#photographylovers

Swede’s Photographs

Will it?

This is a willet (Tringa semipalmata). a close cousin the lesser yellowlegs. I posted a photo of the lesser yellowlegs a couple of days ago. This photograph was taken on the beach at Gulfport, Mississippi. OBTW, this is a first for me, I love it when I have to create a new folder.

"Piercing calls and distinctive wing markings make the otherwise subdued Willet one of our most conspicuous large shorebirds. Whether in mottled brown breeding plumage or gray winter colors, Willets in flight reveal a bold white and black stripe running the length of each wing. These long-legged, straight-billed shorebirds feed along beaches, mudflats, and rocky shores. Willets are common on most of our coastline—learn to recognize them and they’ll make a useful stepping-stone to identifying other shorebirds." - allaboutbirds.org

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #willet

This willet stands facing left, ankle deep in the bubbling surf. It has a long black beak that is slightly parted, its eye is black. Its body had the shape of a football with a short tail and small head. Its feathers are brown though the lower neck and body are lighter than its back. Its legs are black.

"Willets are large, stocky shorebirds with long legs and thick, straight bills considerably longer than the head. Their wings are broader and rounder than those of many shorebirds and the tail is short and squared off at the base. Willets are gray or brown birds that, when flying, display a striking white and black stripe along each wing. In summer, Willets are mottled gray, brown, and black; in winter they are a more consistent plain gray. The legs are bluish gray." allaboutbird.org

Swede’s Photographs

On the rocks.

Here is a snowy egret (Egretta thula) that I saw at a hidden pond in Albany, Georgia.

"Among the most elegant of the herons, the slender Snowy Egret sets off immaculate white plumage with black legs and brilliant yellow feet. Those feet seem to play a role in stirring up or herding small aquatic animals as the egret forages. Breeding Snowy Egrets grow filmy, curving plumes that once fetched astronomical prices in the fashion industry, endangering the species. Early conservationists rallied to protect egrets by the early twentieth century, and this species is once again a common sight in shallow coastal wetlands." - allaboutbirds.org

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #SnowyEgret

This egret stands, facing left, on the edge of some almost rust colored rock. I think that the rock might be a small island in the pond. The egret's feathers are snow white and its long neck is drawn back onto its body. It has a long black beak that bows downwards. Yellow skin is visible around the base of its beak and its yellow eyes. It has long black legs and its lower legs are twice as long as its upper legs. Its feet consist of four slender yellow toes, two forward and one back. The talons at the ends of the toes are black.

"These are medium-sized herons with long, thin legs and long, slender, bills. Their long, thin neck sets the small head well away from the body. Adult Snowy Egrets are all white with a black bill, black legs, and yellow feet. They have a patch of yellow skin at the base of the bill. Immature Snowy Egrets have duller, greenish legs" - allaboutbirds.org.

Swede’s Photographs

Good morning. 🍁🍁🍁

29 November 2023

Death is a good business, but there are far too many people in the United States who cannot afford to pay for a loved one's funeral when the time comes, and the time always comes. I know this from personal experience because we've paid for or helped pay for a few over the years. Once, while in Georgia for Thanksgiving, a young man knocked on the door, he was seeking donations to pay for his mother's funeral. It was heartbreaking to think of him having to go door to door, hat in hand asking for help. The next day, my wife and I went to see the funeral director and paid the balance of the funeral cost. We asked for his discretion, of course.

“A dark wind lifts dirt into the air. The land absorbs the sobs of the women and the flinty silence of the gravediggers. The long fields and tall hills swallow us all.” - Malla Nunn, When the Ground Is Hard

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #morning #funeral #death #foliage

This is a close up of a autumn red sweetgum leaf. Sweet gum leaves have the shape of a five-point star.

EXTREMEWEATHER.CLUB

Spectacular #shelfcloud over #Piran, #Slovenia by Klemen Bandelj⚡ More #storm photos from Klemen: https://bit.ly/klemenbandelj

#clouds #cloudlovers #igworldclub_sky #thunderstorms #stormclouds #landscape #stormyweather #cloudscape #beautifulskies #NatureBeauty #PhotographyIsArt #photooftheday #photographylovers #photographer #igslovenia #europe_focus_on #slovenia_ig #ThisIsSlovenia #ifeelsLOVEnia #nikon #nikond7200

Otoño | Autumn.

Parque Natural de Ordesa (Huesca) | Ordesa Natural Park (Huesca).

#Autumn #autumnvibes #autumncolors #autumncolours #autumnfoliage #autumnforest #autumnphotography #autumnmood #landscape #landscapephotography #landscapephoto #forest #nature #naturephotography #naturephoto #Ordesa #HDRphoto #hdrphotography #landscapelovers #naturelovers #photography #photo #photographylovers #mastodonphotography #photographyonmastodon #canonphotography #tranquility #HuescalaMagia @photography

Árboles de otoño y algo de cielo azul reflejados en un riachuelo en calma en Ordesa (Huesca) | Low angle view of a calm river with reflections of Autumn trees.

Swede’s Photographs

The buffet is excellent.

This round bird is a dunlin (Calidris alpina). It's the first that I've knowingly seen. In fact, I didn't know I'd seen it this time until going through the hundreds of photographs that I took at Gulfport, Mississippi.

"Dazzling in its breeding finery, with vivid rusty back and black belly patch, the Dunlin was once called the Red-backed Sandpiper. It’s now named for its nonbreeding plumage, a mousy gray-brown or “dun” color. Dunlins are an abundant species that nests around the world’s arctic regions. They winter in large flocks along bays, estuaries, and coastlines. They have notably long, curved bills but they don’t probe deeply into mud; instead, they tend to feed on invertebrates just barely below the surface." - allaboutbirds.org

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #dunlin

This dunlin stands facing left in shallow brown water while lazy small rolling waves pass by its black legs. The bird is round with a small head upon an invisible neck. Its long black beak bows downwards particularly toward its end. There is a patch of brown feathers atop its heat that looks rather like a toupee. Its eye is black and the feathers around it are a shade lighter than the brown feathers of its head. Its back and wings are brown and maybe a bit darker at the tips of its flight feathers. Its short tail feathers are black. Its front is bright fluffy white with specks of brown nerd its neck and wings.

"A chunky, small shorebird with medium-length legs, a short neck, and a long bill that is curved toward the tip. Breeding adult has bright rusty back and crown, black belly patch, and white underparts with dark stippling. Nonbreeding adults have grayish brown upperparts, head, and breast, and are pale below. Juveniles are browner, with a scaly black and rusty brown marbled pattern above, white below, with faint stippling and trace of dark belly patch. The legs are dark." - allaboutbirds.org

Justin Farrimond

Blue Sky Bridge

https://justin-farrimond.pixels.com/featured/blue-sky-bridge-justin-farrimond.html

A modern steel and concrete bridge over a still, almost glass-like, small river. Above there is a beautiful bright blue sky.
Pure tranquility.

#PhotoOfTheDay #Bridge #TuesdayTranquility #PhotographyLovers #BlueSky #TranquilTuesday #PhotographyAddict

Colour photograph showing a steel and concrete modern bridge over a still river. The sky above is blue with fluffy white clouds.

Swede’s Photographs

I spoiled the party.

I was at a small mostly hidden pond in Albany, Georgia taking photographs of the birds. I wanted to get closer to the birds, so I found an obscured path down to the water's edge. I was intruding and most of the birds opted to leave when I got closer. These hooded mergansers (ophodytes cucullatus) were among the flock that was at the pond - they all flew away a few at a time. So my plan was mostly a failure. I did get photos of them flying though.

"The Hooded Merganser is the second-smallest of the six living species of mergansers (only the Smew of Eurasia is smaller) and is the only one restricted to North America." - allaboutbirds.org

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #HoodedMerganser

There are four mergansers flying in line from right to left against a blue sky. The lead duck is a male, the second a female, and the two in the rear are males.

"Hooded Mergansers are small ducks with a thin bill and a fan-shaped, collapsible crest that makes the head look oversized and oblong. In flight, the wings are thin and the tail is relatively long and rounded. Adult male Hooded Mergansers are black above, with a white breast and rich chestnut flanks. The black head has a large white patch that varies in size when the crest is raised or lowered but is always prominent. Females and immatures are gray and brown, with warm tawny-cinnamon tones on the head." -- allaboutbirds.org

¿Cuál os gusta más, mastodontes y mastodontas? | Which one do you prefer?

#branches #moon #twilight #twilightsky #blackandwhite #blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhitephoto #mistery #nature #naturephotography #naturephoto #naturephotos #photography #photo #photographylovers #naturelovers #photolovers #november #novembermood #autumnmood #autumnmoon #mastodonphotography #mastodonphoto #photographyofmastodon #canonphotography #monochrome #monochromephotography

Se pueden ramas de árboles y entre ellas, la luna. Todo en blanco y negro. | You can see some branches and between them, the Moon. In Black and White.

