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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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swede1952.bsky.social
Young Forager

This is a juvenile Brown‑headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater). I usually start seeing them in late spring, when fledglings of all kinds are out exploring the world. Every now and then I’ll even spot one being fed by its surrogate parent. ...

1/3
"A young Brown‑headed Cowbird stands quietly in a patch of bright green grass, its whole body softened by the gentle, unfinished look of youth. The feathers are a warm, dusty brown from head to tail, each one edged with subtle streaks that catch the light like fine pencil lines. Its short, thick bill — the classic cowbird shape — looks almost oversized on its small face, giving it a slightly earnest, curious expression. The bird’s dark eye is alert, shining like a tiny bead set against the muted tones of its plumage. Sunlight filters across the scene, making the grass around it glow in vivid shades of green, each blade rising like a miniature forest. The cowbird stands among them as if half‑hidden, a quiet little presence in a world of color and texture. There’s a sense of stillness in the moment, as though the bird has paused mid‑forage to take in its surroundings before moving on." - Microsoft Copilot
February 11, 2026 at 5:45 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
Titmouse at Attention

This Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) is perched atop my old bird feeder, ...

1/3

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #TuftedTitmouse
"A Tufted Titmouse stands poised on a weathered wooden beam, its small body full of alert energy. The bird’s soft gray crest rises like a tiny plume, giving it a dignified silhouette despite its size. Its dark, round eye gleams with curiosity, set in a pale face that makes the expression even more striking. The feathers along its back are a smooth bluish‑gray, shifting gently into the warm buff tones along its sides and the clean white of its underside. The Titmouse grips the wood with delicate feet, the grain and old nail heads beneath it adding a rugged texture that contrasts with the bird’s neat, refined plumage. Behind it stretches a deep, velvety green background—simple, uncluttered, and perfectly chosen to make the bird stand out as if illuminated. Every detail feels crisp: the curve of the crest, the fine lines of the feathers, the sense that the bird might flick its wings or call out at any moment. The whole image captures a moment of quiet readiness, a small creature balanced between stillness and motion." - Microsoft Copilot
February 11, 2026 at 5:18 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 expression—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
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 brightness—two small sparks of color perched in a world still waking up." - Microsoft Copilot
February 9, 2026 at 7:13 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 lacquered—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 precise—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 branch—thick, thin, twisting, or straight—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 signature— “Swede'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
Reposted by @Swede1952
swede1952.bsky.social
Good morning. 🥬🥬🥬

11 February 2026

Money is a strange invention when you stop and think about it. We trade real things—our time, our labor, our needs—for ...

1/8

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #nature #morning #plant #elephantear #technology #money
Rain on the Elephant Ear "A single elephant ear leaf fills the frame like a piece of living sculpture. Its surface glows a deep, vibrant green—smooth, glossy, and almost luminous against the muted backdrop. The broad heart‑shaped blade shows off its architecture: a strong central vein running straight down the middle, with thick ribs fanning outward like the supports of a great sail. Light skims across the waxy surface, making the texture feel cool and touchable, as if you could trace each vein with your fingertips. At the very tip of the elephant ear, a single droplet of water hangs, perfectly round and heavy, suspended in that quiet moment before it falls. More droplets cling to the stem, evidence of recent rain or a gentle watering. Behind it, weathered wooden planks form a rustic background, their gray‑brown tones making the leaf’s green even more vivid—like a jewel set against old wood. The whole scene feels intimate and still, a pause in time where nature holds its breath in one shining drop." - Microsoft Copilot
February 11, 2026 at 2:56 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
Good morning. 🥬🥬🥬

11 February 2026

Money is a strange invention when you stop and think about it. We trade real things—our time, our labor, our needs—for ...

1/8

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #nature #morning #plant #elephantear #technology #money
Rain on the Elephant Ear "A single elephant ear leaf fills the frame like a piece of living sculpture. Its surface glows a deep, vibrant green—smooth, glossy, and almost luminous against the muted backdrop. The broad heart‑shaped blade shows off its architecture: a strong central vein running straight down the middle, with thick ribs fanning outward like the supports of a great sail. Light skims across the waxy surface, making the texture feel cool and touchable, as if you could trace each vein with your fingertips. At the very tip of the elephant ear, a single droplet of water hangs, perfectly round and heavy, suspended in that quiet moment before it falls. More droplets cling to the stem, evidence of recent rain or a gentle watering. Behind it, weathered wooden planks form a rustic background, their gray‑brown tones making the leaf’s green even more vivid—like a jewel set against old wood. The whole scene feels intimate and still, a pause in time where nature holds its breath in one shining drop." - Microsoft Copilot
February 11, 2026 at 2:56 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 branch—thick, thin, twisting, or straight—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 signature— “Swede'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
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 lacquered—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 precise—winter holding its breath while a single waxwing surveys the world." - Microsoft Copilot
February 10, 2026 at 2:07 PM
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 brightness—two small sparks of color perched in a world still waking up." - Microsoft Copilot
February 9, 2026 at 7:13 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 expression—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
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 line—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
The Chickadee and the Rainbow

