Swede1952

Golden Shrimp Blooms

These flowers are Golden Shrimp Plants (Pachystachys lutea), known for their striking contrast of color and form. Each plant features large, deep green leaves that provide a lush backdrop for its vibrant blossoms. The golden bracts—often mistaken for petals—rise in layered tiers from the base, forming a shape reminiscent of a miniature Christmas tree. Near the top, slender white petals or stamens extend outward like delicate streamers, adding a graceful accent to the bold yellow structure.

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 #nature #flowers #plants

Royal Tern in the Sky

A few days ago, I shared a story about being aboard a riverboat with laughing gulls trailing behind. I was mistaken—the birds following the boat were actually royal terns (Thalasseus maximus). The bird in this image is one of those graceful companions.

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 #birdwatching #birdphotography #RoyalTern

Good morning. 😴⏰☕

23 July 2025

When we got home, the grass was nearly knee-high in places. I mowed a bit yesterday evening, but most of it is still waiting for me. Funny thing is, all I really felt like doing was sitting with my feet up—I had to nudge myself just to tackle the few small tasks I managed.

I keep telling my wife we need a staff: perhaps a butler named Giles, a maid named Hazel, and a groundskeeper named George. Hmm… does the butler double as a chauffeur? Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you... 🎶

But here on earth, I’ll load the gas cans into the truck, and Charlie and I will head out to fill them up this morning. We were only gone 11 days—confirmed by the vet’s bill for boarding.

“A lawn is nature under totalitarian rule.” — Michael Pollan

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #nature #morning #lawn #river #derelict #vessel #boat #rust

Whispers on Porcelain

Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) seem to have enjoyed a fruitful breeding season—most mornings, while the air is still cool, I spot a dozen or more flitting around the backyard. This young female paused at the bird bath for a quiet drink, her subtle plumage blending into the stillness of early day.

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

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

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

Heron in the Reeds

I spotted this juvenile Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) in a marsh right next to the restaurant where we ate in Beaufort, South Carolina. When I tried to identify it using Merlin, the first suggestion was Sandhill Crane—which would’ve been a thrilling find—and the second was Snowy Egret. But it’s clearly not a Sandhill Crane, and it lacks the yellow at the base of the beak that’s characteristic of a Snowy Egret. Based on its white plumage, two-toned bill, and overall shape, I’m confident it’s a juvenile Little Blue Heron.

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 #LittleBlueEgret #egret #heron

Good morning, friends. 💮💮💮

22 July 2025

I just got back from picking up Charlie from the veterinarian’s office, where he stayed while we were away. It’s always a thrill to see how excited he gets when he spots me—tail wagging, eyes bright, dragging the young veterinary assistant behind him like a runaway parade float. Before we pick him up, I always ask them to give him a bath and trim his nails. The nails matter—he’s accidentally scratched my forearm more than once, just being his friendly, enthusiastic self.

Right now, he’s quiet, and I can’t help but wonder if his stay was as exhausting for him as our trip was for us. The thing about dogs is, they’re a big part of our lives—but for those of us who live with them, we are their whole world. That’s something worth remembering.

“Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them and filling an emptiness we didn’t ever know we had.” — Thom Jones

#morning #flowers #dogs #photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #nature

Ripples of Companionship

I’ve seen plenty of Canadian geese (Branta canadensis) over the years, but it’s been a while. I only got into birdwatching and photography about three years ago, so these two I spotted in Beaufort, South Carolina are the first I’ve ever captured through the lens.

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

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

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

Butterfly and Wildflowers

This is a common buckeye (Junonia grisea) resting amid a patch of wild Plains Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria). These golden blossoms, with their deep red centers, grow freely around my home—flaring up each season like nature’s own confetti.

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 #butteryfly #commonbuckey #flowers

Pelican Drift

These are brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) I spotted soaring overhead at Tybee Island Beach. Three distinct squadrons passed above just as we crossed the beach dunes—almost as if they were heralding our arrival.

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

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

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

Voice of the Tropics

I’m fairly certain this is a Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus). They’re nearly indistinguishable from Couch’s Kingbird, but from what I’ve read, the latter tends to favor denser forest habitats. I spotted this one in Roatán, Honduras.

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 #TropicalKingBird

Jungle Firework

A slender twig juts from the cannonball tree—a modest offshoot bearing a single reddish-orange flower at its tip. The bloom stands out like a flame in miniature, poised delicately against a softly blurred background of green leaves and forest canopy.

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

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

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #nature #foliage #flower #plant

The Moment Before

While standing on the pier at Tybee Island beach, I caught this brown pelican (scientific name) just as it committed to plunge-dive for fish. Brown pelicans are one of only two pelican species that hunts in this way the other being the larger Peruvian pelican.

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

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

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