Danish Akhtar
@danish_akhtar7@mastodon.social  ·  activity timestamp 6 days ago

Our Mosque in Azizia, Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The breathtaking beauty of mosque architecture, where every detail tells a story of artistry & devotion. The intricate dome & grand chandelier create a truly serene atmosphere.

#mastodon #mosque #mecca #saudiarabia #photography #picoftheday #photooftheday #discover #explore #phonephotography #travel #fediverse #mobilephotography #smartphonephotography #travelphotography #vlog #cityscape#Photographer #photograph #urbanphotography #photographyIsArt

A wide-angle interior shot looking up at the elegant ceiling of a mosque. A large, decorative gold chandelier with multiple lights hangs prominently from the center of a grand, cream-colored dome. The dome is adorned with subtle, geometric relief patterns in gold and white, and has several tall, arched windows that let in daylight. The surrounding architecture includes clean, modern white walls and glimpses of a dark wood banister.
A wide-angle interior shot looking up at the elegant ceiling of a mosque. A large, decorative gold chandelier with multiple lights hangs prominently from the center of a grand, cream-colored dome. The dome is adorned with subtle, geometric relief patterns in gold and white, and has several tall, arched windows that let in daylight. The surrounding architecture includes clean, modern white walls and glimpses of a dark wood banister.
A wide-angle interior shot looking up at the elegant ceiling of a mosque. A large, decorative gold chandelier with multiple lights hangs prominently from the center of a grand, cream-colored dome. The dome is adorned with subtle, geometric relief patterns in gold and white, and has several tall, arched windows that let in daylight. The surrounding architecture includes clean, modern white walls and glimpses of a dark wood banister.
Swede’s Photographs
@Swede1952@universeodon.com  ·  activity timestamp 6 days ago

Yellow in the Undergrowth

Here’s a scarlet tanager (Piranga olivacea)—female, I believe. I captured this image years ago while she lingered in an oak tree just beyond my fence. It was the first time I’d photographed one, and I remember thinking: maybe I’ll see a male someday. Who knows.

If you’re captivated by indigo buntings and other members of the Cardinalidae family—better known as the cardinal family—step into my photo gallery for a visual feast. Come take a look:

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife#nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography#ScarletTanager

