/125sec, f7.1, ISO 100

Don't let the sun go down on me

Don't let the sun go down on me, Lyrics by Elton John and Bernie Taupin

Don't let the sun go down on me
Although I search myself, it's always someone else I see
I'd just allow a fragment of your life to wander free
But losing everything is like the sun going down on me

I was at a funeral yesterday of a woman from my childhood neighbourhood. She had suffered Alzheimer's disease for several years and listening to her family reminissing on the fond memories they had of a  wonderful, devoted mother and grandmother made me think of the words of the song above. Alzheimer's must be like a door closing in your mind, shutting out the people you love and cherish or as the song says, 'losing everything is like the sun going down on me'.

This series of photographs is on Sunsets. Two of my daughter's are setting up their own homes next year and have asked me for canvases of some of the sunsets below. Both of them love cows, no reflection on me I hope.  For more cows in the sunset check out my post - http://mfkidneyphotography.blogspot.ie/2014/08/mad-cows.html

I have been told that some of my photographs look like oil paintings. It's amazing what can happen in post production. The good thing is that I won't be arriving at my children's houses with my latest effort at a painting and saying, wouldn't this be only beautiful above your fireplace.

I always remember one of my daughters in her Leaving cert year telling me that she felt like so many doors were closing on her. Leaving school and her friends and the familiar safety of her childhood. So many have opened for her since Thank God. She's getting married in March and opening the door into a new life full of my canvases, only joking Frankie!

I'm dedicating these photos to my neighbour Mary Brady, Late of Closes Road, Fairhill  and her wonderful loving family.
These photographs were taken in Mullinasole, Co Donegal, Ring, Co. Waterford and Cobh Co Cork.

 Camera Settings, Camera Canon 70D, Lens Canon 18-135@39mm, exp 1/250sec, f14, ISO  100

Camera Settings, Camera Canon 70D, Lens Canon 18-135mm@36mm, exp 1/80sec, f18, ISO100

Camera Settings, Camera Canon70D, Lens Canon 18-135mm@18mm, exp 1/160sec, f18, ISO100

 Camera settings, Camera Canon 70D, Lens Canon 18-135mm@18mm, exp 1/13sec, f18, ISO 100

 Camera Settings, Camera Canon 70D, Lens 18-135mm@22mm, exp 1/30sec, f8, ISO 100

Camera Settings, Camera Canon 70D, Lens Tamron 10-24mm@24mm, exp 1/125sec, f22, ISO100

Camera Settings, Camera canon 70D, Lens Tamron 10-24mm@13mm, exp 1/125sec, f22, ISO 100

 Camera Settings, Camera Canon 70D, Lens Tamron 10-24mm@24mm, exp 1/125, f16, ISO100

Camera Settings, Camera Canon 70D, Lens Tamron 10-24mm 24mm, exp 1/125sec, f20, ISO100

Lismore, a day in the life of the travelling Kidneys

Myself and himself don't often do touristy trips. We have a holiday home in Ring Co. Waterford and we are lucky to be living in Cobh, one of the most beautiful scenic towns in Ireland so where would you be going?

With a hobby like photography one needs fresh material so one got himself to accompany her to Lismore,  Co. Waterford for a trip this summer. Off we went in the truck with Bonnie, our Collie. She comes everywhere with us. We're like a pair of Eco-Warriors with our hound. All we are short is a bit of rope around her neck instead of a lead. If you want to meet Bonnie here's the link to my blog post about her  http://mfkidneyphotography.blogspot.ie/2014/09/bonnie-gift-that-keeps-on-giving.html

We viewed the magnificent Castle and visited the graveyard (as you do) and wandered the streets looking for a book shop(for himself). It is a beautiful historic town to be fair. We were looking for a suitable spot to have lunch,  a place where we could park our dog and sit outside but there was no such place.
We stood outside The Rustic Cafe looking in the window and I thought I'd be cheeky and go in and ask if they had seating  out the back where I could take my dog.
There were 2 ladies working away behind the counter and one of them  turned to me mischievously and said, "that's an awful thing to call your husband".

They were a lovely pair, a right double act. They were delighted with Bonnie. We sat outside in the yard with our dog and had a lovely feed of homemade soup and brown bread. There was eating and drinking in it. Bonnie got a dish of water and a few scraps from the kitchen.
It's very important to make sure himself isn't hungry when i'm in photographer mode. He needs all his strength for carrying my camera gear.

