@Swede1952
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swede1952.bsky.social
@Swede1952
@swede1952.bsky.social
33K followers 17K following 8K posts
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.
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Reposted by @Swede1952
swede1952.bsky.social
Good morning. 🏈🏈🏈

9 February 2026

I really enjoyed the Super Bowl last night. ...

1/8

#photo #photography #photographer #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #morning #pelicans #beach #GulfofMexico #SuperBowl #football
Pelicans on the Gulf Wind "The scene feels like a quiet breath held between sea and sky. Four brown pelicans sweep away from the shoreline at Holly Beach, Louisiana, their long wings stretched wide as they skim just inches above the Gulf of Mexico. They fly in a loose, fluid lineβ€”each bird catching the same invisible ribbon of air, each body angled slightly forward as if pulled by the horizon itself. The water beneath them is calm and faintly rippled, a soft blue-gray sheet that mirrors their silhouettes. Farther out, the Gulf opens into a pale, hazy distance where sea and sky blend without a seam. The light is gentle, almost silvery, giving the whole moment a sense of early‑morning stillness or the quiet hush before dusk. The pelicans look purposeful yet unhurried, gliding with that effortless grace that makes it seem as though the ocean itself is carrying them forward." - Microsoft Copilot
February 9, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Reposted by @Swede1952
swede1952.bsky.social
Gentle Gaze

Imagine how a person who loves fishing must feel if they can walk out their back door and cast a line. ...

1/3

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #housefinch
"A small female House Finch perches on a smooth, curved black rod, her tiny feet gripping the metal with delicate certainty. Her body is soft and rounded, covered in fine brown streaks that flow down her chest like brushstrokes. The feathers along her sides and wings form a gentle pattern of warm browns and pale creams, each line crisp and textured. Her head tilts slightly to one side, giving her an inquisitive, almost conversational expressionβ€”as if she’s pausing mid‑thought. Light falls evenly across her plumage, revealing the subtle layering of feathers and the faint shimmer of down near her throat. Behind her, the background dissolves into a soft, creamy blur, making her the clear, bright center of attention. The overall feeling is quiet, intimate, and full of small, natural detail." - Microsoft Copilot
February 9, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Reposted by @Swede1952
swede1952.bsky.social
Wings of Watercolor

Where soft hues blend seamlessly against the tree’s canvas.

1/4

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #Cedarwaxwing
"The cedar waxwing in your photo feels like a small, self‑contained flame of elegance against the winter sky. It perches on a bare branch as if it has chosen the simplest stage possible so its colors can do the speaking. The bird’s body is smooth and polished, almost lacqueredβ€”soft brown flowing seamlessly into a warm yellow belly. A crisp black mask sweeps across its eyes, giving it the look of a quiet sentinel. The wings fold neatly along its sides, revealing hints of muted gray and the faint promise of those signature red waxy droplets on the tips. At the tail, a clean band of bright yellow glows like a dipped brushstroke. The sky behind it is a clear, unbroken blue, and the leafless branches frame the bird without crowding it. The whole scene feels still, cold, and beautifully preciseβ€”winter holding its breath while a single waxwing surveys the world." - Microsoft Copilot
February 10, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Reposted by @Swede1952
swede1952.bsky.social
Veins of Time

This is a photograph of an old, large, bare tree rendered in an abstract style. What caught my eye were the countless small horizontal branches jutting out from either side of the trunk, like the rib cage of some ancient creature. ...

1/2
"A tall, leafless tree fills the frame like an intricate piece of inkwork against a deep, velvety night sky. Every branchβ€”thick, thin, twisting, or straightβ€”stands out in sharp relief, as if etched with a glowing edge. The bark appears almost luminous, catching light in a way that makes the tree look sculpted rather than grown, its surface rippling with texture. The branches spread outward and upward in a complex web, reaching into the dark blue sky that surrounds them like a vast, quiet backdrop. A faint halo of light seems to rise from behind or beyond the tree, softening the darkness and giving the scene a surreal, dreamlike quality. In the lower corner, a small signatureβ€” β€œSwede's Photographs”—rests unobtrusively, as if the artist signed a nocturnal portrait rather than a photograph. The overall effect is stark, dramatic, and almost otherworldly, turning a simple tree into a luminous silhouette suspended in night." - Microsoft Copilot
February 10, 2026 at 2:18 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
In the image, the tree glows with a silvery sheen while the background shifts from deep blue to near‑black at the edges of the frame.

