One-Year Ago (20-January-2019) — New Jersey

Backyard Wintertime Nature in New Jersey.

A Dark-eyed Junco at the feeder, and several Turkey Vultures soaring during the day.

alt_title. (David J Mathre)
Dark-eyed Junco at the bird feeder. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 3200, 600 mm, f/4, 1/160 sec).
alt_title. (David J Mathre)
Turkey Vulture Soaring. Image taken with a Fuji X-T3 camera and 200 mm f/2 telephoto lens + 1.4x teleconverter (ISO 320, 280 mm, f/22, 1/500 sec).
alt_title. (David J Mathre)
Turkey Vulture Soaring. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 100, 600 mm, f/4, 1/1600 sec).
alt_title. (David J Mathre)
Turkey Vulture Soaring. Image taken with a Fuji X-T3 camera and 200 mm f/2 telephoto lens + 1.4x teleconverter (ISO 320, 280 mm, f/6.4, 1/500 sec).

Twelve-Years Ago (20-January-2008) — New Jersey

Wintertime Nature at the Sourland Mountain Preserve.

Early morning walkabout at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. A tree near the pond was filled with a flock of European Starlings. In the pond was a lone Canada Goose.

Flock of European Starlings in a tree at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 102 mm, f/5.6, 1/1600 sec). (David J Mathre)
Flock of European Starlings in a tree at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 102 mm, f/5.6, 1/1600 sec). (David J Mathre)
European Starlings in a tree at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre)
European Starlings in a tree at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre)
Canada Goose in the pond at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 102 mm, f/5.6, 1/1600 sec). (David J Mathre)
Canada Goose in the pond at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 102 mm, f/5.6, 1/1600 sec). (David J Mathre)

Twelve-Years Ago (19-January-2008) — New Jersey

Wintertime Nature at the Sourland Mountain Preserve.

Morning walkabout at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. The pond was filled with Mallard Ducks. I also saw a Great Blue Heron on the other side of the pond. I stayed until the ducks flew away.

Great Blue Heron at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 360, 400 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Great Blue Heron at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 360, 400 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Mallard Ducks at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Mallard Ducks at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Mallard Ducks at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Mallard Ducks at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Mallard Ducks at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 320, 400 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Mallard Ducks at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 320, 400 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Mallard Ducks at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 500, 400 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Mallard Ducks at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 500, 400 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Mallard Ducks at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 280, 400 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Mallard Ducks at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 280, 400 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Mallard Ducks taking off out of the pond at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 560, 400 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Mallard Ducks taking off out of the pond at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 560, 400 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Mallard Ducks in flight at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 360, 400 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Mallard Ducks in flight at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 360, 400 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Mallard Ducks in flight at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 560, 400 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Mallard Ducks in flight at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 560, 400 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Mallard Ducks in flight at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
Mallard Ducks in flight at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)

Twelve-Years Ago (19-January-2008) — New Jersey

Backyard Wintertime Nature in New Jersey.

After returning from the Sourland Mountain Preserve, I did a quick walkabout in my backyard. I saw a number of different birds. Female Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay, White-breasted Nuthatch, Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, and Turkey Vulture. Later in the afternoon I looked out my  back door and saw a Red-tailed Hawk perched in a tree.

Female Northern Cardinal feeding on the ground. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/320 sec). (David J Mathre)
Female Northern Cardinal feeding on the ground. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/320 sec). (David J Mathre)
Blue Jay perched on a branch. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
Blue Jay perched on a branch. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
White-breasted Nuthatch perched on a branch. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
White-breasted Nuthatch perched on a branch. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
White-breasted Nuthatch perched on a branch. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
White-breasted Nuthatch perched on a branch. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
Downy Woodpecker perched on a branch. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/320 sec). (David J Mathre)
Downy Woodpecker perched on a branch. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/320 sec). (David J Mathre)
Red-bellied Woodpecker. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Red-bellied Woodpecker. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Red-bellied Woodpecker. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
Red-bellied Woodpecker. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
Turkey Vulture soaring. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
Turkey Vulture soaring. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
Red-tailed Hawk perched on a branch. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 800, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)
Red-tailed Hawk perched on a branch. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 800, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)
Red-tailed Hawk perched on a branch. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 800, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/100 sec). (David J Mathre)
Red-tailed Hawk perched on a branch. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 800, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/100 sec). (David J Mathre)
Red-tailed Hawk perched on a branch. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 800, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Red-tailed Hawk perched on a branch. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 800, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)

Eleven-Years Ago (18-January-2009) — New Jersey

Wintertime Nature at the Sourland Mountain Preserve.

Morning walkabout near the Sourland Mountain Preserve pond. I noticed a Red-tailed Hawk in a tree surveying the area for prey. It soon took off and circled the area. The only other bird I around was a White-throated Sparrow.

Red-tailed Hawk in a tree at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/7.1, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)
Red-tailed Hawk in a tree at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/7.1, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)
Red-tailed Hawk in flight at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/7.1, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)
Red-tailed Hawk in flight at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/7.1, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)
Red-tailed Hawk in flight at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/7.1, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)
Red-tailed Hawk in flight at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/7.1, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)
Red-tailed Hawk in flight at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/10, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
Red-tailed Hawk in flight at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/10, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
Red-tailed Hawk in flight at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/10, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
Red-tailed Hawk in flight at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/10, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
White-throated Sparrow on a bush at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/5.6, 1/50 sec). (David J Mathre)
White-throated Sparrow on a bush at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/5.6, 1/50 sec). (David J Mathre)
White-throated Sparrow on a bush at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
White-throated Sparrow on a bush at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)