"A female scarlet tanager perches on a bare, slender branch, mid-frame and mid-thought. Her plumage is a rich yellow—not neon, not pastel, but something grounded. The wings and tail are darker, olive-brown with hints of soot, like the forest pressed into feather. She’s built for blending in, but here she’s caught in a shaft of filtered light, and the camouflage becomes ceremony. Her beak is pale and pointed, angled slightly downward, and her eyes are small, dark, and steady. She faces left, posture balanced, as if weighing the air. No tension, no flair—just presence. The branch bends slightly under her weight, a quiet arc that anchors the scene. Behind her, the forest recedes into soft blur. Tree trunks rise like mottled columns, and leaves catch sunlight in uneven patches. The light is ambient, not dramatic—suggesting late morning or early afternoon. No spotlight, no chase. Just a moment held in rhythm. She is the brightest element in the frame, but not the loudest. Her yellow doesn’t shout—it hums. The image doesn’t ask for attention; it rewards it. In the bottom right corner, the photographer’s credit reads “Swede’s Photographs”—a quiet signature, like a field note tucked into the margin. Not branding, not intrusion. Just acknowledgment." - Copilot
"A female scarlet tanager perches on a bare, slender branch, mid-frame and mid-thought. Her plumage is a rich yellow—not neon, not pastel, but something grounded. The wings and tail are darker, olive-brown with hints of soot, like the forest pressed into feather. She’s built for blending in, but here she’s caught in a shaft of filtered light, and the camouflage becomes ceremony. Her beak is pale and pointed, angled slightly downward, and her eyes are small, dark, and steady. She faces left, posture balanced, as if weighing the air. No tension, no flair—just presence. The branch bends slightly under her weight, a quiet arc that anchors the scene. Behind her, the forest recedes into soft blur. Tree trunks rise like mottled columns, and leaves catch sunlight in uneven patches. The light is ambient, not dramatic—suggesting late morning or early afternoon. No spotlight, no chase. Just a moment held in rhythm. She is the brightest element in the frame, but not the loudest. Her yellow doesn’t shout—it hums. The image doesn’t ask for attention; it rewards it. In the bottom right corner, the photographer’s credit reads “Swede’s Photographs”—a quiet signature, like a field note tucked into the margin. Not branding, not intrusion. Just acknowledgment." - Copilot
"A female scarlet tanager perches on a bare, slender branch, mid-frame and mid-thought. Her plumage is a rich yellow—not neon, not pastel, but something grounded. The wings and tail are darker, olive-brown with hints of soot, like the forest pressed into feather. She’s built for blending in, but here she’s caught in a shaft of filtered light, and the camouflage becomes ceremony. Her beak is pale and pointed, angled slightly downward, and her eyes are small, dark, and steady. She faces left, posture balanced, as if weighing the air. No tension, no flair—just presence. The branch bends slightly under her weight, a quiet arc that anchors the scene. Behind her, the forest recedes into soft blur. Tree trunks rise like mottled columns, and leaves catch sunlight in uneven patches. The light is ambient, not dramatic—suggesting late morning or early afternoon. No spotlight, no chase. Just a moment held in rhythm. She is the brightest element in the frame, but not the loudest. Her yellow doesn’t shout—it hums. The image doesn’t ask for attention; it rewards it. In the bottom right corner, the photographer’s credit reads “Swede’s Photographs”—a quiet signature, like a field note tucked into the margin. Not branding, not intrusion. Just acknowledgment." - Copilot
Swede’s Photographs
@Swede1952@universeodon.com  ·  activity timestamp 7 days ago

City Royals

Here’s one for the pigeon lovers. These two rock pigeons—Columba livia, if you’re feeling scientific—are regulars in my backyard. I call them officers of the pigeon battalion, part of the morning flock that descends on my bird feeders with military precision. If you look closely, you’ll see what I call epaulets on their shoulders—markings that suggest rank, or at least attitude.

The pigeon in the foreground is easy to spot. He’s got a grizzle effect in his plumage, a genetic quirk that gives him those distinctive white patches. Like camouflage, but for a bird who doesn’t bother hiding.

I used to try discouraging their visits. They’d clean out the seed before the songbirds even got a chance. But nothing worked. So I went with the old saying: If you can’t beat them, join them. Now I just salute and let the battalion do its rounds.

If you're a fan of stunning dove imagery, be sure to explore my photo gallery for a collection of beautiful snapshots that capture their elegance and charm.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife#nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #dove #pigeon#RockPigeons#RockDoves

