Photo Techniques - David Mathre Photography

Wednesday (23-March-2022) — New Jersey

Springtime Nature in New Jersey.

Birds of the day viewed in the backyard: Downy Woodpecker, European Starling, Dark-eyed Junco.

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

The indoor hydroponic garden California Poppies continue to bloom. Calendula flower starting to open. One of the Basil plants is starting to bolt with a white flower. One of the Heirloom Red Tomato plants is starting to produce small yellow flowers that need to be pollinated by hand since there are no bees inside the house. Several poppy buds (Mixed Red, Turkish Tulip, and Icelandic) have appeared. Can’t wait to see what the flowers look like.

Indoor Hydroponic Flowers (and flower buds). Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Daily Electric Energy Used (81.4 kWh) from Sense. Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (34.5 kWh) from Sense. Cloudy much of the day. Deficit of 46.9 kWh.

Tuesday (22-March-2022) — New Jersey

Springtime Nature in New Jersey.

Birds of the day viewed in the backyard: Turkey Vulture, House Finch, Dark-eyed Junco.

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

The identity of the Bald Eagle with the Green D99 band I observed in my backyard on 27-February-2022 and 28-February-2022 was confirmed, and I received a Certificate of Appreciation from the USGS.

The indoor hydroponic garden California Poppies continue to bloom. Looks like many more to come.

California Poppy Flowers. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

The Pink Poppy flower lost all of its petals, leaving the poppy seed pod. Early in the evening I noticed a Stink Bug feeding on the seed pod. I tried to catch it, but it got away. Two hours later, the Stink Bug was back feeding on the seed pod. This time I was able to remove the Stink Bug (with prejudice).

Poppy Seed Pod. (David J Mathre) — Pink Poppy Seed Pod. Indoor hydroponic garden. Image taken with a Leica CL camera and Sigma 70 mm f/2.8 macro lens. (David J Mathre)

Stink Bug on a Poppy Seed Pod. (David J Mathre) — Stink Bug feeding on a Poppy seed pod. Image taken with a Leica SL2s camera and 24 mm f/14 macro probe lens. (David J Mathre)

Daily Electric Energy Used (67.9 kWh) from Sense. Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (63.4 kWh) from Sense. Sunny. Deficit of 4.54 kWh. The solar panels re almost producing more power than I am using. Soon, I will be able to start growing things outside and will be able to turn off the indoor hydroponic units.

Monday (21-March-2022) — New Jersey

Springtime Nature in New Jersey.

Birds of the day viewed in the backyard: Mourning Dove, Turkey Vulture, Dark-eyed Junco. The Turkey Vultures were soaring in the late afternoon thermals looking for a meal.

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

Turkey Vultures in Flight. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Purple Crocus and Forsythia flowers. Now that it is officially spring, the Forsythia shrubs have started turning bright yellow.

Purple Crocus and Forsythia flowers in my Backyard. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Daily Electric Energy Used (70.3 kWh) from Sense. Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (64.9 kWh) from Sense. Sunny. Deficit of 5.4 kWh. The solar panels are almost producing more power than I am using. Soon, I will be able to start growing things outside and will be able to turn off the indoor hydroponic units.

Sunday (20-March-2022) — New Jersey

First Day of Spring. Nature in New Jersey.

Bird of the day viewed in the backyard: Turkey Vulture, American Crow. The birds seem to be avoiding the patio and birdfeeder.

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

The indoor hydroponic garden California Poppies (Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink-White) continue to bloom in Farm-01L and Farm-08L.

California Poppy Flowers. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Other indoor hydroponic garden flowers include a Pink Poppy flower (day 3), and Icelandic Poppy, Turkish Tulip Poppy, Calendula, and Celosia flower buds about to open.

Indoor Hydroponic Flowers and Plants about to Bloom. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Backyard Daffodil and Purple Crocus flowers.

Daffodil flowers in my Backyard. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Purple Crocus flowers in my Backyard. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Daily Electric Energy Used (66.4 kWh) from Sense. Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (30.3 kWh) from Sense. Sun and clouds. Deficit of 36.1 kWh. I should note that the Solar monitoring from SolSystem via Locus Energy stopped working since the Locus LG-120 meter uses 3G cellular to connect. ATT has turned off 3G cellular.

Weeky Electric Energy Used (508 kWh) from Sense. Weekly Solar Electric Energy Produced (319 kWh) from Sense. Deficit of 189 kWh.

Saturday (19-March-2022) — New Jersey

Wintertime Nature in New Jersey.

Birds of the day viewed in the backyard: Canada Goose, Black Vulture. The birds seem to be avoiding the patio and birdfeeder.

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

Day 2 images of the first indoor hydroponic Pink Poppy flower.

> Pink Poppy Flower. https://www.davidmathre.com/gallery/20220319-pp/G000078XK.cfOQ.M/C0000UHcW1Qofguc”>PhotoShelter Gallery.

The California Poppies (Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink-White) continue to bloom in Farm-01L and Farm-08L.

California Poppy Flowers. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Backyard Daffodil and Purple Crocus flowers.