Se pueden ver ramas de árboles y entre ellas, la luna. Con un cielo añil oscuro. | You can see some branches and between them the Moon. With a dark indigo Sky.

EXTREMEWEATHER.CLUB

Massive HP #supercell north of Fort Stockton, #Texas by Andreas Feichtmeier. Taken back in 2015 ⚡ More #storm photos from Andreas: https://bit.ly/andreasfeichtmeier

#txwx #clouds #cloudlovers #thunderstorms #stormclouds #landscape #PhotographyIsArt #photographylovers #thunderstorm #ig_stormclouds #wetter #weather #blitze #unwetter #gewitter #instagood #igworldclub_sky #cloudsmuseum #photooftheday #superzelle #wallcloud #pentax #ricoh #ricohpentax #nationalweathermuseum #badweatherpics #ig_stormsscape

Swede’s Photographs

All together now.

I wanted to show you these black skimmers (Rynchops niger) gathering on the beach., particularly for those of you who haven't seen this before - I know I hadn't. This photograph just shows a fraction of the birds in this group, and there were several groups on the beach. I've already posted a couple photos of these birds and am sure to post more. I find them fascinating.

"Possibly the best description of the Black Skimmer's bounding, head-down foraging style came from the great seabird biologist R. C. Murphy in 1936. He said they look like “unworldly… aerial beagles hot on the scent of aerial rabbits.”" - allaboutbirds.org

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #BlackSkimmer

$This photo of skimmers shows them packed closely together in a strip on the sand up from the water's edge. There were hundreds, perhaps even thousands in the group. This photo is only a fraction of the group and I estimated that there are a couple hundred in the picture. They are all facing the water. "A medium-sized tern like seabird with very long wings and an outsized bill in which the lower mandible is much longer than the upper. Starkly black above and white below, with black-and-red bill and orange-red legs. Juveniles are brownish above, with pale-edged wing covert feathers." - allaboutbirds.org$

Swede’s Photographs

Time to move.

I was getting too close to this lesser yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) so it decided to move.

"Lesser Yellowlegs are known for their steadfast defense of their eggs and chicks. Biologist William Rowan once noted, “they will be perched there as though the safety of the entire universe depended on the amount of noise they made.” - allaboutbirds.org

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #LesserYellowlegs

This yellowlegs flies from right to left over greenish brown rippled water.

"A slender and elegant, medium-sized shorebirds with long legs and a long neck. The bill is straight and thin, only slightly longer than the bird's head (shorter and straighter than Greater Yellowlegs' bill). Breeding Lesser Yellowlegs are grayish brown birds with vivid yellow legs. They have fine, gray streaking across the head and neck, a white eye ring, and white spots on the back and wings. Nonbreeding birds are more subdued gray-brown with less streaking and spotting. Bill is entirely dark." - allaboutbirds.org

Swede’s Photographs

Good morning. ☁️⛅🌊

27 November 2023

We arrived at home yesterday afternoon. We still have to finish off loading our truck. When we travel, we take a lot of stuff. Do you know that when I was in my twenties, and even early thirties, I could pack everything I owned in my car. Heck it my late teens and early 20s, I could pack everything in a duffle bag ... I actually called it a seabag back then. How time changes, now we've accumulated lots and lots of stuff, lawn mowers, tools, furniture, sewing machines, there are moving boxes we haven't opened in almost two decades. Hmmm ... that's another thing, I used to rent furnished, a long time ago. The tradeoff of having stuff, is that it ties you down.

“What is the use of a house if you haven't got a tolerable planet to put it on?” - Henry David Thoreau, Familiar letters

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #morning #possessions #beach

In this photo, there is an island in the sand on a beach, with tall grass and a couple of small palm trees. Beyond the sand is the ocean which reaches out to the horizon. Above it all are dark gray and blue clouds.

EXTREMEWEATHER.CLUB

A single shot #lightning taken from Monti Di Cadiroggio, Italy by Samuele Pincelli. Taken on August 29, 2020 ⚡ More #storm photos from Samuele: https://bit.ly/samuelepincelli

#lightnings #lightningstrikes #lightningstrike #photography #lightningphotography #lightningphotos #photooftheday #photographylovers #thunderstorms #igworldclub_sky #storm_scape #total_skies #your_skies #thunderstorm #foudre #orage #extremeweather #ig_shotz #skyporn #lightningmafia #world_of_thunders #jaw_dropping_shots

EXTREMEWEATHER.CLUB

Photographing the #lightning bolts on the #beach of Vielle-Saint-Girons, #France by Sébastien Marcel. Taken on April 21, 2023 ⚡ Follow @xWxClub for more #storm photos

#lightnings #lightningstrikes #lightningstrike #photography #lightningphotography #lightningphotos #photooftheday #photographylovers #thunderstorms #igworldclub_sky #storm_scape #total_skies #your_skies #thunderstorm #foudre #orage #extremeweather #ig_shotz #skyporn #lightningmafia #world_of_thunders @spann

Swede’s Photographs

Lost among the cars.

Before we made it home this afternoon, my wife wanted to stop at Joann's because apparently, you can never have enough fabric. Well, I watched a bunch of sparrows skitter around in the parking lot they for some reason were going beneath the cars. Then I noticed a larger bird which turned out to be a starling (Sturnus vulgaris) and took its picture. I think it's a beautiful mix of black and gold.

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #starling

"Starlings are chunky and blackbird-sized, but with short tails and long, slender beaks. In flight their wings are short and pointed, making them look rather like small, four-pointed stars (and giving them their name). At a distance, starlings look black. In summer they are purplish-green iridescent with yellow beaks; in fresh winter plumage they are brown, covered in brilliant white spots." - allaboutbirds.org

PacificNWEnergy

I Love The Daytime Moon 😍🌔
Can We See Everybody's Daytime Moon Shots?
#moonphoto #daytimemoon #moonshit #photographychallenge #photographer #adobe #lightroom #PictureOfTheDay #photographylovers

Swede’s Photographs

I see you.

Just in case you think the birds aren't paying attention when you're out on the beach, here is a laughing gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) staring me down yesterday as it flew past while I was taking its picture.

"The oldest known Laughing Gull was at least 22 years old when it was killed in Maine in 2009, the same state where it had been banded in 1987." - allaboutbirds.org

#photo #photography #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #LaughingGulls

This is a photograph of a laughing gull flying past me on the beach. The gull looks straight at me with a white face, black beak that looks like a nose made out of coal from this angle, and black eyes. There are remnants of black feathers around its head. The gull's body is white including its tail feathers, though black legs lay back against the tail. Its wings are large and spread in a "V" shape; the feathers under the wings are mostly white, but the forward edges of the wings are black especially near the thick neck and the flight feathers fade to black near the wing tips.

Tomada hoy. Panorámica en el embalse de Valdabra (Huesca) durante la hora azul.

Taken today. Panorama at Valdabra reservoir (Huesca) during the blue hour.

#Panorama #silentsunday #sundayvibes #bluehour #bluehourphotography #landscape #landscapephotography #landscapephoto #water #waterreflection #waterreflections #twilight #twilightsky #landscapelovers #naturescape #naturephotography #photography #photo #photographylovers #mastodonphotography #mastodonphoto #photographer @photography

The image shows a reservoir with calm water and low light (during the blue hour). You can see some trees at your right and some low mountains at your left.

Swede’s Photographs

Good morning. 🐤🐤🐤

26 November 2023

As Charlie might say, it's time for all birds to wake up from falling down to the sleepy sleep.

We're preparing for the final leg of the trip. It's about five hours to home, more or less. I fetched some coffee from Starbucks down stairs and poured it into our Thermos cups. I take mine black, always; my wife wanted a Caramel Machachino (I hope I spelled that right), I was caught off guard when the barista ask if I wanted it iced or hot, I just froze like a deer in headlights, then said hot. Its raining this morning.

“The morning cup of coffee has an exhilaration about it which the cheering influence of the afternoon or evening cup of tea cannot be expected to reproduce.” - Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.

#photo #photography #photographylovers #photographer #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #SemipalmatedPlover

Here we have a couple dozen, or so, Semipalmated Plovers (Charadrius semipalmatus), on the sand all facing right with their heads tucked back into their wing feathers ... sleeping I think. Cute.

EXTREMEWEATHER.CLUB

Massive #lightning strikes the roof of a house in the town of Veyre-Monton, #France at #sunrise by Thomas Soullet. Taken on August 14, 2023 ⚡ Follow @xWxClub for more #storm photos from around the world

#lightnings #lightningstrikes #lightningstrike #photography #lightningphotography #lightningphotos #photooftheday #photographylovers #thunderstorms #igworldclub_sky #storm_scape #total_skies #your_skies #thunderstorm #foudre #orage #extremeweather #ig_shotz #skyporn #lightningmafia

Swede’s Photographs

On the run.

