Nine-Years Ago (09-March-2008) — Colorado

Winter Nature in Colorado. Rocky Mountain National Park.

One of the things that I loved when working part-time in Boulder was the chance to go to Rocky Mountain National park nearly every weekend. Several of the roads on the east side of the park are kept open year round. The following are some images I took of the landscape and the animals in the park.

Winter trail and panorama at Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Composite of five images taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 1/160 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and the composite generated using AutoPano Giga Pro. The jags in the contrails unfortunately show that the upper winds were strong while taking the five images. (David J Mathre)
Winter trail and panorama at Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Composite of five images taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 1/160 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and the composite generated using AutoPano Giga Pro. The jags in the contrails unfortunately show that the upper winds were strong while taking the five images. (David J Mathre)
Winter road in Colorado. Panorama of Longs Peak to Estes Cone. Composite of five images taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 1/250 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and the composite generated using AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)
Winter road in Colorado. Panorama of Longs Peak to Estes Cone. Composite of five images taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 1/250 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and the composite generated using AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)
Black-billed Magpie eating scraps on a picnic table at Endovalley in Rocky Mountain National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR lens (ISO 200, 125 mm, f/2.8, 1/1600 sec). (David J Mathre)
Black-billed Magpie eating scraps on a picnic table at Endovalley in Rocky Mountain National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR lens (ISO 200, 125 mm, f/2.8, 1/1600 sec). (David J Mathre)
Black-billed Magpie in a pine tree at Endovalley in Rocky Mountain National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR lens (ISO 200, 125 mm, f/2.8, 1/1600 sec). (David J Mathre)
Black-billed Magpie in a pine tree at Endovalley in Rocky Mountain National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR lens (ISO 200, 125 mm, f/2.8, 1/1600 sec). (David J Mathre)
Pine trees in the winter. Rocky Mountain National Park. Composite of seven images taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 27 mm, f/16, various). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro, and HDR composite generated using Photomatix Pro. (David J Mathre)
Pine trees in the winter. Rocky Mountain National Park. Composite of seven images taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 27 mm, f/16, various). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro, and HDR composite generated using Photomatix Pro. (David J Mathre)
Pine tree in the winter. Rocky Mountain National Park. Composite of seven images taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 27 mm, f/16, various). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro, and HDR composite generated using Photomatix Pro. (David J Mathre)
Pine tree in the winter. Rocky Mountain National Park. Composite of seven images taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 27 mm, f/16, various). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro, and HDR composite generated using Photomatix Pro. (David J Mathre)
Bull Elk in Rocky Mountain National Park. Winter nature in Colorado. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 300 mm f/2.8 VR lens with a TCE-20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
Bull Elk in Rocky Mountain National Park. Winter nature in Colorado. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 300 mm f/2.8 VR lens with a TCE-20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
Bull Elks in Rocky Mountain National Park. Winter nature in Colorado. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 300 mm f/2.8 VR lens with a TCE-20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
Bull Elks in Rocky Mountain National Park. Winter nature in Colorado. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 300 mm f/2.8 VR lens with a TCE-20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
Coyote in Rocky Mountain National Park looking for lunch. Winter nature in Colorado. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 300 mm f/2.8 VR lens with a TCE-20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
Coyote in Rocky Mountain National Park looking for lunch. Winter nature in Colorado. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 300 mm f/2.8 VR lens with a TCE-20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)

Friday (03-March-2017) — New Jersey

Backyard Winter Nature in New Jersey.

The temperatures dropped from nearly 70°F (~20°C) yesterday to below freezing most of today. It was sunny most of the day, so the solar panels were generating electricity (50.3 kWh). Later in the afternoon some clouds rolled in, and we had a quick snow storm. I went out to get some pictures of the flowers that recently bloomed across the street with the recent snow before the sun went down. I also got some pictures of a turkey vulture soaring above my backyard in the late afternoon sun.

Although my neighbor got lots of maple sap from his trees this year, the tap he put in my maple tree didn’t produce much. Since it did get cold again, I will drill a new hole and see if I get anything. Maybe, my maple tree feels it already gave too much to the cicadas that live for 13 or 17 years under the tree.

After the storm passed, some clouds lit up as the sun went down.

