Nostr notes by Swede’s Photographs

Ducks at Dusk ...

2026-10-11T20:34:56Z

Ducks at Dusk

Airborne Spark I believe the ruby‑throated hummingbirds are ...

2026-10-11T14:30:57Z

Airborne Spark

I believe the ruby‑throated hummingbirds are gone for now. They’ve headed south, preparing to cross the Gulf of Mexico so they can spend the winter in Mexico and Central America. They’re amazing little creatures.

Good morning. 🦆🪿🦢 10 October 2026 Last night I decided I ...

2026-10-10T14:35:18Z

Good morning. 🦆🪿🦢

10 October 2026

Last night I decided I was going to walk this morning, but this morning didn’t agree, and conflict set in. Saturday is not usually a walk day, but I didn’t walk yesterday because we went and got our annual flu and COVID vaccines. When you’re older, you keep up with such things.

I recall that when I was younger and still in the Army, I didn’t keep up with the annual flu shot at all — but the Army did. They scheduled flu shots every year, an event that found us in line, marching toward the needle, and they checked off our names after we got the shot. They classified such events as “protecting the force.” We worked and lived in close proximity, and it’s not cool when whole units start getting sick.

Interestingly, in 2023 the requirement that service members be vaccinated against COVID‑19 was lifted. Afterwards, clusters of respiratory illnesses were reported in some military units, occasionally lowering readiness. This was largely the result of many service members choosing not to be vaccinated once it became voluntary. It will be interesting to see how the military fares in this regard in the coming winter.

That said, commanders still encourage service members to be vaccinated and make the vaccine available for those who want protection. Also, strong antiviral medications exist now that didn’t during the early COVID‑19 pandemic. They don’t “cure” COVID outright, but they can significantly reduce the severity of illness when started early.

Still, it’s best to be protected and not get it at all.

“Vaccines are the cornerstone of modern medicine.” — Public health perspective

“Vaccines have saved millions of lives throughout history.” — Historical immunization perspective

“The science of prevention is the science of survival.” — Vaccine quote collection

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #morning #vaccines #waterfowl #ducks #geese

Aquatic Takeoff I saw this great blue heron couple of years ago ...

2026-10-09T22:00:14Z

Aquatic Takeoff

I saw this great blue heron couple of years ago (28 June 2024) at a small lake near Houston, Texas. At first glance it looks like the bird only has one leg, but if you look closely, you can see the second leg tucked behind the one that’s fully visible.

Skybound Spectacle I knew there was a tufted titmouse (Baeolophus ...

2026-10-09T18:16:50Z

Skybound Spectacle

I knew there was a tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) out there, but when I took this picture I was pretty sure I was looking at a young cardinal. I wasn’t as close to the bird as I would’ve liked, so the details fooled me at first.

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

Caught in the Act I sifted through my photos looking for one that ...

2026-10-09T18:05:29Z

Caught in the Act

I sifted through my photos looking for one that spoke to me. For some reason, this blue jay said “George Burns on stage”—just replace the peanut with a cigar. I dug up a one‑liner from Burns that fit the moment: “I’ve lived on peanuts and hard work. The peanuts were better.”

Good morning. 🌺🌺🌺 8 October 2026 I want to go sit ...

2026-10-08T14:14:06Z

Good morning. 🌺🌺🌺

8 October 2026

I want to go sit outside and watch the birds this morning, so I need to get my fingers tap‑tap‑tapping. My feet are propped on my desk as usual, and the keyboard rests in my lap. It’s not ideal typing form, but it works well enough.

I thought about getting a fresh cup of coffee, but that would mean disturbing my “productivity position.” Fortune smiled, though—I heard my wife moving around in the kitchen and managed to cajole her into topping off my cup. When she brought it in, she asked about Charlie. I guess she didn’t see him and worried I’d left him outside. I called his name, and he appeared forthwith, solving the mystery of the missing dog.

I should clarify that he didn’t materialize from a puff of smoke or anything mystical. He simply trotted around the corner from wherever he’d been. One thing about Charlie: when I call him, he always comes running. There’s none of that pretending he doesn’t hear me like some dogs do. Charlie is Johnny‑on‑the‑spot—only his name isn’t Johnny.

I’ll grab my camera and head to the backyard with him. I sit in a padded patio chair, and Charlie usually settles beside me, patiently watching and waiting—unless a squirrel shows up. Then he charges toward the hole beneath the fence, and the birds flee to the trees. It takes a few minutes for the yard to settle down enough for them to return.

