Charlie and I skipped our Friday walk yesterday because the forecast called for imminent rain—rain that kept drifting farther and farther to the right on the hourly chart. I think it finally did show up at some point, but I was probably napping. I’ll pick up the rhythm again on Monday.
I’ve said before that once you’re retired, there’s not much that truly has to be done right away. “Tomorrow” becomes a perfectly acceptable time to get things done.
Tomorrow!
Tomorrow!
I love ya
Tomorrow!
You’re always a day away — from the musical Annie 🎶
I’d call it a three‑day weekend starting yesterday, but we had another new stove delivered, so I suppose it counts as a regular day. Not that we get new stoves every day. Well… we did for two days in a row, but we sent the first one back. I don’t expect any more stove deliveries for a while. We do have a new microwave coming next week, though.
It’s funny how technology weasels its way into our lifestyles, isn’t it? We lived for decades without a microwave—or even the idea of one—and now it feels like a near necessity. I usually make ramen by tossing everything into a bowl with some water and popping it into the microwave, which is exactly what I was doing when I discovered ours had given up the ghost. I set it for eight minutes, watched the light come on and the tray spin dutifully around, and when I opened the door… the bowl was still cold. I had to cook it the old-fashioned way on the stovetop. So very 20th Century.
“The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.” — Bertrand Russell
“Never put off till tomorrow what may be done day after tomorrow just as well.” — Mark Twain
“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” — Arthur C. Clarke
"In this serene waterscape, a large white goose glides effortlessly across a rippling surface of dark, reflective water. The bird is an Embden goose—Anser anser domesticus—a domestic breed known for its stately size and pure white plumage. Its feathers are pristine and smooth, catching the ambient light like polished ivory. The goose’s bright orange beak, thick and slightly curved at the tip, gleams with moisture, and a few delicate droplets fall from its tip, suggesting a recent sip or forage beneath the surface.
Its eyes are small, dark, and alert, set against the snowy canvas of its head. The water around it mirrors its form in soft, undulating reflections, creating a double image—one real, one ghostly. Gentle ripples trail behind the goose, marking its passage like a signature on the lake. The overall mood is quiet and contemplative, as if the bird were both sentinel and scribe of the morning stillness.
"Duck in Natural Habitat"
A Mottled Duck with an expression that seemed like, "What Are You Looking At?" This male was in the vegetation just off the Laguna Madre in South Padre Island, Texas.
A duck stands amidst tall green grass with a backdrop of earthy tones. Its plumage blends well with the surrounding environment, showcasing excellent camouflage. Photography by Debra Martz
This image of four ducks swimming into twilight caught my eye. Their near-black silhouettes glide through flickering ripples of orange and blue, where shadow and light dance across the water’s surface. It’s the contrast—the quiet procession against the shimmering backdrop—that holds the gaze.
Discover nature's fleeting moments through my lens—visit my photo gallery to see more.
"Four ducks glide in a gentle line across a still body of water, their dark silhouettes crisp against a luminous backdrop. The water is bathed in golden light—likely from a low sun at either dawn or dusk—casting long ripples that shimmer like molten threads. The ducks move with quiet purpose, leaving subtle wakes behind them, each ripple echoing their passage. The scene is serene and reverent, as if nature itself is holding its breath. The golden reflection dominates the upper half of the image, while cooler blue tones cradle the lower portion, creating a visual gradient that feels both painterly and mythic. The ducks are evenly spaced, their forms distinct yet unified, like a ceremonial procession. In the bottom right corner, the image bears the signature “Swede’s Photographs,” honoring the witness who captured this tranquil rite." - Microsoft Copilot
“The increase of trumpeter swans throughout much of Minnesota is obvious,” said DNR wetland wildlife group leader Bruce Davis, stationed in Bemidji. “There’s still more expansion going on as they continue to move south and west in the state. I don’t know if their density in the prairie areas will match what it is in the central and northern parts of Minnesota. Whether it does or doesn’t, there are a lot of swans.”
Gift link: https://www.startribune.com/anderson-growing-trumpeter-swan-numbers-might-be-too-much-of-a-good-thing/601502370?utm_source=gift
While near Houston, Texas, I spent time watching a group of domestic ducks and geese drifting across a quiet lake. At a certain hour each day, they would emerge from the water and waddle up to the back of a nearby house—like a beach landing by a gentle, feathered invasion force. I surmised the residents had been feeding them, and the birds returned with hope in their gait and memory in their beaks.
