Ten-Years Ago (24-February-2007) — New Jersey.

Backyard Winter Nature in New Jersey: Turkey Vultures.

Images taken while on a walkabout in my backyard with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens. The picture of the Turkey Vulture passing the moon was a lucky “grab shot”. I’ve tried to repeat the shot many times, but have never been successful.

Turkey Vulture soaring past the first quarter moon. Backyard winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)
Turkey Vulture soaring past the first quarter moon. Backyard winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)
Turkey Vulture soaring in the afternoon sun. Backyard winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
Turkey Vulture soaring in the afternoon sun. Backyard winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
Turkey Vulture soaring in the afternoon sun. Backyard winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
Turkey Vulture soaring in the afternoon sun. Backyard winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
Male Northern Cardinal enjoying the sun. Backyard winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
Male Northern Cardinal enjoying the sun. Backyard winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
Pine cones in the late afternoon sun. Backyard winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/125 sec). (David J Mathre)
Pine cones in the late afternoon sun. Backyard winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/125 sec). (David J Mathre)

Ten-Years Ago (11-February-2007) — New Jersey

Backyard Winter Nature in New Jersey: Wintertime Birds.

Some birds in my backyard on a sunny winter day. Male & female Northern Cardinal and Turkey Vultures. Images taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens.

Wary male Northern Cardinal in the morning sun. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
Wary male Northern Cardinal in the morning sun. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
Female Northern Cardinal in the morning sun. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
Female Northern Cardinal in the morning sun. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
Turkey Vulture soaring in the morning sun. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/6.7, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
Turkey Vulture soaring in the morning sun. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/6.7, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
Turkey Vulture soaring in the morning sun. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
Turkey Vulture soaring in the morning sun. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)

Wednesday (03-April-2013) — New Jersey

Backyard Springtime Nature in New Jersey.

A Male Northern Red Cardinal taken with a Nikon 1 V2 camera and the new 80-400 mm VRII lens (with the FT1 adapter). The lens is much bigger than the camera, but still easy to use hand-held. The field of view (FOV) with this lens is equivalent to 216-1080 mm on a 35 mm (FX) DSLR. The base ISO for the Nikon 1 V2 is 160, and at the base ISO the image of the red cardinal shows good colors and saturation. This image was taken hand-held. The new VR-II works well with this lens to stabilize the image. This combo should be good for birding.

Male Northern Red Cardinal in the Sun. Backyard Spring Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V2 + FT1 adapter + 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 160, 400 mm, f/7.1, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
Male Northern Red Cardinal in the Sun. Backyard Spring Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V2 + FT1 adapter + 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 160, 400 mm, f/7.1, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)