Retired soldier, I spent about 30 years in the military (USMC/Army). Also recently retired computer systems engineer. So, I'm just plain retired. I need something to do so, I decided on photography and bird watching as a hobby. Unless otherwise stated, all photographs I post are my own. I take pictures and want to share them with you, so please follow my blog. #TheScienceofBirds #birds #birdwatching #photography #photographer
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2025-12-21T16:27:25+01:00 Event JSON
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Last Notes npub1wmuwvj6566q7cdlckvlww5rfe8mgvlkwj9qdkslgyxnen5exy8xqsdkxl8 Swede’s Photographs Held in the Beak of Morning I liked the profile of this blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) captured here among the forest leaves. It holds something at the tip of its beak — perhaps a small seed — and until you notice it, the beak almost appears to have a tiny hook at the end. 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 https://media.universeodon.com/media_attachments/files/116/942/184/151/849/812/original/cb0f739f49fe0ff4.jpg npub1wmuwvj6566q7cdlckvlww5rfe8mgvlkwj9qdkslgyxnen5exy8xqsdkxl8 Swede’s Photographs Flight at Dusk A flock of pigeons cuts across a brooding sky, their dark shapes gliding in loose formation while the silhouette of a leafy tree frames the scene on the left. Heavy clouds gather overhead, hinting at an approaching storm and casting the moment in a calm yet quietly somber light. 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 #doves #pigeons #rockpigeons #clouds #sky https://media.universeodon.com/media_attachments/files/116/884/343/393/861/963/original/5f92263c6b790b8c.jpg npub1wmuwvj6566q7cdlckvlww5rfe8mgvlkwj9qdkslgyxnen5exy8xqsdkxl8 Swede’s Photographs Ruby in the Air Here is a ruby‑throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris). I’m personally not thrilled with the image. I used Lightroom to blur the background, and it ended up looking like a clumsy kid trying to stay inside the lines of a coloring book. I could have started over, but I thought, nah — just go with it. By order of the Galactic Empire, your presence is commanded at my photo gallery: https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com #photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #rubythroatedhummingbird https://media.universeodon.com/media_attachments/files/116/777/517/853/350/942/original/ba1261456444f7f4.jpg npub1wmuwvj6566q7cdlckvlww5rfe8mgvlkwj9qdkslgyxnen5exy8xqsdkxl8 Swede’s Photographs Good morning. 😴⏰☕ 27 April 2026 I really need to get moving, but I’m in a full‑blown Monday‑morning mood. You know the one—when you just sit there staring into space. The truth is, I don’t actually need Monday for that; I can manage it on pretty much any day of the week. I do try to keep my mouth closed during these Monday‑morning trances, because staring off into nothing with your jaw hanging open isn’t a great look. There’s always the risk of a little dribble sneaking out of the corner, too. That’s just… well… yuck. Especially if you’re at work or out in public. Luckily, I don’t go to work anymore, and I’m not out in public much, so most of my staring is done from my recliner. If I kick back, it just looks like I’m resting. And if I close my eyes… well… everyone’s fooled. 💤 When I do lean back with my eyes closed, my dog Charlie usually curls up on the end of the couch and joins me in his own version of the Monday‑morning trance. But if I risk even a tiny glance in his direction, I’ll often catch him staring right at me. I have to be careful with that maneuver, because the slightest eye‑flutter is his signal that it’s time to get up and get moving. The moment he thinks I’m awake, he jumps down and becomes relentless in his campaign to get me on my feet. At that point, he’s ready to go outside. His patience is almost absolute—right up until he notices the smallest twitch. Then it’s time to sound the alarm: Get up, get up, it’s time to go. He says all of that without actual words, of course. Still, I understand him perfectly. 