Nostr notes by Swede’s Photographs

Good morning. ☕☕☕ 14 October 2026 This morning’s image is ...

2026-10-14T16:30:13Z

Good morning. ☕☕☕

14 October 2026

This morning’s image is another one my daughter sent me. She’s been visiting Colorado Springs and spent some time at a place called the Garden of the Gods — a stretch of towering red sandstone formations rising out of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. I’d never heard of it before, so of course I had to look it up.

Meanwhile, I’ve been spending a couple of hours each day trying to reclaim our indoor patio — or maybe it counts as a sunroom. At some point it quietly transformed into an easy-access storage zone where we stashed anything that needed to be “out of the way.” I’m also dealing with the aftermath of the Great Love Bug Swarming of 2026. They breached the outer defenses and died in globs between the screens and the windows, so I had to clean all that out. Plenty of them made it into the inner sanctum too, so I vacuumed those up.

I’m tackling the room in sections, which means moving patio furniture, clearing out spider webs and spider eggs, and of course finding even more love bugs. That side of the house faces north, and I still don’t understand why the little pests seemed to prefer it. Over the last couple of months I’ve used the leaf blower several times to sweep up piles of them from in front of the sunroom — tens of thousands, easily. Many of them liked to congregate on the back storm door during the heat of the day. Ugh. You can probably hear my dislike for those insects in my voice.

But the swarming is finally over, and for now at least, they’re mostly gone. Only the cleanup remains.

“How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains!” —John Muir

“Housework can’t kill you, but why take the chance?” – Phyllis Diller

“My housekeeping style is best described as ‘there appears to have been a struggle.’” – Unknown

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #nature #morning #mountains #GardenoftheGods #housecleaning

Boss Bird This northern cardinal looks completely unamused about ...

2026-10-12T19:37:32Z

Boss Bird

This northern cardinal looks completely unamused about having its picture taken. Maybe he’s just getting off work and thinking, “Can’t a bird even wet his beak around here without being bothered?”

Step into a world where even the smallest moments—like the glint in a bird's eye—tell their own story.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #NorthernCardinal

Curious Cardinal The expression on this northern cardinal’s ...

2026-10-07T21:48:45Z

Curious Cardinal

The expression on this northern cardinal’s (Cardinalis cardinalis) face is hilarious. I’m pretty sure this is a juvenile female.

Pink Blossoms and Feathers The brown thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) ...

2026-10-03T22:17:02Z

Pink Blossoms and Feathers

The brown thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) is a hunter forager, an omnivore. This one visited me one morning, the first that I'd seen that year. The year before, a couple built a nest in a shrub right outside our front door.

Step into a world where even the smallest moments—like the glint in a bird's eye—tell their own story.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #brownthrasher

Shadow Rider A Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) glides low over ...

2026-10-02T17:48:05Z

Shadow Rider

A Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) glides low over a Texas lake, as if riding its own shadow skimming across the water below.

Explore a curated collection of heron and egret images in my photo gallery. Take a look!

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #heron #greatblueheron

Reflections in the Reeds I see great egrets all over the South, ...

2026-09-30T19:31:24Z

Reflections in the Reeds

I see great egrets all over the South, and they’re striking enough that I can’t help photographing them whenever I get the chance. I spotted this particular egret near Beaufort, South Carolina, standing out in that Lowcountry light the way only a big white bird can.

Explore a curated collection of heron and egret images in my photo gallery. Take a look!

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #heron #egret #greategret

Good morning. 🌞🌳🦆 24 September 2026 I remember when I ...

2026-09-24T13:30:23Z

Good morning. 🌞🌳🦆

24 September 2026

I remember when I thought people in their 40s were old and anyone in their 50s was practically ancient. From that perspective, someone in their 70s might as well have been a living mummy. Perspective changes, doesn’t it? Somewhere along the way I started prefacing stories with, ‘When I was a young man in my 50s…’ Mostly I said it to get a chuckle out of someone in their 20s. Unfortunately, I have a deadpan delivery, so people often struggle to tell when I’m joking. It’s a gift and a curse.

These days, when I look at the people running things — soldiers, police officers, teachers — so many of them look too young to be doing what they’re doing. I’m tempted to ask their age just to make sure they’re not playing hooky from school. And then the opposite hits me: while I’m still the same person looking out through the same two eyes I’ve had for decades, my appearance has aged exactly the way it’s supposed to. That’s part of the deal. If you live, you age. If you’re lucky, you live past the point you once thought you’d never reach when you were twenty.

And really, all things considered, we’re lucky to have been born at all. The odds are practically zero. When mathematicians try to calculate it, they end up with numbers like 1 in 100,685,000. It’s a statistical miracle.

In the end, reaching this age feels less like decline and more like improbable victory — a reminder that every day we wake up is another win against impossible odds, and worth savoring.

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” — Oscar Wilde

The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.” — Marcus Aurelius

“Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many.” — Unknown

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #morning #silhouettes #shadows #sunset #lake #perspective #life

On the Rocks These are a couple of neotropic cormorants ...

2026-09-23T21:34:29Z

On the Rocks

These are a couple of neotropic cormorants (Nannopterum brasilianum) I spotted at the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana.

Pelican in Pure Light Here’s an overexposed image of a brown ...

2026-09-23T12:52:52Z

Pelican in Pure Light

Here’s an overexposed image of a brown pelican I took a while back. I kept it because… well, it’s a pelican, after all.

Good morning. 🪶🪶🪶 20 September 2026 When I opened the ...

2026-09-20T13:57:10Z

Good morning. 🪶🪶🪶

20 September 2026

When I opened the back door this morning, a raccoon was sitting under the birdfeeder in the middle of the yard. The moment the door swung open, it started moseying toward the hole‑beneath‑the‑fence, so I let Charlie out, knowing he could close the distance before the critter slipped through to the other side. The last thing I need is a backyard brawl between a dog and a raccoon. I’m not entirely sure how Charlie would behave if he actually caught up to one, but I suspect he’d pull up short—especially if the raccoon turned to face him. They’re big enough to account for themselves if it ever came to that.

