Tuesday (20-September-2022) — New Jersey

Summertime Nature in New Jersey.

Birds of the day viewed in my backyard: Song Sparrow.

Song Sparrow. (David J Mathre)
Song Sparrow. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V3 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens. (David J Mathre)

Flowers of the day viewed in my backyard: Mexican Sunflower, Rose Mallow, Plains Coreopsis, Sunflower, Zinnia.


Flowers of the day. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Now that the “back 40” has been cleared, the pond that has been hidden behind tall brush and weeds is visible. Kermit and his many relatives survived the hot and dry summer.


Kermit the American Bullfrog and his relatives in the back pond. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

While out walking in the back yard, I noticed one or two Monarch butterflies feeding on the remaining Zinnia flowers.


Monarch butterfly feeding on Zinnia flowers. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Daily Electric Energy Used (59.3 kWh) from Sense. Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (37.1 kWh) from Sense. Sun and clouds. Deficit of 22.2 kWh.

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Sunday (10-October-2021) — New Jersey

Autumn Backyard Nature in New Jersey.

It was a rainy day, and the autumn leaves are starting to fall. My tractor is in for repair so I can’t used the Leaf Vacuum. ARRG!

Wet Autumn Leaf. (David J Mathre)
Wet autumn Maple leaf. Image taken with a Leica SL2 camera and Sigma 105 mm f/2.8 macro lens. (David J Mathre)

Birds of the day viewed at the birdfeeder and in the backyard: Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, House Finch.


Birds of the day. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Flowers of the day: Butterfly Bush, Burdock Seed, Canna, Cosmos, Morning Glory, Rose Mallow, Zinnia.


Flowers of the day. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.


Flowers of the day. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

I still have hot peppers turning red in the garden. Some of the plants still are flowering so I won’t take them out until after the first freeze.


Vegetables of the day. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Daily Electric Energy Used (45.2 kWh) from Sense. Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (8.7 kWh) from Sense and SolSystems. Clouds and rain. Deficit of 38.5 kWh.

Weekly Electric Energy Used (304 kWh) from Sense. Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (134 kWh) from Sense and SolSystems. Deficit of 170 kWh.

Friday (08-October-2021) — New Jersey

Autumn Backyard Nature in New Jersey.

The Troll family found some large mushrooms growing in the black wood mulch, and decided to have an autumn harvest party.

Troll Family Autumn Mushroom Harvest Celebration. (David J Mathre)
Troll Family Autumn Mushroom Harvest Celebration. Image taken with a Leica S2 camera and 24-90 mm lens. (David J Mathre)

Birds of the day viewed at the birdfeeder and in the backyard: Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch.


Birds of the day. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Flowers of the day: Cosmos, Morning Glory, Partridge Pea, Rose Mallow, Zinnia.


Flowers of the day. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Two different types of frogs. A well camouflaged Pickerel frog in the yard, and a Green frog (Kermit) in the pond. Apparently, the Pickerel frog is the only poisonous frog in North America.


Frogs of the day. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Daily Electric Energy Used (46.9 kWh) from Sense. Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (32.3 kWh) from Sense and SolSystems. Sun and clouds. Deficit of 14.6 kWh.

Thursday (07-October-2021) — New Jersey

Autumn Backyard Nature in New Jersey.

Birds of the day viewed at the birdfeeder and in the backyard: Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch.


Birds of the day. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Flowers of the day: Babies Breath, Butterfly Bush, Cosmos, Marigold, Morning Glory, Rose Mallow, Zinnia. Also seed pods from Poppies and Burdock.


Flowers of the day. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

While cleaning the patio and getting the Grow Towers ready for the Ison’s Strawberry plugs, I harvested potatoes, carrots, and hot peppers. I wasn’t expecting any potatoes as the Raccoon’s already dug many out of the Grow Bags.


Garden Harvest. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

I found a very large and hungry Tomato Hornworm caterpillar eating the potato plant. Unlike the Tomato Hornworm I found last year that had been infected by wasp eggs, this one looked healthy. After taking the pictures of this alien looking vegetarian, I put it up on the birdfeeder. Some lucky bird, got a big meal.


Insects of the day. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Daily Electric Energy Used (44.9 kWh) from Sense. Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (32.8 kWh) from Sense and SolSystems. Sun and clouds. Deficit of 12.1 kWh.

Friday (01-October-2021) — New Jersey

Early Autumn Backyard Nature in New Jersey.

Birds of the day viewed at the birdfeeder and in the backyard: House Finch.


Birds of the day. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Flowers of the day: Black-eyed Susan, Butterfly Bush, Canna, Cosmos, Daisy, Marigold, Morning Glory, Plains Coreopsis, Rose Mallow, Teazel, Zinnia.


Flowers of the day. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.


Flowers of the day. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Several frogs in the pond.


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

Daily Electric Energy Used (38.5 kWh) from Sense. Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (40.4 kWh) from Sense and SolSystems. Sun and clouds. Surplus of 1.9 kWh.