This little teenie bird is a Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus). There were hundreds of these birds hunkered down on the sand. At least they were hunkered down until I disturbed them. This particular photo has some issues, but I'm certain I have some better detailed photos on the camera. This is a new bird for me.

"The cheerful whistle of a Semipalmated Plover coursing over a mudflat or picking through a plowed field is often the first sign that these small shorebirds are present. They look like miniature Killdeer, but with only one black band across the breast. Their brown backs blend especially well with dark backgrounds, but their run-and-stop foraging style helps to pick them out. These alert foragers tend to stick to mudflats, sandbars, and fields rather than steep or rocky beaches." - allaboutbirds.org

#photo #photography #photographylovers #photographer #bird #birdwatching #birding #birdphotography #semipalamatedplover

This tiny plover is running across wet sand towards the camera and to the left.

"A small, compact shorebird with a short, stubby bill, a round head, and large eyes. The body is plump, with a short neck and medium-length legs. Adults are brown above, white below, with one black band on the breast. Black around the eye, with white marks above eye and bill and a white band above the black collar. The short orange bill has a black tip. Juveniles have brown instead of black on the face, and a brown breast band that is sometimes incomplete. Legs are yellow-orange." - allaboutbirds.org

Swede’s Photographs

Good evening, 🌊🌊🌊

25 November 2023

I didn't have time to say good morning, this morning. We're on our way home. I decided to stop half way and spend the night on the beach again. I had enough points for a free night so, why not. Besides driving is pretty tedious even though I'll almost always be listening to a book. This trip, I didn't get around to buying a new audio book so we're relistening to one of the Jack Reacher stories by Lee Childs. The book is "The Hard Way" read by Dick Hill who is my favorite Reacher voice. The latest books are read by Scott Brick one of my favorite book narrators, but I think Dick Hill's deep voice is attached to Reacher, at least for me.

“No, I'm a man with a rule. People leave me alone, I leave them alone. If they don't, I don't.”
- Lee Child, Nothing to Lose

#photo #photography #Photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birders #birding #BlackSkimmer

This is a photograph of black skimmers (Rynchops niger) swarming over the ocean. There is blue sky and clouds. There are tall buildings in the background.

EXTREMEWEATHER.CLUB

Crazy #lightning by Samuel Scicluna ⚡ Follow @xWxClub for more #storm photos from around the world

#lightnings #lightningstrikes #lightningstrike #photography #lightningphotography #lightningphotos #photooftheday #photographylovers #thunderstorms #igworldclub_sky #storm_scape #total_skies #your_skies #thunderstorm #foudre #orage #extremeweather #ig_shotz #skyporn #lightningmafia #world_of_thunders #jaw_dropping_shots

Los reyes de las redes | The kings of social networks.

#caturday #caturdays #Cat #catphotography #Catphoto #animalportrait #catportrait #catportraits #catsofmastodon #catstodon #catsoffediverse #catlovers #photography #photo #photographylovers #photolovers #photographer #canonphotography #mastodonphotography #mastodonphoto #cats

Image of a cat using a slightly low angle shot.

Swede’s Photographs

Three wise birds.

I found a way down to the pond across the way. I tried to get closer to the birds down there, but alas the birds turned out to be pretty shy and most left the pond as I got closer. I felt like I was intruding, which in fact, I was. There were three great egrets (Ardea alba) at the pond and they all flew to the top of a pine tree. The ducks remained for a while, but as I approached closer to the far end of the pond, they started leaving as well. Ony the lesser yellowlegs stayed at the pond but they moved to the opposite side of the pond from where I was.

"Though it mainly hunts while wading, the Great Egret occasionally swims to capture prey or hovers (somewhat laboriously) over the water and dips for fish." - allaboutbirds.org

#Photo #phography #Photographer #photographylovers #photograph #birds #birdwatching #egret #GreatEgret

In this photograph, there are three great egrets atop a pine tree, watchng me, waiting for me to leave.

"Great Egrets are tall, long-legged wading birds with long, S-curved necks and long, dagger-like bills. In flight, the long neck is tucked in and the legs extend far beyond the tip of the short tail. All feathers on Great Egrets are white. Their bills are yellowish-orange, and the legs black." - allaboutbirds.org

Justin Farrimond

El Chinitas Restaurante

https://justin-farrimond.pixels.com/featured/1-el-chinitas-restaurante-justin-farrimond.html

Calle Moreno Monroy in Malaga, Spain. The El Chinitas Restaurante dwarfed by the beautiful Cathedral - Catedral de la Encarnación de Málaga.

#PhotoOfTheDay #Malaga #PhotographyLovers

Colour portrait photograph showing a Spanish street with a restaurant at the bottom.

EXTREMEWEATHER.CLUB

An electric night on the Vielle Saint Girons beach in Landes, #France by Mathieu Goalard. Taken on April 22, 2023 ⚡ More #storm photos from Mathieu: https://bit.ly/mathieugoalard

#lightnings #lightningstrikes #lightningstrike #photography #lightningphotography #lightningphotos #photooftheday #photographylovers #thunderstorms #igworldclub_sky #storm_scape #total_skies #your_skies #thunderstorm #foudre #orage #extremeweather #ig_shotz #skyporn #lightningmafia #world_of_thunders #jaw_dropping_shots

EXTREMEWEATHER.CLUB

Awesome looking #shelfcloud rolling over the #sea in Pula, #Croatia by Sendi Smoljo. Taken on August 6, 2023 ⚡ More #storm photos from Sendi: https://bit.ly/sendismoljo

#clouds #cloudlovers #severewx #onfire_skies #fever_skies #igworldclub_sky #severeweather #extremeweather #stormchaser #weather #stormchasing #thunderstorms #stormclouds #landscape #stormyweather #cloudscape #beautifulskies #NatureBeauty #PhotographyIsArt #photooftheday #fotografie #photographylovers #photographer

EXTREMEWEATHER.CLUB

Night #thunderstorm in Versilia, #Tuscany, #Italy by Samuele Montedoro. Taken on November 13, 2021 ⚡ More #storm photos from Samuele: https://bit.ly/samuelemontedoro

#lightning #lightningstrikes #lightningstrike #lightningphotography #lightningphotos #photooftheday #photographylovers #thunderstorms #extremeweather #ig_shotz #skyporn #lightningmafia #temporale #cloudscape #clouds #skyphotography #nightsky #nightshot #natgeo #natgeoyourshot #nikonitalia #nikon #nikonphotography #ig_tuscany #toscana

Embrace the golden hues of autumn in Budapest! Join our exclusive photography workshops to capture the majestic Parliament Building as it basks in the soft glow of the setting sun. Perfect your craft with hands-on guidance in one of Europe's most picturesque cities. #BudapestPhotography #AutumnInBudapest
.
#PhotographyWorkshop #BudapestParliament #GoldenHour #TravelPhotography #Masterclass #PhotoTour #Cityscape #LearnPhotography #PhotographyLovers

Swede’s Photographs

Good morning. ☕☕☕

24 November 2023

Now what? Thanksgiving is over, clean up is done, and all the relatives went home, except for us. We're still hanging out in a hotel. We'll leave Saturday morning, Christmas is close Have you noticed that the Hallmark channel has Christmas movies all year long. In a way, it's best not to get on the road on Friday after Thanksgiving, I think that is when traffic is heaviest. At home, we'll deal with the next thing. Courses of action seem to always cost more money than I am comfortable with, especially this time of year when spending is a national obsession. But there are things that one must do.

“A poor man knows the true value of money and will not dare waste it, but a rich man is extravagant and always looking for an opportunity to empty his pockets.” - Michael Bassey Johnson

#photo #photography #photographylovers #photographer #morning #plants

This is a photograph that I accidently took and I thought, "hey that doesn't look bad. It's Dog fennal (Eupatorium capillifolium).

Toma las escaleras, van al fin de semana.
|
|
Take the stairs, go to the weekend.

#blackandwhite #blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhitephoto #bwphotography #bwphoto #stairs #monochrome #monochromephotography #monochromephoto #blackandwhitelovers #minimal #minimalism #minimalphotography #minimalphoto #photography #photo #photographylovers #photolovers #streetphotography #streetphoto #urbanphotography #CityExploration #cityexplorers #weekend #fridaymood #shadows

You can see a photo in Black and White of a public underground stairs with a lot of shadows around them.

Un paseo por el parque (de Huesca) | A walk in the park (Huesca).

#park #citypark #urbanexploration #urbanexplorer #CityExploration #streetphotography #autumn #autumnleaves #autumnvibes #autumncolors #autumncolours #autumnphotography #autumnfeel #autumnfoliage #fallcolors #fallseason #autumnseason #photography #photo #photographylovers #photolovers #photographer #photographs #canonphotography #Huesca #red

You can see some trees with Autumn colors. Also a pond with ducks.