I’ve seen Charlie run down squirrels and rabbits, but when he’s hovering over them and they freeze, he just stands there, unsure of the next step, and they bolt away—usually through the hole‑beneath‑the‑fence. Sometimes the squirrels skip the portal entirely, climbing the crepe myrtle next to the fence and launching themselves over to the other side like tiny paratroopers.

That hole‑beneath‑the‑fence is a portal between the backyard and the outside world, where the forest begins. To reach it, critters—mostly squirrels, rabbits, opossums, armadillos, and raccoons—have to cross a narrow strip of cleared ground between the fence and the woods, a zone patrolled by owls and hawks. Once they slip through, they still have to watch for Charlie. He’s ever vigilant, but he does live indoors and needs a human escort before he can address any trespassers.

“Pets are humanizing. They remind us we have an obligation and responsibility to preserve and nurture and care for all life.” — James Cromwell

“Some people are uncomfortable with the idea that humans belong to the same class of animals as cats and cows and raccoons.” — Phil Donahue

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #morning @whiteibis #animals #dogs

Golden Eyes Ever wonder where Ian Fleming came up with the name ...

2026-09-10T15:59:54Z

Golden Eyes

Ever wonder where Ian Fleming came up with the name GoldenEye for a James Bond story? It certainly didn’t come from rock pigeons (Columba livia), but looking at this portrait, the movie title drifts into mind all the same.

If you're a fan of stunning dove imagery, be sure to explore my photo gallery for a collection of beautiful snapshots that capture their elegance and charm.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #doves #pigeons #RockDoves #RockPigeons

Collared Dove on Green Grass Eurasian collared doves ...

2026-08-27T20:48:34Z

Collared Dove on Green Grass

Eurasian collared doves (Streptopelia decaocto) are a rarity around here, but they do show up now and then.

Good morning. 🪿🪿🪿 27 August 2026 Today is an off day for ...

2026-08-27T13:21:31Z

Good morning. 🪿🪿🪿

27 August 2026

Today is an off day for me, one when I could be getting yard work done. But it rained sometime this morning. I’m not complaining — we needed the rain. It feels like a nap day, and honestly, I have a lot of those nowadays.

As you can tell, I’m really struggling to come up with anything to write about, so I’ve ended up writing about the struggle itself, which is very real.

It’s a strange feeling when the celebrities you’ve watched on the boob tube for decades start passing away. You catch yourself thinking, hey, he or she isn’t much older than me — sometimes even younger. It’s surreal. I don’t know about you, but I realized a long time ago that none of us are immortal. In the end, it’s all the same; it doesn’t matter what your status in life has been — one day it’ll be over. I’m not trying to be morbid. I’m just thinking about a part of life we like to hide from, even though everybody will face it sooner or later.

The big mystery is what happens next. Different people have different beliefs. There’s the whole heaven‑and‑hell scenario. There’s the belief in reincarnation — that we come back as another person, or maybe even a different species. But beliefs aren’t proof of anything; they’re just ideas passed down over centuries, or in some cases only decades.

I recently had a procedure where I was put under with anesthesia. It wasn’t my first rodeo, but this time I was out completely — nothing happening, nothing existing — until I woke up. It was as if my consciousness simply didn’t exist for a while. It’s possible that’s what happens in the end: you turn off like a light bulb.

“My sorrow, when she’s here with me, thinks these dark days of autumn rain are beautiful as days can be.” — Robert Frost

“If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life. For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.” — Kahlil Gibran

#birds #ducks #blackbelliedwhistlingducks #rain #death

Meanwhile Back at the Feeder Have you tried that feeder over ...

2026-08-26T22:28:00Z

Meanwhile Back at the Feeder

Have you tried that feeder over there, it has raisins.

Madame Red Belly ...

2026-08-24T20:58:29Z

Madame Red Belly

Three Little Visitors ...

2026-08-24T00:02:33Z

Three Little Visitors

Brown Pelican Glide This brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) ...

2026-08-17T15:05:08Z

Brown Pelican Glide

This brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) had just completed a plunge dive when I snapped this image. Here, the bird is beginning its ascent, wings lifting as it shakes off the ocean’s surface. I followed it with my camera as it climbed higher and higher, gaining altitude with that steady, powerful rhythm pelicans have. A moment later it rose to a good height, banked slightly, and plunged again into the Gulf of Mexico.

Step into a world where even the smallest moments—like the glint in a bird's eye—tell their own story.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #pelicans #brownpelican

I Got a Peanut A bright-eyed, red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes ...

2026-08-16T14:53:53Z

I Got a Peanut

A bright-eyed, red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) is perched on a tree limb with a peanut in its beak, showcasing its striking patterned plumage against a vivid blue sky. The bird's sharp beak and claws are prominently displayed as it grips the textured bark, ready to enjoy its find.

Explore more chic woodpecker photos by visiting my photo gallery.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #woodpeckers #redbelliedwoodpecker

Nostr event nevent1qqs0zy2uuh847f57nyaqm3f53m75uxd97kkk5sffjg0wj0404fenkuqzyz3gmhflj4ftey5gc974m9vj068afl0kx2xx5hupecwc2lqnlfcq2huuyuy

2026-08-13T20:47:07Z

What!?

Finch Gathering ...

2026-08-11T21:28:02Z

Finch Gathering

Ring‑Bill on Wet Sand I took this photo of a ring-billed gull ...

2026-08-08T21:29:50Z

Ring‑Bill on Wet Sand

I took this photo of a ring-billed gull at Holly Beach, Louisiana on the Gulf of Mexico.

Willet’s Path This willet (Tringa semipalmata) was moving ...

2026-08-07T18:10:40Z

Willet’s Path

This willet (Tringa semipalmata) was moving through a tidal pool in Gulfport, Mississippi.

Discover nature's fleeting moments through my lens—visit my photo gallery to see more.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #shorebirds #willet

Soft Steps in the Foam This sanderling (Calidris alba) appears to ...

2026-08-01T16:47:24Z

Soft Steps in the Foam

This sanderling (Calidris alba) appears to tiptoe through the surf at Gulfport, Mississippi. It’s always amusing to watch sanderlings chase the waves, darting in and out as they search for whatever treasures the latest retreating wave uncovers.