Among them was a Chinese goose (Anser cygnoides domesticus), waddling across the backyard with deliberate steps, heading back toward the lake. Its motion was both purposeful and ceremonial, as if retracing a sovereign route between kinship and water.
Step into a world where even the smallest moments—like the glint in a bird's eye—tell their own story.
"A single Chinese goose strides across a patch of dry grass, its long neck held high in a posture both poised and purposeful. The bird’s head and neck are a rich, dark brown, accented by a crisp white stripe that runs down its throat—a regal contrast that catches the light. With each step, its body—cloaked in a blend of white and brown feathers—shifts subtly, revealing the texture and symmetry of its plumage. The lighting highlights the motion, giving the impression of quiet determination as the goose moves through its natural terrain.
I’m in a bit of a hurry this morning—I’ve got a doctor’s appointment. I really don’t like those; they literally suck the blood out of me. 🧛
I got up and hopped straight into the shower. After getting dressed, I headed to the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee. I was mid-brew when I happened to glance back the way I came—and saw that Charlie had left a surprise on the hallway rug. Ugh! 😒
I grabbed the carpet shampooer and cleaned it up right away. Then I walked through the house checking the floors. At first, no other messes caught my eye. But on my way back to the kitchen, I spotted another spot on the living room rug—once again, Ugh! 😱
I tackled that one too, and no sooner had I put the shampooer away than I noticed a camouflaged blotch on the family room rug. Ooh noo! 🙀
Anyway, it’s all done now. I briefly considered not feeding Charlie—but he’s gotta eat. Besides, he’s my friend. And if taking care of him means doing a few unpleasant things now and then, well… that’s what I’ll do.
“There’s a saying: If you want someone to love you forever, buy a dog, feed it, and keep it around.” – Dick Dale
"In a shadowed, textured expanse that feels like velvet dusk or the surface of a weathered canvas, four white birds—ducks or geese—stand as luminous emissaries. Their feathers glow with a soft, spectral light, as if moonlit or brushed with frost. Each bird holds a distinct pose, like dancers caught mid-gesture in a silent ritual:
On the far left, one bird faces leftward, wings slightly unfurled, as if preparing to speak or take flight.
In the center, two birds face each other in mirrored stances, necks curved in a quiet exchange—perhaps a greeting, a challenge, or a moment of kinship.
On the right, the fourth bird stretches its neck upward, reaching toward something unseen, like a sentinel or a seeker.
The background is dark and mottled, evoking stone, storm, or memory—its texture deepens the contrast, making the birds appear almost painted or conjured. The entire composition feels suspended in time, like a mythic scroll or a ceremonial still from a forgotten rite.
In the bottom left corner, the watermark “Swede’s Photographs” anchors the image in authorship, but the scene itself transcends documentation—it invites interpretation, annotation, and sovereign myth-making." - Microsoft Copilot
This image was captured at a lake near Houston, Texas. It features two Egyptian geese (Alopochen aegyptiaca) in mid-flight. A larger group had buzzed past, but these two happened to be the ones caught by my lens.
"Egyptian geese were introduced to North America through the exotic pet and ornamental bird trade. Escaped individuals from zoos and private collections established wild populations, especially in states like Texas, Florida, and California." - Microsoft Copilot
Discover nature's fleeting moments through my lens—visit my photo gallery to see more.
"Two Egyptian geese (Alopochen aegyptiaca) soar through a cloudless blue sky, their wings outstretched in mid-flight. The goose on the left is slightly higher and closer to the viewer, its wings lifted upward in a powerful arc, revealing a striking contrast of black-tipped feathers and pale underwings. Its body is mottled with warm browns and creams, and a bold chestnut patch encircles its eye like ceremonial paint. The goose on the right glides lower, its wings more horizontal, suggesting a moment of calm between wingbeats. Both birds have vivid pink legs trailing behind them, adding a splash of unexpected color against the sky’s serene backdrop. Their motion is dynamic yet graceful, as if caught in a sovereign dance above the lake. The image is crisp and vibrant, capturing not just flight, but the poise and personality of these regal waterfowl." - Microsoft Copilot
A couple of days ago, I mentioned the ragtag crew of ducks and geese patrolling the lake we visited. This image captures a contingent of that group—perhaps half of the full assembly. There was also a sizable flock of black-bellied whistling ducks at the lake, but this domestic crew kept to themselves, forming a smaller, tight-knit clique. No mingling, no negotiations—just quiet sovereignty in their own corner of the water.
Step into a world where even the smallest moments—like the glint in a bird's eye—tell their own story.