Swede’s Photographs

Good morning. 🦃🦃🦃

23 November 2023

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just dropped my wife off at the little house, where she and a couple of her sisters are preparing Thanksgiving dinner for our extended family. I came back to the hotel and grabbed breakfast. I'll get cleaned. I saw birds everywhere on my way there and didn't have my camera, I couldn't stop anyway. It's about a 20 minute ride throught the country and I love driving in the country.

“Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.” - Oprah Winfrey

#photo #photography #photographylovers #photographer #morning #Thanksgiving #cotton

This is a photograph of a cotton field, filled with white cotton balls. Beyond the field are some trees, then a blue cloudy sky.

Swede’s Photographs

Nimble little birds.

We usually sleep in the same hotel when we come down here. Across the small acess road is a mostly hidden pond. I went across the way this mornig with a camera and saw a couple different species of ducks, including hooded mergansers, which I was last year, There were a couple of great egrets, and a lesser yellow legs. But I also saw some of these ruby-crowned kinglets (Corthylio calendula) flittering about. Hmmm ... at first glance I though they were white eyed vireos.

"A tiny bird seemingly overflowing with energy, the Ruby-crowned Kinglet forages almost frantically through lower branches of shrubs and trees. Its habit of constantly flicking its wings is a key identification clue. Smaller than a warbler or chickadee, this plain green-gray bird has a white eyering and a white bar on the wing. ..." - allaboutbirds

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #birds #birdphotography #birdwatching #bird #birding RubyCrownedKinget

This little bird is perched between to lichen covered branches facing the camera. The birds head looks up and to the left staring with a short, narrow, black beak. There are some short white feathers at the bottom and top of the base of the beak. The bird has a large head with a black eye with a white eye ring. The body is roundish and the birds feathers are mosly olive colored though the front is lighter that the back. The pink legs are relatively long and end in tiny feet.

"Kinglets are tiny songbirds with relatively large heads, almost no neck, and thin tails. They have very small, thin, straight bills. Ruby-crowned Kinglets are olive-green birds with a prominent white eyering and white wingbar. This wingbar contrasts with an adjacent blackish bar in the wing. The “ruby crown” of the male is only occasionally visible." - allaboutbirds.org

Swede’s Photographs

Good morning, friends. 🌺🌸🌸

22 November 2023

We arrived at our destintion yesterday evening. We stopped in Alabama to pick up Thanksgiving dinner supplies, whick included among other things, a Turkey an three hams. Just before we arriving at our destination, we received news of a family tragedy, far away. I'll keep the details to myself, of course. It's strange how life can turn on a dime. Events for which we are never ready often create a need to be in multiple places at the same time. That's impossible, of course. Modern communications helps in some respects. Some famiy members here, in Georgia, are vulnerable, so we sheild them from tragedy when it's possible.

“There is a saying in Tibetan, 'Tragedy should be utilized as a source of strength.'
No matter what sort of difficulties, how painful experience is, if we lose our hope, that's our real disaster.”
- Dalai Lama XIV

#photo #photography #photographylovers #photographer #morning #flowers #tragedy

This is a close up and enhances photograph of a pink flower of a Satsuki azalean (Rhododendron indicum) on a darkened back ground.

Swede’s Photographs

My turf

I can see that I'm going to want to redo some of these photos when I get home. I took this through my hotel window this morning. Its a northern mockingbird atop a southern live oak tree. I thought it made a good picture.

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #birdphotography #birdwatching #NorthernMockingbird.

A northern mockingbird on the top of an oak tree.

Swede’s Photographs

Time to go ...

Here are some more black skimmers (Rynchops niger) along with a few gulls or terns. I haven't yet identified the gull species yet, but I'll get around to it when I have time.

#photo #photography #photographylovers #photographer #bird #birds #birdphotography #birdwatching #birding #BlackSkimmer

This is a large flock of skimmers in what looks like a cove with beach fronts on both sides, there are buildings on the other side as well.

Swede’s Photographs

Good morning. 🏖🌧🌧

21 November 2023

I woke this morning, put on some pants, and stood in the window looking out to sea. Pants are an essetial accoutrement when standing in a hotel window. I was going to grab my camera and cross over to the beach early this morning, but it was raining, plus the sand is wet which mean that it would stick to my shoes making a mess in their wake. I went to the lobby to fetch some coffee, but I'd forgotten that the hotel we're in is a Courtyard and has a Starbucks, and I left my wallet in the room. I ended up just making room coffee which is kind of like dark warm water. That said, it really didn't taste horrible. They only provide one regular coffee mini bags. I brewed two cups with it and gave my wife the first cup.

“Find us a hotel. Something NOT HAUNTED. Can't emphasize this enough.”
- J.L. Bryan, Fire Devil

#photography #photo #photographylovers #photographer #morning #rain #hotel #ocean

This is a photograph taken throught the window of our hotel room. There is a reflection of my iPhone in the picture. But the picture shows tree tops, the beach parking lot across the road, a sandy beach, dark green water, a shadowed horizon, and dark clouds.

Swede’s Photographs

Passerby

I kind of like the angle of this shot of a turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) passing by.

"In cowboy movies, the bad guy usually threatens to leave the hero in the desert for the buzzards, meaning the vultures. Although buzzard is a colloquial term for vulture in the U.S., the same word applies to several hawks in Europe. In fact, the Rough-legged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus) of Europe is the same species as the Rough-legged Hawk of North America." - allaboutbirds.org

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #TurkeyVulture

This is a photograph of the left side of an in-flight vulture. The vulture has a small head large dark body, wings, and tail. Its beautiful flight feathers though are lighter and look white in the light. To describe its small head, I'll start with its small light tan hooked beak at the end of a red snout like mouth. At the top the snout is a large nostril that I can see through. Its head around its dark eye is mostly gray, but there is a pinkish tint behind the eye. On the back side of the head where it may transition to the neck the gray skin has deep wrinkles.

EXTREMEWEATHER.CLUB

Beautiful #supercell in New Mexico by Andreas Feichtmeier. Taken in June 2023 ⚡ More #storm photos from Andreas: https://bit.ly/andreasfeichtmeier

#nmwx #NewMexico #clouds #cloudlovers #severewx #onfire_skies #fever_skies #igworldclub_sky #severeweather #extremeweather #stormchaser #weather #stormchasing #thunderstorms #stormclouds #landscape #stormyweather #cloudscape #beautifulskies #NatureBeauty #PhotographyIsArt #photooftheday #fotografie #photographylovers #photographer

Swede’s Photographs

Frozen?

I was watching this chipping sparrow (Spizella passerina) along with two others at the feeder. They seemed to be frozen, not moving for several seconds, even minutes - no movement at all. I got curious and moved closer and closer, until I got too close, and they scattered. These little birds are subjects of many of my photographs during the fall and winter.

"Chipping Sparrows feed on the ground, take cover in shrubs, and sing from the tops of small trees (often evergreens). You’ll often see loose groups of them flitting up from open ground. When singing, they cling to high outer limbs. On the ground they hop or run through grasses searching for seeds." - allaboutbirds.org

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #ChippingSparrow

This sparrow perches on the corner of the feeding trough of a wooden feeder facing to the left. Its left side is visible to the camera. Its black and pinkish beak open and angled slightly upwards, I can see a light beige seed inside and there seems to be part of the shell of the seed hanging from the tip of its lower beak. The sparrow's eye is black, the top of its head is reddish brown from the tip of its beak to the base of its neck. The upper side of its face is beige. There is a black strip that runs from the base of the beak through the eye and arcs down to the base of the neck. The area of the face and neck below the stripe is a mixture of beige and black. The feathers on its back and wings are colored in linear stripes of light and dark brown. The underside of the sparrow is light beige, as are its feet and legs, though they have a pinkish tint. Its long, folded tail sticks down below the feeder in line with its body and head.

Swede’s Photographs

Good morning. 🍄🍄🍄

19 November 2023

I do not like to leave my home, I'm almost a hermit in that respect. I don't think that I've gone anywhere in over a week. I haven't left the boundaries of my little 2-acre plot, except for a couple of short excursions into the woods to the north with Ben and Charlie. I don't really need to anymore, instead of dining out, we order food, and somebody brings it to us. I can even order things from Walmart and have them delivered the same day. That's just me, my wife hasn't been hermitized like I have. :) Well, we're getting ready to go east where I'll have to mingle with people. The good news is, I'll have my cameras and perhaps with new locations there will be new birds. Cheers!

“This was the pattern of my days, a simple life led by natural rhythms rather than the requirements and expectations of others.” - Neil Ansell, Deep Country: Five Years in the Welsh Hills

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #morning #mushroom #hermiting

This is a photograph of five mushrooms seen from almost ground level. The mushrooms a in a somewhat staggered line leading towards woods in the background and stand like umbrellas among brown pine needles and green grass. The are of the family Cortinariaceae, I have no idea what species they are, I just read the family consists of over 2100 species.

