Saturday (29-August-2020) — New Jersey

Summertime Backyard Nature in New Jersey.

I received the newly released Sigma 100-400 mm telephoto zoom lens with a L-mount and spent the day testing it with a Leica SL2 camera. Leica, Panasonic, and Sigma formed an alliance to use the L-mount system. This lens provides a bit more reach than the Leica 90-280 mm lens. The alliance means that Sigma was able to make a lens that is fully compatible with the Leica TL2, CL, and SL2 cameras (autofocus and aperture control).

Something has been nibbling on the May Apple seeds, and wonder if a turtle found them. The wildflowers (Cosmos, Lance-leaf Coreopsis, Plains Coreopsis, Chicory, Marigold, Blanket Flower, Sunflower, Gloriosa Daisy, Shasta Daisy, Thistle, Lemon-mint, and Zinnia) are almost done for the season. I noticed an Eastern Chipmunk eating seeds under the birdfeeder. In 25+ years here, I’ve never seen a chipmunk in the yard before. I wonder if it will leave my Grow Towers alone. Kermit the bullfrog was out in the pond. Birds at the patio bird feeder today included Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Blue Jay, House Finch, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, and Northern Cardinal. At one point a Blue Jay and Mourning Dove were feeding when an immature Red-bellied Woodpecker chased them away.

May Apple Seeds. Image taken with a Leica SL2 camera and Sigma 100-400 mm lens (DAVID J MATHRE)
May Apple Seeds. Image taken with a Leica SL2 camera and Sigma 100-400 mm lens (DAVID J MATHRE)
May Apple Seeds. Image taken with a Leica SL2 camera and Sigma 100-400 mm lens (DAVID J MATHRE)
May Apple Seeds. Image taken with a Leica SL2 camera and Sigma 100-400 mm lens (DAVID J MATHRE)


Wildflowers. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.


Eastern Chipmunk. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Kermit the Bulfrog. Image taken with a Leica SL2 camera and Sigma 100-400 mm lens (DAVID J MATHRE)
Kermit the Bulfrog. Image taken with a Leica SL2 camera and Sigma 100-400 mm lens (DAVID J MATHRE)


Birds at the Birdfeeders. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.


Blue Jay and Mourning Dove chased away by an immature Red-bellied Woodpecker. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Daily Electric Energy Used (47.8 kWh) from Sense. Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (26.1 kWh) from Sense and SolSystems. More clouds. A deficit of 21.7 kWh.

Ten-Years Ago (26-May-2007) — Colorado

Springtime Nature in Colorado.

I spent the day in and around Rocky Mountain National Park. Trail Ridge Road (U.S. 34) was open. This highway crosses the continental divide, and is generally closed due to snow between October and May. This year I saw a note that it would not be open for Memorial Day weekend due to a late season storm. During the day I took over 600 images. I selected images of birds (Black-billed Magpies and Red Crossbills), mammals (Chipmunks, Elk, and Moose), plants & flowers, and landscapes for the following slideshows. My favorite image of the day was a chipmunk chewing on some grass. I would like feedback regarding presenting the images as slideshows. Note that you can click below the slideshow to stop, start and to see titles.

Chipmunk chewing on some grass. Rocky Mountain National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens (ISO 100, 105 mm, f/2.8, 1/750 sec). (David J Mathre)
Chipmunk chewing on some grass. Rocky Mountain National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens (ISO 100, 105 mm, f/2.8, 1/750 sec). (David J Mathre)


Individual images from the slideshow can be viewed here.


Individual images from the slideshow can be viewed here.


Individual images from the slideshow can be viewed here.


Individual images from the slideshow can be viewed here.

Nine-Years Ago (03-May-2008) — Colorado

Springtime Nature in Colorado.

I spent the day at Rocky Mountain National Park. It was  early spring, and the upper elevations of the park had not opened yet due to snow. There were a number of birds and mammals looking for food. I finally identifed one of the birds from that day as a Grey-headed Junco. I also spent time working with a 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens to do some landscape images.

Early springtime Gray-headed Junco in Rocky Mountain National Park.Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/8, 1/640 sec). (David J Mathre)
Gray-headed Junco in Rocky Mountain National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/8, 1/640 sec). (David J Mathre)


Individual images from the slideshow can be viewed here.