Swede1952

Amber Eyes of the Rock Dove

This rock dove (Columba livia) is a frequent visitor to my backyard, easily recognized by the distinctive white epaulettes on his shoulders. Surely, he must be some kind of officer, don’t you think? In this image, he seems to be staring me down, likely keeping watch while the others feed.

If you’re unfamiliar with the name “rock dove,” you probably know them simply as pigeons or rock pigeons. But make no mistake—they are still very much doves.

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 #pigeon #dove #RockPigeon #RockDove

Good morning. 🕊️🫘☕Mean

15 June 2025

The coffee is weak this morning, but I suppose weak coffee is still better than none. Maybe I should have topped off the grinder, or perhaps the lack of bite is because I stole a cup before the brew was finished. Hmmm 🤔 there’s a third possibility—one I hope isn't the culprit. I might have absentmindedly used two coffee filters instead of one. It’s happened before, though not in years. Coffee-related mishaps are not to be taken lightly.

Meanwhile, my head is still foggy from waking up, and there’s a deep crease across my forehead from the straps of my CPAP mask. My scalp looks suspiciously like someone could unscrew the top to swap out the batteries.

So today begins with a whimper.

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

#morning #coffee #pigeons #doves #RockPigeons #RockDoves#photo #photography #photographer #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography

Floral Cascade of Chinese Tallow

This photograph captures the Chinese tallow tree adorned with delicate tassels, its long green seed pods hanging gracefully among the lush foliage. No wonder this invasive plant thrives—it spreads with remarkable ease. Yet, despite its reputation, there’s an undeniable beauty to its presence. I darkened the image to lend it a mysterious, almost atmospheric quality, enhancing the depth and contrast of its intricate details.

By order of the Galactic Empire, your presence is commanded at my photo gallery:

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com/

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #nature #plant #tree #ChineseTallow

Juvenile Heron in Golden Light

We were all sitting out on the porch in front of my wife's little quilting shop when she pointed out a heron perched to the west, just beyond a strip of low trees marking the edge of our property. At first, I didn’t see it—I was looking in the wrong place. But once I spotted it, I rushed inside to grab my camera, and voilà, here it is! A great blue heron (Ardea herodias), possibly a juvenile, judging by its muted plumage. I love how it demonstrates just how incredibly flexible that long neck is—nature’s elegance in motion.

If you enjoy nature photography, check out my photo gallery here:

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com/

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

Good morning. 🌻🌻🌻

14 June 2025

Today marks the 250th anniversary of the establishment of the United States Army—Hooah! On June 14, 1775, the Continental Congress voted to create a unified force to fight in the American Revolutionary War, forming what was initially called the Continental Army. Since then, the Army has played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s history and defending its freedoms.

In case you’re wondering about "Hooah," it’s a slang term used by soldiers to mean anything and everything except "no." Depending on the situation, it can mean "Good morning," "You've got to be kidding," "Message received," "Roger," "Thank you," "Great," "Welcome," "Amen," and much more. It embodies the spirit of enthusiasm, determination, and unity that defines the Army.

"Hooah is the heartbeat of the Army, a single word that carries the weight of duty and honor." — General Mark Milley

#morning #wildflowers #flowers #army #birthday #hooah #photo #photography #photographer #nature

Flycatcher in the Morning Light

I often capture audio recordings of birds I never get the chance to see. One of those elusive voices belongs to the great crested flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus). One evening, months ago, as I sat outside with my camera, one finally appeared—perching high atop an oak tree in the forest. I managed to take a single photograph, and to my surprise, it turned out remarkably well, despite the distance.

My photo gallery features over 1300 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 #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #GreatCrestedFlycatcher

Air Beneath Their Wings

I spotted a flock of yellow-crowned night herons soaring through the open sky, low above the Caribbean Sea, with no land in sight for miles. Their graceful flight, suspended in the vast expanse, felt like a fleeting glimpse of nature’s quiet mastery.

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 #herons #shorebirds #YellowCrownedNightHerons

Pelicans Over Open Skies

This is a flock of six white pelicans that I saw while crossing the Calcasieu Ship Channel, which connects the Intracoastal Waterway to the Gulf of Mexico, on the Cameron Ferry in Cameron Parish Louisiana.

If you enjoy nature photography, check out my photo gallery here:

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com/

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

Echoes in Monochrome

A couple of days ago, we crossed paths with this red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus). When I first spotted it, it was little more than a shadow clinging to a tree. I could tell it was a woodpecker, but at first, I thought it might be a red-headed woodpecker. Only when I lightened the image did its true identity emerge. I decided on black and white for the final version—I hope you like it.

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 #blackandwhite #monochrome

Good morning. ☕☕☕

12 June 2025

Today was supposed to be a day off, but instead, we’ve scheduled an appointment for COVID-19 vaccinations. According to the CDC, individuals over 65 are advised to get another shot six months after their last dose. No matter what you’ve read, 65 is not the new 35—protecting yourself is essential. Honestly, even if you’re 35, I’d recommend doing the same.

The biggest difference now compared to the height of the pandemic is that we have medications capable of defeating the virus if taken within a specific timeframe. Some, however, are fairly invasive and require hospitalization.

At the end of the day, no matter what some cray carys might say, vaccination is the safer choice—me thinks.

"Immunization is not just a personal choice; it is a responsibility we have towards one another." — Dr. Soumya Swaminathan

"There is no vaccine against stupidity." — Albert Einstein

#morning #wildflower #flower #vaccination #covid19 #photography