Tag: wildlife

Posted in Family, Faith and Fitness

Do Cigarette Butts Make Birds Healthier?

Posted on by Lucretia Cahill

Lenten Reflections #27

While driving to work yesterday, I had the news on for background noise. I scarcely listen as bad news is just SO bad. Like every day, I waited for the traffic and weather reports, which, like laundry, always show up about every three minutes.

As I crawled along in traffic, the long, sharp cheep of a finch came through the speakers. As a representative of most people over 50 who watch birds…so many birds, I reacted to the chirping like Pavlo’s dog, poised, ears perked.

The story shifted to one about birds using cigarette butts to build their nests.

Here’s what they said: For years, sparrows and finches have been using cigarette butts to build their nests. They gather them methodically, like a mason lays brick, one at a time, placing them carefully as they watch their home grow. The birds specifically place the used cigarettes next to their incubating eggs, with their little chicks waiting to peck their way out.

Why?

Turns out, these brilliant birds have figured out that the chemical ingredients in the butts repel invasive parasites and other insects from their nests, giving their fledglings a stronger immune system.

Amazingly, birds across the world, including New York City, the Galapagos Islands, Europe, and Mexico, are all on the same page. They figured out a way to not only recycle cigarette butts, but also protect their precious little chicks.

What I learned:

What I learned: Isn’t it amazing how birds all over the world can agree on something, while our world feels so chaotic? Maybe it’s because they think of others instead of just themselves. Let’s follow the lead of the finches of the world and try to take care of our children first.

Thanks for joining me.

I’m so glad you’re here,

Lucretia

Posted in Family, Faith and Fitness

We need each other

Posted on by Lucretia Cahill

#29 Lenten Reflections – Endless Lessons from Geese…

Last week I visited with a friend who was having a tough day, or rather week.

I knew the look on her face too well.

The helpless one.

The moment your child is struggling or a doctor calls with tragic test results, or your own mother’s Alzheimer’s robs her from getting herself out of bed independently. The things that cause a seismic rattle in your head and heart telling you to TRY to control everything yet everything is just out of reach and the tide keeps pulling you away.

She began to cry, so I suggested we step outside for air. I immediately looked up to the sky, because that upward glance always feels like I’m dipping my hand in holy water. Blessed by a blue sky or baptized by a shower. It’s a reminder we are not alone. Rain or shine, this wild celestial sphere tells me no matter how far away my parents, our kids, or friends are, we all share the same sky.

A pair of geese passed overhead, “Ahh, Look.”

She exhaled, “Yes. So beautiful”.

I went on, “Geese mate for life, you know.” Stating the fact as if I were some sort of ornithologist/goose marriage counselor.

“…and”…I continued, “If one goose is injured or hurt while flying in formation, two other geese will zoom out of formation with it, to ensure it is cared for and it is never left alone. Geez, if only we had the sense of geese, we would always be there for each other.” I sighed.

“You’re right.” she agreed.

We talked. I listened hard, a lot was going on in her life. Too much. God gave her a heavy serving of worry. I wondered if He does “give us only as much as we can handle” and when he accidentally adds too much to our plate, He places someone with us to hold our hand through it all. Someone to sit on the edge of their seat for us and hear and feel what we are going through and care about something that isn’t even ours. Someone who can be our “Plus One” through the tough times. So that’s what I did. I was simply there for her.

V–Formation- Teamwork

I thought more about the geese. There was a flock overhead. Their flawless synchronized vee formation held my gaze. The first goose flapped like crazy with each bird behind drafting with the corkscrew of air coming off the leader’s wingtips. A type of aerial tailgating. What’s cool is they just fall in…without planning or thinking about it. I mean, I can’t picture one goose saying, “Hey guys, we’ve got a heck of a flight ahead, let’s form a V and I’ll lead, you guys draft, and we’ll take turns.” Nope, they just form their V, share the load, and get to where they are going. What a team.

How does it work? (Fun Fact)

The updraft, called a tip vortex, helps geese save considerable energy during long flights. It may also enhance birds’ ability to see and hear each other, which helps avoid mid-air collisions. Picture the Tour de France. The peloton (the main group of cyclists) takes on an inverted V shape similar to the V-shape of geese flying through the air. The only difference is the cyclists position themselves where they have the best opportunity to attack or to challenge an attack if other riders try to jump ahead.

What I learned…

Geese are quite the role models. They mate for life, and stay by the other’s side if injured or dying, even if the flock moves on. They raise and protect their young together and take care of each other on the way. In fact, in the 16th Century, the Celtic Christians – those Christians in Brittany, Wales, Ireland, and the Scottish Highlands – the wild goose became a symbol of the Holy Spirit more so than the dove. Makes me think it’s like someone up there is shuffling these geese around to help us all figure out how to be a little more loyal and devoted to God and each other. Brilliant.

Thanks for joining me,

❤️Lucretia

Quotes I love:
“You will lose someone you can’t live without, and your heart will be badly broken, and the bad news is that you never completely get over the loss of your beloved. But this is also the good news. They live forever in your broken heart that doesn’t seal back up. And you come through. It’s like having a broken leg that never heals perfectly — that still hurts when the weather gets cold, but you learn to dance with the limp.” – Anne Lamott