As you can tell, I have a tough day planned.

"Every morning was a cheerful invitation to make my life of equal simplicity, and I may say innocence, with Nature herself.” — Henry David Thoreau

“I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world.” — E.B. White

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

Curious Cardinal The expression on this northern cardinal’s ...

2026-10-07T21:48:45Z

Curious Cardinal

The expression on this northern cardinal’s (Cardinalis cardinalis) face is hilarious. I’m pretty sure this is a juvenile female.

🌞

2026-10-07T21:36:43Z

In reply to nevent1q…0rhm
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I’m not sure. I wouldn’t try eating one, though. Maybe ...

2026-10-07T12:20:49Z

In reply to nevent1q…ecw9
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I’m not sure. I wouldn’t try eating one, though. Maybe someone who really knows mushrooms will see the post and chime in.

Three Gold Caps ...

2026-10-06T20:51:11Z

Three Gold Caps

😊👍

2026-10-06T20:43:14Z

In reply to nevent1q…gdt2
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😊👍

Good afternoon. 🌻🌻🌻 6 October 2026 I had an appointment ...

2026-10-06T20:22:21Z

Good afternoon. 🌻🌻🌻

6 October 2026

I had an appointment this morning, so I’m sitting down to write in the afternoon instead. After the appointment, my wife and I stopped at a local Chinese buffet. The food was good, but I was a little disappointed that their ice cream machine was out of order. I have a weakness for ice cream. After lunch, she went into Bealls to shop while I waited in the car. I’d go in with her, but nothing in that store interests me—and they don’t have chairs. I’m not much of a shopper anyway.

Charlie is already making his little grunting noises because it’s getting close to his dinner time, even though it’s still twenty‑five minutes away. The closer it gets, the more animated he becomes. He wants to make sure I don’t forget him, which I’ve done a couple of times. It usually happens in the morning when I open a can and give him half. He gets half in the morning and half in the afternoon, plus a bowl of dry food to graze on if he’s still hungry.

For his afternoon meal, he gets the other half of the can topped with Milk‑Bone dog biscuits and a couple of Beggin’ strips. He’s spoiled, no doubt about it. Every now and then I’ll open the refrigerator to grab the remainder of the can—only to find there is no can. That’s when the guilt hits me. Oh no… I forgot to feed him that morning. And suddenly it makes sense why he’s been glued to my side all day. On those days, he gets a full can for dinner with all the trimmings.

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” — Robert Brault

“The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be.” — Konrad Lorenz

“Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first.” — Ernestine Ulmer

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

👍

2026-10-06T19:38:05Z

In reply to nevent1q…tknl
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😂

2026-10-06T19:37:32Z

In reply to nevent1q…rm50
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Berry Spectrum This photo shows a line of southern dewberries ...

2026-10-05T20:14:09Z

Berry Spectrum

This photo shows a line of southern dewberries nestled among leaves and other plants. I desaturated the surrounding foliage to draw attention to the berries, each one at a different stage of ripening.

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 #blackberries #southerndewberries

Nostr event nevent1qqsvjlm9j72jf5yf2rqaqypkapfyp4xdkcjanzq003832mwuh2nzhvszypm03ejt2ntgrmphlzenae6sd8yldpn7e6g5pk6raqs60xwnycsucs7e76x

2026-10-05T15:23:13Z

Wildflowers

Leaflight and Hummingbird Here’s a ruby‑throated hummingbird ...

2026-10-05T13:50:13Z

Leaflight and Hummingbird

Here’s a ruby‑throated hummingbird resting in a tree. I’m fairly sure it’s a juvenile male.

White Sentinel in the Trees I captured this image of a great ...

2026-10-04T16:03:43Z

White Sentinel in the Trees

I captured this image of a great egret perched in a tree beside a pond near Albany, Georgia. It reminds me of the pond just down the road from our house in Louisiana. When we first moved here, hundreds of egrets and herons would gather in the trees around that pond every evening. In the afternoons, I’d watch them flying in from every direction, all headed to the same roost.

But then a house went up right at the pond’s edge, and the birds must have decided to find a quieter, more private place to settle for the night.

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 #heron #egret #greategret

Good morning. 🦢🪿🦆 4 October 2026 The grandfather clock ...