"Two pigeons stand in quiet proximity, their plumage catching the light with unexpected brilliance. The bird in the foreground is a soft mosaic of light gray and white, its neck shimmering with iridescent greens and purples—like oil on water or the underside of a beetle’s wing. Its head is slightly tilted, and its bright orange eye gleams with alertness, framed by a fine ring of pale skin. The feathers are sharply defined, each contour visible, as if etched with care. Behind it, a second pigeon lingers in softer focus. Its feathers are darker—charcoal gray with similar iridescent hues pooling around the neck and chest. Though less sharply rendered, its presence adds depth and rhythm to the composition, like a shadow echoing the foreground’s clarity. The background is blurred into a soft wash of neutral tones, allowing the pigeons’ plumage and eyes to dominate the scene. There’s no clutter, no distraction—just the quiet dignity of two urban birds rendered with the reverence usually reserved for rarer species. The image invites a second look. These are not just pigeons—they are portraits of resilience, dressed in light and shadow, standing still in a world that rarely does." - Copilot
"Two pigeons stand in quiet proximity, their plumage catching the light with unexpected brilliance. The bird in the foreground is a soft mosaic of light gray and white, its neck shimmering with iridescent greens and purples—like oil on water or the underside of a beetle’s wing. Its head is slightly tilted, and its bright orange eye gleams with alertness, framed by a fine ring of pale skin. The feathers are sharply defined, each contour visible, as if etched with care. Behind it, a second pigeon lingers in softer focus. Its feathers are darker—charcoal gray with similar iridescent hues pooling around the neck and chest. Though less sharply rendered, its presence adds depth and rhythm to the composition, like a shadow echoing the foreground’s clarity. The background is blurred into a soft wash of neutral tones, allowing the pigeons’ plumage and eyes to dominate the scene. There’s no clutter, no distraction—just the quiet dignity of two urban birds rendered with the reverence usually reserved for rarer species. The image invites a second look. These are not just pigeons—they are portraits of resilience, dressed in light and shadow, standing still in a world that rarely does." - Copilot
"Two pigeons stand in quiet proximity, their plumage catching the light with unexpected brilliance. The bird in the foreground is a soft mosaic of light gray and white, its neck shimmering with iridescent greens and purples—like oil on water or the underside of a beetle’s wing. Its head is slightly tilted, and its bright orange eye gleams with alertness, framed by a fine ring of pale skin. The feathers are sharply defined, each contour visible, as if etched with care. Behind it, a second pigeon lingers in softer focus. Its feathers are darker—charcoal gray with similar iridescent hues pooling around the neck and chest. Though less sharply rendered, its presence adds depth and rhythm to the composition, like a shadow echoing the foreground’s clarity. The background is blurred into a soft wash of neutral tones, allowing the pigeons’ plumage and eyes to dominate the scene. There’s no clutter, no distraction—just the quiet dignity of two urban birds rendered with the reverence usually reserved for rarer species. The image invites a second look. These are not just pigeons—they are portraits of resilience, dressed in light and shadow, standing still in a world that rarely does." - Copilot
Danish Akhtar
@danish_akhtar7@mastodon.social  ·  activity timestamp 7 days ago

This is the Mosque in Azizia, Mecca, Saudi Arabia near our Hotel where we used to offer Salah (Namaz/Prayer).

#mastodon #mosque #mecca #makkah #saudiarabia #faith #masjid #fediverse #photography #picoftheday #photooftheday #discover #explore #mobilephotography #smartphonephotography #travel #travelphotography #vlog #photographyIsArt #cityscape #urbanphotography#Photographer #photograph #phonephotography #photojournalism

A person in a white garment sits on a patterned blue carpet, praying inside a mosque. In front of them is a wooden stand holding a Quran. On the wall, there is a large electronic display board with a decorative frame, showing different prayer times in both green and red digital text. The walls are covered in light-colored marble with brown veining, and ornate golden lights hang on either side. An air conditioner unit is visible to the right.
A person in a white garment sits on a patterned blue carpet, praying inside a mosque. In front of them is a wooden stand holding a Quran. On the wall, there is a large electronic display board with a decorative frame, showing different prayer times in both green and red digital text. The walls are covered in light-colored marble with brown veining, and ornate golden lights hang on either side. An air conditioner unit is visible to the right.
A person in a white garment sits on a patterned blue carpet, praying inside a mosque. In front of them is a wooden stand holding a Quran. On the wall, there is a large electronic display board with a decorative frame, showing different prayer times in both green and red digital text. The walls are covered in light-colored marble with brown veining, and ornate golden lights hang on either side. An air conditioner unit is visible to the right.
Jon Pinter
@pinskal@sfba.social  ·  activity timestamp 7 days ago

California Sunset
Central Coast/Los Osos
Photographer Jon Pinter
#sunset #sunsetlovers #sunsetphotography#Lightroom #photo #photography #fotografie #photographer #scape #nature #coast #coastlife #coastal #california #westcoast#WestCoastLife #beachlife #shoreline