Swede’s Photographs

Black and orange butterfly.

This, I believe, is a Red Admiral Butterfly (Vanessa atalanta).

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #butterfly

This butterfly is on the ground amidst grass and dried pine needles with its wings spread. The top of the butterfly is visible. The top of the butterfly is mostly black, in some places the black has a brownish tint. There are two long, narrow antenna sticking up from its head, each antenna has a bright white spot on the end. The forewings have an orange stripe that arcs outward, and the tips of the forewings have several white dots. The design is mirrored between the wings. The rear edges of the rear wings are also orange and shaped in such a way that the arc from the forewings seems to continue through the rear wings. The orange edge of each rear wing has three black dots.

Swede’s Photographs

The ole soft shoe.

Tea for two and two for tea 🎶

Is it me or does this northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) look like He's tap dancing on top of the bird feeder. He's probably just landing on the corner of the feeder.

"Northern Cardinals tend to sit low in shrubs and trees or forage on or near the ground, often in pairs. They are common at bird feeders but may be inconspicuous away from them, at least until you learn their loud, metallic chip note." - allaboutbirds.org

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #NorthernCardinal

This is a male northern cardinal on the corner of a wood hanging feeder. The cardinal is completely red except for a black mask that surrounds its conical red beak.

"The Northern Cardinal is a fairly large, long-tailed songbird with a short, very thick bill and a prominent crest. Cardinals often sit with a hunched-over posture and with the tail pointed straight down. Male cardinals are brilliant red all over, with a reddish bill and black face immediately around the bill. Females are pale brown overall with warm reddish tinges in the wings, tail, and crest. They have the same black face and red-orange bill." - allaboutbirds.org

Swede’s Photographs

Good morning. 🕸️🕸️💦

18 November 2023

In a couple of days, we're heading east to Georgia for Thanksgiving. We do this every year. It's about 12 hours of driving, but I think we'll overnight in Gulf Port. When we get there, first thing is to go shopping for Thanksgiving dinner ingredients. We have an old, small house there that we partially renovated, where my wife and her sisters host Thanksgiving dinner for the extended family and usually anybody else who shows up - folks who might not get that quality of dinner otherwise. We've only furnished the kitchen and living room, so far and it's been a couple years. We have a queen-sized air mattress there, but I think we'll sleep at a hotel.

"Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year. And then discover once a year is way too often." - Johnny Carson

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #morning #travel #Thanksgiving #web #rain

Oh ... I almost forgot. This is a picture of a spiderweb spread out on green grass. It had been raining so the spider web is filled with drops of water.

Swede’s Photographs

Nocturnal visitor.

This is a Gulf Toad (Incilius valliceps). This one was hanging out near the door of one of my outbuildings this evening. My dogs have ceased being curious about them and mostly ignore them.

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #toad

This is a reddish toad brick.

Swede’s Photographs

Gone in a blur of movement.

It might be difficult to tell, but this is a tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) absconding away from a bird feeder where the bird grabbed a peanut. I'm not quite sure how I feel about this photo, Admittedly, it's not very good, but nevertheless, the subject is interesting.

"Tufted Titmice are acrobatic foragers, if a bit slower and more methodical than chickadees. They often flock with chickadees, nuthatches, and woodpeckers and are regular visitors to feeders, where they are assertive over smaller birds. Their flight tends to be fluttery but level rather than undulating." - allaboutbirds.org

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #TuftedTitmouse

This photo is kind of a blur, there is a tufted titmouse that stands out almost 3D in front of blurry vegetation in the background. The bird flies from right to left and is a little bit blurry itself. But I can see a brown peanut it its short black beak. Its head is gray on top and white around its dark eye and beneath. Its underbody is mostly white with some yellow on its breast and near the base of its tail. Its wins are spread and are slightly blurred with action. Its gray tail feathers are spread out like a fan though a bit like a turkey tail.

"Tufted Titmice look large among the small birds that come to feeders, an impression that comes from their large head and eye, thick neck, and full bodies. The pointed crest and stout bill help identify titmice even in silhouette. Soft silvery gray above and white below, with a rusty or peach-colored wash down the flanks. A black patch just above the bill makes the bird look snub-nosed." - allaboutbirds.org

Swede’s Photographs

Blue Jay.

The fresh air seems bright today, or so I say. To the west I see a lone blue jay. But in the sweetgum tree whose leaves mostly lay beneath its sway, the jay, ever moving, will not stay.

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #BlueJay

In this photograph, a blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is among the branches of a sweetgum tree. The tree is sparse of leaves, but the star shaped leaves that still cling the tree are red, orange, and green. The sky is blue.

"Large, crested songbird with broad, rounded tail. Blue Jays are smaller than crows, larger than robins. White or light gray underneath, various shades of blue, black, and white above." - allaboutbirds.org

Swede’s Photographs

Good morning. 🕊️🕊️🕊️

17 November 2023

It's Friday again and the weather is partly gloomy with a chance of dizzily rain. I used to drink heavily on Friday nights and use Saturday to recover. Heck, when I was in my twenties, I drank heavily almost every night and used Sunday to recover. The thing is though, I drank almost every day, I was never addicted to alcohol. When it came time to stop drinking all together, I just stopped and outside of a glass of wine with my wife on a cruise. I haven't touched a drop in over a decade. I'm fully aware that is not the case for everyone, for some people there is a physical and psychological need. I've seen it in my family and it's not pretty. Living life with a clear head is a better way to go.

“If you're one of us, the bottle takes your shit, that's all. First a little, then a lot, then everything.”
- Stephen King, Doctor Sleep

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #pigeons

This is a flock of 14 pigeons flying in a blue sky.

Swede’s Photographs

Mockingbird in black and white.

There is a northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) perched on a powerline .

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #NorthernMockingbird #monochrome #BlackandWhite

This mockingbird is on a powerline facing partially to the left with its head held high and its long tail sticking almost straight down.

Justin Farrimond

Keep Looking

https://justin-farrimond.pixels.com/featured/keep-looking-justin-farrimond.html

The more you look the more you see.

#PhotoOfTheDay #Stripes #BlackAndWhitePhotography #Watching #PhotographyLovers #Monochrome

Black and white photograph showing a Spanish street scene. A crossing leads to an opticians where eyes stare out from a side window.

Swede’s Photographs

The grey.

I have better photos of dark eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis), but I took this one yesterday when I saw the first juncos of the season. I need to get closer, but I like to sit at the outdoor table and sip coffee.

"Dark-eyed Juncos are neat, even flashy little sparrows that flit about forest floors of the western mountains and Canada, then flood the rest of North America for winter. They’re easy to recognize by their crisp (though extremely variable) markings and the bright white tail feathers they habitually flash in flight. Dark-eyed Juncos are among the most abundant forest birds of North America. Look for them on woodland walks as well as in flocks at your feeders or on the ground beneath them." - allaboutbirds.org

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #DarkEyedJunco

This gray little bird sits in the bow of a small branch that curves upwards. There are two larger branches in the photo that jut up through the frame. A white fence is in the background.

"The Dark-eyed Junco is a medium-sized sparrow with a rounded head, a short, stout bill and a fairly long, conspicuous tail. Juncos vary across the country (see Regional Differences), but in general they’re dark gray or brown birds brightened up by a pink bill and white outer tail feathers that periodically flash open, particularly in flight." - allaboutbirds.org

Swede’s Photographs

Good morning. 🍁🍁🍁

16 November 2023

I've never known poverty, at least long term, the closest I've come was in my youth. But I've seen poverty close up. Where there is poverty, the people don't really have a grasp of their situation. They might not know they are poor because they are surrounded by people in the same situation and have never known any other way to live. Poverty reeks of desperation and people are willing to do things, you wouldn't think of doing to get by, like begging and stealing from friends and relatives. Pulling themselves up by their bootstraps isn't as easy as it sounds especially in rural areas where getting a job requires transportation and transportation requires wealth.

“Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well- warmed, and well-fed.” - Herman Melville

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #morning #foliage #poverty

This is a photograph of a sweetgum tree (Liquidambar styraciflua) branch with autumn leaves. Each star shaped leave is a light red.

Swede’s Photographs

I'm just a lonely bird lonely and blue 🎶

This is an eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis), on a wire.

"Eastern Bluebirds live in open country around trees, but with little understory and sparse ground cover. Original habitats probably included open, frequently burned pine savannas, beaver ponds, mature but open woods, and forest openings. Today, they’re most common along pastures, agricultural fields, suburban parks, backyards, and golf courses." - allaboutbirds.org

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #EasternBluebird

This bluebird perches on a power cable, facing the camera and leaning to the left as if looking for down in that direction.

"The Eastern Bluebird is a small thrush with a big, rounded head, large eye, plump body, and alert posture. The wings are long, but the tail and legs are fairly short. The bill is short and straight. Male Eastern Bluebirds are vivid, deep blue above and rusty or brick-red on the throat and breast. Blue in birds always depends on the light, and males often look plain gray-brown from a distance. Females are grayish above with bluish wings and tail, and a subdued orange-brown breast. " - allaboutbirds.org

Swede’s Photographs

Bird Watching.