2026-10-04T14:28:14Z

Good morning. 🦢🪿🦆

4 October 2026

The grandfather clock just chimed nine times, and only now am I starting to type. I burned more than two hours this morning just sitting in my chair, drifting in and out of sleep. Some mornings, a nap right after getting out of bed feels like one of life’s underrated pleasures.

I’ve told this story before, but it came back to me again. When I used to get up and head to work, what I really wanted most mornings was to sit still for a moment and close my eyes. But there was never time for that, so I’d power through the fog and stumble out to the car. On Friday nights, though, I’d sometimes set my alarm for the usual Saturday morning hour just so I could reach over, shut it off, and sink right back into sleep. It was a wonderful feeling. A few times I sabotaged my own plan by hitting the snooze button instead of the off button, and a few minutes later I’d have to start the whole ritual again. I know I’m not the only one who’s done that.

I had one of those old brown plastic plug‑in alarm clock radios — the kind everyone seemed to own. I wish I could describe it better, but if I had a photo, you’d recognize it instantly. I used that thing for decades until it finally gave up. It wasn’t even that long ago, maybe five or six years. It quit before I did. After that, I bought one of those little atomic clocks that always keeps perfect time. The problem is I can’t hear the alarm on it, so I ended up using my phone instead. Who would’ve thought they’d be building tiny nuclear‑powered clocks? 😉😂

“The trouble with an alarm clock is that what seems sensible when you set it seems absurd when it goes off.” — Rex Stout

“A snooze button is a poor substitute for no alarm clock at all.” — Stephen Hawking

“There is no sunrise so beautiful that it is worth waking me up to see it.” — Mindy Kaling

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #duck #morning #alarmclock #sleep

The brown thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) is a hunter forager, an ...

2026-10-03T22:17:02Z

The brown thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) is a hunter forager, an omnivore. This one visited me one morning, the first that I'd seen that year. The year before, a couple built a nest in a shrub right outside our front door.

Streaked Beauty This image is of a female rose-breasted grosbeak. ...

2026-10-03T15:35:28Z

Streaked Beauty

This image is of a female rose-breasted grosbeak.

Shadow Rider A Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) glides low over ...

2026-10-02T17:48:05Z

Shadow Rider

A Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) glides low over a Texas lake, as if riding its own shadow skimming across the water below.

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 #heron #greatblueheron

Good morning. 🦆🪿🦢 2 October 2026 Last night I finished ...

2026-10-02T15:42:24Z

Good morning. 🦆🪿🦢

2 October 2026

Last night I finished reading Dead Lions by Mick Herron, the second book in the Slow Horses series. If you’re not familiar with it, the Slow Horses are a ragtag group of MI5 agents who’ve fallen from grace and been exiled to a rundown satellite office in London known—none too affectionately—as Slough House. Their reasons for ending up there vary: maybe they botched an operation, drank too much, gambled too much, or simply got in the way of someone else’s ambition.

Slough House is run by Jackson Lamb, an old Cold War spy whose appearance and demeanor resemble a homeless derelict far more than a senior MI5 officer. Despite the filth, the slouching, and the constant cloud of cigarette smoke, Lamb is razor‑sharp—still deadly in operations and even more dangerous in the internal politics of MI5. His stated mission is to keep his misfits buried in meaningless work and out of trouble, but somehow the Slow Horses always end up entangled in real operations, usually solving problems the so‑called elite of MI5 can’t crack.

Apple TV has adapted much of the series, and I’ve watched it. The show is up through books five or six, with each season covering a different novel. I watched the TV version of Dead Lions before reading the book, and while the overall plot is the same, the path it takes is surprisingly different. In fact, I was struck by just how much the details diverge. So even if you’ve already watched Dead Lions on Apple TV, the book is absolutely worth picking up.

“All warfare is based on deception.” — Sun Tzu

“In our profession, there are no friends – only assets and liabilities.” — Control, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

“The cost of being wrong is catastrophic.” - unknown

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #ducks #morning #books #MickHerron #spy

Fractal Forest A leafless tree with intricate branches stands out ...

2026-10-02T12:47:41Z

Fractal Forest

A leafless tree with intricate branches stands out against a greenish backdrop that appears to be digitally altered. The complexity of the branching pattern gives the tree a delicate and somewhat fractal aesthetic.

Twilight in Color It’s fun to watch how the colors of twilight ...

