Friday (01-June-2018) — New Jersey

Backyard Springtime Nature in New Jersey.

While mowing the backyard, I found an Eastern Box Turtle at the edge of the grass and beginning of the wildflower meadow. The last time that I saw one in my yard was nearly 20 years ago. The back section is wet, and I recently found some May Apple plants — so had hoped to find that the turtles still existed on my property. There were frogs and dragonflies at the pond. The frogs jump into the pond before I can take their picture. Back on the patio, the plants in the Garden Towers are growing very fast. I have already started harvesting some of the lettuce. Individual images in the slide show can be viewed here.




Monday (28-May-2018) — New Jersey

Backyard Springtime Nature in New Jersey.

Deer, lots of birds at the bird feeder, and the remains of the Rhododendron. There was a heavy thunderstorm last night that blew down the remaining section of the rhododendron bush. Last winter I lost the first half of the bush during a heavy snowstorm.


Chipping Sparrow at the Bird Feeder. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (David J Mathre)
Chipping Sparrow at the Bird Feeder. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (David J Mathre)





Saturday (26-May-2018) — New Jersey

Backyard Springtime in New Jersey.

I am back from Japan, and don’t know what time zone I am in. I’ve been wandering around the yard to see what is new. There were a few, but not many wildflowers (and weeds). The remaining Rhododendron was fully in bloom. Much of the rhododendron shrub fell down last winter, so I  glad to see these blooms. If I am lucky, I will see some clearwing butterfly moths like last year. I was glad to see significant growth of plants on the Garden Towers. It looks like the electric fence charger kept the raccoon away while I was away.

Moths Mating. Image taken with a Leica CL camera and 60 mm f/2.8 lens (David J Mathre)
Moths Mating. Image taken with a Leica CL camera and 60 mm f/2.8 lens (David J Mathre)




Brick Sidewalk Progress. Image taken with a Leica CL camera and 60 mm f/2.8 lens (David J Mathre)
Brick Sidewalk Progress. Image taken with a Leica CL camera and 60 mm f/2.8 lens (David J Mathre)

Five-Years Ago (24-May-2013) — At Sea, English Channel

Gone to See Europe. Semester at Sea Spring 2013 Enrichment Voyage on the MV Explorer. Ultimate Travel Photography Workshop IV with Michael Mariant. Day 28: At Sea.

It was a sea day aboard the MV Explorer as we traveled from Dublin, Ireland to Dover, United Kingdom. As the sun was beginning to set the clouds developed an intense orange color.  As soon as I got up to deck 7 at the rear of the ship, I could see a cargo ship may pass directly between us and the sun. One of nine images I captured during the Spring Enrichment voyage of a ship passing in front of the sun at sunrise or sunset.

Sunset on the English Channel. Semester at Sea, Spring 2013 Enrichment Voyage on the MV Explorer on the way to Dover, England. Image taken with a Nikon D4 and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 800, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/125 sec). (David J Mathre)
Sunset on the English Channel. Semester at Sea, Spring 2013 Enrichment Voyage on the MV Explorer on the way to Dover, England. Image taken with a Nikon D4 and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 800, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/125 sec). (David J Mathre)

Four-Years Ago (18-May-2014) — Texas

South Texas Birding Photo Safari with Jason Odell Day 3.

Male Northern Cardinal Feeding Breakfast to a Young Cardinal in Southern Texas. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 140, 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec).

Male Northern Cardinal Feeding Breakfast to a Young Cardinal at Dos Vandas Ranch in Southern Texas. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 140, 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec. (David J Mathre)
Male Northern Cardinal Feeding Breakfast to a Young Cardinal at Dos Venadas Ranch in Southern Texas. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 140, 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec. (David J Mathre)