Discover nature's fleeting moments through my lens—visit my photo gallery to see more.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #shorebirds #sandpipers #sanderling

Sunbathing Sliders These are pond slider turtles (Trachemys ...

2026-07-31T19:37:12Z

Sunbathing Sliders

These are pond slider turtles (Trachemys scripta), they are pretty common around here in the lakes. When I see them up on the logs, I can't help but take pictures. When I go out to a lake early in the morning, the logs are empty. They don't come out until it starts warming up.

Branchside Encounter This female northern cardinal (Cardinalis ...

2026-07-30T15:44:54Z

Branchside Encounter

This female northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) and male brown‑headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) share a branch for a brief moment, their encounter quiet and fleeting.

Step into a world where even the smallest moments—like the glint in a bird's eye—tell their own story.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #northerncardinal #borwnheadedcowbird

Yellowlegs in Flight Here is a lesser yellowlegs (Tringa ...

2026-07-28T12:49:40Z

Yellowlegs in Flight

Here is a lesser yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) that I caught in flight at a small pond in Albany, Georgia. I took the photo in November 2023.

Good morning. ☕☕☕ 24 July 2026 Do you remember a time when ...

2026-07-24T13:18:03Z

Good morning. ☕☕☕

24 July 2026

Do you remember a time when you didn’t know how to write? I do. It’s a vague, hazy memory of trying to imitate my parents by scribbling squiggly lines across a chalkboard. That’s something that supposedly happened seventy years ago. Or is it?

Is it an actual memory — or just a memory of a memory? Do I only remember it because I’ve remembered it before?
Whoosh. I just blew my own mind. 🤯

A memory of a memory of a memory is a strange concept. It’s like that old game where you line up ten people and whisper a sentence into the first person’s ear. Each person passes it along, and by the time it reaches the tenth person, the message has transformed into something completely different. If memories work the same way, how accurate can they really be? Memory is a tricky thing.

My wife and I often experience the same events together, yet years later we sometimes recall them differently. Sometimes the difference is so stark that one of us remembers something clearly while the other insists it never happened at all. Was the memory lost by one of us — or created by the other?

So how can a false memory begin?
A false memory starts when your brain fills in missing details, blends experiences, or absorbs suggestions — and then treats that new construction as if it were an actual event. It usually doesn’t happen overnight. Imagine your mother telling you a story over and over about something that happened when you were young. Eventually, you might fill in the blanks and believe you remembered it all along.

Nevertheless, the chalkboard event really happened.

“Memory is the diary we all carry about with us.” — Oscar Wilde

“What we remember is not what happened.” — Julian Barnes

“Every act of memory is an act of imagination.” — Oliver Sacks

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #nature #morning #flowers #lilies #memory

Get Off My Lawn I caught this brief dispute between a blue jay ...

2026-07-22T15:01:03Z

Get Off My Lawn

I caught this brief dispute between a blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) and a northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). Usually a cardinal will make way when a blue jay shows up, but in this moment the cardinal stood its ground, beak wide open in a defiant warning for the jay to steer clear.

Discover nature's fleeting moments through my lens—visit my photo gallery to see more.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #corvids #cardinals #bluejay #northerncardinal

Whistler on the Roof This is a pretty good photo of a female ...

2026-07-22T12:24:46Z

Whistler on the Roof

This is a pretty good photo of a female northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). Her crest is pretty striking.

Sunny Day Here is an eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis), they ...

2026-07-20T18:03:22Z

Sunny Day

Here is an eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis), they always seem to brighten up the day.

Cedar Waxwing Trio A trio of Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) ...

2026-07-10T20:38:07Z

Cedar Waxwing Trio

A trio of Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) perches alertly among leafless branches, their sleek plumage contrasting with the dappled bark of the tree. The birds exhibit distinctive markings, such as their sleek brown bodies, black masks, and yellow-tipped tails, as they rest in a natural habitat.

Yellowlegs in Flight I captured this image of a yellowlegs ...

2026-07-09T16:35:39Z

Yellowlegs in Flight

I captured this image of a yellowlegs gliding down the red‑clay bank of a small lake in Georgia. Based on the length of its bill, I believe it’s a greater yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca).

Step into a world where even the smallest moments—like the glint in a bird's eye—tell their own story.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #shorebirds #greateryellowlegs

Ruby in the Air At times I sit out on the porch with my dog ...

2026-07-07T16:49:53Z

Ruby in the Air

At times I sit out on the porch with my dog Charlie and watch the hummingbird wars as they vie for a seat at the feeder. It’s a tiny battleground — dive‑bombs, sharp turns, and the occasional mid‑air standoff — all over a few drops of sugar water.

This image of a little male ruby‑throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is one I took years ago. Every time I look at it, I can almost hear the faint buzz of his wings and remember those porch mornings with Charlie, both of us watching the drama unfold.

Step into a world where even the smallest moments—like the glint in a bird's eye—tell their own story.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #rubythroatedhummingbird

Good morning. 😴⏰☕ 7 July 2026 I got up this morning and ...

2026-07-07T13:45:35Z

Good morning. 😴⏰☕

7 July 2026

I got up this morning and immediately started doing things. I knew better. My first bright idea was to empty the paper shredder — a terrible decision at that hour — but I had a foolproof plan: flip the container upside down into a plastic bag. Well, never underestimate a fool. Half the confetti slid straight down my front and the rest sprinkled across the floor like a ticker‑tape parade gone wrong.

I still haven’t cleaned it up. I’m waiting for the rest of the household to wake before I fire up the vacuum. At this time of morning, it’s usually just Charlie and me shuffling around. C’est la vie.

Do auto manufacturers even make hubcaps anymore? I haven’t owned a car with hubcaps in decades. My teenage dream was a ’55 or ’56 Chevy with black rims and baby‑moon hubcaps — a fantasy from a long, long time ago in a state far, far away. Instead, I wound up with a beat‑up Chevy pickup that had “potential,” but potential costs money, and I had none. Any repair parts came from the junkyard down the street. I think the truck had two, maybe three hubcaps. Three sounds odd, but it matched the mismatched retread tires perfectly.

If someone drew a comic strip of that era, it would only need two frames: Dream and Reality.