This Carolina chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) was around a while back, and I’m especially fond of the soft, pastel colors in the background.
"The Carolina chickadee perches on a slender branch with the poise of something impossibly light. Its tiny feet grip the bark while its body leans forward in that curious, alert way chickadees have, as if the world is always offering them something worth noticing. The bird’s markings are crisp and familiar: a smooth black cap, a matching black bib, bright white cheeks that stand out like clean brushstrokes, and soft gray wings folded neatly along its sides. A thin twig from a crossing branch rises right in front of its beak, creating the illusion of something held, though the chickadee isn’t carrying anything at all. It’s simply paused in a moment of stillness, framed by this accidental alignment of branch and beak. Behind the bird, the background dissolves into a soft blur of blue and warm orange, like early light filtering through a quiet morning. The colors cradle the chickadee in a gentle glow, making its small form feel both delicate and vivid." - Microsoft Copilot with edits
February 8, 2026 at 5:10 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
Pier, Ocean, and Avian Symphony

This is a seascape captured one morning at Gulfport, Mississippi. ...

1/4

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #landscape #seascape #blackskimmers #flock #sky
"The scene opens wide and breathes. A long wooden pier stretches out over calm coastal water, its posts and covered shelters forming a steady line against a sky that refuses to settle on a single color. Above it, a sweeping flock of black skimmers fills the air—dozens of dark, slender bodies moving in loose formation, wings angled like long blades cutting through the morning light. Their silhouettes are sharp and fluid at once, each bird catching a slightly different shade of the sky behind it. The sky itself is a layered wash of blues, violets, and soft pinks, as if the day is shifting moods mid‑breath. Clouds drift in textured bands, glowing at the edges where the light touches them. Below, the beach is pale and quiet, a simple foreground that lets the drama of sky and wings take center stage. The water mirrors the colors above in muted reflection, giving the whole scene a sense of motion and stillness intertwined. The image feels like a moment caught between tides—alive with movement, yet deeply peaceful." - Microsoft Copilot
February 8, 2026 at 4:57 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
Good morning. 🌹🌹🌹

8 February 2026

I bought a little battery‑powered vacuum a couple of weeks ago, and the box is still sealed. It’s one of those high‑speed ...

1/8

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #nature #flower #rose #procrastination
Rain‑Kissed Rose "The rose in your photo feels almost close enough to touch. A single bloom fills the frame, its petals a deep, saturated red that borders on velvet. Each petal curls outward with a soft, sculpted precision, and the entire flower is jeweled with clear droplets of water—some tiny as mist, others round enough to catch the light like glass beads. The droplets cling to the folds and edges, turning the rose into something both tender and luminous, as if it has just stepped out of a gentle rain. Behind the bloom, the world softens into a blur of greens and muted stone tones. The background never competes; it simply holds the rose in quiet contrast, letting the color and texture of the petals command all attention. The overall feeling is intimate, almost contemplative—a moment of stillness captured in the aftermath of water and bloom." - Microsoft Copilot
February 8, 2026 at 2:41 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
Blue Jay’s Announcement

I think this image of a blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is especially interesting. Notice the little beard of feathers just beneath its open beak—a tiny detail, but it gives the bird a bit of character and makes the moment feel more alive.
"The blue jay sits perched among a tangle of bare twigs, its body angled slightly forward as if it’s just paused mid‑conversation. Its feathers are a vivid mosaic of blues—deep cobalt along the wings, softer sky‑blue across the back—set against a clean white chest. A neat black collar frames its throat, giving the bird a crisp, almost formal look. Its beak is open, caught mid‑call, and you can almost hear that sharp, bright jay‑voice ringing through the branches. The background melts into a soft blur, so all your attention settles on the bird itself: alert, expressive, and full of that unmistakable blue jay attitude. The bare branches around it form a delicate lattice, making the jay’s colors feel even more electric in contrast." - Microsoft Copilot
February 7, 2026 at 5:53 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
Whisper of a Tern

I’ve said before that a photograph doesn’t need to be perfect to be worth enjoying. ...