This a USAF Boeing B-52 Stratofortress.

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #USAF #B52

The B52, large jet aircraft, if flying overhead.

Swede’s Photographs

Good morning, friends. 🪻🪻🪻

15 November 2023

I went to sit at my backyard table this morning, but when I got out there, I realized that it was raining. It was only a drizzle but enough to drive me back into the house.

Yesterday, I had some knee pain and was limping around the house. Charlie, a border collie, who often stays by my side started limbing too. I found that to be amusing, so I walked some more and exaggerated my limp, and so did Charlie. I wonder if he does that out of sympathy. I think he does. Sometimes, I when get emotional, because of something bad happening, or maybe just watching a sad movie. The dogs will come near, maybe get in my lap, to comfort me. I'm convinced that is what is happening.

“When an eighty-five-pound mammal licks your tears away, then tries to sit on your lap, it's hard to feel sad.” - Kristan Higgins, Catch of the Day

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #morning #dogs #dogs #flowers

This is a photograph of a red ginger flower (Alpinia purpurata). It is a tall red flower with long large green leaves. The flower itself is shaped rather like a cob of corn, except instead of kernels, there are many red flower petals.

Swede’s Photographs

Gloomy day.

There's been mostly clouds and rain today. Here is a crow flying over late this afternoon.

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon

This is a silhouette of a crow flying beneath dark clouds.

I thought I'd checked on my long-forgotten stash of expired medium format film in the fridge drawer. I didn't realize I still had this many. There are still boxes of film underneath. Many of these are over 20 years expired.

I used to shoot expired film exclusively because they were cheap. I'd go to an annual camera show to buy film for a buck a roll and the random vintage cameras. Those were the days.

If only getting rolls of film developed wasn't such an ordeal or cost an arm and a leg, I'd still be shooting them.

#BelieveInFilm #IShootFilm #FilmPhotography #Photography #PhotographyLovers

A fridge drawer full of rolls of medium format film of various brands.

A fridge drawer full of rolls of medium format film of various brands.

Swede’s Photographs

Good morning. 🍄🍄🍄

14 November 2023

Growing old happens suddenly, doesn't it, or it seems to do that sometimes. Where I worked, before I retired, I needed a badge, well more of an ID card or pass. I had to get a new one every couple of years, so they took a new photo of me. Every time I joked that something was wrong with the camera. It was kind of corny I know, but I'm an introvert and struggle to hold a conversation, particularly with strangers. Whoops, I skipped the track didn't I. Well back to growing old. In my office I have a black and white photo of my company at the USMC Infantry Training Regiment at Camp Pendleton in 1971. I'm in the photo and I think I know which Marine I am but I'm not at all certain.

“My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was sixty. She's ninety-seven now, and we don't know where the heck she is.” - Ellen DeGeneres

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #morning #mushrooms #aging

This is a photograph of some ink cap mushrooms in dew covered grass. I think that theses ink caps are Coprinopsis lagopus.

EXTREMEWEATHER.CLUB

The San Jon, #NewMexico #supercell by Marcø Equitani. Taken on May 24, 2023 ⚡ Follow @xWxClub for more #storm photos from around the world

#nmwx #clouds #cloudlovers #severewx #onfire_skies #fever_skies #igworldclub_sky #severeweather #extremeweather #stormchaser #weather #stormchasing #thunderstorms #stormclouds #landscape #stormyweather #cloudscape #beautifulskies #NatureBeauty #PhotographyIsArt #photooftheday #fotografie #photographylovers #photographer

Swede’s Photographs

Good morning. 🍂🍃🍂

13 November 2023

It's Monday morning, time to get up and go to work for many of you. I wonder how many of you sometimes set you alarm clock on the weekend, just so you can shut it off and go back to sleep. I used to do that sometimes. :)

We purchased a new Christmas tree this year because we have family coming. Hmmm ... I'm not sure what's wrong with the old one, except it hasn't been out of the shed for a while. For the past two years we've gotten away with taking a small ceramic tree that I have and putting it on the dining table and saying, "done." I tried to sell the idea of doing the same thing this year to my wife, but she shot it down immediately. So, we'll do it the hard way.

"I like to think I'm like the guy who goes to the office Christmas party Friday night, insults some people, but still has his job Monday morning." - Don Rickles

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #morning #foliage #Monday #ChristmasTree

This is a branch of Winged sumac (Rhus copallinum) that reaches into the frame from the right. It has shiny almond shaped leaves that mostly red, but some are still green. In the background are out of focus pine branches.

Swede’s Photographs

My shift.

Here is an eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) looking like he is guarding the territory.

"Eastern Bluebirds occur across eastern North America and south as far as Nicaragua. Birds that live farther north and in the west of the range tend to lay more eggs than eastern and southern birds." - allaboutbirds.org

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #EasternBluebird

This bluebird perches at the very top of a pine tree, on new growth, facing the camera with his head turned to the right (his left). His head is blue with a dark eye and short dark beak. The area from his upper throat to midway down his chest is gold (perhaps more of a rust color). Below the gold, the feathers are white. His tail is dark blue or black.

"The Eastern Bluebird is a small thrush with a big, rounded head, large eye, plump body, and alert posture. The wings are long, but the tail and legs are fairly short. The bill is short and straight. Male Eastern Bluebirds are vivid, deep blue above and rusty or brick-red on the throat and breast. Blue in birds always depends on the light, and males often look plain gray-brown from a distance. Females are grayish above with bluish wings and tail, and a subdued orange-brown breast." - allaboutbirds.org

Swede’s Photographs

Moon rise.

I was having trouble settling on something to post this morning. The birds are scarce. Oh, I probably have thousands of unpublished photos, but I couldn't settle on anything. It's time to find something new I suppose. I'll be going to Georgia later this month, I should be able to find some birds there.

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #moon

This is the moon shining through the trees. It's mostly the silhouettes of tree leaves and branches.

Swede’s Photographs

Good morning. ☕🌨️🌨️

12 November 2023

My wife and I went out and got shots for Covid19, Flu, and RSV. My arms are a little and yesterday, I felt like I wanted to feel bad, but not quite there. At about 03:00 this morning. I had to get up which is something that old men do so nothing special there except I was cold, I think that maybe I had a light fever. So, I did what I had to do and got back under the covers.

After we got our shots, we stopped and had Chinese food, then went to ATT and purchased a Hot Spot. Now that's what I'm using for internet all of the time. We still have U-verse and will probably keep it as a backup, it crawls along a 1.5GB. I'm not certain of the Hot Spot speed but it's much faster.

“A classical Game Theory case. People are not taking vaccines in the hope that everyone else would be vaccinated and they would be safe.” - Vineet Raj Kapoor
#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #vaccines #morning #internet

This is a photograph of a flock on Anhingas overhead. There are little more than silhouettes, tiny black crosses in the sky. Overhead there are clouds. The birds seem a little disorganized, I think that they had just made a turn which through them out of formation.

Swede’s Photographs

I've got my eye on you.

This is a female northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), the females are not bright red like the male cardinals, but they are still quite striking. I know that I have at least one Mastodon friend who prefers photos of the females over the males.

"Only a few female North American songbirds sing, but the female Northern Cardinal does, and often while sitting on the nest. This may give the male information about when to bring food to the nest. A mated pair shares song phrases, but the female may sing a longer and slightly more complex song than the male." - allaboutbirds.org

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #NorthernCardinal

In this photograph, there is a gray branch that runs from the loser left corner of the frame to the upper right corner. Perched, facing the camera, on the center of the branch is a female northern cardinal. She stared directly at me when I snapped the photo. A brownish gray crest, shaped like a long triangle, sticks up from the top of her head. Her face is a light beige with black eyes on both sides with a orange conical beak surrounded by a thin circle of black feathers. Just below the head, at the base of the throat, fluffy beige feathers overlap another fluffy ball of feathers that cover her chest. Below the chest the feathers are white. The black undersides of the tips of some of her flight feathers stick down on both sides. Long reddish gray tail feathers stick down below the branch. Three gray talons of both feet cling to the front side of the branch.

Swede’s Photographs

Into the forest.

I've seen these white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), doe and her fawn, several times this year. They are running away from me and the dogs. They have nothing to fear from me, but there are hunters that go into these woods. I hope these deer stay safe. I don't hunt, though I would if I needed to, but not for sport. In my mind, though I haven't always thought like this, there is nothing masculine about wanting to kill another animal for fun. Why do I say another animal? Because humans, homo sapiens, are animals, we are mammals, and primates, part of the family Hominidae whose members are known as the great apes. Of course, there are subfamilies and tribes that end up at the genus homo.

Hmmm ... sometimes I ramble.