🐶 “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes… including you.” — Anne Lamott “I like to stare off into space for a while. It helps me forget the world.” — Haruki Murakami “Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.” — Orhan Pamuk #photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #nature #morning #flower #rest #trance #dogs #gardenia https://media.universeodon.com/media_attachments/files/116/476/795/134/704/338/original/ee02eb63d4a8e331.jpg npub1wmuwvj6566q7cdlckvlww5rfe8mgvlkwj9qdkslgyxnen5exy8xqsdkxl8 Swede’s Photographs Caught Red Handed Well, actually his hands are grayer, aren’t they? These Eastern Gray Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) are the highlight of my dog Charlie’s day. He can’t wait to get outside and chase them, but when he finally catches up to one, he just stands there like he has no idea what the next step is supposed to be. The squirrels always get away. https://media.universeodon.com/media_attachments/files/116/473/076/601/811/089/original/05898759a0887623.jpg npub1wmuwvj6566q7cdlckvlww5rfe8mgvlkwj9qdkslgyxnen5exy8xqsdkxl8 Swede’s Photographs Tangled Reflections This is a snapshot of the far shore of a small pond down the road. My dog, Charlie, and I walked over to see if any birds were around—my app picked up an American Coot, and I thought maybe… well, maybe I’d get lucky. Instead, the scene was just a dense tangle of trees and shrubs lining the opposite bank, starting about halfway up the frame. The entire lower half is water, perfectly still, holding an upside‑down reflection of that same tangle of branches and brush. 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 #landscape #pond #reflections #forest https://media.universeodon.com/media_attachments/files/116/210/703/058/685/905/original/3cfc6589e379f379.jpg npub1wmuwvj6566q7cdlckvlww5rfe8mgvlkwj9qdkslgyxnen5exy8xqsdkxl8 Swede’s Photographs The Thoughtful Finch I was planning to dig into my shore‑bird files one evening a while back, but then this House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) caught my eye. His posture makes him look as if he’s pondering something important. https://media.universeodon.com/media_attachments/files/116/092/041/705/607/273/original/29a491bb72f0dfd5.jpg npub1wmuwvj6566q7cdlckvlww5rfe8mgvlkwj9qdkslgyxnen5exy8xqsdkxl8 Swede’s Photographs Arrow in the Sky I was in Georgia, standing outside and trying to catch sight of a few sparrows hidden in a nearby shrub, when a cormorant suddenly appeared high overhead. Naturally, I lifted my camera skyward. From its markings and flight, I believe it was probably a double-crested cormorant. https://media.universeodon.com/media_attachments/files/115/662/580/027/806/992/original/33aac57a65f05eea.jpg npub1wmuwvj6566q7cdlckvlww5rfe8mgvlkwj9qdkslgyxnen5exy8xqsdkxl8 Swede’s Photographs Skimmer Assembly I wanted to share this glimpse of black skimmers (Rynchops niger) gathered along the beach—especially for those who haven’t seen them before. I know I hadn’t until recently. This photo captures just a fraction of one group, and there were several scattered across the shoreline. I’ve already posted a few images of these striking birds, and I’m sure more will follow. I find them absolutely fascinating. 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 #shorebirds https://media.universeodon.com/media_attachments/files/115/430/345/187/534/646/original/be0b3b487738c2b7.jpg npub1wmuwvj6566q7cdlckvlww5rfe8mgvlkwj9qdkslgyxnen5exy8xqsdkxl8 Swede’s Photographs Flight Ledger of Four I was at a small mostly hidden pond in Albany, Georgia taking photographs of the birds. I wanted to get closer to the birds, so I found an obscured path down to the water's edge. I was intruding and most of the birds opted to leave when I got closer. These hooded mergansers (ophodytes cucullatus) were among the flock that was at the pond - they all flew away a few at a time. So my plan was mostly a failure. I did get photos of them flying though. https://media.universeodon.com/media_attachments/files/115/425/338/566/453/906/original/f247b57cc7ba6d17.jpg npub1wmuwvj6566q7cdlckvlww5rfe8mgvlkwj9qdkslgyxnen5exy8xqsdkxl8 Swede’s Photographs Good morning. 