Swede’s Photographs
@Swede1952@universeodon.com  ·  activity timestamp 7 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
George Steffanos
@GSteffanos@mstdn.social  ·  activity timestamp 7 days ago

Goldenrod time, overgrown pasture at the edge of the forest, Appalachian Trail, Housatonic Valley, Egremont, Massachusetts. August 25, 2025, 1:01 PM.

#hiking#photography #outdoors#landscapephotography#nature #Massachusetts#summer#forest #farm #wildflowers #meadow #summertime

A deep blue sky with puffy clouds. Walking along a rustic post and wire fenceline separating the forest to our right from a pasture on our left. The pasture is overgrown with a tight mass of leafy plants between 2 and 3 feet tall, liberally strewn with wildflowers. Much of the floral display consists of bright yellow goldenrod, particularly along the fence. A very large tree towers above the center of the field. Strips of forest hide most of the remainder of the farm from our view. Through a gap in the trees just to the right of the large tree, we can see a distant field with a gray wooden barn.
A deep blue sky with puffy clouds. Walking along a rustic post and wire fenceline separating the forest to our right from a pasture on our left. The pasture is overgrown with a tight mass of leafy plants between 2 and 3 feet tall, liberally strewn with wildflowers. Much of the floral display consists of bright yellow goldenrod, particularly along the fence. A very large tree towers above the center of the field. Strips of forest hide most of the remainder of the farm from our view. Through a gap in the trees just to the right of the large tree, we can see a distant field with a gray wooden barn.
A deep blue sky with puffy clouds. Walking along a rustic post and wire fenceline separating the forest to our right from a pasture on our left. The pasture is overgrown with a tight mass of leafy plants between 2 and 3 feet tall, liberally strewn with wildflowers. Much of the floral display consists of bright yellow goldenrod, particularly along the fence. A very large tree towers above the center of the field. Strips of forest hide most of the remainder of the farm from our view. Through a gap in the trees just to the right of the large tree, we can see a distant field with a gray wooden barn.
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
Garry Knight
@garry@mstdn.social  ·  activity timestamp 7 days ago

Week in wildlife: a slow loris, a tiny deer and a glamorous dumpling squid

'The best of this week’s wildlife photographs from around the world'

#photography#wildlife#animals#environment#nature

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2025/sep/05/week-in-wildlife-a-slow-loris-a-tiny-deer-and-a-glamorous-dumpling-squid
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
George Steffanos
@GSteffanos@mstdn.social  ·  activity timestamp last week

The sprawling meadows known as Rands View, northwest slopes of Prospect Mountain, Salisbury, Connecticut. August 19, 2025, 2:09 PM.

#hiking#photography #outdoors#landscapephotography#nature#Connecticut#summer#forest #meadow #mountains #fields #summertime #wildflowers

A soft blue sky with streaky thin clouds. Looking down from a spot at the top of a huge sloping field high on a mountainside across wooded foothills to a long narrow valley below. We are standing in a swath of shade, but most of the scene is bathed in sunshine. The lush green grass has been mowed not long ago. It is several inches high and sprinkled with dozens of white wildflowers with a smattering of pink clover blossoms. A grassy track winds gracefully along the bottom edge of this field and then descends through two lower fields that appear to be pastures. They are divided by a fence line and a parallel line of trees a few feet away. There are glimpses of a few more distant fields, but most of the scene is covered with a forest split almost equally between evergreens and hardwoods. Along the horizon, the blue green slopes of a long, forested mountain range rise hundreds of feet above the valley. Several rounded peaks are visible. To the right we can see the more distant peaks of the Berkshires.
A soft blue sky with streaky thin clouds. Looking down from a spot at the top of a huge sloping field high on a mountainside across wooded foothills to a long narrow valley below. We are standing in a swath of shade, but most of the scene is bathed in sunshine. The lush green grass has been mowed not long ago. It is several inches high and sprinkled with dozens of white wildflowers with a smattering of pink clover blossoms. A grassy track winds gracefully along the bottom edge of this field and then descends through two lower fields that appear to be pastures. They are divided by a fence line and a parallel line of trees a few feet away. There are glimpses of a few more distant fields, but most of the scene is covered with a forest split almost equally between evergreens and hardwoods. Along the horizon, the blue green slopes of a long, forested mountain range rise hundreds of feet above the valley. Several rounded peaks are visible. To the right we can see the more distant peaks of the Berkshires.
A soft blue sky with streaky thin clouds. Looking down from a spot at the top of a huge sloping field high on a mountainside across wooded foothills to a long narrow valley below. We are standing in a swath of shade, but most of the scene is bathed in sunshine. The lush green grass has been mowed not long ago. It is several inches high and sprinkled with dozens of white wildflowers with a smattering of pink clover blossoms. A grassy track winds gracefully along the bottom edge of this field and then descends through two lower fields that appear to be pastures. They are divided by a fence line and a parallel line of trees a few feet away. There are glimpses of a few more distant fields, but most of the scene is covered with a forest split almost equally between evergreens and hardwoods. Along the horizon, the blue green slopes of a long, forested mountain range rise hundreds of feet above the valley. Several rounded peaks are visible. To the right we can see the more distant peaks of the Berkshires.
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