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #WhiteTailedDeer

In this photograph, two white tailed deer, a doe and her fawn, are running away from me on a trail near the top of a hill. The fawn is in the lead and is turning to go into the forest, the mother is close behind.

Swede’s Photographs

Just being neighborly.

I've not doubt that this turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) is passing over the backyard out of curiosity. These birds roost somewhere in the forest behind my house. If I'm out early in the morning, I see them rise one by one from the forest to the sky. Then they just kind of float around on the thermals only occasionally flapping their wings until they reach great heights. They are neighbors in that respect, and I suspect that they are familiar with us in the backyard.

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #TurkeyVulture #raptor #Birdofprey

The underside of this vulture is visible as it soars directly overhead. It flies from bottom to top, wings spread wide. Its body wings and tail are dark brown that looks almost black. Its long flight feathers are lighter and look white in this light. Its small reddish black head looks slightly to its right. The beak is a small hook at the end of its face. Dark yellowish black feet lay back against its tail.

"Turkey Vultures are large dark birds with long, broad wings. Bigger than other raptors except eagles and condors, they have long "fingers" at their wingtips and long tails that extend past their toe tips in flight. When soaring, Turkey Vultures hold their wings slightly raised, making a ‘V’ when seen head-on. Turkey Vultures appear black from a distance but up close are dark brown with a featherless red head and pale bill. While most of their body and forewing are dark, the undersides of the flight feathers (along the trailing edge and wingtips) are paler, giving a two-toned appearance." - allaboutbirds.org

Swede’s Photographs

Yellow butterfly.

I think that this is a cloudless sulfur butterfly (Phoebis sennae). My first search turned up another butterfly that looked just like it but it turned out that, that bug is found in Africa. Anyway, if my identification is correct, this is a female noted by the dot on each of the forward wings.

Hmmm ... I seem to remember, years ago butterfly collecting was a hobby. People would catch butterflies and pin them to a cork board. I, myself, had a butterfly net at one time, but aside from taking in out once or twice for amazement, it never caught on. I wonder if that is still a thing.

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #butterfly

This yellow butterfly is on a flower close to the ground, its wings are spread giving a good view from above. Its thorax is blue, and its abdomen is yellow. In this photo, its head and antenna look pink.

Swede’s Photographs

Good morning. 🫘☕☕

9 November 2023

The coffee this morning is smooth, just right.

I thought that we had too many coffee cups taking space in our kitchen cabinets, so I packed some up and took them to our little house in Georgia last year. No worries, my wife bought more. :-)

I don't know what is up with the birds, there haven't been many around lately. I see cardinals before the sun comes up and just before it goes down again. Well, the pigeon battalion showed up this morning, in strength. They flew over just as I stepped out my back door, landed on my roof, then took off again with thirty or so pairs of wings rattling as they dove low to the west and rose again as they turned north.

“I personally find the diversity and beauty of birds to be endlessly stimulating and fascinating.” - Tim Laman, Bird Planet: A Photographic Journey

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #morning #coffee #birds

This is a photograph of a oak tree with red leaves in a neighbor's yard across the way. I noticed how the leaves had turned and how they contrast against the green pines behind the tree. I took the photo from the east side of my property across the grassy fields of mine and other neighbors' yards. I estimate the tree is about 300-400 meters from where I was standing.

Swede’s Photographs

Blue feet?

This is a white eyed vireo (Vireo griseus). Like many other birds, he came to the crepe myrtles along my fence. Perhaps he was looking for spiders or some other insects or, maybe he was just curious about why so many birds gathered there.

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #whiteeyedvireo

This bird perches on a diagonal branch with his body facing the camera and its head turned to the right. Its head and back are gray green. Its face is mostly yellow around and in front of the light eyes. Its back is black with a white spot near its base. The breast of the bird is mostly yellow, but the feathers are white under the chin and run in a narrow channel down the front of the bird. Its wings are gray green, though there is a black stripe bordered by two yellow stripes near the wings base, looking like a badge of rank. The tail is mostly black. Amazingly, this birds feet that grasp the branch are blue.

Swede’s Photographs

Good morning. 🌜🌘🌚

8 November 2023

Waking up in the morning is better than not waking up. I think that is the case anyway, who knows. For sure, the coffee is better this morning I threw out the "on sale" stale Italian roast beans and opened a fresh bag of French roast.

I was at Barns and Noble in Shreveport a couple of days ago, I purchased the latest John Grisham book, but I picked up and held in my hand a book titled "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr, I didn't get it, though I wish I had. At home I found out it was also a short Netflix series and watched. I thought it was excellent, emotionally moving. I'll get my hands on the book.

I like the quote I found this morning. Too many people have strong opinions about things that they know nothing about, don't you think?

“Think before you speak. Read before you think.” - Fran Lebowitz, The Fran Lebowitz Reader

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #morning #moon #books #reading

Morning Moon

November 8
Waning Crescent
Illumination: 22%

Swede’s Photographs

I got this.

Here's a red bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) at one of my newer (pigeon resistant) feeders. Notice how she uses her tail to brace against the bottom of the feeder.

"Keep an eye out for this species in eastern woodlands all year round, particularly at middle heights and along main branches and trunks of trees. It pays to learn the bird’s calls, too: Red-bellied Woodpeckers are loud and call frequently during spring and summer." - allaboutbirds.org

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #RedBelliedWoodpecker

In this photograph, there is black round metal mesh bird feeder that tapers inward from the top. The feeder has a wide clear dome shaped plastic roof, and a black metal trough at the bottom that looks like a serving tray. There is an out-of-focus white fence in the background. The woodpecker hangs upside down from the right edge of the feeder and her underside is visible to the camera. Her tail s white with black polka-dots, but the stiff tail feathers at the end are mostly black. Her underside is mostly white though there is a rosy tint on her belly. Her folded wings, which face downward, are black with white dots. Her head faces up and her face is mostly white with a black eye and long dark pointed beak. A light red spot is at the base of the top of her beak.

EXTREMEWEATHER.CLUB

#Lightning bolts, #mammatus #clouds and #stars in Fort Collins, #Colorado by Jonah Lange ⚡ Follow @xWxClub for more #storm photos from around the world

#cowx #lightnings #lightningstrikes #lightningstrike #photography #lightningphotography #lightningphotos #photooftheday #photographylovers #thunderstorms #igworldclub_sky #storm_scape #total_skies #your_skies #thunderstorm #foudre #orage #extremeweather #ig_shotz #skyporn #lightningmafia #world_of_thunders #jaw_dropping_shots

Swede’s Photographs

Salty

This is a brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), a juvenile I think, flying overhead at Galveston, Tx. I took this while aboard a cruise ship.

"The oldest Brown Pelican on record was 43 years of age." - allaboutbirds.org

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #BrownPelican

This pelican flies from right to left, its head and beak are a bluish gray. The feathers on the body's underside are brown with white spots or speckles and there is a small tail at the back. Its large wings are light brown and its long flight feathers are tan.

"Brown Pelicans are huge, stocky seabirds. They have thin necks and very long bills with a stretchy throat pouch used for capturing fish. Their wings are very long and broad and are often noticeably bowed when the birds are gliding. Adult Brown Pelicans are gray-brown birds with yellow heads and white necks. In breeding plumage, the back and sides of the neck turn a rich, dark reddish-brown. Immatures are gray brown above (including the head and neck) with pale whitish belly and breast." - allaboutbirds.org

EXTREMEWEATHER.CLUB

The arrival of a #storm front near Rovinj, #Croatia by Maja Kraljik. Taken on September 23, 2023 ⚡ Follow @xWxClub for more #storms from around the world

#lightning #lightningstrikes #nikon #sky_captures #girlswhochase #girlswhobolt #bestnatureshot #master_gallery #lightningphotography #lightningphotos #photooftheday #photographylovers #thunderstorms #igworldclub_sky #storm_scape #total_skies #your_skies #thunderstorm #foudre #orage #extremeweather #ig_shotz #skyporn #lightningmafia

Swede’s Photographs

Out on a limb.

I don't remember taking this picture, but I must have, and recently. I think that this butterfly is a common buckeye (Junonia coenia), I don't have an app for insects but I try to ID them with google search. When I post a photo.

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #butterfly #commonbuckeye

This butterfly sits on a dead branch. The background is mostly branches and leaves. The butterfly is brown with orange and black markings. The underside of the right wing is visible revealing and orange section with a round decorative marking that includes a black dot surrounded by a lighter orange ring that is in turn surrounded by a black ring. Very pretty.

"Common buckeye butterflies are colored mostly brown with some orange, black, white, blue, and magenta. The forewing features two proximal orange bars and a postmedian white band, which surrounds a prominent black eyespot and borders a smaller, more distal eyespot; both eyespots have a bluish center and each border a distal orange mark. The hindwing is mostly brown with an orange band towards the edge and a brown and white margin. It also has two eyespots, one larger and one smaller, each with a black and white outline, and a center consisting of black, blue, magenta, and orange. They also exhibit blue-green overtones on their front and sometimes hind wings. Their wingspan is typically between 2 and 2.5 inches (5 - 6.5 cm)." - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junonia_coenia

Swede’s Photographs

Crow

Here's an American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) that I caught flying while the dogs were walking me yesterday.