🌕🌖🌚 9 October 2025 Snow Geese, and the Law of Kinship I'm writing this morning from an undisclosed location on the outskirts of Houston, Texas. A big house on a lake. We’re staying with some in-laws for a few days—well, they’re my in-laws, and a couple of them are my wife’s in-laws. That’s how it goes with in-laws, I suppose. I think it’s the law. Last night, a flock of snow geese descended just behind the house. I felt both thrilled and let down—thrilled by their arrival, let down by the darkness that kept my camera silent. They mingled quietly on the grass near the lake’s edge, like spectral guests at a moonlit gathering. Except for the honking. I don’t think ghosts honk. Do they? I tried to get a photo, but the light refused to cooperate. I considered stepping beyond the small wrought iron fence to get closer, but something told me that was a bad idea. Snow geese are sizable creatures, and they’ve been known to go on the offensive—me thinks. It’s one of those lessons I learned the smart way: through someone else’s misfortune. Yesterday morning, I dropped Charlie at the veterinarian’s office. It tugged at the heartstrings. He didn’t want to stay—propped himself up on my lap, tried to make a break for the door and the car. I’ll feel better when I pick him up in a few days. The house is beginning to stir. Footsteps, voices, the subtle shift in atmosphere that signals coffee and quiet time are drawing to a close. “Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.” — Michael J. Fox “How do geese know when to fly to the sun? Who tells them the seasons? … There is a voice within, if only we would listen.” — Elisabeth Kübler-Ross “The bond with a dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be.” — Konrad Lorenz #morning #moon #snowgeese #geese #family #visit #lake #dog #photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers https://media.universeodon.com/media_attachments/files/115/344/126/506/428/112/original/e13b844d703ed7a5.jpg npub1wmuwvj6566q7cdlckvlww5rfe8mgvlkwj9qdkslgyxnen5exy8xqsdkxl8 Swede’s Photographs Threshold of Flight "I caught this female Northern Cardinal just as she lifted off from the grassy ground—wings blurred, body buoyant. She might be a young bird finding her rhythm, or perhaps she's fresh from a molt, her feathers still settling into their new shape. https://media.universeodon.com/media_attachments/files/115/197/601/922/051/940/original/1fd0cc17407157d3.jpg npub1wmuwvj6566q7cdlckvlww5rfe8mgvlkwj9qdkslgyxnen5exy8xqsdkxl8 Swede’s Photographs Perched in Still Light I believe this is a female Blue Dasher dragonfly (Pachydiplax longipennis). I spotted her during one of our morning walks a few years back. 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 #insects #dragonfly #BlueDasher https://media.universeodon.com/media_attachments/files/114/767/675/691/755/022/original/8f0858774f2dda01.jpg npub1wmuwvj6566q7cdlckvlww5rfe8mgvlkwj9qdkslgyxnen5exy8xqsdkxl8 Swede’s Photographs Good morning, friends. 🤔💡☕ 11 June 2025 A few days ago, I spent some time trying to figure out how to make a custom emoji—even considered downloading an app for it. But then it occurred to me that a custom emoji wouldn’t be much use if I were the only one who had it, so that escapade ended there. Strange thoughts happen, don’t they? Once, years ago, during an ice storm, the electricity was out for a week. We had a fireplace but no chainsaw. All the gas-powered ones in stores were sold out, so I came up with what I thought was a clever solution—an electric chainsaw. After all, I had an extension cord. Luckily, my wife put an end to ‘Operation Chainsaw’ before it began. Oh, and in case you're wondering, we didn’t have a generator either. "People