Honestly, I’m shortchanging the story, because that truck did have an 8‑track tape player bolted under the dash — ready to blast rock and roll through two old bare speakers I wedged behind the seat. That part was pure glory.

“Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.” — Oscar Wilde

“You can’t have everything. Where would you put it?” — Steven Wright

“The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense.” — Tom Clancy

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #morning #blackandwhite #cars #mishaps #woodpeckers #redbelliedwoodpecker

Caribbean at Sunset Here is a sunset on the Caribbean Sea, I took ...

2026-07-02T20:45:42Z

Caribbean at Sunset

Here is a sunset on the Caribbean Sea, I took this last year (2023) during a cruise.

Peanut Heist I sat and watched this red bellied woodpecker ...

2026-07-02T17:52:36Z

Peanut Heist

I sat and watched this red bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) fly back and forth between a bird feeder hanging from my fence and an oak tree in my backyard. While at the bird feeder, he would dig through the bird seed until he found a peanut then fly away. I tried several times to catch him in the act of flying away, most only caught part of him in the frame. This is one of two in which I had him all in the frame
making off with a peanut.

Step into a world where even the smallest moments—like the glint in a bird's eye—tell their own story.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #woodpeckers #redbelliedwoodpecker

Soft Morning Perch This image shows a Pine Warbler (Setophaga ...

2026-06-30T12:52:18Z

Soft Morning Perch

This image shows a Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus).

Goldfinches in a Bare Tree In this photograph, there are bare ...

2026-06-27T11:52:21Z

Goldfinches in a Bare Tree

In this photograph, there are bare tree limbs visible against a gray sky. Nestled among the limbs are three goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis).

Red‑bellied Woodpecker Close‑up ...

2026-06-25T20:24:22Z

Red‑bellied Woodpecker Close‑up

Searching for Death This turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) rose out ...

2026-06-24T20:23:40Z

Searching for Death

This turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) rose out of the forest this morning (4 May 2024), beginning its slow ascent into the sky to start its relentless search for food. It passed to my east, giving me just enough time to raise my camera and capture a few shots. This image shows the vulture’s face more clearly than any other in‑flight photo I’ve taken.

Check out breathtaking photos of magnificent birds of prey, visit my photo gallery here:

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdofprey #raptor #turkeyvulture

Sunflower Snack There are a lot of house finches (Haemorhous ...

2026-06-22T15:13:10Z

Sunflower Snack

There are a lot of house finches (Haemorhous mexicanus) around right now. The males seem especially bright this year — richer reds than I remember, though maybe that’s just me. This guy grabbed a sunflower seed and settled in. House finches are grazers; when they come to a feeder, they stay and eat. Other birds, like chickadees and woodpeckers, are snatchers — they grab a seed and fly off to a nearby tree to eat it. It’s an interesting contrast in feeding styles.

Step into a world where even the smallest moments—like the glint in a bird's eye—tell their own story.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #finches #housefinch

Stand Up I took this photograph of a Carolina chickadee (Poecile ...

2026-06-18T17:54:35Z

Stand Up

I took this photograph of a Carolina chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) yesterday morning. Noticeably, the bird is standing erect and looking into the window of the bird feeder as if window shopping or maybe just trying find the good stuff. The photo's detail isn't the greatest, but it is interesting.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #carolinachickadee

Morning Light on Tufted Titmouse #tuftedtitmoue ...

2026-06-18T00:28:20Z

Morning Light on Tufted Titmouse

#tuftedtitmoue

Blue Jay at Work ...

2026-06-15T21:27:36Z

Blue Jay at Work

Grassland Huntress This intimate profile of a female northern ...

2026-06-15T17:10:08Z

Grassland Huntress

This intimate profile of a female northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) reveals her not only as a busy forager but also as a surprisingly lethal little hunter.

If you’re captivated by northern cardinals and other members of the Cardinalidae family—better known as the cardinal family—step into my photo gallery for a visual feast. Come take a look:

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #northerncardinal

Glasswater Reflection This snowy egret (Egretta thula) stood ...

2026-06-11T15:21:05Z

Glasswater Reflection

This snowy egret (Egretta thula) stood poised in a quiet tidal pool in Gulfport, Mississippi, watching for its next meal.

Explore a curated collection of heron and egret images in my photo gallery. Take a look!

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #heron #egret #snowyegret

Good morning. 🦢🪿🦆 11 June 2026 I just took my first sip ...

2026-06-11T13:05:34Z

Good morning. 🦢🪿🦆

11 June 2026

I just took my first sip of coffee — now what.

I’ve discovered it takes real effort these days to get myself together enough to leave the house. I used to be out the door in under an hour every morning. Nowadays, the idea of getting up and getting moving feels… optional. It still happens sometimes, of course — the horror 😱. At this hour, I say let the vegetative state take over. Who really needs movement or clear thoughts anyway. That calls for another sip of coffee. Help me, Mister Wizard — I don’t want to be a vegetable anymore 🐢🧙‍♂️. Some of you will get the reference.

I was thinking that maybe instead of coming straight into my office in the morning, a quick walk around the yard might get the blood moving, sharpen the senses, and make it easier to think while I write. Or I could just keep doing it my way and let my fingers do all the thinking.

I just got up to feed Charlie. After I set his bowl down, I decided to mess with him for a second — bent over with my hands on my knees and stared at him while he ate. He hates that. He’ll stop chewing and give me the side‑eye like I’m violating some sacred code. Sometimes he’ll growl, but not this morning. It’s a funny little behavior. Honestly, though, he stares at me when I’m eating, so maybe he should be a little more accepting when the tables turn 😂.

Well, I’ve got a big day ahead — full of things I may or may not do — and one of them actually requires me to leave the house. Since the others depend on me doing the first… well… it looks like I’m leaving the house.

“I’d rather take coffee than compliments just now.” — Louisa May Alcott

“Morning is wonderful. Its only drawback is that it comes at such an inconvenient time of day.” — Glen Cook

“Dogs laugh, but they laugh with their tails.” — Max Eastman

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #morning #ducks

Good morning. 💤⏰☕ 9 June 2026 My head’s coming together ...

