Month: August 2016

Wednesday (24-August-2016) — New Jersey

Summertime Nature at the Sourland Mountain Preserve.

I originally thought this was an elusive American Bittern at the Sourland Mountain Preserve Pond.  The same bird I saw on 16-August-2016. When the bird is in flight it had a black crest.  Now I think it is an immature Green Heron. I have previously seen Green Herons at the Sourland Mountain Preserve (15-September-2013). Four images taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens.


Click on the above image to access the individual images in the slideshow.


Wednesday (24-August-2016) — New Jersey

Summertime Nature at the Sourland Mountain Preserve.

The Hummingbird Clearwing moths (Hemaris thysbe) were out in force. They mainly feed on Thistle flowers, Joe Pye Weed flowers. This year, I also saw them feed on blue Chicory flowers.


Click on the above image to access the individual images in the slideshow.


Wednesday (24-August-2016) — New Jersey

Summertime Nature at the Sourland Mountain Preserve.

I visited the Sourland Mountain Preserve yesterday at 15:00. It was hot out, and I only lasted an hour. I saw a number of Monarch butterflies, but they were not staying still. I did catch both a Monarch butterfly and an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly feeding on a Queen Anne’s Lace flower. I don’t often see butterflies feeding on this flower.

Monarch Butterfly on a Queen Anne's Lace Flower. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec) (David J Mathre)
Monarch Butterfly on a Queen Anne’s Lace Flower. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec) (David J Mathre)
Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on a Queen Anne's Lace Flower. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec) (David J Mathre)
Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on a Queen Anne’s Lace Flower. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec) (David J Mathre)

Wednesday (24-August-2016) — New Jersey

Summertime Nature at the Sourland Mountain Preserve.

Bumble Bee in Flight. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec).

Bumble Bee approaching a Yellow Wildflower. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec) (David J Mathre)
Bumble Bee approaching a Yellow Wildflower. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec) (David J Mathre)

One-Year Ago (24-August-2015) — New Jersey

Backyard Summertime Nature in New Jersey.

Some may think I have an obsession with the beautiful Hummingbird Clearwing Moth (Hemaris thysbe). These were taken in the back section of my property where I have a number of Thistle plants in bloom. Most folks call the Thistles terrible weeds. I like them because I know from the Sourland Mountain Preserve that the flowers attract a variety of bees, butterflies, and hummingbird moths. The seeds attract Goldfinch birds. Images taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 55-200 mm OIS lens,  Nikon D3x camera and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens or a Nikon D4 camera and 300 mm f/4 lens.


Click on the above image to access the individual images in the slideshow.


Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly on a Thistle flower. Image taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 55-200 mm OIS lens. (David J Mathre)
Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly on a Thistle flower. Image taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 55-200 mm OIS lens. (David J Mathre)
Great Spangled Fritillary feeding on on Thistle flowers. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens. (David J Mathre)
Great Spangled Fritillary feeding on on Thistle flowers. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens. (David J Mathre)