2/2
February 10, 2026 at 2:18 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
Veins of Time

This is a photograph of an old, large, bare tree rendered in an abstract style. What caught my eye were the countless small horizontal branches jutting out from either side of the trunk, like the rib cage of some ancient creature. ...

1/2
"A tall, leafless tree fills the frame like an intricate piece of inkwork against a deep, velvety night sky. Every branchβ€”thick, thin, twisting, or straightβ€”stands out in sharp relief, as if etched with a glowing edge. The bark appears almost luminous, catching light in a way that makes the tree look sculpted rather than grown, its surface rippling with texture. The branches spread outward and upward in a complex web, reaching into the dark blue sky that surrounds them like a vast, quiet backdrop. A faint halo of light seems to rise from behind or beyond the tree, softening the darkness and giving the scene a surreal, dreamlike quality. In the lower corner, a small signatureβ€” β€œSwede's Photographs”—rests unobtrusively, as if the artist signed a nocturnal portrait rather than a photograph. The overall effect is stark, dramatic, and almost otherworldly, turning a simple tree into a luminous silhouette suspended in night." - Microsoft Copilot
February 10, 2026 at 2:18 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
If you enjoy wildlife and nature photography, check out my photo gallery here:

swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

4/4
February 10, 2026 at 2:08 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
I managed a couple of distant shots from that spotβ€”too far for much detailβ€”then tried to ease closer. The flock lifted the moment I stood. I’ve put out some fruitβ€”cut apples and orangesβ€”around the feeders in hopes of drawing them into the yard. ...

3/4
February 10, 2026 at 2:08 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
This photograph of a Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) almost feels like a watercolor study of the bird. A small flock had settled in an oak just east of my backyard fence. I was sitting at our outdoor table when I spotted them. ...

2/4
February 10, 2026 at 2:08 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
Wings of Watercolor

Where soft hues blend seamlessly against the tree’s canvas.

1/4

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #Cedarwaxwing
"The cedar waxwing in your photo feels like a small, self‑contained flame of elegance against the winter sky. It perches on a bare branch as if it has chosen the simplest stage possible so its colors can do the speaking. The bird’s body is smooth and polished, almost lacqueredβ€”soft brown flowing seamlessly into a warm yellow belly. A crisp black mask sweeps across its eyes, giving it the look of a quiet sentinel. The wings fold neatly along its sides, revealing hints of muted gray and the faint promise of those signature red waxy droplets on the tips. At the tail, a clean band of bright yellow glows like a dipped brushstroke. The sky behind it is a clear, unbroken blue, and the leafless branches frame the bird without crowding it. The whole scene feels still, cold, and beautifully preciseβ€”winter holding its breath while a single waxwing surveys the world." - Microsoft Copilot
February 10, 2026 at 2:07 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
Thanks
February 10, 2026 at 1:48 AM
swede1952.bsky.social
Goldfinches on Bare Branches
"Two American Goldfinches (Spinus tristis) perch on the bare branches of a leafless tree, their bright plumage glowing against the muted background. The bird in the foreground faces slightly toward the viewer, its head a vivid, sunlit yellow that softens into a warm golden chest. Its wings are patterned in crisp black and white, the markings clean and sharp like brushstrokes. Just behind it, a second goldfinch sits higher on another branch, turned in profile, its yellow head catching the light as if it were a small flame. The branches around them are thin and pale, creating a delicate lattice that frames the birds without crowding them. The background melts into soft greens and blues, blurred enough to feel like distant trees and sky, giving the scene a sense of quiet space. The overall impression is one of early‑season brightnessβ€”two small sparks of color perched in a world still waking up." - Microsoft Copilot
February 9, 2026 at 7:13 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
House Finches (Haemorhous mexicanus), like this little female whose gaze is locked on mine, stay around for most of the year.

Step into a world where even the smallest momentsβ€”like the glint in a bird's eyeβ€”tell their own story.

swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

3/3
February 9, 2026 at 7:00 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
That’s how I feel about my backyardβ€”but instead of fishing, I sit outside and watch and photograph the visitors. There are about ten or so species that are regulars this time of year. ...

