Category: Photo Techniques

Friday (25-March-2022) — New Jersey

Springtime Nature in New Jersey.

Birds of the day viewed in the backyard: Downy Woodpecker, House Finch, Dark-eyed Junco. Same birds as yesterday. I put out some black oil sunflower seeds to see if some of the others return.


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

One of the Icelandic Poppy flowers bloomed today. I didn’t quite get the beginning of the opening for a time-lapse video. In the video you can see a Lady Beetle moving about. After spending the winter indoors, they seem to be looking to get back outside.


Icelandic Poppy Flower. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Daily Electric Energy Used (73.7 kWh) from Sense. Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (37.6 kWh) from Sense. Cloudy. Deficit of 36.1 kWh.

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Thursday (24-March-2022) — New Jersey

Springtime Nature in New Jersey.

Birds of the day viewed in the backyard: Downy Woodpecker, House Finch, 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 and a Calendula flower opened. I’ve included time-lapse video of the Calendula flower and several Icelandic Poppy flower buds that are about the open. I am amazed by how much the plants move during the day. Also, keep a lookout for the Stink Bug.


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

Pot Marigold. (David J Mathre)
Calendula (Pot Marigold) flower about to open. Indoor hydroponic garden. Image taken with a Leica CL camera and Sigma 70 mm f/2.8 macro lens. (David J Mathre)

Daily Electric Energy Used (83.2 kWh) from Sense. Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (9.0 kWh) from Sense. Cloudy and rain. Deficit of 74.2 kWh.

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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.


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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)
Stink Bug on a Poppy Seed Pod. (David J Mathre)
Second visit of the 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.

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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.

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