Swede's Photographs

Retired soldier, I spent about 30 years in the military (USMC/Army).  Also recently retired computer systems engineer.  So, I'm just plain retired.  I need something to do so, I decided on photography and bird watching as a hobby.  Unless otherwise stated, all photographs I post are my own. I take pictures and want to share them with you, so please follow my blog.

[swede1952]

I've had several inquiries about how to get a print of some my photographs. This is a hobby for me, so I haven't been equipped to handle those requests. But I enjoy what I'm doing and want to share my photographs.

So, I set up an account and website with pixels. My website is: https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com/

If you want a print of one of my photographs, you can get it there, If I haven't loaded it, let me know which one it is, and I'll gladly load it there for you.

Cheers!

[swede1952]

Blue‑Sky Brigade

This flock was flying in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, miles from any land. They are yellow‑crowned night herons (Nyctanassa violacea).

Discover nature's fleeting moments through my lens—visit my photo gallery to see more.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

[swede1952]

Good morning. 🦆🪿🦢

20 July 2026

When you can’t think of anything else to talk about, bring up the weather. Today’s report says we’re in for six days of hot temperatures, but when I look at the extended forecast, I see nothing but heat all the way to the end — at least ten days. My guess is it’ll last straight through the summer. It always does.

These days we have air‑conditioning, so when it gets hot we just stay inside as much as possible. But sixty years ago, when AC wasn’t common, people spent more time outdoors simply because it was cooler out there than inside. At least in the South. Here in Louisiana, where the heat comes with a side of humidity, working outside can feel like you’re slowly melting.

Lately I’ve been living in gym shorts and a T‑shirt unless I’m doing yard work or heading out somewhere. If I’m leaving the house, I get all duded up and presentable.

Okay, I really don’t have much this morning, so I’m going to cut this short. Have a wonderful day.

[swede1952]

Sunny Day

Here is an eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis), they always seem to brighten up the day.

[swede1952]

Scissor Tail on Steel

I spotted this scissor‑tailed flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus) as we were leaving our hotel in Harrison, Arkansas. It was a first for me.

Step into a world where even the smallest moments—like the glint in a bird's eye—tell their own story.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

[swede1952]

Monochrome Curiosity

Here is a tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) perched on the edge of my birdbath, leaning forward as it looks curiously down toward the ground. I chose to capture the moment in black and white simply because it felt right

[swede1952]

Held in the Beak of Morning

I liked the profile of this blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) captured here among the forest leaves. It holds something at the tip of its beak — perhaps a small seed — and until you notice it, the beak almost appears to have a tiny hook at the end.

If you're enchanted by images of blue jays and other captivating corvids, dive into my photo gallery for a visual treat! Take a peek:

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

[swede1952]

Good morning. 🦎🦎🦎

18 July 2026

I just finished reading The Friend of the Family by Dean Koontz. I enjoyed it, though it felt like a slow burner and not quite the type of story I was expecting. I wouldn’t call it his best work, but it held my interest.

The story is told in first person by Alida, a young girl with marked—though mostly undescribed—physical deformities and a strikingly beautiful face. More importantly, she has a beautiful soul. Early in her life she falls under the control of the captain, a man who keeps her as his ward and displays her nearly naked in carnival sideshows. Her only escape from his dehumanizing manipulation comes from books, which give her hope, strength, and a sense of inner freedom. The captain steals these books during their travels, usually from libraries along the way.

This is Alida’s life—isolated from the world except when she’s put on display—until one night at a speakeasy performance. Franklin and Loretta Fairchild, a well‑off couple, witness the show and are horrified by the exploitation of a young girl. They confront the captain in a tense exchange and ultimately secure Alida’s freedom.

Alida travels with them to Bramely Hall, their home in San Diego. Franklin and Loretta adopt her and welcome her into their family, which includes their three biological children.

The story centers on Alida’s life among the Fairchilds at Bramley Hall. Other characters include the large household staff. Alida’s chronicles are mostly delightful; she is living a wonderful life she never imagined possible. But the captain hasn’t forgotten his golden ticket.

“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” — Frederick Douglass

“Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” — Lord Acton

“To feel at home is to feel safe.” — Maya Angelou

[swede1952]

On The Road

While my wife and I were traveling north into Arkansas on Friday (10 May 2024), I spotted a hawk perched on a powerline along a road in the Ozark mountains. I pulled over and grabbed my camera. Later, one of my granddaughters asked what species it was — and looking at a tiny phone photo of a bird 50–100 yards away, I wasn’t sure. Now that I’m back home and can check it properly, it’s a red‑shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus).