1/4

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #shorebird #tern #royaltern
"The royal tern rushes toward you out of a soft, glowing sky, wings stretched wide like pale sails catching a gentle wind. Its body is slightly blurred by motion, giving the sense that it’s slicing through the air with purpose, yet wrapped in a kind of dreamlike hush. The background is a smooth wash of color—faint blue drifting into warm cream—so the bird seems suspended in open space, weightless and unhurried. Its beak is open mid‑call, a tiny flash of orange against the muted sky, and the symmetry of its wings creates a feeling of balance and grace. Even in motion, there’s a softness to the image, as if the moment were cushioned by light. It feels intimate, like the tern is flying straight out of the horizon and into your awareness, carrying a bit of the ocean’s quiet with it." - Microsoft Copilot
February 7, 2026 at 5:32 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
Good morning. 😴🥱☕

7 February 2026

I woke up groggy and disoriented, which isn’t unusual when I fall asleep in my chair. ...

1/8

#photo #photography #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #morning #fiction #ghost #story #greategret #savanahriver
Egret and the Ruins "The great egret stands like a pale sentinel against the worn geometry of an old utility dock, its white plumage almost luminous against the dark, weather‑beaten wood. The bird is perched high on a crossbeam, tall and composed, its long neck held in a gentle S‑curve as if it’s surveying the slow rhythm of the Savannah River below. The structure beneath it tells its own story—thick timbers softened by moss, metal brackets streaked with rust, and a vertical pipe rising behind the egret like the remnant of some forgotten machinery. Everything about the dock feels abandoned, a relic left to the river and the creeping green of the surrounding foliage. That contrast—industrial decay and the egret’s clean, living elegance—creates a quiet tension. The bird seems both out of place and perfectly at home, a bright, breathing note perched atop a fading man‑made frame. You can almost feel the humid air, hear the muted lap of water against pilings, and sense the stillness that settles when a wild creature decides a place is safe enough to pause." - Microsoft Copilot
February 7, 2026 at 3:00 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
Trees Against the Setting Sun
"The sky glows like a sheet of molten amber, the kind of sunset that seems to warm the air even in a still photograph. Deep oranges melt into soft yellows, creating a luminous backdrop that feels both vast and intimate. Against this glowing canvas, the trees stand in dark silhouette—quiet, unmoving witnesses to the day’s last light. Some branches are bare, their thin lines reaching upward like delicate ink strokes. Others belong to evergreens, fuller and more grounded, their shapes forming a gentle contrast to the spindly limbs beside them. Together they create a layered foreground, a natural frame that draws the eye deeper into the glowing horizon. The scene is calm, almost meditative. There’s no movement, no sound—just the quiet transition from day to night, captured in a moment where the world seems to pause and breathe." - Microsoft Copilot
February 6, 2026 at 2:27 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
Twilight Hawk, A Blackhawk Evening Patrol

This is the silhouette of a Black Hawk helicopter flying through an orange sky.

1/2

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #silhouette #twilight #aorcraft #helicopter #blackhawk
"A Black Hawk helicopter cuts across a sky that looks as if it’s been set on fire by the rising or setting sun. The entire backdrop glows in deep oranges and molten yellows, the kind of light that turns the air itself into a warm haze. Against that brilliance, the helicopter appears as a perfect silhouette—sharp, dark, and unmistakably purposeful. You can make out the broad main rotor, frozen mid‑spin in the still image, and the smaller tail rotor at the back. The landing gear hangs beneath the fuselage, giving the aircraft a slightly predatory posture, as if it’s ready to drop into action at any moment. The silhouette is crisp enough that every angle and contour reads clearly, even without visible detail. It feels like motion suspended—an instant of power and precision held in the glow of a dramatic sky. The contrast between the fiery background and the dark aircraft gives the scene a cinematic intensity. It’s a moment that feels both calm and charged, as if the helicopter is moving through the last breath of daylight or the first breath of morning." - Microsoft Copilot
February 6, 2026 at 1:28 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
Ember-Crowned Sparrow