The image depicts a serene sunset over a body of water, likely a lake or a calm sea. The sky is a gradient of colors, transitioning from deep blue at the top to vibrant oranges and yellows near the horizon, where the sun is setting. Wispy clouds are scattered across the sky, reflecting the warm colors of the sunset. The water is calm, with gentle ripples, and reflects the colors of the sky, creating a mirror-like effect. In the foreground, the silhouette of a tree is visible on the right side, adding depth to the scene. The horizon line is visible, with a faint outline of land or hills in the distance, enhancing the sense of tranquility. The overall composition is peaceful and captures the beauty of nature during the golden hour.
The image depicts a serene sunset over a body of water, likely a lake or a calm sea. The sky is a gradient of colors, transitioning from deep blue at the top to vibrant oranges and yellows near the horizon, where the sun is setting. Wispy clouds are scattered across the sky, reflecting the warm colors of the sunset. The water is calm, with gentle ripples, and reflects the colors of the sky, creating a mirror-like effect. In the foreground, the silhouette of a tree is visible on the right side, adding depth to the scene. The horizon line is visible, with a faint outline of land or hills in the distance, enhancing the sense of tranquility. The overall composition is peaceful and captures the beauty of nature during the golden hour.
The image depicts a serene sunset over a body of water, likely a lake or a calm sea. The sky is a gradient of colors, transitioning from deep blue at the top to vibrant oranges and yellows near the horizon, where the sun is setting. Wispy clouds are scattered across the sky, reflecting the warm colors of the sunset. The water is calm, with gentle ripples, and reflects the colors of the sky, creating a mirror-like effect. In the foreground, the silhouette of a tree is visible on the right side, adding depth to the scene. The horizon line is visible, with a faint outline of land or hills in the distance, enhancing the sense of tranquility. The overall composition is peaceful and captures the beauty of nature during the golden hour.
Matt Crawford
@mattcrawford81@mastodon.social  ·  activity timestamp 7 days ago

I'm at a stage in my life where if it doesn't bring me happiness, then I simply don't want it in my life. One thing that always made me happy was taking beautiful photos of the sunset.

Slowly rediscovering myself and trying to get back into what I love doing instead of dealing with drama and people who don't value me.
#photography #photographer #iowa #sunset #beautiful#NaturePhotography
Danish Akhtar
@danish_akhtar7@mastodon.social  ·  activity timestamp last week

हमलोग जब तक मक्का में रहे तब तक इसी मस्ज़िद में ज़्यादा तर नमाज़ पढ़ते थे। इस मस्ज़िद से हमें खास लगाव हो गया था।

#mastodon #mosque #mecca #makkah #saudiarabia #photography #picoftheday #photooftheday#FollowFriday#FF#Photographer #photograph #urbanphotography #cityscape #photographyIsArt #smartphonephotography #mobilephotography #travelphotography #vlog #discover #explore #fediverse #masjid #phonephotography #travel #photo
Swede’s Photographs
@Swede1952@universeodon.com  ·  activity timestamp last week

Masked and Still

I’ve been posting a lot of photos of Carolina chickadees (Poecile carolinensis) lately—there’s no shortage of them around here this year. It’s fascinating to watch them dart in and out of the forest, like punctuation marks in motion.

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

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife#nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography#CarolinaChickadee

