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@Swede1952 @swede1952.bsky.social · 7h

There were some around this evening, it was interesting to listen to their whistling. There were also some domestic ducks and a few geese wandering around, you there was quite a chorus.

@Swede1952 @swede1952.bsky.social · 7h

😊

Reposted by @Swede1952

@Swede1952 @swede1952.bsky.social · 1d

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. ...

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#morning #moon #snowgeese #geese #family #visit #lake #dog #photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers

"A luminous moon commands the frame, its surface etched with ancient memory. Captured on the evening of October 8, 2025, the photograph reveals the Moon in its Waning Gibbous phase, still nearly full, with 95% illumination casting a soft silver glow across the night. Craters ripple across the terrain like fossilized echoes, while dark maria stretch like ink stains on a parchment of stone. Bright rays fan outward from impact sites, resembling frozen bursts of light or the delicate veins of a pressed leaf. The Moon’s curvature is crisp, its texture almost tactile—like weathered marble burnished by time.

This image doesn’t merely depict the Moon—it archives its mythic presence, as if the lunar surface were a sovereign scroll of celestial history. The photograph bears the subtle signature “© Swede’s Photographs” in the bottom right corner, a quiet nod to the witness behind the lens." - Microsoft Copilot

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Reposted by @Swede1952

@Swede1952 @swede1952.bsky.social · 1d

White Flame Rising

This is a striking image of a Great Egret (Ardea alba), captured in a pose that almost suggests surrender—as if the ...

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#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #heron #egret #GreatEgret

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Reposted by @Swede1952

@Swede1952 @swede1952.bsky.social · 1d

Killdeer Constellation

Even though the killdeer were too far away to capture detailed images of each bird, the moment still felt remarkable—it was the first time I’d seen so many gathered together in one place.

"A group of Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) gathers along the edge of a tranquil body of water—likely a lake or pond. Eleven birds are visible, scattered across the shoreline in a loose constellation of motion and stillness. Some stand in the shallow water, their slender legs barely disturbing the surface, while others take flight, wings outstretched in a blur of brown and white. Their plumage is distinct: warm brown upperparts, white underbellies, and two bold black bands across the chest like ceremonial sashes. The water in the foreground is a deep, reflective blue, while the grassy background glows with a mix of green and golden hues, suggesting early morning or late afternoon light.

The scene feels like a quiet ritual—each bird performing its part in a choreography of presence. The air is still, the light is soft, and the shoreline becomes a stage for this moment of wild communion." - Microsoft Copilot

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@Swede1952 @swede1952.bsky.social · 1d

There Be Witches Here 🧹

What stories might this house tell? A solitary dwelling perched on a hill beneath a sky in turmoil. Are its occupants still among ...

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#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #house #buildling #architecture #haunt #witchcraft #witch #sky

"An old wooden house stands weathered and worn in a clearing, surrounded by tall, thin trees with sparse foliage. The structure appears abandoned—its boards faded, its roof sagging slightly, as if bowing to time. The ground is littered with dry vegetation and fallen branches, suggesting long neglect and nature’s quiet reclamation. The trees rise like sentinels around the house, their trunks pale and upright, casting faint shadows across the clearing.

Above, the sky is surreal—a vivid turquoise streaked with dark, ominous clouds. The contrast between the eerie sky and the muted earth creates a haunting atmosphere, as if the scene were paused between memory and myth. The light is strange and theatrical, bathing the house in a glow that feels both sacred and foreboding.

This image evokes a sense of mystery and solitude, as though the house were a forgotten shrine or a threshold to another time." - Copilot

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Reposted by @Swede1952

@Swede1952 @swede1952.bsky.social · 1d

Reflections of Still Waters

This is a pond slider turtle (Trachemys scripta) resting on a log in the heart of Kisatchie Lake, nestled within Louisiana’s Kisatchie National Forest. The forest’s reflection in the lake adds a striking, almost dreamlike quality to the scene.

