Swede1952

Cloud-Draped Glow

This photograph was taken over the Caribbean Sea. I watched the sun ease its way down behind the western clouds, until only a final glimmer peeked out above the horizon. Just seconds later, it vanished.

The photographs I share here don’t appear as vivid as they do in my Pixel’s gallery. To make them load more easily, I reduce their size and slightly lower their quality. Take a look:

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

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #sunset #dusk #sun #clouds #Caribbean

Good morning. ☕🧳🚗

11 July 2025

We're hitting the road this morning, so I need to get cleaned up, take Charley to the vet for boarding, and finish packing—which always means forgetting something. But first: coffee.

I sometimes wonder if I ever truly woke up in the morning feeling alert and ready to go. I think maybe I must have, once. I used to sleep on the ground—concrete floors, even—and bounce right back. If I tried that now, I’d probably need a forklift to stand. Back then, I could flop down anywhere and use my helmet or pack for a pillow. Of course, that was in my twenties, back when I was an infantryman. These days, roughing it means spending a night at a Marriott... so, let the struggle begin.

“If my ship sails from sight, it doesn’t mean my journey ends. It simply means the river bends.” — Enoch Powell

“I love sleep. My life has the tendency to fall apart when I’m awake, you know?” — Ernest Hemingway

#photo #photography #nature #morning #flowers #sleep #travel

Cry on the Stones

This is one of two eastern meadowlarks (Sturnella magna) I spotted a couple of years ago near a road intersection. I previously shared a photo of one perched on a road sign—though I’m not sure if this is the same bird. This one walked across the road, evoking a kind of Abbey Road moment, meadowlark-style.

Much later, while reviewing the full set of photographs, I began to suspect there were actually three meadowlarks. One appeared to be partially hidden in a low patch of dried grasses. Maybe the whole commotion was about that third bird—possibly a youngster, tucked away and drawing the attention of the others.

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 #blackbirds #EasternMeadowlark

The Displacement

This morning, I caught a small drama unfolding at the old bird feeder. A pigeon was descending, wings outstretched, while a blue jay looked on. At first glance, the image seemed only mildly interesting—not exactly award-winning photography, but that’s not what I’m after anyway. What caught my attention was the story it told. The blue jay, momentarily in charge of the feeder, was about to be displaced by the larger pigeon. You could see it in the jay’s posture—it knew exactly what was coming.

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 #BlueJay #pigeon

Good morning. 🧱🌿☕

10 July 2025

Today’s the day we need to kick it into gear—we’re heading out for about a week, bound for Savannah, Georgia. We’ll take it slow, driving just four hours a day, aiming to arrive by Sunday afternoon. Our daughter, her daughters, and a couple of husbands will meet us there.

I always have mixed feelings about leaving home. There’s a sense of adventure, sure, but also the tug of leaving behind the comfort of the familiar. And then there’s Charlie—boarding him is the part I dislike most. It feels like a small betrayal. I worry he thinks we won’t come back. But we always do. This isn’t his first rodeo; he knows the folks at the vet’s office.

Sometimes my good mornings read like an open diary. But don’t worry—I keep the darkest secrets to myself.

I'll try to keep in touch.

“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” — Susan Sontag

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #morning #chimney #vacation #architecture #nature

Soft Wings, Sharp Eyes

I wrote this a couple of years ago: Here's a little goggle-eyed Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis)—Carbonero de Carolina in Spanish, Mésange de Caroline in French. Its left eye looks a bit bulging to me, but that’s just an illusion—light catching the glossy surface just right. I try to post new photos of two birds (or other wildlife) every day. It’s been too hot lately to sit outside for long, but thankfully I’ve got a good stash of unused shots to pull from.

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 #CarolinaChickadee

Stillness on a Lichen Limb

Charlie and I were out and about again this morning when I snapped a photo of another Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis). Like the others I've shared over the past few days, I didn’t realize what I’d photographed until I got home and reviewed the images.

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 #MississippiKite

Good morning. 🕊️🕊️🕊️

9 July 2025

I have a scar healing on my right knee from one of those garage door accidents you always hear about. I just realized it’s shaped like an “F,” and I can't help but wonder—could it be a supernatural sign? After all, the word that flew out of my mouth when my knee hit the door started with that very letter.

Yesterday, I picked up a new pair of glasses—my first with tortoiseshell frames. While reading, I’ve noticed the little flecks of light in the pattern can be a bit distracting. I’m sure I’ll get used to it. I got used to the floaters in my eyes, didn’t I? Funny thing is, I hadn’t even noticed them until an eye doctor pointed them out. Then, for a while, I couldn’t unsee them.

“They’re funny things, accidents. You never have them till you’re having them.” — A.A. Milne

“Don’t learn safety by accident.” — Jerry Smith

#morning #accidents #newglasses #pigeon #RockPigeon #RockDove #dove #photo #photography #photographer #wildlife #nature #bird #birding

Periwinkle Mosaic

This square-framed photograph features a vibrant cluster of Madagascar periwinkles (Catharanthus roseus). Most of the blooms are white with deep pink centers, while a few are vivid red. All are nestled among lush green leaves and gentle shadows, creating a rich, textured backdrop.

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

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

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #flowers

Gaze of a Beginner

Here’s a fledgling house sparrow (Passer domesticus) I spotted the other day. I can still hear his song echoing through the grass: "I wonder, I wo-wo-wo-wonder why you made me go." 🎶

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 #sparrow #HouseSparrow

Good morning. 🌻🌻🌻

8 July 2025

The clock is ticking toward mealtime, and I’ve yet to come up with anything to say this morning. I wonder—do professional writers ever have that problem? Oh, a light just flickered on—literally. One of the LED overheads in my office likes to blink in and out. I’ve been meaning to fix it, but there’s always a better time. The closet doors are wide open, revealing a scatter of things both old and new, only slightly more chaotic than the rest of the room. I keep telling myself I’ll get to it, but the truth is, I’m lazy. Or maybe just busy. Strangely, I had more time when I worked full-time. These days, I seem to stay in motion from the moment I get up until about four in the afternoon.

“By my rambling digressions I perceive myself to be growing old.” — Benjamin Franklin

“Rambling aimlessly about a point that someone has already made burns only 3 calories per hour.” — Mike Brown

#photo #photography #photographer #nature #morning #flower #rambling

Amber Meets Amethyst

I believe this is a Sleepy Orange butterfly (Eurema nicippe) perched on a cluster of Slender Vervain (Verbena rigida). I'm not entirely certain about the butterfly ID—I based it on a Google search—so I always welcome confirmation or help with accurate identification.

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

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

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #insects #butterflies #SleepyOrangeButterfly