2026-06-09T13:17:57Z

Good morning. 💤⏰☕

9 June 2026

My head’s coming together slowly this morning. I’ve got a doctor’s appointment in an hour and was going to skip the coffee, but let’s be honest — I need it if I’m going to get moving. It’s fine; the doc told me coffee before labs is okay. Still, I always feel like I’m trying to pass a test.

I finished my latest read last night. It’s a book I normally wouldn’t have picked up, but one of my granddaughters sent it to me, so I gave it a shot — and it turned out to be surprisingly good. The book is Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman, a New York Times bestseller.

The story feels like a cross between TRON, The Wizard of Oz, and War of the Worlds. It’s this wild blend of fantasy, science fiction, horror, and comedy. The main characters are a guy named Carl — as you might guess — and a talking show cat named Princess Doughnut.

One early morning after midnight, the two are thrown into chaos when aliens invade Earth. The survivors who manage to get underground are dropped into a kind of living video game the aliens call the Dungeon. Their goal is always the same: fight their way to the next level by battling monsters, earning tools, gold, skills, and whatever else might help them survive — if they can even find the way down.

I know, it sounds like a mess on the surface, something that shouldn’t work at all, but Dinniman somehow pulls it off. It’s a series, and I’m thinking about picking up the next book to see what happens next.

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” — Arthur Ashe

"Welcome to the Dungeon survival is optional" - Matt Dinniman

Dammit Doughnut - Carl

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #nature #morning #book #DoctorsAppointmentDay

Sun-Kissed Finch My dog, Charlie, and I were sitting outside ...

2026-06-08T20:44:35Z

Sun-Kissed Finch

My dog, Charlie, and I were sitting outside watching for birds. I was drinking coffee and had a camera on my lap, as usual. I was using Merlin Sound ID, to find out what birds were around. There were all kinds of tanagers and warblers around that I'll like to get a picture of, but it's kind of like having a fish finder, you know they are there but capturing them is a whole different thing. But here is a pretty good photo of a female house finch (Haemorhous mexicanus), it looks like she just had her hair done.

Sparrow Perch Chipping Sparrows (Spizella passerina) left here ...

2026-06-08T13:49:31Z

Sparrow Perch

Chipping Sparrows (Spizella passerina) left here weeks ago. One day they were everywhere, and the next day not a single one remained. I haven’t seen or heard any sparrows this week at all — even the House Sparrows, which usually linger this time of year, have been scarce. House Sparrows aside, most of them are probably headed north along with the goldfinches.

I took this image years ago, catching a lone chipping sparrow perched in a flowering oak tree.

If you enjoy photos of birds and other wildlife, take a look at my photo gallery. Sparrows are never overlooked—they're a valued and important part of my collection. Feel free to explore!

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #sparrows #chippingsparrow

Full Moon Rising Through the Trees ...

2026-06-06T20:38:03Z

Full Moon Rising Through the Trees

Branch of Thought This red‑bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes ...

2026-05-31T22:02:17Z

Branch of Thought

This red‑bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) looks as if he’s deep in thought, quietly pondering the day’s events.

Grassy Waterscape A cluster of thin green reeds is growing out of ...

2026-05-23T19:59:37Z

Grassy Waterscape

A cluster of thin green reeds is growing out of calm water, creating a sharp reflection on the surface. The tranquility of the scene is enhanced by the subtle gradation of light and the stillness of the water.

Forest Breath I captured this image of a resting ruby-throated ...

2026-05-20T16:14:51Z

Forest Breath

I captured this image of a resting ruby-throated hummingbird (scientific name) during the summer of 2025. It is an interesting image event with a background that is a bit grainy here and there. I think this particular tiny bird is an immature male because of the light black speckles on its throat.

Step into a world where even the smallest moments—like the glint in a bird's eye—tell their own story.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #rubythroatedhummingbird

Light on Water Here is a slightly over exposed image of a snowy ...

2026-05-18T18:41:54Z

Light on Water

Here is a slightly over exposed image of a snowy egret (scientific name that is pleasantly easy on the eyes. I captured the image of this bird at Gulfport, Mississippi late November 2025.

Explore a curated collection of heron and egret images in my photo gallery. Take a look!

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #heron #egret #snowyegret

Golden Reflections I saw this greater yellowlegs in Albany, ...

2026-05-10T12:28:58Z

Golden Reflections

I saw this greater yellowlegs in Albany, Georgia about a years ago.

The Vibrant Pimpernel This is a close‑up of a little scarlet ...

2026-05-10T02:16:58Z

The Vibrant Pimpernel

This is a close‑up of a little scarlet pimpernel (Lysimachia arvensis). It was growing wild among other tiny flowers along a path I used to walk with my dogs, Ben and Charlie, a few years ago.

The Bayou This is a photo of a quiet waterway in the bayous of ...

2026-05-02T19:14:37Z

The Bayou

This is a photo of a quiet waterway in the bayous of Sabine National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana, USA. A tranquil channel of water reflects the soft blue sky and scattered white clouds above. Tall, dense stands of golden‑brown reeds and grasses rise on both sides of the channel, reaching upward like weathered sentinels. In the far distance, the scene tapers toward a line of trees that marks the edge of the marsh.

My photo gallery features over 1700 carefully selected images. While most are chosen for their visual appeal, a few stand out as novelty shots. Feel free to explore my gallery at:

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #nature #bayou #marsh #marshmaddness #wetlands

Leaf‑Bright Tanager I probably assumed this was a pine warbler ...

2026-05-01T21:47:38Z

Leaf‑Bright Tanager

I probably assumed this was a pine warbler when I captured the image, but a closer look shows it’s actually a female or first‑year male Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra).

Good morning. 🌅🌊🍵 29 April 2026 We’re doing a little ...

2026-04-29T13:33:45Z

Good morning. 🌅🌊🍵

29 April 2026

We’re doing a little traveling in May. We’ll head up to Arkansas to watch our granddaughter graduate from college, then turn west into Oklahoma to meet our newest great‑granddaughter. It’s not a huge trip—maybe three days of driving altogether—mixed with “camping out” in hotels. And honestly, the hotel life is something we enjoy now and then. There’s a certain rugged adventure in surviving the Holiday Inn Express, the Marriott, or the Sheraton, where only the truly hardened can endure.

