Swede1952

Light Among Shadows

This image captures a dramatic sky where light and shadow dance in quiet harmony. At its center, a towering golden cloud glows with warmth, as sunlight pours through its folds like molten light. Encircling it, darker clouds gather, their muted tones deepening the contrast and lending the scene a sense of depth and quiet intensity. Overhead, the sky stretches in a rich, deep blue—serene and expansive—completing the composition with a touch of tranquil majesty.

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 #nature #clouds #sky #sunset #color #orange #blue #gray

Dappled Beginnings

I came across four white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) this morning while Charlie and I were out on our walk. The doe stood watchful, her head raised as three polka-dotted fawns grazed quietly at the edge of the forest. She clearly saw us—me and Charlie—but seemed to sense that we posed little threat. Still, as we passed, the fawns slipped into the woods with calm precision, no panic, just a gentle retreat. I wished I’d had my other camera with me—it has twice the range, and the deer were pretty far off. But the lens on that setup is so long, I’d look like one of the Three Musketeers, strolling along with a rapier slung at my side.

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 #animals #mammals #deer #WhiteTailedDeer #fawns #doe

Good morning. ☁️🌧️⛈️

11 August 2025

I’ve reached a point in life where I can have just about anything I want—and honestly, that’s pretty cool. The trick, of course, is not wanting much. That part comes easier as we coast down the far side of the hill. For reasons I can’t quite explain, I don’t covet things the way I used to. Well… except for camera gear. But even there, I’m pretty well set for the long haul—assuming the haul is long, and I’m hoping it is.

I’ve got a loving wife, a roof over my head, and food on the table. The food could be better, I suppose, but what can you do? Doctor’s orders. And I’d be remiss not to mention Charlie, my dog. He’s a vital part of my daily happiness—and a source of those small, persistent annoyances that keep life interesting.

“Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.” — Epictetus

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #morning #sky #clouds #abstract #wants

Red Balls of Fire

This photograph features two vibrant clusters of flame of the woods (Ixora coccinea), each resembling a rounded ball composed of numerous small, four-petaled red flowers.

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 #plants #flowers

No Room for Sharing

My new bird feeder isn’t quite as pigeon-friendly as the old one. At most, it comfortably accommodates four pigeons—two on each side. But when a fifth tries to squeeze into the middle, someone always gets bumped. That’s exactly what happened here: the pigeon on the right ousted its predecessor in a swift territorial shuffle. Even then, peace was short-lived. Instead of settling down to enjoy the cuisine, the two pigeons on that side chose to duke it out, turning mealtime into a feathery feud.

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 #pigeons #doves #RockPigeons #RockDoves

Good morning. 🌊🌊🌊

10 August 2025

Do you ever hesitate to throw something away because you might—just maybe—need it someday? I’ve got a bag of old cables tucked in the closet of my office. I haven’t rummaged through it in years. Mostly coax cables, I think. I still use a few of those for satellite TV, so they’re not entirely obsolete. There might be some CAT 5 cables in there too, though I should probably check. Then again, I hardly use CAT 5 anymore—except for the computer I’m typing on now, which is hardwired to the modem/router. Everything else in the house runs on Wi-Fi. So really, the bag just sits there, taking up space. Maybe it’s time to let it go. It’s not like I’m curating a museum of rare, vintage cables… or am I?

“My idea of cleaning is throwing everything into a drawer and hoping it never comes up again.” — Phyllis Diller

#morning #ocean #platform #cables #hoarding #birds #seabirds #photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature

Photography is Like a Box of Chocolates

I saw this pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) pass overhead this morning. At the time, I didn’t know what it was—just a bird cutting across the sky. That’s often how it goes when I photograph birds in flight: I capture the moment first, identify the species later. I’m fairly certain there were two of them. I missed the shot when the first one flew by, but I know there’s a mated pair living somewhere in the woods behind my house. This one looks like a female.

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 #PileatedWoodpecker

The Fluff Awakens

II bet I got two dozen good images of this blue-gray gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea). Then came the hard part—choosing just one to post this morning. I settled on this shot, which, interestingly enough, was the very first I took. I chose it because I happened to catch the tiny bird with its plumage in disarray at that exact moment. Normally, its feathers are sleek and smooth.

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 #BlueGrayGnatcatcher

Good morning. ☕☕☕

9 August 2025

Did you know that Gunsmoke ran for 20 years? James Arness and Milburn Stone spent their whole careers playing the same roles. The show started in 1955 and was just one of many Westerns airing around the same time. Let's see—there was Bonanza, of course, but also The Rifleman with Chuck Connors, Have Gun – Will Travel with Richard Boone, The Rebel with Nick Adams, Wanted: Dead or Alive with Steve McQueen, and my favorite, Sugarfoot with Will Hutchins. You know, I can't remember why Sugarfoot was my favorite. You can still catch reruns of these shows, some more than others. I think during those years the Western genre was pretty much beaten to death. I still occasionally tune in, though.

“Fast is fine, but accuracy is final.” —Wyatt Earp, allegedly. Probably said while polishing a revolver and squinting into the sunset.

#morning #westerns #genre #sunset #photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers

Fledgling Cardinal on a Swing

Here’s a young male northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) perched on the swing-shaped feeder in my backyard. He doesn’t seem especially interested in the mealworms it holds—more likely, it’s just a brief stop on his way to the birdbath.

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 #cardinals #NorthernCardinal

Tufted and Tenacious

I caught this tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) in the act—fleeing the feeder like a feathered bandit, a peanut tucked triumphantly in its beak.

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

Good morning. ☕☕☕

8 August 2025

I probably spend way too much on camera gear—but it keeps me busy. Just yesterday, I added a Canon RF 1.4x Extender to my setup, pairing it with the Canon R5 and the 200–800mm lens. That bumps my maximum focal length up to 1120mm, effectively bringing me about 40% closer to the subject—usually birds. I gave it a quick test last night with a snapshot of the moon (you can find it somewhere in my threads). I’ll need more time with it before I can judge how much it affects image quality, though everything I’ve read suggests the impact is minimal. I joke about overspending, but honestly, the gear gives me purpose. It’s like running a quiet workshop where no one pays, but the craft keeps calling—each photo a piece laid gently on the bench, shaped by light and patience.

“A hobby a day keeps the doldrums away.” — Phyllis McGinley

#photo #photography #photographer #nature #morning #hobbies #cameras #bayou #marsh #marshmaddness #swamp #landscape