"A Carolina chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) grips a vertical tree branch with quiet precision; its small feet curled around the bark like punctuation. The bird’s posture is upright but relaxed, angled slightly to the left as if mid-thought or mid-scan. Its head is turned gently in that direction, giving the impression of curiosity without urgency. The plumage is crisp and familiar: a black cap and nape frame the white cheeks like a minimalist mask, while the body fades from soft gray to pale underparts. Subtle streaks along the flanks add texture, not drama. The wings are folded neatly, the tail aligned with the branch, creating a sense of balance and restraint. The background is a soft blur of green and yellow—light filtering through foliage, rendered abstract. It’s not a setting so much as a mood: quiet, natural, and unobtrusive. The branch itself is slender and vertical, offering both perch and stage without distraction. The bird’s gaze, though indirect, feels attentive. It’s not performing, not startled—just present. A moment held between movement and stillness, feather and bark, attention and ease. The image is signed “Swede’s Photographs” in the lower left corner, a subtle nod to authorship that doesn’t interrupt the visual rhythm." - Copilot
"A Carolina chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) grips a vertical tree branch with quiet precision; its small feet curled around the bark like punctuation. The bird’s posture is upright but relaxed, angled slightly to the left as if mid-thought or mid-scan. Its head is turned gently in that direction, giving the impression of curiosity without urgency. The plumage is crisp and familiar: a black cap and nape frame the white cheeks like a minimalist mask, while the body fades from soft gray to pale underparts. Subtle streaks along the flanks add texture, not drama. The wings are folded neatly, the tail aligned with the branch, creating a sense of balance and restraint. The background is a soft blur of green and yellow—light filtering through foliage, rendered abstract. It’s not a setting so much as a mood: quiet, natural, and unobtrusive. The branch itself is slender and vertical, offering both perch and stage without distraction. The bird’s gaze, though indirect, feels attentive. It’s not performing, not startled—just present. A moment held between movement and stillness, feather and bark, attention and ease. The image is signed “Swede’s Photographs” in the lower left corner, a subtle nod to authorship that doesn’t interrupt the visual rhythm." - Copilot
"A Carolina chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) grips a vertical tree branch with quiet precision; its small feet curled around the bark like punctuation. The bird’s posture is upright but relaxed, angled slightly to the left as if mid-thought or mid-scan. Its head is turned gently in that direction, giving the impression of curiosity without urgency. The plumage is crisp and familiar: a black cap and nape frame the white cheeks like a minimalist mask, while the body fades from soft gray to pale underparts. Subtle streaks along the flanks add texture, not drama. The wings are folded neatly, the tail aligned with the branch, creating a sense of balance and restraint. The background is a soft blur of green and yellow—light filtering through foliage, rendered abstract. It’s not a setting so much as a mood: quiet, natural, and unobtrusive. The branch itself is slender and vertical, offering both perch and stage without distraction. The bird’s gaze, though indirect, feels attentive. It’s not performing, not startled—just present. A moment held between movement and stillness, feather and bark, attention and ease. The image is signed “Swede’s Photographs” in the lower left corner, a subtle nod to authorship that doesn’t interrupt the visual rhythm." - Copilot
Swede’s Photographs
@Swede1952@universeodon.com  ·  activity timestamp last week

Perched in Thought

Here’s a tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), caught mid-thought and mid-song.

Tufted titmice are a favorite among a select group of bird enthusiasts. To celebrate these charming creatures, I’ve curated a special collection dedicated entirely to them in my photo gallery. Take a look!

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife#nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography#TuftedTitmice

