Wednesday (17-August-2016) — New Jersey

Backyard Summertime Nature in New Jersey.

Robber Fly on a “Mile a Minute” Vine. Backyard Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V3 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 300 mm, f/6.3, 1/1000 sec).

The “Mile a Minute” vine is now my most hated plant. It is invasive and is invading the North East as the Kudzu has invaded the South. It is able to grow 6 inches a day, and out competes every other plant. I have lost many trees and bushes. Even if you spray, the small blue seeds remain viable for 5-6 years. The plant has spines, and I have pictures from several years ago with the vine stuck to a deer, that probably brought it to my yard.

Robber Fly on a "Mile a Minute" Vine. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V3 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 300 mm, f/6.3, 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre)
Robber Fly on a “Mile a Minute” Vine. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V3 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 300 mm, f/6.3, 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre)

Two-Years Ago (17-August-2014) – Poland

Gone to See Europe 2014. Day 78: Semester at Sea, Summer 2014 Semester Voyage. Gdansk, Poland.

The Piano Man. Shipboard entertainment on an in-port day in Gdansk, while we were not allowed to get off the ship. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 800, 24 mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Define, and Photoshop CC.

John Rosenburg the Piano Man. Semester at Sea, Summer 2014 Voyage stuck on an in-port day in Gdansk, Poland. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 800, 24 mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Define, and Photoshop CC. (David J Mathre)
John Rosenburg the Piano Man. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 800, 24 mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Define, and Photoshop CC. (David J Mathre)

Three-Years Ago (17-August-2013)– New Jersey

Backyard Summertime Nature in New Jersey.

Horse (Deer?) Fly Ready to Suck Your Blood. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V2 camera, FT1 adapter, and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 160, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/80 sec). Hard to catch in flight, but this one was sunning itself on my windshield. Just look at the size of its mouth parts.

Horse (Deer?) Fly. Backyard Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V2 camera, FT1 adapter, and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 160, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/80 sec). (David J Mathre)
Horse (Deer?) Fly. mage taken with a Nikon 1 V2 camera, FT1 adapter, and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 160, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/80 sec). (David J Mathre)

Five-Years Ago (17-August-2011) — New Jersey 

Backyard Summertime Nature in New Jersey.

Rambunkshus teenage Fawns — “Got Milk”. Images taken with a Nikon


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Seven-Years Ago (17-August-2009) — New Jersey

Backyard Summertime Night Sky Over New Jersey.

Right Angle Star Trails. Operator error, didn’t tighten the ball head on the tripod. Images taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens.

Operator Error. Right Angle Star Trails. Images taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens. (David J Mathre)
Operator Error. Right Angle Star Trails. Images taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens. (David J Mathre)