"A turtle perches calmly on a partially submerged log or rock in the center of a serene water body. The turtle’s shell glistens in the sunlight, its posture relaxed yet alert—like a quiet sentinel of the pond. Tall grasses sprout from the log, adding vertical accents that frame the turtle like ceremonial banners. The water surrounding it is smooth and reflective, rippling gently with hues of green, yellow, and white from nearby foliage and tree trunks.

The reflections are vivid and painterly, creating a mirrored world where vegetation and sky blend into a tranquil mosaic. The background is softly blurred, allowing the turtle and its sunlit perch to remain the focal point. The scene feels peaceful, almost sacred—a moment of stillness in nature’s slow choreography.

Signed “© Swede's Photographs” in the bottom right corner, the image captures not just wildlife, but a quiet ritual of basking, balance, and belonging." - Copilot

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@Swede1952 @swede1952.bsky.social · 22h

Good morning. ☕☕☕

10 October 2025

Last night, we attended our nephew’s graduation from the Basic Peace Officer’s Course—a police academy run by a Texas sheriff’s department. He’s now officially a deputy. ...

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#morning #RiteOfPassage #grass #photo

Ivory in Motion

"A dense congregation of fountain grass stands tall and alive, its slender green blades arching and weaving like a ceremonial curtain stirred by breath. Rising from this verdant base are dozens of feathery flower spikes—soft plumes that shimmer in hues of pale lavender, ivory, and silvery white. Each plume catches the light like a whisper, their airy textures reminiscent of brushed velvet or wind-swept fur. The spikes tilt and sway, some upright like sentinels, others leaning gently as if mid-bow in a ritual of wind and time.

The entire cluster feels animate—like a mythic gathering of vegetal elders, each plume a scroll of seasonal memory. The interplay of light and shadow across the blades and tufts creates a rhythmic pattern, a visual hymn to movement and softness. There’s no hard edge here, only the gentle choreography of nature’s breath. In the bottom left corner, a watermark reads “© Swede’s Photographs,” anchoring the image in authorship without disturbing its quiet ceremony." - Microsoft Copilot

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Reposted by @Swede1952

@Swede1952 @swede1952.bsky.social · 19h

Whistlers in the Haze

On 9 October 2025, I encountered a large flock of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks (Dendrocygna autumnalis).

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#photo #photography #photographer #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #waterfowl #ducks #BlackBelliedWhistlingDucks

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Reposted by @Swede1952

@Swede1952 @swede1952.bsky.social · 19h

Sentinel on the Rock

I really should have tried to get closer to this killdeer to get this shot. I like the composition though, bird, rock, and lake.

"A solitary Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) stands poised atop a mottled rock at the edge of a calm lake, its slender frame angled away from the viewer, gazing toward the water as if in quiet contemplation. The bird’s plumage is a study in contrast—warm brown upperparts, crisp white underbelly, and two bold black bands that wrap across its chest like ceremonial sashes. Its long legs and upright posture give it a sentinel-like presence, as though it were guarding the threshold between land and water.

The lake behind it stretches out in soft hues of pale blue, its surface smooth and lightly rippled, reflecting the sky with a gentle shimmer. Surrounding the rock are tufts of grass and scattered stones, grounding the scene in a natural palette of greens, grays, and earth tones. The composition feels balanced yet intimate—an invitation to pause and witness a moment of stillness.

The Killdeer’s gaze, though unseen, seems deliberate. It does not perform; it presides. The image evokes solitude, watchfulness, and the quiet dignity of a creature attuned to its surroundings. A watermark in the top left corner reads “Swede’s Photographs,” subtly anchoring the image in authorship without disturbing its serenity." - Microsoft Copilot

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Reposted by @Swede1952

@Swede1952 @swede1952.bsky.social · 15h

Morning Glories in the Meadow Choir

This photograph captures a small field of wildflowers—primarily yellow bitter sneezeweeds (Helenium amarum)—their bright blooms clustered like sunlit confetti ...

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#photo #photography #photographer #photographylove #nature #wildflowers #flowers

"A radiant field of yellow wildflowers stretches across the frame like a sunlit tapestry, each bloom small and densely packed, their petals glowing with warmth and cheer. The yellow dominates, creating a golden sea that seems to hum with late-season energy. Beneath the blossoms, slender green stems and leaves weave a subtle underlayer, grounding the scene in earthy rhythm.