"A tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) perches on a slender, angled branch, its small frame balanced with quiet precision. The bird’s crest rises like a soft gray flame from the crown of its head—neither rigid nor flamboyant, but gently assertive. Its body is a smooth blend of pale gray and white, with darker wings tinged in brown, folded neatly like pressed linen. The beak is slightly open, mid-thought or mid-call, adding a flicker of narrative to the stillness. Its dark eyes are round and alert, framed by a subtle wash of white that gives the face a look of gentle curiosity. The feet grip the branch with practiced ease, claws curled around the bark like punctuation marks. The background is a soft blur of green—lush, quiet, and unobtrusive. It suggests foliage without defining it, allowing the bird to stand out in sharp relief. The branch angles diagonally across the frame, adding motion to the composition without disturbing the calm. The photograph is signed “© Swede’s Photographs” in the bottom left corner, a quiet nod to authorship that doesn’t interrupt the visual rhythm. This isn’t just a bird—it’s a moment of poised attention, a dispatch from the edge of stillness, where feathers and light briefly align." - Copilot
"A tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) perches on a slender, angled branch, its small frame balanced with quiet precision. The bird’s crest rises like a soft gray flame from the crown of its head—neither rigid nor flamboyant, but gently assertive. Its body is a smooth blend of pale gray and white, with darker wings tinged in brown, folded neatly like pressed linen. The beak is slightly open, mid-thought or mid-call, adding a flicker of narrative to the stillness. Its dark eyes are round and alert, framed by a subtle wash of white that gives the face a look of gentle curiosity. The feet grip the branch with practiced ease, claws curled around the bark like punctuation marks. The background is a soft blur of green—lush, quiet, and unobtrusive. It suggests foliage without defining it, allowing the bird to stand out in sharp relief. The branch angles diagonally across the frame, adding motion to the composition without disturbing the calm. The photograph is signed “© Swede’s Photographs” in the bottom left corner, a quiet nod to authorship that doesn’t interrupt the visual rhythm. This isn’t just a bird—it’s a moment of poised attention, a dispatch from the edge of stillness, where feathers and light briefly align." - Copilot
"A tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) perches on a slender, angled branch, its small frame balanced with quiet precision. The bird’s crest rises like a soft gray flame from the crown of its head—neither rigid nor flamboyant, but gently assertive. Its body is a smooth blend of pale gray and white, with darker wings tinged in brown, folded neatly like pressed linen. The beak is slightly open, mid-thought or mid-call, adding a flicker of narrative to the stillness. Its dark eyes are round and alert, framed by a subtle wash of white that gives the face a look of gentle curiosity. The feet grip the branch with practiced ease, claws curled around the bark like punctuation marks. The background is a soft blur of green—lush, quiet, and unobtrusive. It suggests foliage without defining it, allowing the bird to stand out in sharp relief. The branch angles diagonally across the frame, adding motion to the composition without disturbing the calm. The photograph is signed “© Swede’s Photographs” in the bottom left corner, a quiet nod to authorship that doesn’t interrupt the visual rhythm. This isn’t just a bird—it’s a moment of poised attention, a dispatch from the edge of stillness, where feathers and light briefly align." - Copilot
Kiki
@Kikis.nature@pixelfed.social  ·  activity timestamp last week

🇺🇸: The willow warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) is a songbird species in the leaf warbler family (Phylloscopidae). The willow warbler is a small passerine bird, measuring 11–13 cm in length. It appears slender compared to many other warblers and has a fine, pointed beak and relatively long wings. Its distribution area covers most of temperate and subarctic Europe and Asia, with wintering grounds in sub-Saharan Africa. Like other leaf warblers, the willow warbler is primarily insectivorous. Its diet focuses on small insects and spiders. Occasionally, it also eats berries and other soft plant material.


🇩🇪: Der Fitis (Phylloscopus trochilus) ist eine Singvogelart aus der Familie der Laubsänger (Phylloscopidae). Der Fitis ist ein kleiner Sperlingsvogel von 11–13 cm Körperlänge. Er wirkt im Vergleich zu vielen anderen Laubsängern zierlich und besitzt einen feinen, spitzen Schnabel sowie relativ lange Flügel. Das Verbreitungsgebiet umfasst weite Teile der gemäßigten und subarktischen Zonen Europas und Asiens, die Winterquartiere liegen südlich der Sahara in Afrika. Wie auch andere Laubsänger ist der Fitis vorwiegend Insektenfresser. Der Schwerpunkt des Nahrungsspektrums liegt auf kleinen Insekten und Spinnen. Gelegentlich frisst er auch Beeren und andere weiche Pflanzenteile.


📍Netherlands


📷:

ISO 3200

Aperture F/7.1

Shutterspeed 1/1000


Comments and Story reshares are much appreciated♡

#your_best_birds #nature #naturephotography #photography #photographer #photo #photograph #photographylover #photography📷 #photoshot #animals #animalphotography #wildlife #canon #canoneosr7 #geoleserfoto #birdphotography #bird #birds #birdlovers #vogel#vögel #vogelfotografie #birdies #shotoncanon #zwitscherfoto #morebirdpics #willowwarbler #fitis