Thursday (22-March-2018) — New Jersey

Backyard (and Indoor) Early Spring Nature in New Jersey.

The snow had stopped by the time I woke up. It looked like 6-8 inches. It was fluffy and light, not like the wet & heavy stuff we got with the 2nd Nor’easter. Some images of the snow-covered patio, with a charcoal grill waiting for real spring weather. Then the trees damaged by the previous storm.  As for indoor nature, I am still finding some stink bugs (but not the green ones). By the afternoon, the snow slid off the solar panels, and I was generating electricity. The snow on the driveway and front entry was melting fast so I didn’t need to get the shovel out. As fast as the snow is melting, I wouldn’t be surprised if there is some local flooding over the next couple of days. Hopefully, this will be the last Nor’easter this spring.




Individual images from the slide-shows can be viewed here.

Friday (12-January-2018) — New Jersey

Backyard Winter Nature in New Jersey: A Newt.

The outdoor temperatures rose to the mid 60’s and it rained most of the day. I went outside and noticed a tiny newt on my doorstep. Only a couple of days ago there was snow on the ground. At first I wondered if it was alive, but saw it move. The arms and legs are very small. I got a small tripod and started taking pictures with a macro lens and flash. I was fortunate that it didn’t move long enough to take a series of images that could be processed with focus stacking software (Helicon Focus).

Tiny Newt on my Doorstep. Winter Backyard Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D810a camera and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens (ISO 200, 105 mm, f/8, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)
Tiny Newt on my Doorstep. Winter Backyard Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D810a camera and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens (ISO 200, 105 mm, f/8, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)
Tiny Newt on my Doorstep. Winter Backyard Nature in New Jersey. Composite of seven focus stacked images taken with a Nikon D810a camera and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens (ISO 200, 105 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec). Images processed with Capture One Pro and Helicon Focus (method B, radius 8, smoothing 4). (David J Mathre)
Tiny Newt on my Doorstep. Winter Backyard Nature in New Jersey. Composite of seven focus stacked images taken with a Nikon D810a camera and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens (ISO 200, 105 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec). Images processed with Capture One Pro and Helicon Focus (method B, radius 8, smoothing 4). (David J Mathre)


Five-Years Ago (07-January-2013) — Florida

Gone to See Florida 2013 Road Trip. Day 4: Indoor Nature.

I am glad that Crane flies don’t bite like mosquitoes. I found this one in my room at the historic Vinoy hotel.

Crane Fly in my room. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens (ISO400, 105 mm, f22, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)
Crane Fly in my room. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens (ISO400, 105 mm, f22, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)

Thursday (14-December-2017) — New Jersey

Late Fall Indoor Nature in New Jersey: Green Stink Bug

Hitchhiker that came in on a batch of “organic” Bok Choy. I guess it’s extra protein. I’ve never seen a green version of a Stink-Bug before.

Green Stink Bug. Late fall indoor nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D810a camera and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens (David J Mathre)
Green Stink Bug. Late fall indoor nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D810a camera and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens (David J Mathre)


Nine-Years Ago (29-November-2008) — New Jersey

Undocumented Domestic Help: “The Caretaker”.

One of the many trolls that take care of my house. I never know where I will find him, typically avoiding doing any work. You can find more of his friends — all members of the Trolls without Borders union at the Henning site in Norway.

The Caretaker, Henning Hand Carved Norwegian Troll. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 200 mm f/4 macro (ISO 200, f/11, 1/60 sec, flash). (David J Mathre)
The Caretaker, Henning Hand Carved Norwegian Troll. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 200 mm f/4 macro lens (ISO 200, f/11, 1/60 sec, flash).