Daffodil flowers in my Backyard. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Purple Crocus flowers in my Backyard. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Indoor Hydroponic Updates. Bounty-01 (Day 27). Bok Choi doing well. Bounty-02 (Day 62) The Black-seeded Simpson and Rouge d’Hiver lettuce doing well. Harvesting leaves every other day. The Genovese Basil is doing well. I’ve needed to top off the water every day and add fertilizer every other day. Bounty-03 (Day 54). Dill and Genovese Basil doing well. The Italian and Curly Parsley starting to get bigger. Bounty-04 (Day 27). A1: Dark Opal; A2: Cinnamon; A3: Genovese; B1: Holy; B2: Italian Large Leaf; B3: Lemon; B4: Lime; C1: Sweet; C2: Thai. I have to check the Bok Choi and Basil every day for Stink Bugs.

Bounty-01, Bounty-02, Bounty-03, Bounty-04. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

AeroGarden Farm-01L (Day 61). California Poppy, Oriental Poppy, Lauren’s Grape Poppy. AeroGarden Farm-01R (Day 61). Hungarian Bread Seed Poppy, Red Poppy, Turkish Tulip Poppy. AeroGarden Farm-02L (Day 61). Somn Blend Poppy, Red Poppy Red Poppy, Red Mix Poppy. AeroGarden Farm-02R (Day 61). Oriental Poppy, Hungarian Bread Seed Poppy, Turkish Tulip Poppy, Red Poppy, Red Poppy, Somn Blend Poppy.

Farm-01L, Farm-01R, Farm-02L, Farm-02R. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

AeroGarden Farm-03L and Farm-03R (Day 54). Kale, Collard Greens, Spinach, Mustard Greens. All of the greens are growing fast, and producing large leaves. I am having to harvest the largest leaves to provide light to the smaller plants. AeroGarden Farm-04L and Farm-04R (Day 54). Oregano, Rosemary, Tarragon, Thyme, and Sage. AeroGarden Farm-05L Day 27. (A1, A2, A3): Dark Opal Basil; (B1, B2, B3); Cinnamon Basil; (C1, C2, C3) Genovese Basil; (D1, D2, D3): Holy Basil. AeroGarden Farm-05R Day 27. (A1, A2, A3): Italian Large Leaf Basil; (B1, B2, B3); Lemmon Basil; (C1, C2, C3) Lime Basil; (D1, D2, D3): Sweet Basil.

Farm-03L, Farm-03R, Farm-04L, Farm-04R, Farm-05L, Farm-05R. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

AeroGarden Farm-06L (Day 45). Snapdragon (A1); Chrysanthemum (A2, A3); Iceland Poppy (B1, B2); Sweet William (B3), Columbine (C1, C2, C3); Osteospermum (D1, D2); Blue Daisy (D3). AeroGarden Farm-06R (Day 27). Various types of lettuce. Red Sails (A1, A2, A3, B3); Deer Tongue (B1, B2); Black-seeded Simpson (C1, C2); Rouge d’Hiver (C3, D3); Paris Island (D1, D2). AeroGarden Farm-07L (Day 27/39). Golden Harvest Tomatoes. AeroGarden Farm-0R (Day 27/39). Heirloom Red Tomatoes.

Farm-06L, Farm-06R, Farm-07L, Farm-07R. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

AeroGarden Farm-08L (Day 61). California Poppy, Oriental Poppy, Lauren’s Grape Poppy. The odd plant is Celosia. More California Poppy flowers have opened. Now a mix of light yellow and red-orange. AeroGarden Farm-08R (Day 61). Hungarian Bread Seed Poppy, Red Poppy, Turkish Tulip Poppy. AeroGarden Farm-09L (Day 40). A1, A2, A3 Chrysanthemum. B1, B2, B3, Iceland Poppy. C1, C2, C3 Chrysanthemum. D1, D2, D3 Iceland Poppy. AeroGarden Farm-09R Seed Starter (Day 27). Nine different Basil varieties. Row A: Dark Opal Basil (6/9). Row B: Cinnamon Basil (9/9). Row C: Genovese Basil (8/10). Row D: Holy Basil (8/11). Row E: Italian Large Leaf Basil (8/8). Row F: Lemon Basil (9/10). Row G: Lime Basil (10/11). Row H. Sweet Basil (9/9). Row I: Thai Basil (6/8).

Farm-08L, Farm-08R, Farm-09L, Farm-09R. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

AeroGarden Farm-10L (Day 40). A1, A2, A3 Calendula. B1, B2, B3, Osteospermum. C1, C2, C3 Sweet William. D1, D2, D3 Snapdragon. AeroGarden Farm-10R (Day 40). A1, A2, A3 Calendula. B1, B2, B3, Osteospermum. C1, C2, C3 Sweet William. D1, D2, D3 Snapdragon. AeroGarden Farm-11 (Day 61). Somn Blend Poppy, Red Poppy Red Poppy, Red Mix Poppy. One of the Mixed Red Poppy plants has produced its first Pink Poppy Flower. The last time I tried Red Poppies indoors in a hydroponic garden it took 124 days before they started to bloom.

Farm-10L, Farm-10R, Farm-11. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Daily Electric Energy Used (70.6 kWh) from Sense. Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (47.2 kWh) from Sense. Sun and clouds. Deficit of 23.4 kWh. I should note that the Solar monitoring from SolSystem via Locus Energy stopped working since the Locus LG-120 meter uses 3G cellular to connect. ATT has turned off 3G cellular.