come up with stupid ideas all the time. That’s why your detergent tells you not to eat it." — Seanbaby #photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #nature #morning #flowers #ideas #dumbideas https://media.universeodon.com/media_attachments/files/114/664/480/389/178/769/original/15cc4df99f330d09.jpg npub1wmuwvj6566q7cdlckvlww5rfe8mgvlkwj9qdkslgyxnen5exy8xqsdkxl8 Swede’s Photographs https://media.universeodon.com/media_attachments/files/114/648/633/953/374/230/original/ea41ce5e271ced6b.jpg npub1wmuwvj6566q7cdlckvlww5rfe8mgvlkwj9qdkslgyxnen5exy8xqsdkxl8 Swede’s Photographs Good morning. 😷🧑⚕️💉 6 June 2025 I've got a medical appointment this morning, then it's off to the quilt store with my wife. We were out yesterday too, so that makes two days in a row—exhausting, right? I’m not particularly fond of doctor visits, but c'est la vie, what can you do? The doctor I'm seeing today gave me a pep talk last time, telling me, "You're 72—anything can knock you off." 😂 To be clear, we were joking around, and he was joking back—very cool guy. After that, as I said, my wife and I will indulge in our favorite activity: buying fabric. I say "ours" because anything that makes her happy is bound to make me happy. "Happy is the man who finds a true friend, and far happier is he who finds that true friend in his wife." — Franz Schubert #OldHouse #architecture #ruin #photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers https://media.universeodon.com/media_attachments/files/114/636/676/791/184/641/original/54e7eddec030b3ab.jpg npub1wmuwvj6566q7cdlckvlww5rfe8mgvlkwj9qdkslgyxnen5exy8xqsdkxl8 Swede’s Photographs I sometimes wonder what is inside. npub1wmuwvj6566q7cdlckvlww5rfe8mgvlkwj9qdkslgyxnen5exy8xqsdkxl8 Swede’s Photographs https://media.universeodon.com/media_attachments/files/114/433/210/032/989/761/original/fa7e06cefc4de9c0.jpg npub1wmuwvj6566q7cdlckvlww5rfe8mgvlkwj9qdkslgyxnen5exy8xqsdkxl8 Swede’s Photographs You know, I live close to a library and have never been inside. I should go. npub1wmuwvj6566q7cdlckvlww5rfe8mgvlkwj9qdkslgyxnen5exy8xqsdkxl8 Swede’s Photographs Thanks Lionel! I didn't know that they had redemption centers, but I suppose there would have to be somewhere to redeem the stamps. I remember books of stamps laying around. npub1wmuwvj6566q7cdlckvlww5rfe8mgvlkwj9qdkslgyxnen5exy8xqsdkxl8 Swede’s Photographs Good morning. 😴⏰☕ 16 January 2025 I'm surprised that I'm awake and alert at this time of the morning. It's just now five-thirty, and I've been up for half an hour, but the coffee is particularly good today. I recall standing guard in the old days. It was always two hours on and four hours off. It seemed like just as I would fall asleep, the Sergeant-of-the-Guard (SOG) would rouse me from my bunk, and I would find myself standing in what seemed like the middle of nowhere in the cold, often in the rain or snow—it didn't matter. After about an hour, the SOG would return with coffee, which I would drink from my canteen cup. That was a long time ago. "All of us should be on guard against beliefs that flatter ourselves. At the very least, we should check such beliefs against facts." - Thomas Sowell #photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #morning #ocean #waves #sleep #coffee #guard #beliefs https://media.universeodon.com/media_attachments/files/113/894/435/186/785/716/original/199fea271fabf196.jpg npub1wmuwvj6566q7cdlckvlww5rfe8mgvlkwj9qdkslgyxnen5exy8xqsdkxl8 Swede’s Photographs Good morning. 