Friday (17-December-2021) — New Jersey

Autumn Backyard Nature in New Jersey.

Birds of the day viewed at the birdfeeder and in the backyard: Mourning Dove, Downy Woodpecker, European Starling, House Finch, Dark-eyed Junco.


Birds of the day. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Time-lapse Little Planet videos of the day. Breaking cardboard down for the biweekly recycling pickup. The main project for the day was to start working on the deer fence. Yesterday, Red Rover was used to dig the first post hole. Today the first 6 foot steel inner sleeve was pounded into the hole. A layer of gravel is added to the bottom, and then the hole filled with about one bag (50 lbs) of Quikrete (fast setting concrete). Before adding the water, the Quikrete was pounded down and the post aligned strait up using a magnetic leveling device. Water (about 1 gallon) was added, and the concrete allowed to set for 24+ hours as the temperature was only in the mid-50’s. Ten more holes were dug, and seven more inner posts installed. Note that the ground is very rocky, so not all of the holes and posts could be set to the same depth. The great thing about the Benner deer fence system is that the eight foot outer post slips over the inner post so all of the posts can be set to the same height above the ground.

Daily Electric Energy Used (47.1 kWh) from Sense. Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (23.5kWh) from Sense and SolSystems. Sun and clouds. Geothermal HVAC heating the house. Deficit of 23.6 kWh.

Author: David Mathre

I am a scientist by training (Eckerd College, BSc; Caltech, Ph.D.). I worked for 27 years as a Chemist in the Pharmaceutical Industry developing processes to manufacture medicines for human and animal health. I now spend my time as a photographer and world traveler. My interests include the natural world, wildlife, landscapes, sky, and seascapes, travel, and astrophotography. I look for unique ways of viewing the world and presenting my images. I have traveled to over 55 countries in six continents, often on Semester at Sea voyages. While at home in New Jersey, I spend time on home renovation and expansion of a wildflower garden/meadow.

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