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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. 😴🥱☕

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
Reposted by @Swede1952
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
Reposted by @Swede1952
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
Reposted by @Swede1952
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
Reposted by @Swede1952
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
Reposted by @Swede1952
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
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
swede1952.bsky.social
Jasmine in Morning Light

We were walking yesterday when we came across some Carolina jasmine (Gelsemium sempervirens), ...

1/3

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #nature #CarolinaJasmine #flowers #plants
"The photograph captures a single, arching vine of Carolina jasmine held in crisp focus against a soft, blurred backdrop. The stem is a warm reddish‑brown, slender and slightly curved, almost like a brushstroke suspended in the air. Along it, narrow, glossy green leaves reach outward in alternating directions, their surfaces catching the light with a gentle sheen. Two bright yellow blossoms command the center of the frame. Each flower is shaped like a small trumpet opening toward the viewer, with five rounded petals forming a soft star. The petals glow with a saturated, sunlit yellow—rich, warm, and almost luminous—creating a striking contrast against the deep greens of the leaves and the muted background. The flowers appear delicate but confident, as if they’re quietly announcing spring." - Microsoft Copilot
February 3, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Reposted by @Swede1952
maxxxdoubt.bsky.social
In central Illinois we can expect to see Robins just about any time of year, although they're much more secluded in the winters. I sometimes catch them eating from the ornamental crab-apple type of dried fruit trees. Hey, what else can you do when the worms are frozen under the ground? 🙂
February 3, 2026 at 6:52 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
Skyline of Wings

I’ve looked past this image of black skimmers (Rynchops niger) a dozen times, but when I glanced at it this morning, I finally noticed the depth created by the flock stretching into the distance.
"A wide sweep of sky fills the frame, pale and softly clouded, and across it moves a flock of black skimmers in full, fluid flight. The birds are captured mid‑motion, each one angled slightly differently, so the flock feels alive—like a single organism made of many wings. Their bodies are long and slender, painted in sharp contrasts: deep black across the back and wings, bright white along the underside, and that unmistakable flash of orange‑red at the beak. Because skimmers have such distinctive bills—top half shorter than the bottom—their silhouettes look almost stylized, like brushstrokes cutting through the air. Wings stretch wide and pointed, some lifted high, others dipping low, giving the flock a sense of rhythm and choreography. They’re not packed tightly; instead, they’re spaced in a loose, drifting pattern, as if the wind itself is arranging them. The sky behind them is muted, a soft wash of gray and white, which makes the birds’ dark wings and bright beaks stand out even more. There’s no land or water visible—just birds and sky—so the whole scene feels weightless, suspended, a moment of pure motion frozen in time." - Microsoft Copilot
February 3, 2026 at 6:10 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
Robin at Attention

I haven’t seen any American robins (Turdus migratorius) for quite a while, though Merlin keeps reminding me they’re still ...

1/2

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #thrush #AmericanRobin
"An American robin stands squarely on a patch of early‑season grass, facing the camera with the kind of direct, unhurried confidence this species carries so naturally. Its body fills the frame, making the bird feel close enough to touch. The robin’s breast is a deep, warm orange—rich and saturated, like the color of a ripe persimmon. That bold chest meets a dark, almost charcoal‑black head, giving the bird a crisp, clean contrast. Its eyes are bright and alert, set beneath a thin white eye‑ring that reads almost like a subtle highlight. The beak is slender and yellow, pointed slightly downward as if the bird has paused mid‑stride to assess the world. The wings and back are a smooth gray, each feather lying neatly in place, creating a soft gradient from slate to smoke. The robin’s legs are thin but sturdy, gripping the mixed green‑and‑brown grass beneath it. The ground is textured—some blades upright, others flattened—suggesting a natural, lived‑in patch of earth. The background stays close and simple, keeping all attention on the bird’s posture, color, and presence. A small photographer’s signature rests in the upper corner, marking the image as a deliberate, careful capture of a familiar but striking species. The overall feeling is one of quiet readiness, as if the robin is about to hop forward, tilt its head, and listen for the faint movement of a worm beneath the soil." - Microsoft Copilot
February 3, 2026 at 5:48 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
Good morning. 🕊️🕊️🕊️

3 February 2026

Do you remember how, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, bell‑bottom trousers were just about the only thing you could buy? ...

1/8

#photo #photography #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #RockPigeons #RockDoves #pigeons #doves #morning #fashion #bellbottoms
Feast on the Platform "A tight cluster of rock pigeons (Columba livia) crowds around a wooden bird feeder, their bodies forming a living ring of gray, charcoal, and soft iridescent greens. The feeder itself is simple and sturdy: a square wooden platform with a clear central column filled with seed, the kind that releases food slowly as the birds eat. The pigeons stand shoulder‑to‑shoulder, so close their wings overlap like layered shingles. Most of the birds have their heads bowed, beaks buried in the scattered seed. From this angle, their neck feathers catch the light in shifting colors — a wash of green that turns violet as they move. Their bodies are plump and rounded, the slate‑gray wings edged with darker bars. Their feet, a vivid red against the pale wood, grip the feeder’s rim with a mix of balance and urgency. The scene feels intimate and bustling. You can almost hear the soft rustle of feathers, the quick tapping of beaks on wood, and the low cooing that pigeons make when they’re comfortable and focused on food. The background is blurred into warm, gentle tones, pulling all attention toward the small, communal feast at the center. The photograph carries the signature “© Swede’s Photographe” in the lower right corner, marking it as a crafted, intentional capture of everyday urban wildlife." - Microsoft Copilot
February 3, 2026 at 2:44 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
Thrasher Forest

This brown thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) was perched in an oak tree in the forest behind my house. These birds are mostly found in the Eastern United States, though individuals do turn up in other regions from time to time.
"A brown thrasher stands alert on a branch, its long body angled slightly forward as if listening for the next rustle in the leaves. The bird’s rich brown back glows warmly in the sunlight, while its chest and belly are a bright, clean white streaked with bold, dark lines—each streak sharp enough to feel almost hand‑drawn. Its yellow eyes shine with a fierce, intelligent brightness, giving the thrasher a look of constant awareness. The bird’s long tail extends behind it like a rudder, balancing its weight on the branch. Two crisp white wing bars cut across its folded wings, adding contrast to the warm tones of its plumage. Around the bird, green leaves frame the scene, some catching the light, others casting soft shadows. Behind it all stretches a clear blue sky, making the thrasher’s colors stand out even more vividly. The whole moment feels alive and alert—sunlight, leaves, and a bird built for quick movement and sharp observation, pausing just long enough to be seen." - Microsoft Copilot
February 2, 2026 at 2:48 PM
swede1952.bsky.social
Red in the Green

Here is a male northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), clearly photographed in spring or summer.
"A northern cardinal perches on a slender branch, its body a brilliant flare of red against a soft, green blur of background. The bird’s plumage is rich and saturated, every feather catching the light in a way that makes the red seem almost warm to the touch. Its black mask—a sharp, velvety patch around the beak and eyes—gives the cardinal an expression of alert confidence, as though it’s surveying its territory with quiet authority. The branch beneath it is thin and slightly curved, dotted with a few small leaves that frame the bird without distracting from it. The tree’s trunk rises nearby, textured and rough, grounding the scene in a sense of place. The background melts into gentle greens and yellows, creating a soft halo that makes the cardinal stand out even more vividly. The bird holds itself with a kind of poised stillness—head lifted, crest slightly raised, body angled forward as if ready to leap into flight at the slightest rustle. It’s a moment of bright, living color suspended in a calm, natural world." - Microsoft Copilot
February 2, 2026 at 2:30 PM