It’s a strange moment when you realize you’re old enough to be a great‑grandparent. It hits with that “oh my, what happened” feeling. One day you’re fine, and the next—boom—you’re ancient. You’re still here, of course, but you’re no longer part of the machinery that keeps society running. That’s all been handed off to younger generations, except for the few of us who refuse to step aside quietly. Instead, we keep inserting ourselves into the fray until the end, dragging as many people with us as possible. Do I really believe that? Probably not entirely—but that’s what came out. It’s complicated.

In stories and shows, you never see a group of seventy‑somethings working in an office or partying until dawn. Well, except for The Golden Girls. People in their seventies and eighties have appointments and regimens to keep. Speaking of which, I need to make sure I have enough meds for the trip. 😂

“Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.” — Chili Davis

“Grandchildren are the dots that connect the lines from generation to generation.” — Lois Wyse

“Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what happened.” — Terry Pratchett

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #morning #landscape #shorebirds #aging #grandchildren #travel.

Good morning. 🌺🌻🌼 23 April 2026 We’re getting an early ...

2026-04-23T14:13:23Z

Good morning. 🌺🌻🌼

23 April 2026

We’re getting an early start this morning — the HVAC crew is here cleaning our system. Until yesterday, I didn’t even know AC cleaning was a thing. The tech who came out found what he called “biological growth” inside the blower assembly. I’m assuming that means mildew or mold. Nothing dramatic, of course — no tendrils creeping out of the vents or alien spores waiting to transform us. At worst, there might be tiny particles that irritate allergies. The blower assembly wasn’t in terrible shape, but any buildup can interfere with airflow and make the fan work harder. There’s always something, isn’t there.

Growing up, we never had air conditioning. We had windows and fans, and in some places those big old water coolers that sat in a window and blew damp air into the room. Some folks called them swamp coolers. I can’t help wondering now what kind of mildew those things must have collected. I remember sitting right in front of one on hot days, hoping for relief — it didn’t do much.

I honestly don’t remember the first time I lived in a house with AC. Probably sometime in the 70s. Even after that, I spent a lot of years in places where the heat wasn’t too bad. When we lived in Germany around the turn of the century, we didn’t have AC at all — you just opened a window and that was that.

Before I got used to having air conditioning, the weather was simply something you adapted to. But here in Louisiana, where the heat and humidity can be downright suffocating, AC in the summer isn’t a luxury anymore — it’s essential.

“Home sweet home. This is the place to find happiness. If one doesn’t find it here, one doesn’t find it anywhere.” — M.K. Soni

“Home is the place we love best and grumble the most.” — Billy Sunday

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #morning #hvac #home

Glistening Ivory ...

2026-04-22T20:04:11Z

Glistening Ivory

Watchful Cowbird I watched this Brown‑headed Cowbird (Molothrus ...

2026-04-22T15:16:35Z

Watchful Cowbird

I watched this Brown‑headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) lounging around my backyard for about an hour. Some people don’t care for these birds because they’re “obligate brood parasites,” meaning the females lay their eggs in the nests of other species and rely on those birds to raise their young. But to me, it’s simply part of nature — one more thread in the larger circle of life. For them, as the saying goes, “it is the way.” 😉

Discover nature's fleeting moments through my lens—visit my photo gallery to see more.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #brownheadedcowbird

Iridescent Grace My dog, Charlie, and I were sitting on the porch ...

2026-04-20T19:41:12Z

Iridescent Grace

My dog, Charlie, and I were sitting on the porch of my wife’s shop a few years ago when I noticed a little male ruby‑throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris).

Step into a world where even the smallest moments—like the glint in a bird's eye—tell their own story.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #humingbirds #rubythroatedhummingbird

Red on the Pinnacle I spotted this summer tanager (Piranga rubra) ...

2026-04-19T17:35:35Z

Red on the Pinnacle

I spotted this summer tanager (Piranga rubra) singing high at the top of a tall pine, far enough away that the distance and heavily overcast sky made photography a challenge. Even so, the moment felt worth capturing — and worth sharing.

If you’re captivated by summer tanagers and other members of the Cardinalidae family—better known as the cardinal family—step into my photo gallery for a visual feast. Come take a look:

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #summertanager

Good morning. 🌸🌸🌸 19 April 2026 It rained last night, ...

2026-04-19T15:22:20Z

Good morning. 🌸🌸🌸

19 April 2026

It rained last night, and everything outside has turned a fresh, bright green. The temperature dropped just enough that I’ll want a sweatshirt when I step out. That’s not a complaint — I know roughly ten percent of the country is still buried under snow. Besides, I like cool weather. Cool, not cold.

With the ground still wet, I might hook up the spike aerator to the lawnmower and drag it around the yard today. Or I might not. It’s good to have options. I may just grab my camera and sit in the backyard; cool mornings make for good bird watching. They get hungry when the air has a bite to it.

I really should walk the yard and pick up fallen limbs and pinecones — or hire someone to do it. My place is about two acres, with several oaks and a couple of pines, and it’s bordered on three sides by lightly wooded areas. Debris is just part of the deal. The whole place has a kind of park‑like feel, and the nearest neighbors are at least a football field away. It’s quiet out here.

I picked up one of those EGO leaf blowers to replace my big Husqvarna backpack blower. I wanted something lighter and easier to put into quick action, and battery power seemed the way to go. I used it for the first time yesterday to clear the driveway, and it’ll do the job. The only drawback is that the battery drained in about fifteen minutes — though I did run it on turbo. I’ve got two EGO 5.0Ah batteries, but I may end up buying a third.

When you have a yard, it doesn’t just sit there. You’ve got to get out and work it — or it works you.

“The earth laughs in flowers.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

“To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment.” — Jane Austen

"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #nature #morning #flowers #rain #yardwork

Gull on the Wind I captured this image of a laughing gull ...

2026-04-13T17:05:22Z

Gull on the Wind

I captured this image of a laughing gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) in Gulfport, Mississippi.

Step into a world where even the smallest moments—like the glint in a bird's eye—tell their own story.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #shorebrids #laughinggull

Glistening Greens and Fungi ...