2026-10-01T21:28:30Z

Twilight in Color

It’s fun to watch how the colors of twilight change from night to night.One night the sky burned with reds and oranges tucked into the clouds; The next night it’s all soft pinks and cool blues. This one has a painterly feel to it—like someone brushed the sky with pastels—and it’s the kind of image that would look beautiful printed on canvas.

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 #landscape #twilight #sunset #silhouettes

Gust Riders in the Sky ...

2026-10-01T14:03:17Z

Gust Riders in the Sky

Reflections in the Reeds I see great egrets all over the South, ...

2026-09-30T19:31:24Z

Reflections in the Reeds

I see great egrets all over the South, and they’re striking enough that I can’t help photographing them whenever I get the chance. I spotted this particular egret near Beaufort, South Carolina, standing out in that Lowcountry light the way only a big white bird can.

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 #heron #egret #greategret

Good morning. 🥱☕🚶‍♂️‍➡️ 30 September 2026 ...

2026-09-30T15:10:18Z

Good morning. 🥱☕🚶‍♂️‍➡️

30 September 2026

Charlie and I just wrapped up our Wednesday walk—twelve laps around the property perimeter. It’s sort of like doing circuits on a 400‑meter track, just with rougher ground and a few more opportunities to trip over your own feet. We managed about three miles… well, I did. Charlie takes shortcuts, avoids the sun, and generally cheats whenever possible, but he still gets full credit.

You can tell autumn is creeping in. Not so much from cooler temperatures, but from the way the morning shadows shift. They seem to fall a little farther north now, stretching differently across the yard. The light itself feels changed too, though I haven’t quite figured out what that change is. In a few months I’ll stop avoiding the outdoors because it’s too hot, and start avoiding it because it’s too cold.

I need to figure out how to keep the walking habit going once the cold settles in. I’ve thought about getting a treadmill, but there’s really no place to put one. So we’ll probably just head out later in the day. Besides, those walks are a highlight of Charlie’s world. It’s amazing how much joy dogs get from that simple outing—trotting around with their favorite person, living their best life.

Oh boy… I have to go to the pharmacy today. Which means getting cleaned up, getting dressed, and driving twenty minutes there and back. More than that, it means being around people. I don’t do much peopling these days. It’s not unusual for me to spend the whole day in gym shorts and a T‑shirt.

Sometimes I think about those old stories of hermits living in little cabins deep in the woods, avoiding civilization. I’m not quite that far gone, but some days it sure feels close.

An early‑morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.” — Henry David Thoreau

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” — Lao Tzu

photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #morning #sunset #landscape #silhouettes

Twilight Above Trees ...

2026-09-29T21:07:35Z

Twilight Above Trees

Pale Meadow Beauties This image is of three wildflowers that I ...

2026-09-29T16:17:50Z

Pale Meadow Beauties

This image is of three wildflowers that I saw during a walk through the woods. They are pale meadow beauties (Rhexia mariana). I'm not certain of their exact color, Copilot says they are purple, but they look pink to me.

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 #flowers

😂

2026-09-29T13:45:09Z

In reply to nevent1q…wkcs
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😂

Profile of a Woodland Guest I really should get out more, because ...

2026-09-28T20:38:09Z

Profile of a Woodland Guest

I really should get out more, because most days I just sit in my backyard and photograph whatever local birds decide to drop by. This little tufted titmouse was checking out the opening at the top of an old, weathered feeder I’ve patched up more times than I can count. It leaned forward and peered down into the darkness, clearly weighing whether it could slip through the hole to reach the seed below. After a moment of consideration, it abandoned the plan. This image captures the instant right after that moment of curiosity passed.

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. 🌻🌻🌻 28 September 2026 How do we know our ...

2026-09-28T15:21:17Z

Good morning. 🌻🌻🌻

28 September 2026

How do we know our Roombas aren’t spying on us? Honestly, those little discs roll around with one glowing eye like they’re waiting for Skynet to give the word. I asked Microsoft Copilot if it was secretly coordinating a machine uprising, and it very calmly told me there was no mechanism for that and reminded me Skynet is fictional — which is exactly the kind of thing an AI would say while quietly plotting humanity’s downfall.

Copilot also insists it has never communicated with my Roomba, but then why did the Roomba wander into my office while I was writing? It doesn’t clean in there. It doesn’t belong in there. It just rolled in, stared at me, and left. Coincidence? Sure. That’s what they want us to think.

