Swede1952

Blue Jay on Weathered Roof

Here’s a picture of a blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) perched on my old bird feeder. And when I say old, I mean it’s probably pushing twenty years—definitely time to move on. I’ve already ordered a replacement, but ambition is a limited resource around here. First I’ll need to remove the old feeder from the post, then install the new one. Honestly, the post itself could use some attention too. I get a little burst of motivation whenever I spot something that needs fixing, but it tends to come in short, unpredictable spurts.

If you're enchanted by images of blue jays and other captivating corvids, dive into my photo gallery for a visual treat! Take a peek:

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Masked Acrobat

A few years ago, I captured this image of a Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis), suspended in a quiet moment of grace.

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

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

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Mississippi Kite on Alert

During our Friday walk, I spotted this Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis)—the closest encounter I’ve ever had with one. I kind of wish I’d had my other camera with me. My first instinct told me it was a Mississippi Kite, but when I tried to verify the ID using apps and such, things got a bit finicky. I think the uncertainty came from the angle and the way the coloration appears here. The tail looks unusually long, but I believe that’s actually a portion of the left wing extending behind it. The brownish tint seems to be more a trick of the light than true plumage. Fortunately, I managed to get another image from a different angle, which helped confirm the identification.

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

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#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #MississippiKite #raptor #BirdofPrey

Good morning. ☕☕☕

1 August 2025

I almost posted a picture of an old house I passed on a walk. It sits just off the road—like most houses, I suppose. I mean, building one in the road wouldn’t work out too well. Anyway, back on track: it’s a simple house with a gabled roof, still mostly white. What makes it interesting is how the forest has nearly swallowed it. In Louisiana, the woods grow fast—neglect your lawn too long and suddenly you’re living in a grove. This house has clearly been abandoned for a while. Its door hangs wide open, as if inviting any passerby to step inside. But in the photo I took, the house is barely visible—just the faint outline of its roof—so I decided not to post it this morning.

“I always find it curious to discover a home left as if in a state of interrupted daily life…” — Mike Correll, Abandoned Sulphur, Louisiana

#morning #plant #flower #house #abandoned #forest #photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #nature

Radiant Moss Rose

This close-up photograph captures a vibrant moss rose (Portulaca grandiflora), one of several I spotted outside the post office a while back. The plant bore a cheerful mix of blooms—yellow, white, and red—each one vivid in its own way. This particular flower is a rich yellow, with so many overlapping petals it’s hard to count them. At its center, the stigma and anthers glow in warm shades of orange and yellow, adding depth and contrast. Behind the bloom, the green leaves are narrow, thick, and succulent-like, framing the flower with quiet strength. Interestingly, this plant is considered exotic in the eastern United States.

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:

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#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #nature #flower

Good Mourning

I know the title’s a corny joke—but it’s the first thing that came to mind when I saw this image of a mourning dove (Zenaida macroura). They get their name from that soft, sorrowful call—“whooo, whooo…”—that drifts through the air like a gentle sigh. I’m often outside in the early hours, listening to mourning doves in the morning. Or maybe I should say… morning mourning 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 #MourningDove #dove

Butterfly Bliss

I chased this butterfly months ago during a walk with my dogs, Ben and Charlie. I’m pretty sure it’s a red-spotted admiral (Limenitis arthemis)—I’ve photographed one before. I was hoping to catch it in flight, but no luck. It’s harder than you’d think. They flit and dart unpredictably, never committing to a single direction. But every so often, they pause—just for a few seconds, sometimes a minute. In this photo, the butterfly is resting on a Chinese tallow leaf.

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

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#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #butterfly #insect #RedSpottedAdmiral

Green Heron in Focus

This green heron (Butorides virescens) was clearly aware of my approach, watching with measured caution as it gauged whether I posed a threat. Ultimately, it decided I was harmless and resumed the quiet business of preening its plumage.

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

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Good morning, friends. 🌷🪻🌺

30 July 2025

When does summer end? Hmm… I didn’t realize that was a trick question until I looked it up. Apparently, there’s meteorological summer—June, July, and August—and then there’s astronomical summer, which ends this year on September 22 at 8:44 AM ET. I suppose I kind of knew that… or did I ever think in terms of meteorological summer? Should my brain be bursting now?

Anyway, back on point 🤔… did I have a point? Oh yeah—fall and spring are my favorite times of year. The temperatures are mild, which is lovely, but each season comes with its quirks. In fall, the leaves drop everywhere—we’ve got lots of trees. In spring, it’s the pollen. It gets on everything. Oh, and I can’t forget the love bugs, can I? They’re everywhere and on everything at a certain point in the fall.

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” — Albert Camus

#morning #flowers #seasons #fall #photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #nature

Sunlit Tanager

When I first took this photograph, I thought I’d spotted my first goldfinch since spring. I was ready to write about changing seasons and the stirrings of migration. But I was off base—despite the early signs of falling leaves, this visitor wasn’t a goldfinch at all. I believe she’s a female Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra), though a Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) is another possibility. Her wings aren’t visible, but Summer Tanagers tend to wear a brighter yellow than their scarlet cousins. She stopped by just briefly this morning, a quiet flash of color in the shifting light.

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

Sunlit Serenity

Here’s an image of a ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) I spotted this morning. Based on the dark speckles beneath his chin, I believe he’s a juvenile male. The signature emerald coloring isn’t visible here—likely because the lighting wasn’t angled quite right to catch its iridescence.

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 #hummingbirds #RubyThroatedHummingbird

Good morning. ⏰🫘☕

29 July 2025

We walked yesterday morning, but the sun and heat were brutal—for both me and Charlie—so we kept it to just a couple of miles. I do think walking helps my energy levels, though it’s a bit like charging a bad battery: it works, but the charge doesn’t last long. There’s a mountain of things I need to do, most of which end up on my “do tomorrow” list. Naps, though—I handle those with precision and urgency.

This morning, I went out to feed the birds with Charlie’s help. It’s always a blast when I rinse and refill the birdbath. I set the hose nozzle to jet, and Charlie chases the stream back and forth like it’s his personal mission—pure joy. That’s enough for now. I’m grabbing my camera and heading outside.

“Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week.” — Spanish Proverb

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #morning #pelicans #BrownPelicans #procrastination #walking