🦆🦆🦆 24 January 2025 "A long, long time ago I can still remember how that music Used to make me smile And I knew if I had my chance That I could make those people dance And maybe they'd be happy for a while ..." - Don McLean The first time I heard the song "American Pie" was in January 1972. I was a newly minted Marine, in the process of boarding a plane to fly over the Pacific Ocean. The song was perfect for the moment and the times, and it has remained one of my favorites over the years. I even purchased the eight-track tape a few years later. Somehow, it still seems fitting—me thinks. "... So, bye-bye, Miss American Pie Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry And them good ol' boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye Singin', "This'll be the day that I die This'll be the day that I die ..." - Don McLean #photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #ducks https://media.universeodon.com/media_attachments/files/113/883/003/121/821/007/original/d08085d6d0f51003.jpg npub1wmuwvj6566q7cdlckvlww5rfe8mgvlkwj9qdkslgyxnen5exy8xqsdkxl8 Swede’s Photographs Good morning. 🦌🦌🦌 23 January 2024 It's already Thursday. It's funny how time seems to pass so quickly after you retire. It's been over two years for me, and I'm still not bored. This hobby helps me stay engaged. Oh, the dogs were asleep, but now Charlie has decided he wants something. Maybe he wants me to go back to sleep. I know I want to—all I have to do is kick back in my recliner, and I should be able to float away until about seven. That's when Charlie will start the process of waking me up for mealtime at seven-thirty. They have such a sense of time, like food-driven alarm clocks that always go off half an hour early. 'Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in.' - Henry David Thoreau #photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #deer #morning #time #dogs #NatureSilhouette #silhouette https://media.universeodon.com/media_attachments/files/113/877/474/117/217/245/original/4249ba247a791a25.jpg npub1wmuwvj6566q7cdlckvlww5rfe8mgvlkwj9qdkslgyxnen5exy8xqsdkxl8 Swede’s Photographs It was around, though not as popular as the new music back then. You might be familiar with the song California Here I Come sang by Al Jolson. That song came out in 1924 ... 100 years ago. In 1974 it was only 50 years old. npub1wmuwvj6566q7cdlckvlww5rfe8mgvlkwj9qdkslgyxnen5exy8xqsdkxl8 Swede’s Photographs Good morning. 🏨🛎️🛌 25 November 2024 In 1974 Major General Patton commanded the Second Armored Division, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. Not the WWII general, but his son. I arrived there some time in the last half of the year. Interestingly, part of in processing was to watch the movie Patton in the 2d AD Museum. “The soldier is the Army. No army is better than its soldiers. The soldier is also a citizen. In fact, the highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one’s country.” – Gen. George S. Patton Jr. #photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #nature #grass #ocean #beach #morning #beach #tree #birds https://media.universeodon.com/media_attachments/files/113/549/330/133/856/455/original/87bd437ae3d64b5b.jpg npub1wmuwvj6566q7cdlckvlww5rfe8mgvlkwj9qdkslgyxnen5exy8xqsdkxl8 Swede’s Photographs https://media.universeodon.com/media_attachments/files/113/387/190/118/973/959/original/1b9cf08f18cc23c6.jpeg npub1wmuwvj6566q7cdlckvlww5rfe8mgvlkwj9qdkslgyxnen5exy8xqsdkxl8 Swede’s Photographs Good morning. 🐶🐶🐶 7 March 2024 I got up at about 0530 this morning, let the dogs out, and put the coffee on. After letting the dogs back into the house, I kicked back in my recliner and went back to sleep. Charlie started bumping and pushing me a little before seven. He expected me to get up in stupor and feed them a seven. Well in my book, the stupor doesn't start until 0730. A sort of battle ensued, where I ordered Charlie to his bed to lay down and he obediently went to his bed, and I fell back to sleep only for Charlie to start all over again after a few minutes ... rinse and repeat. I know I'm not the only person in the world to open his eyes only to find a dog staring back. “The dog looked up in entreaty. Liquid brown eyes begged: Take me with you. I’ll be good. Oh, the lies that dog told.” - Courtney Milan, Unraveled #photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #morning #pond #refection #dogs https://media.universeodon.com/media_attachments/files/112/054/770/855/530/578/original/16f725c81a4fa324.jpg