2026-04-12T15:34:51Z

Glistening Greens and Fungi

Red‑Shouldered Glide This Red‑shouldered Hawk flew over this ...

2026-04-11T21:42:46Z

Red‑Shouldered Glide

This Red‑shouldered Hawk flew over this morning, so I took a shot at it. Unfortunately, I wasn’t prepared and still had my ISO set high for photographing in my shaded backyard.

The Cardinal Leap This is a female Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis ...

2026-04-10T23:19:46Z

The Cardinal Leap

This is a female Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). She’s actually flying downward toward an unseen bird feeder. I took the photo on an overcast day, so I slowed the shutter speed, which created a soft blur in her wings as they moved.

Lady of the Bench In the interest of keeping things colorful this ...

2026-04-03T15:48:51Z

Lady of the Bench

In the interest of keeping things colorful this morning, here’s the most recent photograph I’ve taken. She’s a northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) full of quiet character.

Sunbeam at the Feeder “Most of the American goldfinches (Spinus ...

2026-04-03T15:33:14Z

Sunbeam at the Feeder

“Most of the American goldfinches (Spinus tristis) have already migrated north, but I spotted this little male yesterday still hanging around. Maybe he’s staying for the buffet.

Step into a world where even the smallest moments—like the glint in a bird's eye—tell their own story.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #finch #goldfinch

Wildlife Wonders I stumbled on to these white-tailed deer ...

2026-04-02T13:54:41Z

Wildlife Wonders

I stumbled on to these white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). My dogs, Ben and Charlie were busy investigating a small path that branched off the one that I was on, so it gave me a few seconds to snap some pictures before the deer took off. When I snapped this picture, I only saw the deer on the left, who I think is mother deer. When they started to run, I discovered that there were actually three deer.

Young Woodpecker Rising ...

2026-04-01T20:19:08Z

Young Woodpecker Rising

Skyward Bound This tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), its ...

2026-03-30T19:25:20Z

Skyward Bound

This tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), its small crest lifted like a banner, grips the edge of the bird feeder as it pushes off into the air with a sunflower seed clenched firmly in its beak. A warm wash of rufous coloring shows along its flanks and lower back, standing out against the soft gray of its wings and head.

Tufted titmice are a favorite among a select group of bird enthusiasts. To celebrate these charming creatures, I’ve curated a special collection dedicated entirely to them in my photo gallery. Take a look!

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #tuftedtitmouse

Killdeer Existential Crisis on Concrete ...

2026-03-29T13:40:02Z

Killdeer Existential Crisis on Concrete

Autumn Symphony I think this image goes back to my first autumn ...

2026-03-29T13:09:49Z

Autumn Symphony

I think this image goes back to my first autumn with a camera and the urge to photograph everything. Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera) is probably my favorite invasive species. I love the shape of its leaves, and the fall colors are stunning.

If you love flowers—or just enjoy discovering their beauty and names like I do—come explore my gallery of blooms captured in moments of wonder and curiosity.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #nature #foliage

Yum This pine warbler (Setophaga pinus) found a mealworm and is ...

2026-03-27T23:44:59Z

Yum

This pine warbler (Setophaga pinus) found a mealworm and is about to take it home.

Curious Blue Jay I noticed this image of a Blue Jay (Cyanocitta ...

2026-03-26T15:35:45Z

Curious Blue Jay

I noticed this image of a Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata). The bird seemed to study me more closely than I was studying it.

Step into a world where even the smallest moments—like the glint in a bird's eye—tell their own story.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #corvids #bluejay

Red Crown in the Trees Here is a colorfully bright Red‑bellied ...

2026-03-25T15:28:22Z

Red Crown in the Trees

Here is a colorfully bright Red‑bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) perched on a tree branch with fresh spring buds beginning to appear. The whole scene feels like new life waking up.

Explore more chic woodpecker photos by visiting my photo gallery.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #woodpecker #RedbelliedWoodpecker

Aerial Stare This red‑tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) passed ...

2026-03-25T15:05:28Z

Aerial Stare

This red‑tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) passed nearby but high overhead. I wanted to catch a shot at the maximum focal length of my setup, but there just wasn’t enough time. The challenge with long focal lengths is that the closer they bring the subject, the narrower the field of view becomes—so actually finding and locking onto a flying bird gets a lot harder.

So this image was taken at the minimum focal length of my rig, 280mm. It’s not quite as crisp as I like, but honestly, it’s hard to complain when a hawk is staring straight back at you.

Check out breathtaking photos of magnificent birds of prey, visit my photo gallery here:

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #raptor #birdofprey #redtailedhawk

Scarlet Soar I took this photo of a northern cardinal (Cardinalis ...

2026-03-24T23:10:11Z

Scarlet Soar

I took this photo of a northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) one afternoon some time ago. I was actually focused on a different cardinal in the tree above but caught this on passing by.

Whispers of the Night ...

2026-03-23T17:03:32Z

Whispers of the Night

Cry of the Red-Shouldered Hawk Here is a photo of a ...

2026-03-23T15:04:01Z

Cry of the Red-Shouldered Hawk

Here is a photo of a Red‑shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) that I took in the summer of 2023.

Check out breathtaking photos of magnificent birds of prey, visit my photo gallery here:

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdofprey #raptor #hawk #RedShoulderedHawk

Warm‑Light Wanderers ...

2026-03-22T16:34:12Z

Warm‑Light Wanderers

Golden Canopy I hope you don’t tire of the sunsets from my ...

2026-03-13T17:55:04Z

Golden Canopy

I hope you don’t tire of the sunsets from my house—I never do. Each one is different, here for only a moment before it slips away.

Ducks at Ease This pair of black‑bellied whistling ducks ...

2026-03-08T16:37:50Z

Ducks at Ease

This pair of black‑bellied whistling ducks (Dendrocygna autumnalis) were part of a large flock I saw on a lake in Texas. From the right angle, the white ring around their eyes gives them a slightly goggle‑eyed look, which never fails to make me smile.

Tubular Sunshine This is a close-up of a small cluster of yellow, ...