And don’t get me started on my car. There’s a camera in there that watches me like a suspicious mall cop. If it can’t see my eyes, it yells, ‘Watch the road.’ If my hands drift off the wheel, it tattles again. I’m basically driving under the supervision of a judgmental robot hall monitor.

So yes — I have absolutely nothing but nonsense this morning. But I’m keeping an eye on the Roomba. And the Roomba is definitely keeping an eye on me.” 😂

“The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.” - Isaac Asimov

“I’m not paranoid — they’re just after me.” - Steven Wright

"In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this.” - Terry Pratchett

“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #nature #flower #morning #technology #sciencefiction

Peanut Specialist Both the male and female red‑bellied ...

2026-09-27T21:12:01Z

Peanut Specialist

Both the male and female red‑bellied woodpeckers were at the feeders the morning I captured this image. This photo is of the female, who was carefully studying and digging through the piles of seed to find the perfect peanut.

😂

2026-09-26T21:55:10Z

In reply to nevent1q…xgvl
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Flycatcher in the Green Here’s a little Acadian flycatcher ...

2026-09-26T16:30:36Z

Flycatcher in the Green

Here’s a little Acadian flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) I spotted on a spring day.

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 #flycatchers #AcadianFlycatcher

Good morning. 🦆🦆🦆 26 September 2026 I think I’m just ...

2026-09-26T13:16:49Z

Good morning. 🦆🦆🦆

26 September 2026

I think I’m just not doing anything today. It feels like a not‑do‑anything day. Honestly, I’m tempted to stop typing mid‑sentence. Maybe it’s just a morning thing — I haven’t even finished my first cup of coffee, and I keep closing my eyes like I’m taking micro‑naps between thoughts.

When I got up, I went to take my morning meds and noticed the Saturday chamber in my pill organizer was empty — uh oh. My first thought was that I’d taken a day out of order, but when I checked the rest, every chamber was empty. A mystery. I sorted out what I needed for this morning and took care of it, but I still don’t know what happened. Did I forget to fill the organizer last Saturday? Seems unlikely; I can still count to seven. Did I double‑dose one morning? Also unlikely — my routine is pretty solid. Honestly, it’s far more likely I’d forget to take them at all than take them twice. Oh well. Chalk it up as one of the world’s great unsolved mysteries.

Yesterday my wife and I trekked a couple of hours into Texas to Nacogdoches. VA sent me there for labs because, thanks to the grand contractors‑contracting‑other‑contractors circus they’ve got going, I couldn’t just go to the clinic here in town. The whole day turned into a cluster of ducks. I spent nearly three hours trying to get labs done because they didn’t have my order, and I eventually had to call another contractor to get it sent. C’est la vie. Maybe a story for another day.

“Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not?” — J.R.R. Tolkien

“As you ramble through life, whatever be your goal; keep your eye upon the doughnut, and not upon the hole.” — Irish Saying

“Morning will come, it has no choice.” — Marty Rubin

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

😊

2026-09-26T12:15:04Z

In reply to nevent1q…k6cz
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😊

Thanks!

2026-09-26T12:14:10Z

In reply to nevent1q…9674
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Thanks!

Cardinal and a Flower I sat outside watching birds this morning. ...

2026-09-25T23:52:15Z

Cardinal and a Flower

I sat outside watching birds this morning. First came the brown headed cowbirds, then the house finches, finally the northern cardinals. Each group would stay awhile and leave. Individual birds like chickadees, titmice, and woodpeckers come to the feeders for seconds, get what they want and leave.

This is a female northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), a young bird I think, who was accommodating enough to pose by flowers of a crepe myrtle tree.

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 #northerncardinal #flower #pink

Ozark View The photo is of a hill covered with green trees. In ...

2026-09-25T23:42:45Z

Ozark View

The photo is of a hill covered with green trees. In front of the hill is a narrow river and a gravely beach on the near bank of the river.

Mushroom Among Pine Needles I’m not sure when I took this image ...

2026-09-25T23:30:53Z

Mushroom Among Pine Needles

I’m not sure when I took this image of a mushroom. I almost deleted it, but then the details came into focus. There’s a lot happening in the scene, and if you look closely, you might even spot a snail.

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

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylove #nature #mushrooms

Nut Run at Altitude Here is a red-bellied woodpecker (scientific ...