2/3
February 9, 2026 at 6:59 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
Gentle Gaze

Imagine how a person who loves fishing must feel if they can walk out their back door and cast a line. ...

1/3

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #housefinch
"A small female House Finch perches on a smooth, curved black rod, her tiny feet gripping the metal with delicate certainty. Her body is soft and rounded, covered in fine brown streaks that flow down her chest like brushstrokes. The feathers along her sides and wings form a gentle pattern of warm browns and pale creams, each line crisp and textured. Her head tilts slightly to one side, giving her an inquisitive, almost conversational expressionβ€”as if she’s pausing mid‑thought. Light falls evenly across her plumage, revealing the subtle layering of feathers and the faint shimmer of down near her throat. Behind her, the background dissolves into a soft, creamy blur, making her the clear, bright center of attention. The overall feeling is quiet, intimate, and full of small, natural detail." - Microsoft Copilot
February 9, 2026 at 6:59 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
β€œWhere we love is home β€” home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.” β€” Oliver Wendell Holmes

β€œTo have another language is to possess a second soul.” β€” Charlemagne

β€œFootball is the ballet of the masses.” β€” Dmitri Shostakovich

8/8
February 9, 2026 at 2:40 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
But I always watch the Super Bowl, and I enjoy Thanksgiving games when I’m somewhere that actually gets TV reception. We usually spend Thanksgiving at our little house in Georgia, where we don’t get any channels at all. I’m working on fixing that. ...

7/8
February 9, 2026 at 2:39 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
Still, unless they’re playing one of my California teams, I can see myself cheering for them. It’s just the local rhythm here.

The truth is, I don’t really keep up with football during the season. I’m vaguely aware games are happening somewhere, and I’ll catch one when the mood strikes. ...

6/8
February 9, 2026 at 2:39 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
Roughly 65 million people across the United States and its territories speak Spanish, which is about one in five. It’s woven into the fabric of American life.

I live in Louisiana now, so you might think I’d be a Saints fan. Not quite. ...

5/8
February 9, 2026 at 2:38 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
And honestly, you have to pick a side if you want to feel the full excitement of a football game.

I also loved the halftime show with Bad Bunny. The staging and visuals were fantastic. I don’t speak Spanishβ€”though I wish I didβ€”but it didn’t matter. ...

4/8
February 9, 2026 at 2:37 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
Being originally from California, I tend to root for the Rams, Giants, or Chargers. If two California teams ever met in the Super Bowl, I’d be in real trouble. This time, the Seahawks’ West Coast identity made the choice simpleβ€”proximity won out. ...

3/8
February 9, 2026 at 2:36 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
It’s a lot easier to relax into the game when the team you’re pulling for is in control for three straight hours, and the Seahawks absolutely were. If you didn’t watch, the final score was 29–13, Seattle. They aren’t my usual team, though. ...

2/8
February 9, 2026 at 2:36 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
Good morning. 🏈🏈🏈

9 February 2026

I really enjoyed the Super Bowl last night. ...

1/8

#photo #photography #photographer #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #morning #pelicans #beach #GulfofMexico #SuperBowl #football
Pelicans on the Gulf Wind "The scene feels like a quiet breath held between sea and sky. Four brown pelicans sweep away from the shoreline at Holly Beach, Louisiana, their long wings stretched wide as they skim just inches above the Gulf of Mexico. They fly in a loose, fluid lineβ€”each bird catching the same invisible ribbon of air, each body angled slightly forward as if pulled by the horizon itself. The water beneath them is calm and faintly rippled, a soft blue-gray sheet that mirrors their silhouettes. Farther out, the Gulf opens into a pale, hazy distance where sea and sky blend without a seam. The light is gentle, almost silvery, giving the whole moment a sense of early‑morning stillness or the quiet hush before dusk. The pelicans look purposeful yet unhurried, gliding with that effortless grace that makes it seem as though the ocean itself is carrying them forward." - Microsoft Copilot
February 9, 2026 at 2:35 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
😊
February 8, 2026 at 11:17 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
πŸ˜‚πŸ‘
February 8, 2026 at 5:12 PM