Tuesday (30-December-2008) — New Jersey

Backyard Winter Night Sky Over New Jersey: Time-lapse Video

The ClearSky folks didn’t have a good forecast for the whole night, but I still recorded the night sky looking south. You can see the clouds kept passing over, so no star trails.

Monday (29-December-2008) — New Jersey

Winter Indoor Nature in New Jersey: Stink Bug Eating Pink Grapefruit.

The invasive stink bugs that invaded Pennsylvania have expanded into New Jersey. They come into houses during the winter to stay warm.  As seen here, one is feasting on a pink grapefruit that I just brought back from Florida.

Stink Bug Eating Pink Grapefruit. Image taken with an Nikon D3 and 200 mm f/4 macro lens (ISO 200, f/16, 1/60 sec, ring flash). (David J Mathre)
Stink Bug Eating Pink Grapefruit. Image taken with an Nikon D3 and 200 mm f/4 macro lens (ISO 200, f/16, 1/60 sec, ring flash).

Friday (15-February-2008) — New Jersey

Backyard Winter Night Sky in New Jersey. Moon Ring and Orion.

The 22° Halo around the moon is caused by refraction of ice crystal high in the atmosphere.

Winter Night Sky over New Jersey. Moon, moon ring, Orion. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 17-35 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 17 mm, f/2.8, 30 sec). (David J Mathre)
Winter Night Sky over New Jersey. Moon, moon ring, Orion. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 17-35 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 17 mm, f/2.8, 30 sec).

Sunday (10-February-2008) — New Jersey

Backyard Winter Nature in New Jersey: Fresh Snow.

Afternoon walkabout with a macro lens. Fresh snow on red holly berries and fall leaves.

Red Holly Berries with Fresh Snow. Winter in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 200 mm f/4 macro lens (ISO 200, f/8, 1/60 sec) (David J Mathre)
Red Holly Berries with Fresh Snow. Winter in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 200 mm f/4 macro lens (ISO 200, f/8, 1/60 sec) (David J Mathre)
Fresh Snow on Leaf. Winter in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 200 mm f/4 macro lens (ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/60 sec) (David J Mathre)
Fresh Snow on Leaf. Winter in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 200 mm f/4 macro lens (ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/60 sec) (David J Mathre)