"A lively mix of ducks and geese glides across a calm pond, their reflections shimmering like ghostly doubles. The water is soft with ripples, and the surrounding greenery casts muted tones across the surface.
Leading the group is a Chinese goose, tall and stately, with a prominent knob atop its bill—like a crowned dignitary. Around it swim several Mallards, the males with glossy green heads and yellow bills, the females mottled brown with orange bills, moving with quiet resolve.
A few Pekin ducks, large and white, paddle like floating lanterns—domestic and unbothered. Near the edge, a darker figure, likely a Muscovy duck, lingers with red facial caruncles and a heavier frame, more solitary than the rest.
Possibly among them is a Khaki Campbell or Indian Runner, lean and upright, scanning the horizon like a scout. Together, this ragtag crew moves in loose formation, unified in direction, diverse in plumage—a sovereign flotilla drifting through the Ministry of Fish Craft’s domain." - Microsoft Copilot
Here stands a trio of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks (Dendrocygna autumnalis), captured just days ago at the edge of still water. That same day, I shared a ghostly image—an ethereal glimpse of a passing flock, these very birds in motion. This photo stirs a quiet excitement in me: a new species now joins my growing archive, each image a small ceremony of recognition and inclusion.
These particular birds look as if they’ve just stepped out of a feathered spotlight—poised like a singing trio ready to belt out doo-wop harmony at any moment. Their stance, their symmetry, their pink-legged charisma—it’s all there, waiting for the downbeat.
Step into a world where even the smallest moments—like the glint in a bird's eye—tell their own story
"Three Black-bellied Whistling Ducks stand in quiet formation at the lip of a still body of water, their bodies angled slightly leftward as if mid-conversation or poised for a gentle procession. Each duck wears a striking ensemble: a deep chestnut body, black belly, and a crisp white wing patch that catches the morning light. Their bills blaze red like ceremonial seals, and their legs—long and pink—seem dipped in rosewater.
The water beneath them is glasslike, mirroring their forms with uncanny clarity. Reflections ripple only slightly, as if the pond itself is holding its breath. Around them, green vegetation frames the scene—lush, unruly, and alive. The lighting is soft but deliberate, casting a warm glow that accentuates the texture of their feathers and the quiet dignity of their stance.
Together, they evoke a sense of ritual: not just ducks at rest, but sentinels of a sovereign moment—perhaps convening a council at the Ministry of Mirror Lake" - Microsoft Copilot
On 9 October 2025, I encountered a large flock of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks (Dendrocygna autumnalis). The image captures just a small detachment of the flock, gliding smoothly across the lake’s surface like a quiet procession. The exposure is slightly high—I was still adjusting for the light—but the result carries its own charm. There’s a rustic, weathered quality to the scene, as if the moment had been etched into memory rather than captured by lens.
If you enjoy wildlife and nature photography, check out my photo gallery here:
"A loosely gathered flotilla of black-bellied whistling-ducks glides across a reflective body of water, their movement gentle but deliberate—like a council in session. The image is slightly overexposed, lending a soft, ethereal glow to the scene. Light bounces off the rippling surface, washing the ducks in a silvery haze that blurs edges and heightens contrast. Their plumage—rich chestnut bodies, charcoal bellies, and pale gray faces—is softened by the light, but still discernible in its ceremonial arrangement.
Each duck bears the signature coral-red bill and long pink legs, which appear almost luminous against the water’s sheen. One duck, slightly apart from the group, seems to serve as a sentinel or envoy, its posture upright and alert. The others drift in a loose formation, neither rigid nor chaotic—just enough order to suggest intention, just enough space to honor autonomy.
The water itself acts as a mirror and a scroll, reflecting their passage in streaks of light and shadow. The overexposure renders the scene dreamlike, as if the ducks were gliding through memory rather than matter. The image is signed “@ Swede’s Photographs” in the lower left, anchoring the moment in authorship without disturbing its quiet ceremony." - Microsoft Copilot
A Canada goose stands in a misty field, captured as a dark silhouette against glowing golden morning light. The blurred background enhances the serene and atmospheric mood of the scene.
A coot chick swimming on a lake, green with reflections of foliage, shot from almost water level, parent blurred in the foreground, looking at the chick. I once again apologize for the text of this post.
@doersino
I was once in the enviable position of picking one up, little legs dangling between my fingers.
It had lost its way, so I returned it to the canal where its mum and siblings were swimming.
🎶🎵It was short, but it was so sweet 🎵🎶