Amid this golden expanse, a few purple morning glory flowers rise like ceremonial accents—bold, trumpet-shaped, and unmistakably regal. Their deep violet hue contrasts sharply with the yellow, drawing the eye like glyphs of mystery in a field of light. The morning glories appear scattered but intentional, like emissaries from a different ministry of bloom.

The composition feels both wild and harmonious, as if nature had choreographed a dance of color and texture. The interplay between the dominant yellow and the striking purple evokes a sense of balance—joy tempered by depth, brightness softened by shadow." - Microsoft Copilot

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Reposted by @Swede1952

@Swede1952 @swede1952.bsky.social · 12h

Flower Child

This photograph captures the striking beauty of purple false foxgloves (Purple Gerardia), wildflowers I encountered in the area. To enhance its visual appeal, I creatively adjusted the light properties. The result is an image with a captivating, 60s-inspired psychedelic aesthetic.

"This image showcases a close-up view of a flowering plant with purple blossoms and buds. The flowers have a delicate, slightly translucent quality to their petals. Surrounding the plant is a vivid, colorful background with shades of red, yellow, green, and blue, making the composition dynamic and artistic. The stems and buds are detailed, showing natural veins and a lush green hue. The combination of vibrant colors and soft floral textures creates a striking visual appeal." - Copilot

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@Swede1952 @swede1952.bsky.social · 12h

Flower Child

This photograph captures the striking beauty of purple false foxgloves (Purple Gerardia), wildflowers I encountered in the area. To enhance its visual appeal, I creatively adjusted the light properties. The result is an image with a captivating, 60s-inspired psychedelic aesthetic.

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@Swede1952 @swede1952.bsky.social · 14h

Thank you, Mary!

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@Swede1952 @swede1952.bsky.social · 15h

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.

swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

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@Swede1952 @swede1952.bsky.social · 15h

Perhaps that small adjustment was my way of feeling creative—of shaping the scene just enough to honor its natural charm while adding a touch of intention.

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@Swede1952 @swede1952.bsky.social · 15h

across the frame. Threaded among them are three purple morning-glories (Ipomoea purpurea), bold and trumpet-shaped, offering a vivid counterpoint to the yellow.

I darkened the grassy background to let the flowers stand out more distinctly, though the green had its own quiet beauty. ...

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@Swede1952 @swede1952.bsky.social · 15h

Morning Glories in the Meadow Choir

This photograph captures a small field of wildflowers—primarily yellow bitter sneezeweeds (Helenium amarum)—their bright blooms clustered like sunlit confetti ...

1/4

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylove #nature #wildflowers #flowers

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@Swede1952 @swede1952.bsky.social · 15h

👍

1

@Swede1952 @swede1952.bsky.social · 19h

Thanks

@Swede1952 @swede1952.bsky.social · 19h

Sentinel on the Rock

I really should have tried to get closer to this killdeer to get this shot. I like the composition though, bird, rock, and lake.

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@Swede1952 @swede1952.bsky.social · 19h

There’s a rustic, weathered quality to the scene, as if the moment had been etched into memory rather than captured by lens.

If you enjoy wildlife and nature photography, check out my photo gallery here:

swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

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@Swede1952 @swede1952.bsky.social · 19h

The image captures just a small detachment of the flock, gliding smoothly across the lake’s surface like a quiet procession. The exposure is slightly high—I was still adjusting for the light—but the result carries its own charm. ...

2/3

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@Swede1952 @swede1952.bsky.social · 19h

Whistlers in the Haze

On 9 October 2025, I encountered a large flock of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks (Dendrocygna autumnalis).

1/3

#photo #photography #photographer #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #waterfowl #ducks #BlackBelliedWhistlingDucks

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@Swede1952 @swede1952.bsky.social · 22h

“Family likeness has often a deep sadness in it… blends yearning and repulsion; and ties us by our heart-strings to the beings that jar us at every movement.” — George Eliot

“The older I get, the more I love my morning coffee and no one speaking to me.” — Anonymous, Wordgag

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