Tuesday (01-August-2017) — New Jersey

Backyard Summertime Nature in New Jersey.

First Monarch Butterfly of the season on a Red Cosmos flower in my wildflower meadow. I have seen them along with yellow and black swallowtail butterflies the last few days, but finally found one that stayed in place long enough to have its picture taken.

First Monarch Butterfly of the season on a Red Cosmos wildflower. Backyard summer nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3x camera and 500 mm f/4 VR telephoto lens (ISO 100, 500 mm, f/4.5, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
First Monarch Butterfly of the season on a Red Cosmos wildflower. Backyard summer nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3x camera and 500 mm f/4 VR telephoto lens (ISO 100, 500 mm, f/4.5, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)

Four-Years Ago (01-August-2013) — Iceland

Gone to See Iceland 2013 Photography Safari with Mike Hagen. Day 3: Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands).

European Golden Plover feigning a broken wing trying to distract attention away from the chick. Heimaey, Vestmannaejar Islands, Iceland. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 640, 400 mm, f/11, 1/400 sec).

European Golden Plover Feigning a Broken Wing Trying to Distract Attention Away From the Chick. Heimaey, Vestmannaejar Islands, Iceland. Image taken with a Nikon D4 and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 640, 400 mm, f/11, 1/400 sec). Nikonians Iceland Photo Adventure. (David J Mathre)
European Golden Plover Feigning a Broken Wing Trying to Distract Attention Away From the Chick. Heimaey, Vestmannaejar Islands, Iceland. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 640, 400 mm, f/11, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)