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)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)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)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, 1/500 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)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)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)
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.
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)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)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)
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 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)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)
First snow in New Jersey this winter that didn’t disappear within a day. The day before it was 65°F (18°C). Ultimately, we got about 6 inches (15 cm) of a heavy wet snow. It was enough that I needed to shovel part of my driveway. The solar panels are covered with snow. We will see how long it takes to melt off so I am producing electricity again.
First snow in New Jersey this winter that didn’t disappear within a day. The day before it was 65°F (18°C). Ultimately, we got about 6 inches (15 cm) of a heavy wet snow. It was enough that I needed to shovel part of my driveway. Image taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 16 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 16 mm, f/9, 1/125 sec). (David J Mathre)Birdbath statue standing on a bench covered with snow. Image taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 16 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 16 mm, f/7, 1/125 sec). (David J Mathre)Birdbath statue standing on a bench covered with snow. Image taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 16 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 16 mm, f/7, 1/125 sec). (David J Mathre)First snow in New Jersey this winter that didn’t disappear within a day. The day before it was 65°F (18°C). Ultimately, we got about 6 inches (15 cm) of a heavy wet snow. It was enough that I needed to shovel part of my driveway. Image taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 16 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 16 mm, f/9, 1/125 sec). (David J Mathre)Road looking east, covered with snow. Four-wheel drive vehicles are out, but still waiting on the snow plows to do a second pass. Image taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 16 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 16 mm, f/8, 1/125 sec). (David J Mathre)Road looking west, covered with snow. Four-wheel drive vehicles are out, but still waiting on the snow plows to do a 2nd pass. Image taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 16 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 16 mm, f/8, 1/125 sec). (David J Mathre)