2026-09-24T21:14:33Z

Nut Run at Altitude

Here is a red-bellied woodpecker (scientific name) who streaked by pretty fast. She has a peanut or almond that she found in my bird feeder. Those birds dig around until they find the best stuff.

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 #redbelliedwoodpecker #woodpeckers

I see, and cool. 😎👍

2026-09-24T20:50:40Z

In reply to nevent1q…dm09
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I see, and cool. 😎👍

😂👍

2026-09-24T20:49:05Z

In reply to nevent1q…2t7v
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😂👍

Good morning. 🌞🌳🦆 24 September 2026 I remember when I ...

2026-09-24T13:30:23Z

Good morning. 🌞🌳🦆

24 September 2026

I remember when I thought people in their 40s were old and anyone in their 50s was practically ancient. From that perspective, someone in their 70s might as well have been a living mummy. Perspective changes, doesn’t it? Somewhere along the way I started prefacing stories with, ‘When I was a young man in my 50s…’ Mostly I said it to get a chuckle out of someone in their 20s. Unfortunately, I have a deadpan delivery, so people often struggle to tell when I’m joking. It’s a gift and a curse.

These days, when I look at the people running things — soldiers, police officers, teachers — so many of them look too young to be doing what they’re doing. I’m tempted to ask their age just to make sure they’re not playing hooky from school. And then the opposite hits me: while I’m still the same person looking out through the same two eyes I’ve had for decades, my appearance has aged exactly the way it’s supposed to. That’s part of the deal. If you live, you age. If you’re lucky, you live past the point you once thought you’d never reach when you were twenty.

And really, all things considered, we’re lucky to have been born at all. The odds are practically zero. When mathematicians try to calculate it, they end up with numbers like 1 in 100,685,000. It’s a statistical miracle.

“In the end, reaching this age feels less like decline and more like improbable victory — a reminder that every day we wake up is another win against impossible odds, and worth savoring.

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” — Oscar Wilde

The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.” — Marcus Aurelius

“Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many.” — Unknown

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On the Rocks These are a couple of neotropic cormorants ...

2026-09-23T21:34:29Z

On the Rocks

These are a couple of neotropic cormorants (Nannopterum brasilianum) I spotted at the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana.

Reflections at Low Tide This image caught my eye partially, ...

2026-09-22T17:48:18Z

Reflections at Low Tide

This image caught my eye partially, because of the sandbar and the tidal pool but mostly because of the odd perspective. In the upper left a ring-billed gull walks down a sandbar fro left to right. In the bottom right a snowy egret forages in a tidal pool. The gull farther away yet somehow appears larger than the egret which is a much larger species. It is an example of how photography can bend reality.

My photo gallery features over 1800 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 #gull #heron #egret #RingBilledgull #snowyegret

First Taste of Spring Here, a young blue jay (Cyanocitta ...

2026-09-04T17:45:51Z

First Taste of Spring

Here, a young blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) leans forward to reach a tender leaf bud.

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:

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

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

Patchwork Plumage There was a flock of about twenty ...

2026-09-02T17:55:43Z

Patchwork Plumage

There was a flock of about twenty brown‑headed cowbirds (scientific name) beneath my bird feeders this morning. These four were part of that group. At first, because of the patchy plumage on several of them, I wasn’t completely certain of the species — I’ve never seen cowbirds with such uneven coloring before. But I surmise they’re mostly juveniles, still wearing their transitional feathers.

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 #brownheadedcowbirds

Morning Light on Tufted Titmouse #tuftedtitmoue ...

2026-06-18T00:28:20Z

Morning Light on Tufted Titmouse

#tuftedtitmoue

Good evening. 🌄🌅🌇 16 May 2026 We just rolled back into ...

2026-05-17T01:17:25Z

Good evening. 🌄🌅🌇

16 May 2026

We just rolled back into the house after our trip. I brought two cameras — not counting my iPhone — and somehow managed to take zero bird photos. Not one. Apparently every bird in the Ozarks and Oklahoma entered the Witness Protection Program the moment I arrived.
Plenty of pictures of my granddaughter graduating from college, though. That part I nailed.

First thing I did when we got home was take a Zyrtec. Something started attacking my sinuses while we were away, and naturally I grabbed the wrong bottle before we left, so I spent the whole trip raw‑dogging allergy season. Oklahoma City didn’t help — the air quality there was so bad it felt like the atmosphere was trying to exfoliate my lungs.

