Saturday (24-March-2018) — New Jersey

Early Spring in New Jersey. Backyard Maple Syrup Production.

We thought the maple trees had stopped producing sap, but the several Nor’easter storms and the resultant late winter & early spring snow got the sap flowing again. So one final batch of sap needed to be cooked down.


Lonely Bench. Image taken with a Leica CL camera and 18-56 mm lens (David J Mathre)
Lonely Bench. Image taken with a Leica CL camera and 18-56 mm lens (David J Mathre)


Friday (23-March-2018) — New Jersey

Early Springtime Nature in New Jersey.

I woke up in time to catch some fleeting brightly colored clouds to the east. There was still some snow on the ground. By noon most of the snow was mostly gone (spring flowers). Then by evening, the snow was all gone (young deer).

Colorful Dawn Clouds Composite of three images taken with a Nikon D810a camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/30 sec). (David J Mathre)
Colorful Dawn Clouds Composite of three images taken with a Nikon D810a camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/30 sec). (David J Mathre)
Birdbath Statue. Image taken with a Leica CL camera and 60 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 60 mm, f/2.8, 1/2000 sec). (David J Mathre)
Birdbath Statue. Image taken with a Leica CL camera and 60 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 60 mm, f/2.8, 1/2000 sec). (David J Mathre)



Individual images from the slide-show can be viewed here.

Thursday (22-March-2018) — New Jersey

Backyard (and Indoor) Early Spring Nature in New Jersey.

The snow had stopped by the time I woke up. It looked like 6-8 inches. It was fluffy and light, not like the wet & heavy stuff we got with the 2nd Nor’easter. Some images of the snow-covered patio, with a charcoal grill waiting for real spring weather. Then the trees damaged by the previous storm.  As for indoor nature, I am still finding some stink bugs (but not the green ones). By the afternoon, the snow slid off the solar panels, and I was generating electricity. The snow on the driveway and front entry was melting fast so I didn’t need to get the shovel out. As fast as the snow is melting, I wouldn’t be surprised if there is some local flooding over the next couple of days. Hopefully, this will be the last Nor’easter this spring.




Individual images from the slide-shows can be viewed here.

Wednesday (21-March-2018) — New Jersey

Early Spring Backyard Nature in New Jersey.

The second day of spring brought the fourth Nor’easter storm this March. Images from mid-afternoon, and it is still snowing. So far the power has stayed on, and I haven’t lost any more trees.

Resilient Daffodils on the second day of spring. Image taken with a Leica CL camera and 18 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 18 mm, f/4, 1/400 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (monochrom + one color). (David J Mathre)
Resilient Daffodils on the second day of spring. Image taken with a Leica CL camera and 18 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 18 mm, f/4, 1/400 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (monochrom + one color). (David J Mathre)


Tuesday (20-March-2018) — New Jersey

Home Cooking. Hearty Rye Bread.

Hearty Rye Bread Recipe: Rye Flour (1 cup); Bread Flour (1 cup); Whole Wheat Flour (1 cup); Sprouted Wheat Flour (1/2 cup); Flax Seed (1/4 cup); Chia Seed (1 tbs); Dill Seed (1 tbs); Anise Seed (1 tbs); Caraway Seed (1 tbs); Fennel Seed (1 tbs);  brown sugar (1 tbs); honey (2 tbs); dry milk (1/4 cup);  cocoa (1 tbs); instant coffee (1 tbs); salt (2 tsp); egg (1 large); flax oil (2 tbs); water (1 1/2 cup) molasses (1/4 cup). Above ingredients minus the molasses added to Panasonic Bread Bakery. Yeast (2 tsp) added to yeast hopper and the unit set for Whole Wheat Bread (Rapid) and started. Once the yeast had been added, and the mixer started the molasses was added. Three hours later, the loaf of bread was removed and allowed to cool.

The center was too moist (somewhat gummy). Probably due to using honey. Next time, I will cut back on the amount of water (or eliminate the honey).

Making Bread -- Hearty Rye. Image taken with a Leica CL camera and 18 mm f/2.8 lens. (David J Mathre)
Making Bread — Hearty Rye. Image taken with a Leica CL camera and 18 mm f/2.8 lens. (David J Mathre)