swede1952

[swede1952]

Viola Tricolor, Unfolded

Flower photographs make striking portraits—if the background knows when to step back. These wild pansies do just that, standing out with quiet clarity.

[swede1952]

Louisiana, Cautiously

These are interesting signs that I encountered at a Louisiana lake. Interesting to those who haven't been to this part of the country, anyway. It has a small swim beach.

[swede1952]

Red in Motion

Here’s a Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) lifting out of the forest—wings wide, red against green, caught mid-flight like a flame leaving the brush.

[swede1952]

Is This Seat Taken

I watched this Carolina chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) as it approached the little rustic bird feeder shaped like a porch swing. The image catches it mid-arrival, clearly aware of the house finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) already perched at the edge.

The chickadee slipped into a narrow spot between the finch and the arm of the swing—just long enough to grab a nut and vanish.

Among feeding birds, finches are what I call grazers. Chickadees? Definitely takeout.

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

[swede1952]

Good morning. ☕☕☕

31 August 2025

It's the last day of August, fall is around the corner, winter is coming.

For the last couple of years, lovebugs haven’t been all that bad. Knock on wood. They’re still around, just not as thick as in previous seasons. Maybe I’ve stopped noticing—no more daily commute means fewer bug smacks on the grill and windshield.

Still, when they’re swarming, they get into everything. Let’s just say they’re persistently annoying.

Most birds steer clear of them, thanks to their mildly acidic taste. I haven’t tasted one myself—at least not on purpose. I do ride a motorcycle.

From what I’ve read, warblers and chickadees might eat them, which could help a little in the backyard. Here’s hoping they develop a taste for inconvenience.

“Birds are a miracle because they prove to us there is a finer, simpler state of being which we may strive to attain.” — Douglas Coupland

[swede1952]

Eastern Phoebe Against a Blue Canvas

Over two years ago, while strolling with my dogs, Ben and Charlie, I spotted an eastern phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) perched gracefully along my path.

[swede1952]

His Majesty

Here’s a regal-looking Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris), perched with quiet authority. The iridescent red throat gleams like a royal seal, and the posture—alert, composed, slightly angled—suggests a sovereign surveying his branch-bound domain.

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

[swede1952]

Mid-Raid Pause

One of Charlie's favorite things is to chase squirrels in the backyard. Like this eastern fox squirrel raiding a bird feeder.

[swede1952]

Midair Distraction

Here’s a Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) caught mid-flight. Its head is turned slightly, as if noticing something just beyond the frame—something unseen, but clearly worth a glance. The pose has a comic-book urgency to it. I half expect a cape. Mighty Mouse comes to mind.

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

[swede1952]

Good morning. 🌧️🌩️⛈️

30 August 2025

I was just thinking about how much “stuff” I order on-the-line. Turned my head to the left and spotted a box and a bag I haven’t opened yet. I’ll get to them eventually. These days, the only real reasons to leave the house are the doctor or the barber.

My wife ventures out among the English more than I do. I wrote about that a week or so ago. Last night we had dinner and a movie—both scheduled and delivered via the internet.

Remember when we actually had to leave the house for things? Long ago, before errands became hyperlinks. Maybe our great-grandchildren will read about those days and ask, “What was it like outside?”

I’m joking, of course. Or am I?

“The past is never where you think you left it.” — Katherine Anne Porter

“That which seems the height of absurdity in one generation often becomes the height of wisdom in another.” — Adlai Stevenson

[swede1952]

Autumn Touchdown

Autumn light, just right—casting a soft glow around a dark-eyed junco caught between motion and stillness.

[swede1952]

Bird on a Wire

Here’s a female eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) perched on her preferred lookout—a powerline. Bluebirds seem to favor these open perches for the clear view they offer of nearby lawns, where unsuspecting prey hides in the grass. They may look delicate but make no mistake—bluebirds are predators.

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

[swede1952]

Grip and Gift

I spotted this juvenile, red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) clinging to the side of a weathered bird feeder post. At the tip of its beak, it held a small object—likely a sunflower seed—poised as if mid-offer or mid-hoard.

[swede1952]

Flight Over Sand

I witnessed this scene last year in Gulfport, Mississippi. A great blue heron (Ardea herodias) flew low over a sandy beach during low tide, its wings wide and steady just above the shoreline. Farther out, beyond a shallow tidal pool, a faint line of shorebirds rested in parallel with the beach—perched on a narrow sandbar nearly hidden by distance and their own presence.

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

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

[swede1952]

Good morning, friends. 🌹🌹🌹

29 August 2025

Oh gee. Today’s a walk day, and of course it’s supposed to rain cats and dogs right around eight—that’s exactly when I usually head down the road. I think I just gave myself away by bringing up the weather again. 😉 There was a time when rain wouldn’t stop me. I’d run no matter what. Kind of like a postman: “Neither snow nor rain nor heat…” Lightning, though? Yeah, lightning might’ve stopped me. These days, rain’s a full showstopper. I stick my head out, squint at the sky, and say, “Well, looks like rain,” like I might melt if I dared. I’ll blame Charlie. No one wants a soaked dog tromping back inside, shaking off regret and puddles. Dry dog good. Wet dog bad.

“I ain't like that no more.” —William Munny, Unforgiven (1992)

(Though I did check the sky and blame the dog.)

[swede1952]

Mr. Crow

This crow was marching pass my house. All he needed was a top hat, cane, and perhaps a monocle to complete the aura.

[swede1952]

Shadow Flight

A few years ago, a flock of Great Egrets (Ardea alba) passed overhead. In this image, they’re little more than silhouettes—dark forms gliding across a clouded sky, stripped of detail but full of motion.

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

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com