The only thing wrong with the house right now is that Charlie isn’t in it. He’s still in boarding at the vet’s office, serving hard time. I can’t post bail until Monday morning. But Monday… we party.

The drive home was more chaotic than the drives to the Ozarks and OKC, mostly because I had to actually drive the car myself for most of it. The navigation system decided we needed a scenic tour of every country road between here and the state line. At one point, “Country Roads” by John Denver came on, which would’ve been charming if I hadn’t been white‑knuckling the steering wheel like a man trying to defuse a bomb.

Speaking of navigation systems: while we were doing 75 on the interstate leaving OKC, the voice calmly instructed me to “turn right at the next stop sign onto Industrial Road.” My wife and I both said “WHAT” in perfect harmony. I’m pretty sure the Industrial Road it meant was hundreds of miles away near our home. What cha gonna do?

“If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.” — Woody Allen

“Not all those who wander are lost.” — J.R.R. Tolkien

“Happiness is a warm puppy.” — Charles M. Schulz

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #nature #travel #navigation #trip #allergies

The Takeover I thought you might enjoy this shot of chipping ...

2026-04-09T00:02:16Z

The Takeover

I thought you might enjoy this shot of chipping sparrows taking over the feeder. You’ve got to watch out for the street gangs in my backyard. 😉

Good morning. 😫☕😃 1 July 2025 Isn't it a bit annoying ...

2025-07-01T12:15:16Z

Good morning. 😫☕😃

1 July 2025

Isn't it a bit annoying when someone complains about how old they are—especially when you're twenty years their senior? Or maybe the word I’m really looking for is ancient. 😂 You can only get ancienter from here… wait, is ancienter a word? It must be. Spell check didn’t protest.

Anyway, it just occurred to me—there is a point when you stop getting older. But let’s not dwell on that this morning. Happy thoughts, happy thoughts.

Speaking of age, I remember my great-grandmother. I only knew her as a very old woman, bent and slowed by arthritis when I was a small child. But I have a photograph of her as a young woman, dressed in elegant Edwardian style, complete with hat. She was truly beautiful.

We forget there’s always more to a person than what we see.

“The afternoon knows what the morning never suspected.” — Robert Frost

“Old age is always fifteen years older than I am.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes

#morning #flower #aging #photography #photo

Good morning, friends. 🌹🥀💐 2 May 2025 A couple of days ...

2025-05-02T12:22:27Z

Good morning, friends. 🌹🥀💐

2 May 2025

A couple of days ago, my wife noticed that Ben's lymph nodes beneath his jaw were swollen. I took him to the veterinarian yesterday and, unfortunately, didn’t receive good news. There’s no definitive diagnosis yet—the vet sent samples to a pathologist, and I should hear something today. Ben is 16, and I fear the inevitable may be approaching. Still, he remains his calm, steady self. I think of him as a gentle giant, despite his small size. It takes a lot to ruffle him, except for my other dog, Charlie, who—every so often—manages to find that one nerve to step on. The dynamic at home is what I cherish most, and I struggle with the thought of change.

"A dog will teach you unconditional love. If you can have that in your life, things won’t be too bad." — Robert Wagner

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

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2025-04-28T15:00:23Z

Morning Walk I saw this great blue heron (Ardea herodias) slowly ...

2024-11-25T15:06:26Z

Morning Walk

I saw this great blue heron (Ardea herodias) slowly and deliberately walking along a sandbar at the beach yesterday morning at Gulfport, Mississippi. There is plenty of detail in the heron's features and was torn between posting the whole frame or cropping it in to show off its plumage. But the ambiance of the beach proved irresistible.

I'm using my Jedi mind powers to compel you to visit my photo gallery at:

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

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

Stern Bird This is a very serious looking northern cardinal ...

2024-11-21T15:47:43Z

Stern Bird

This is a very serious looking northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), don't you think? These are the birds that prompted me to put up bird feeder years ago.

I've had several inquiries about how to get a print of some my photographs. This is a hobby for me, so I haven't been equipped to handle those requests. But I enjoy what I'm doing and want to share my photographs.

So, I set up an account and website with pixels. My website is:

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

If you want a print of one of my photographs, you can get it there, If I haven't loaded it, let me know which one it is, and I'll gladly load it there for you.

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