Check out breathtaking photos of magnificent birds of prey, visit my photo gallery here:

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

[swede1952]

White in the Dark

This is one of my early images of a southern dewberry (Rubus trivialis) flower — a simple experiment in light.

[swede1952]

Rain‑Soaked Visitor

I looked outside and saw a Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) under the bird feeder. I’d seen it before, but this time I got pictures. I gave it a little spook and let Charlie out; he caught up to the critter, but that was it. Opossums aren’t exactly built for speed.

[swede1952]

Kite in the Blue

I spotted this Mississippi kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) circling overhead, and I’m pretty sure it spotted me right back. They’re relatively small raptors, built for high, effortless soaring, and this one seemed unusually interested in my backyard. Mississippi kites don’t typically go after other birds, but with all the anoles skittering around the house, it may have been scouting for a quick snack.

Check out breathtaking photos of magnificent birds of prey, visit my photo gallery here:

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

[swede1952]

Good morning. 🐦🐦🐦

16 July 2026

I haven’t posted any photos for a few days. We drove up to Little Rock, where one of my granddaughters is starting her first teaching gig — kindergarten at a school in North Little Rock. We went up to help her begin setting up her classroom, and most of our time was spent assembling furniture, organizing supplies, and putting together the tools she’ll need to teach those little ones.

I have to say, it’s startling how much teachers end up paying out of their own pockets if they want to give their students an excellent classroom experience. The upside is that it lets them shape the room around their own vision — the colors, the themes, the little touches that make learning feel magical. But when you walk into a classroom and see all those extras that make the space warm and inviting, remember: the teacher probably bought most of that themselves.

This was the week for getting her room ready, and as I mentioned, we were there to help. I’m not entirely sure she’s being paid for this setup time, but I hope so. She’s been working another job up near Branson all summer and had to take time off from that just to get her classroom in order.

She also had to establish a place to live near the school, and she’s settled into a nice little apartment not too far away. It’s her first real stretch of life away from home, and it’s a perfect example of how challenging those early adult steps can be. You have to figure out how to fund your life before the first paycheck ever arrives. The answer, of course, is working hard all summer and saving every bit you can. …

But watching her get her feet under her made me think about the rest of the family too. My daughter’s girls have made good choices, worked hard, and are stepping into lives that will carry them forward. They’re building something solid — you can see the path forming right in front of them.

Not everyone gets that kind of beginning. I’ve got nieces and nephews who, for all sorts of reasons — poverty, unstable homes, bad breaks, bad decisions — never got the same launch. When you start with nothing, you stay stuck with nothing. No transportation. No place of your own. No cushion to fall back on. And once you’re behind, every step forward feels like climbing a hill made of loose gravel.

It’s a reminder that “getting started” isn’t the same challenge for everyone. Some kids step into adulthood with a foundation. Others step into adulthood with a hole they have to climb out of first.

“Not all storms come to disrupt your life; some come to clear your path.” — Paulo Coelho

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” — Ian Maclaren

“The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” — Aristotle

[swede1952]

Surf Is Up

These are three ring billed gulls (Larus delawarensis) that were floating around at Gulfport, Mississippi one fall.

[swede1952]

Finch Tower

Here are three house finches (Haemorhous mexicanus), two females and one male on a bare tree branch.

Step into a world where even the smallest moments—like the glint in a bird's eye—tell their own story.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

[swede1952]

Featherstorm

Here is a little blue heron (Egretta caerulea) doing its best impression of an ink blot—unless, of course, it’s actually an ink blot that just happens to resemble a heron. Hard to tell with all those ruffled feathers. I’m not sure what the bird was up to in that moment—maybe shaking off morning dew, maybe trying to look intimidating, or maybe just having a dramatic start to the day. The lighting wasn’t great that morning, but the heron’s wild silhouette made the scene memorable anyway.

[swede1952]

Quiet Visitor

The crown of crimson plumage atop this red‑bellied woodpecker’s head is striking, and you can see how those red feathers spill down onto his back, blending into the bold black‑and‑white bars that pattern his back.

Explore more chic woodpecker photos by visiting my photo gallery.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com