"American Crows eat a vast array of foods, including grains, seeds, nuts, fruits, berries, and many kinds of small animals such as earthworms and mice. They eat many insects, including some crop pests, and also eat aquatic animals such as fish, young turtles, crayfish, mussels, and clams. A frequent nest predator, the American Crow eats the eggs and nestlings of many species including sparrows, robins, jays, terns, loons, and eiders. Also eats carrion and garbage." - allaboutbirds.org

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #AmericanCrow

This crow is flying from left to right in the frame. The crow is completely black, but if I zoom in, I'm able to make out the details to include the feather texture. Its right eye is visible as is the details of its slightly curved beak. Its wings are down, and its black feet are visible hanging under the fanned-out tail.

"A large, long-legged, thick-necked bird with a heavy, straight bill. In flight, the wings are fairly broad and rounded with the wingtip feathers spread like fingers. The short tail is rounded American Crows are all black, even the legs and bill. When crows molt, the old feathers can appear brownish or scaly compared to the glossy new Feathers'd or squared off at the end." - allaboutbirds.org

Swede’s Photographs

Good morning. 🍂🌿🍃

1 November 2023

I just said good morning and look, it's almost noon. I haven't been myself for the past week plus. I may have mentioned that I had a cold, well it hasn't completely gone away yet, though it's abated quite a bit. Sometimes, like now, I wonder if the symptoms are more expectation that than real. Sleep is what's need and sleep is what I've been doing. I've missed my early morning sessions in the backyard with my cameras.

“October extinguished itself in a rush of howling winds and driving rain and November arrived, cold as frozen iron, with hard frosts every morning and icy drafts that bit at exposed hands and faces.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #morning #cold #November

This is a photograph of black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) autumn leaves. The colors are red, orange, and green.

I just read that its scientific name, Nyssa sylvatica, means forest-dwelling water nymph.

Swede’s Photographs

Who is that masked bird?

I'm not sure where I took this photo at, but I suspect it was at a nearby lake. This is a great blue heron (Ardea herodias) hunting at the water's edge,

"Great Blue Herons can hunt day and night thanks to a high percentage of rod-type photoreceptors in their eyes that improve their night vision." - allaboutbirds.org

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #GreatBlueHeron

This heron stands in shallow water covered with green plants. The shore is just behind also covered with greenery. The water's edge reaches about halfway up the frame where it reflects every detail from above in a vaguely rippled form. The heron stands with its egg-shaped body turned slightly to the left, its long neck snakes up and over to its small head which turns to the right. The heron has a long dagger like beak that is black on top and orange underneath. Its piercing eye is fiery orange. There is a dark black stripe on the side of its head that flows over the eye and seems to extend out to the beak. Its feathers are mostly a bluish grey and long feather hang down from its neck like a beard. There are white feathers showing underneath its short tail. Feathers covering the top of its long legs are reddish brown.

"Largest of the North American herons with long legs, a sinuous neck, and thick, daggerlike bill. Head, chest, and wing plumes give a shaggy appearance. In flight, the Great Blue Heron curls its neck into a tight “S” shape; its wings are broad and rounded and its legs trail well beyond the tail. Great Blue Herons appear blue-gray from a distance, with a wide black stripe over the eye. In flight, the upper side of the wing is two-toned: pale on the forewing and darker on the flight feathers. A pure white subspecies occurs in coastal southern Florida." - allaboutbirds.org

Swede’s Photographs

Good morning. 🌕🌖🌗

29 October 2023

I jumped back startled as the doorknob jiggled. Nothing appeared through the door glass, but something was there. looking to my left, the heads of Ben and Charlie were peering apprehensively from around the sofa, Ben's on the bottom, and Charie's on top. Again, I asked, "who is there?" There was no answer. But, looking through the glass I saw that the fog suddenly disappeared. I opened the door, there was nobody there, just a strange darkness. To the east a blood red moon was rising through the trees.

“They walked through the rainy dark like gaunt ghosts, and Garraty didn't like to look at them. They were the walking dead.” - Stephen King, The Long Walk

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #morning #moon #trees #scary

This is a photo of the moon shining through a tree. The light of the moon has a red tint.

Swede’s Photographs

Rats anyone?

This is a Central American agouti (Dasyprocta punctata), I photographed this animal at Roatan, Honduras a couple months ago.

"The agouti (/əˈɡuːtiː/, ə-GOO-tee) or common agouti is any of several rodent species of the genus Dasyprocta. They are native to Middle America, northern and central South America, and the southern Lesser Antilles. Some species have also been introduced elsewhere in the West Indies. They are related to guinea pigs and look quite similar, but they are larger and have longer legs. The species vary considerably in color, being brown, reddish, dull orange, greyish, or blackish, but typically with lighter underparts. Their bodies are covered with coarse hair, which is raised when alarmed. They weigh 2.4–6 kg (5.3–13.2 lb) and are 40.5–76 cm (15.9–29.9 in) in length, with short, hairless tails." - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agouti

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #CentralAmericanAgouti

This agouti faces to the left, the front of its snout is hidden behind a root. Its hair is reddish brown, its large black eys is surrounded by pink skin. Its ears are round. Its hind legs are longer that the front.

"Agoutis have five toes on their front feet and three toes on their hind feet; the first toe is very small. The tail is very short or nonexistent and hairless. The molar teeth have cylindrical crowns, with several islands and a single lateral fold of enamel. Agoutis may grow to be up to 60 cm (24 in) in length and 4 kg (8.8 lb) in weight. Most species are brown on their backs and whitish or buff on their bellies; the fur may have a glossy appearance and then glimmers in an orange color. Reports differ as to whether they are diurnal or nocturnal animals." - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agouti

Swede’s Photographs

Good morning. 🕊️🕊️🕊️

26 October 2023

I think this scourge of a cold is starting to wane. My sinuses are starting to settle down. I suppose we needed reminding to wear a mask when we go out in public especially in crowded spaces. Better yet, it's best to avoid crowded spaces when possible. Lately, most people I see wearing a mask wear them around their chin or sometimes cover just their mouth. That might be fashionable, but it offers no protection.

“I was wearing a mask at the shops and a strange person told me to take off my mask because the pandemic was over. I kept it on because as a COVID-19 researcher, I knew he was a victim of government misinformation of the masses.”
- Steven Magee

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #RockPigeon #RockDove #dove #pigeon

This is a photo of a flock of 15 pigeons flying pass a bare tree. The pigeons fly from left to right.

habe mal meinen herbstlichen Ahorn #Bonsai 🍁 so fotografiert, dass man die Baustelle im Hintergrund nicht so sieht 😁
#PhotographyLovers
#Fotografie #Naturephotography
#Photography #Autumn #Herbst 🍂

in dem Bild ist ein japanischer Fächerahorn Bonsai (Acer Palmatum) zu sehen, der auf einer kleinen Mauer aus Pflanzsteinen steht. Der Hintergrund ist unscharf.
Es ist ein trüber Morgen und das Laub leuchtet gelb und rot in vollen Herbstfarben.

EXTREMEWEATHER.CLUB

#Lightning strikes three #skyscrapers simultaneously in Kuala Lumpur, #Malaysia by Fitri Hakim. Taken on October 22, 2023. ⚡ Follow @xWxClub for more #storm photos from around the world

#lightnings #lightningstrikes #lightningstrike #skyscraper #kltower #klcc #pnb118 #photography #lightningphotography #lightningphotos #photooftheday #photographylovers #thunderstorms #thunderstorm #foudre #orage #extremeweather #skyporn #lightningmafia #world_of_thunders #jaw_dropping_shots

Swede’s Photographs

Water

This is a beautifully focused shot of water on a bayou. Oh ... there is also an out of focus great egret flyijng by.

"The Great Egret eats mainly small fish but also eats amphibians, reptiles, birds, small mammals and invertebrates such as crayfish, prawns, shrimp, polychaete worms, isopods, dragonflies and damselflies, whirligig beetles, giant water bugs, and grasshoppers. It hunts in belly-deep or shallower water in marine, brackish, and freshwater wetlands, alone or in groups. It wades as it searches for prey, or simply stands still to wait for prey to approach." - allaboutbirds.org

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #bird #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #GreatEgret

This is a great egret flying low over water from right to left in the frame.

"Great Egrets are tall, long-legged wading birds with long, S-curved necks and long, dagger-like bills. In flight, the long neck is tucked in and the legs extend far beyond the tip of the short tail. All feathers on Great Egrets are white. Their bills are yellowish-orange, and the legs black." - allaboutbirds.org