Monday (02-September-2019) — New Jersey

Backyard Summertime Nature in New Jersey.

Daily walkabout with a Nikon D5 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens. It rained a bit in the morning. I only saw one Monarch Butterfly, and several Hummingbird Clearwing moth (white legs) feeding on Lemon Mint flowers. Note that I previously thought these were Bee Balm flowers.

Monarch Butterfly. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 1600, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)
Monarch Butterfly. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 1600, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)
Monarch Butterfly. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 1100, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)
Monarch Butterfly. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 1100, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)


Click on the above image to access the individual images in the slideshow.



Click on the above image to access the individual images in the slideshow.



Click on the above image to access the individual images in the slideshow.


Daily Electric Energy Used (42.9 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (31.2 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Lots of clouds and cooler for a net deficit of 11.7 kWh.

Current Weather Conditions

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Sunday (01-September-2019) — New Jersey

Backyard Summertime Nature in New Jersey.

Daily walkabout with a Nikon D5 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens. Hummingbird Clearwing moth (white legs) feeding on Lemon Mint flowers. Note that I previously thought these were Bee Balm flowers.


Click on the above image to access the individual images in the slideshow.


Daily Electric Energy Used (47.0 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (60.2 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Some clouds but still a net surplus of 13.2 kWh.

Weekly electric energy used (318 kWh) and solar electric energy produced (401 kWh) for a net surplus of 83 kWh.

Current Weather Conditions

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Sunday (01-September-2019) — New Jersey

Backyard Summertime Nature in New Jersey.

Daily walkabout with a Nikon D5 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens. The smaller Sunflowers have wilted, and are being ravaged by a flock of Goldfinch. The tall Sunflowers, most taller than I am are still blooming and attracting Bees and Bumble Bees.

Sunflower. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 1100, 400 mm, f/8, 1/800 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Sunflower. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 1100, 400 mm, f/8, 1/800 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Sunflower. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 180, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Sunflower. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 180, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Sunflower. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 220, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Sunflower. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 220, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Sunflower. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/8, 1/800 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Sunflower. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/8, 1/800 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Sunflower. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 110, 400 mm, f/8, 1/800 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Sunflower. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 110, 400 mm, f/8, 1/800 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Sunflower. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 450, 400 mm, f/8, 1/800 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Sunflower. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 450, 400 mm, f/8, 1/800 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Daily Electric Energy Used (47.0 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (60.2 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Some clouds but still a net surplus of 13.2 kWh.

Weekly electric energy used (318 kWh) and solar electric energy produced (401 kWh) for a net surplus of 83 kWh.

Current Weather Conditions

powered by Ambient Weather

Sunday (01-September-2019) — New Jersey

Backyard Summertime Nature in New Jersey.

Daily walkabout with a Nikon D5 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens. The smaller Sunflowers have wilted, and are being ravaged by a flock of Goldfinch and another small yellow bird (Philadelphia Vireo?).

Goldfinch. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Goldfinch. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)


Click on the above image to access the individual images in the slideshow.



Click on the above image to access the individual images in the slideshow.


Daily Electric Energy Used (47.0 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (60.2 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Some clouds but still a net surplus of 13.2 kWh.

Weekly electric energy used (318 kWh) and solar electric energy produced (401 kWh) for a net surplus of 83 kWh.

Current Weather Conditions

powered by Ambient Weather

Seven-Years Ago (01-September-2012) — Celtic Sea

Gone to see Europe. Semester at Sea. Fall 2012 Semester Voyage on the MV Explorer. Day 10: At Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, Celtic Sea, and Irish Sea.

There were several Northern Gannets following the MV Explorer. I wanted to get an image of one crossing the full moon. I took lots of pictures, but only came close a few times. Then there was the issue of whether the moon, or the bird should be in focus.


Click on the above image to access the individual images in the slideshow.