Daffodils after a quick snowfall. Winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 70-200 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 200 mm, f/2.8, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)
Daffodils after a quick snowfall. Winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 70-200 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 200 mm, f/2.8, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)
Twin daffodils after a quick snowfall. Winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 70-200 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 200 mm, f/2.8, 1/125 sec). (David J Mathre)
Twin daffodils after a quick snowfall. Winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 70-200 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 200 mm, f/2.8, 1/125 sec). (David J Mathre)
Daffodil bloom after a quick snowfall. Winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 70-200 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 200 mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec). (David J Mathre)
Daffodil bloom after a quick snowfall. Winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 70-200 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 200 mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec). (David J Mathre)
Snow drops after a quick snowfall. Winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 70-200 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 200 mm, f/2.8, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Snow drops after a quick snowfall. Winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 70-200 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 200 mm, f/2.8, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Early blooming purple crocuses after a quick snowfall. Winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 70-200 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 200 mm, f/2.8, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)
Early blooming purple crocuses after a quick snowfall. Winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 70-200 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 200 mm, f/2.8, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)
Turkey vulture soaring in the late afternoon sun. Winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 70-200 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 200 mm, f/2.8, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
Turkey vulture soaring in the late afternoon sun. Winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 70-200 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 200 mm, f/2.8, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
Turkey vulture soaring in the late afternoon sun. Winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 70-200 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 200 mm, f/2.8, 1/640 sec). (David J Mathre)
Turkey vulture soaring in the late afternoon sun. Winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 70-200 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 200 mm, f/2.8, 1/640 sec). (David J Mathre)
Turkey vulture soaring in the late afternoon sun. Winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 70-200 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 200 mm, f/2.8, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
Turkey vulture soaring in the late afternoon sun. Winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 70-200 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 200 mm, f/2.8, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
Turkey vulture soaring in the late afternoon sun. Winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 70-200 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 200 mm, f/2.8, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
Turkey vulture soaring in the late afternoon sun. Winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 70-200 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 200 mm, f/2.8, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
Maple sap collection bucket after a quick snowfall. Winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 70-200 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 200 mm, f/2.8, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Maple sap collection bucket after a quick snowfall. Winter nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 70-200 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 200 mm, f/2.8, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
South facing solar panels with a light coating of snow. Winter Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 70-200 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 70 mm, f/2.8, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
South facing solar panels with a light coating of snow. Winter Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 70-200 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 70 mm, f/2.8, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
Colorful clouds at sunset after a quick snowstorm. Winter Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Leica T camera and 18-56 mm lens (ISO 100, 29 mm, f/4.4, 1/125 sec) (David J Mathre)
Colorful clouds at sunset after a quick snowstorm. Winter Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Leica T camera and 18-56 mm lens (ISO 100, 29 mm, f/4.4, 1/125 sec) (David J Mathre)
Backyard tree at sunset. Winter Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Leica T camera and 18-56 mm lens (ISO 100, 18 mm, f/3.5, 1/200 sec) (David J Mathre)
Backyard tree at sunset. Winter Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Leica T camera and 18-56 mm lens (ISO 100, 18 mm, f/3.5, 1/200 sec) (David J Mathre)

Eight-Years Ago (01-March-2009) — New Jersey

Winter Nature in New Jersey. Sourland Mountain Preserve.

I went for a walkabout at the local Sourland Mountain Preserve on a snowy day and took a few pictures. The high-pressure gas-line right of way trail looked open, but I didn’t go very far. There were cattails in the marshy area, and some Mallard ducks swimming in the pond. The ducks usually leave as soon as the more boisterous Canada geese arrive, but on this snowy day the geese stayed away.



Individual images from the slide show can be viewed here.

Seven-Years Ago (11-February-2010) — New Jersey

Backyard Winter Nature in New Jersey: New Snow.

Winter returned with more snow. A few images from a walkabout in my yard after digging a path from the house to the road. The snow plows hadn’t been through yet, so I wasn’t going anywhere. The only bird I saw was a White-throated Sparrow. It looked cold, and just wanted the snow to go away.

It snowed last night. This vehicle is covered and won't be going anywhere soon. I dug a path from the house to the street (but the street hadn't been cleared yet). Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 48 mm, f/13, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
It snowed last night. This vehicle is covered and won’t be going anywhere soon. I dug a path from the house to the street (but the street hadn’t been cleared yet). Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 48 mm, f/13, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
Winter part II. It snowed last night. The RV is covered and won't be going anywhere soon. The propane tank in the RV is full in case the power goes out. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 31 mm, f/7, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
Winter part II. It snowed last night. The RV is covered and won’t be going anywhere soon. The propane tank in the RV is full in case the power goes out. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 31 mm, f/7, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
Winter part II. Pine needles peaking up from the snow. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/9, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
Winter part II. Pine needles peaking up from the snow. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/9, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
White-throated Sparrow wondering when the snow will go away, and it will be spring again. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
White-throated Sparrow wondering when the snow will go away, and it will be spring again. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
Winter part II. Drip, drip, drip. Icicles above the front doorway. The gutter is frozen. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 80 mm, f/5, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Winter part II. Drip, drip, drip. Icicles above the front doorway. The gutter is frozen. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 80 mm, f/5, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)

 

Nine-Years Ago (10-February-2008) — New Jersey

Backyard Winter Nature in New Jersey: New Snow.

A few images from a winter afternoon walkabout in my backyard.

Light snow on a Rhododendron leaf -- Winter backyard nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 200 mm f/4 macro lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/36, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)
Light snow on a Rhododendron leaf — Winter backyard nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 200 mm f/4 macro lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/36, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)
Light snow on Yucca plant seed pods -- Winter backyard nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 200 mm f/4 macro lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/11, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)
Light snow on Yucca plant seed pods — Winter backyard nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 200 mm f/4 macro lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/11, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)
Light snow on Holly berries -- Winter backyard nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 200 mm f/4 macro lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/8, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)
Light snow on Holly berries — Winter backyard nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 200 mm f/4 macro lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/8, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)
Pine cone -- Winter backyard nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 1250, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
Pine cone — Winter backyard nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 1250, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)