2026-03-07T14:24:55Z

Tubular Sunshine

This is a close-up of a small cluster of yellow, tubular Carolina jessamine flowers (Gelsemium sempervirens). Here in Louisiana, these blooms are everywhere, threading their way through the forest and climbing whatever they can reach. Since they’re a vine, it’s not unusual to see them peeking out from the tops of trees, bright flashes of yellow against the canopy.

Don't Get Your Feathers Ruffled I’ve been studying this ...

2026-03-07T13:57:40Z

Don't Get Your Feathers Ruffled

I’ve been studying this photo of a sanderling (Calidris alba), trying to make sense of what’s happening with the feathers along its back. One possibility is that a gust of wind lifted them, giving the bird that tousled look. Another is behavioral: the sanderling may be fluffing its feathers intentionally, either to shake out sand and moisture or to make itself appear larger in response to a territorial challenge.

Step into a world where even the smallest moments—like the glint in a bird's eye—tell their own story.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #shorebirds #sanderling

Leafy Hideaway A small bird with soft yellow‑green plumage ...

2026-03-03T17:53:04Z

Leafy Hideaway

A small bird with soft yellow‑green plumage perches quietly among the leaves, its body half‑turned so the intricate patterns on its wings and back catch the light. The bright white ring around its eye stands out like a tiny halo, giving the bird an alert, almost inquisitive expression. Each feather is crisp and defined, from the subtle greens along its back to the pale underparts that glow against the surrounding foliage.

It’s striking how naturally this white‑eyed vireo (Vireo griseus) disappears into its setting. The colors of its plumage echo the leaves around it so closely that the bird seems woven into the branches themselves, a small, watchful presence hiding in plain sight.

Step into a world where even the smallest moments—like the glint in a bird's eye—tell their own story.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #whiteeyedvireo

Pale Flier This soft‑focused image of an American goldfinch in ...

2026-03-02T15:14:55Z

Pale Flier

This soft‑focused image of an American goldfinch in midair is actually a photo bomb. I was focused on a different bird when this one slipped into the corner of the frame. The result feels like a pastel made of light and motion, a small burst of color drifting through the shot at just the right moment.

Step into a world where even the smallest moments—like the glint in a bird's eye—tell their own story.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #finch #americangoldfinch

Skyborne Vulture ...

2026-02-23T18:17:41Z

Skyborne Vulture

The Thoughtful Finch I was planning to dig into my shore‑bird ...

2026-02-18T14:18:53Z

The Thoughtful Finch

I was planning to dig into my shore‑bird files one evening a while back, but then this House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) caught my eye. His posture makes him look as if he’s pondering something important.

Crystals and Cardinal Here is a female Northern Cardinal I saw a ...

2026-02-17T17:49:39Z

Crystals and Cardinal

Here is a female Northern Cardinal I saw a few weeks ago, perched among bare branches covered with frozen raindrops during a cold spell.

Crimson Belly, Timber Dweller Here’s a pretty good photo of a ...

2026-02-12T16:30:12Z

Crimson Belly, Timber Dweller

Here’s a pretty good photo of a male Red‑bellied Woodpecker that stopped by late this afternoon. You can see how he earned his name.

Explore more chic woodpecker photos by visiting my photo gallery.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #woodpecker #RedBelliedWoodpecker

Goldfinches on Bare Branches ...

2026-02-09T19:12:54Z

Goldfinches on Bare Branches

After the Plunge This is a somewhat blurry image of a Brown ...

2026-01-28T19:42:47Z

After the Plunge

This is a somewhat blurry image of a Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) I watched plunge-dive into the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Gulfport, Mississippi about five years ago. In this moment, the pelican has recovered from its dive and is lifting off from the water, rising to resume its vigil in the sky.

Firey Sky The sky on the day I took this image was vivid at ...

2026-01-24T21:27:49Z

Firey Sky

The sky on the day I took this image was vivid at dusk—deep blue at the top, fading into red, orange, yellow, and a pale whitish gold near the horizon. The ambient light in the backyard glowed with a warm, golden hue.

For those who love skies set ablaze with color—sunsets that linger, clouds that speak in texture and light—my gallery holds a collection crafted just for you.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #landscape #skyscape #colorful #dusk #sunset #silouhettes

Feathered Fluff This chubby little sanderling (Calidris alba) ...

2026-01-20T21:18:34Z

Feathered Fluff

This chubby little sanderling (Calidris alba) caught my eye at Gulfport, Mississippi—plump, poised, and perfectly beachbound.

Discover nature's fleeting moments through my lens—visit my photo gallery to see more.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #shorebirds #sanderling

Good morning. 🕊️🕊️🕊️ 20 January 2026 When I got up ...

2026-01-20T14:56:48Z

Good morning. 🕊️🕊️🕊️

20 January 2026
When I got up this morning and let Charlie out the back door, I spotted a huge dark bird perched high in a treetop at the edge of the forest, maybe a hundred meters away. My camera was only a couple of feet from me, so I grabbed it and aimed, but the moment I snapped the shot the lens slipped out of focus. By the time I tried for a second image, the bird had vanished. An expletive escaped my mouth—directed squarely at the bird—for slipping my lens so cleanly.

It was probably just a vulture, though I’ve never seen one in that particular tree. I’m fairly sure it wasn’t a large hawk; the small birds in my backyard were still busy at the feeders, and if a hawk were around the place would have gone silent. It was too big for a crow, maybe big enough for a raven, but we don’t have ravens here. For all I know, it could have been a winged monkey, because the single image I managed is nothing but an out‑of‑focus dark blotch. C’est la vie. 🤷‍♂️

This afternoon an electrician is coming to move the electrical outlet behind the stove. Between the thickness of the plug, the outlet’s protrusion, and the placement of the stove’s rear vent, I can’t push the stove close enough to the wall to fully open the drawer beside it—the oven handle blocks it. If I calculated the cost of the job based on gaining just half an inch of clearance, it comes out to more than a thousand dollars per inch. Holy moly 😱. But I want it done, and I’m not about to experiment with 250 volts in the name of DIY enlightenment.

“Hope is the thing with feathers.” - Emily Dickinson

"It may be that when we no longer know what to do, we have come to our real work." - Wendell Berry

“The world is before you and you need not take it or leave it as it was when you came in.” - James Baldwin

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #fmorning #pigeons #electronics