I love the little tough‑looking cap on this chipping sparrow.
"A chipping sparrow (Spizella passerina) stands perched on a dark, textured surface, its tiny body held with the kind of alert stillness only small birds can manage. The background melts into a soft blur, so the sparrow appears almost spotlighted—every feather crisp, every detail clean. Its most striking feature is the warm, rusty-red cap that sits atop its head like a tiny ember. Below that, a thin dark line runs through the eye, giving the bird a focused, almost thoughtful expression. The throat is bright and white, a small patch of clarity against the subtle gray of its face and breast. Its wings are patterned in fine streaks of brown and black, each line delicate but purposeful, like careful brushwork. The perch beneath it is dark and slightly rough, grounding the bird in contrast to the smooth, muted background. The sparrow’s feet grip the edge lightly, ready to spring away at the slightest shift in the world. The whole image feels intimate—quiet, close, and attentive to the small beauty of a bird that many people overlook unless they pause long enough to really see it." - Microsoft Copilot
February 5, 2026 at 6:01 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
Perched Between Seasons

Just a couple of days ago I wrote about how I hadn’t seen any American robins (Turdus migratorius) around for a while. ...

1/2

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #thrush #AmericanRobin
"An American robin perches on a bare branch as if it has claimed the morning for itself. The sky behind it is a clear, uninterrupted blue—so smooth it feels like a backdrop painted just for this bird. With no leaves to compete for attention, the robin stands out in crisp silhouette and color. Its breast glows a deep, warm orange, the kind that looks almost sunlit even when the light is soft. The head is dark, nearly charcoal, giving the bird a sharp, alert profile. Gray wings fold neatly along its sides, each feather catching just enough light to show texture without breaking the simplicity of the scene. The branch beneath it is rough and weathered, a tangle of winter limbs reaching upward like a quiet scaffolding. The robin looks outward, chest lifted, as if listening for the first hint of movement in the stillness. The whole image feels like a pause between seasons—winter’s bare architecture holding space for a bird that already carries spring in its colors." - Microsoft Copilot
February 5, 2026 at 5:47 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
Good morning. 🦆🪿🦢

5 February 2026

I’m on a roll this morning—though that usually lasts only until it’s time to actually start typing. ...

1/8

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #ducks #morning #dogs #writing
Ducks at Dawn "The scene feels like dawn distilled into a single quiet gesture. Five ducks move across a sheet of water that looks less like a lake and more like brushed metal catching first light. The surface shifts between deep blue and warm gold, as if the night and the morning are still negotiating who gets to stay. The ducks appear as dark silhouettes—clean, simple shapes gliding without hurry. Two ducks in the center drift so close that their necks lean toward one another, forming a soft, accidental heart shape. It’s subtle, the kind of moment you’d miss if you blinked, but once you notice it, the whole image feels like a small ceremony of connection. The ducks ahead and behind stretch the line into a gentle rhythm, each silhouette spaced just enough to suggest quiet companionship rather than formation. The water carries the light in long, trembling streaks, so every ripple becomes a brushstroke. Nothing in the frame is loud. It’s all restraint—shape, shadow, reflection—letting the warmth of dawn do the storytelling. The photograph feels like a breath taken before the day begins." - Microsoft Copilot
February 5, 2026 at 2:08 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
Reflections of Nature

Here is a great blue heron (Ardea herodias). I photographed it at a local lake.
"The heron stands at the water’s edge like a quiet sentinel, tall and composed, its long body rising from the bank in a single elegant line. Its slate‑blue feathers catch the light in soft gradients—smoke, steel, and pale ash blending across its wings and back. The bird’s neck forms a gentle S‑curve, held halfway between rest and readiness, and its dagger‑straight bill points slightly downward as if measuring the stillness around it. Behind the heron, dense green vegetation presses close: tall grasses, leafy stems, and tangled undergrowth forming a textured wall of living color. The greens range from deep forest to bright spring, layered so thickly that the bird seems carved into a niche of wildness. The water below is perfectly calm, a dark mirror that doubles the scene with uncanny clarity. The heron’s reflection stretches downward—every feather, every angle of its posture echoed in the surface. The mirrored grasses frame it, creating a near‑symmetrical world where the boundary between bird and reflection feels almost imaginary. The overall mood is hushed and contemplative, as if the heron has paused time itself. Nothing moves. Nothing disturbs the water. It’s a moment of pure stillness held between breath and ripple." - Microsoft Copilot
February 3, 2026 at 10:16 PM