 Camera Settings, Camera Canon 70D, Lens Canon 18-135mm@18mm, Exp 1/1250sec, f3.5, ISO 100

Camera Settings, Camera Canon 70D, Lens Canon 18-135mm@18mm, exp 1/125 sec, f4.5, ISO100

 Camera Settings, Camera Canon 70D, Lens 18-135mm@18mm, exp 1/100sec, f4, ISO100

Camera Settings, Camera Canon 70D, Lens Tamron 10-24mm@10mm, exp 1/250sec, f22, ISO100

 Camera Settings, Camera Canon 70D, Lens Tamron 10-24mm@12mm, exp 1/400sec, f4, ISO 100

Camera Settings, Canon 70D, Lens 18-135mm@38mm, exp 1/125sec, f13, ISO100

Cobh, The Holy Ground

                                                                The Holy Ground

Fare thee well, my lovely Dinah, a thousand times adieu. We’re goin’ away from the Holy Ground and the girls we all love true. We will sail the salt seas over and we'll return for shore, To see again the girls we love and the Holy Ground once more. Fine girl you are! You're the girl I do adore, And still I live in hopes to see the Holy Ground once more. Fine girl you are! And now the storm is raging and we are far from shore; And the good old ship is tossin’ about and the rigging is all tore. And the secrets of my mind, my love, you're the girl I do adore, And still I live in hopes to see the Holy Ground once more. Fine girl you are! You're the girl I do adore, And still I live in hopes to see the Holy Ground once more. Fine girl you are! And now the storm is over and we are safe and well We will go into a public house and we’ll sit and drink like hell! We will drink strong ale and porter and we'll make the rafters roar, And when our money is all spent, we'll go to sea once more. Fine girl you are! You're the girl I do adore, And still I live in hopes to see the Holy Ground once more. Fine girl you are!  The Holy Ground is a part of Cobh traditionally inhabited by fishermen. This song was a sea shanty sung by the sailors while performing various tasks onboard. I decided to do this blog on Cobh, especially for all of our friends, family and children who have emigrated and eagerly search Google for photographs and news of the town.  I married a Cobh man and came to live in Cobh 33 years ago. We are lucky enough to have a view of the harbour from our house and I never get sick of looking out the window. It's the first thing i see when i open the curtains in the morning and the lights of the ships at rest and the oil refinery are the last things I see before i close the curtains at night. How lucky am I?  It's a far cry from the North side of Cork city where I was reared. I remember as a child looking out my bedroom window with my brother and sister and taking turns with my father's ancient telescope. At the very end of the terrace, across all the back gardens there was a triangle of a gap between 2 roofs. If you held the telescope very steady you could see the distant fields and the cattle grazing there. I bet you thought we were spying on the neighbours!, Never.                                                                    The Camber Camera Settings, Camera Canon 500D, Lens Tamron 10-24mm@24mm, exp 1/320sec, f9, ISO 100 Sea Princess visiting Cobh Camera Settings, Camera Canon 500D, Lens Tamron 10-24mm@24mm, exp 1/250sec, f11, ISO 100 The Granuaile Camera Settings, Camera Canon 500D, Lens Tamron 10-24mm@14mm, exp 1sec, f10, ISO 100 The Camber Camera Settings, Camera Canon 500D, Lens Canon 18-55mm@18mm, exp, 1/250sec, f10, ISO 100 Independence of the Sea Camera Settings, Camera Canon 500D, Lens Canon 18-55mm@41mm, exp 1/125sec, f8, ISO 200 Glenmore, Cobh Camera Settings, Camera Canon 500D, Lens Canon 50mm, exp, 1/1600sec, f6.3, ISO 400  The Promenade Camera Settings, Camera, Canon 500D, Lens Tamron 10-24mm@13mm, exp 1/250sec, f11, ISO 100 Tall Ships Camera Settings, Camera Canon 500D, lens Canon 55-250mm@55mm, exp, 1/1328sec, f5.6, ISO 100 The Holy Ground Camera Settings, Camera Canon 70D, Lens Tamron 10-24mm@16mm, Exp, 1/500sec, f11, ISO 200