Friday (23-May-2014) — New Jersey. 

Backyard Springtime Nature in New Jersey.

Rhododendron Bloom after a Rainstorm. Composite of 17 stacked images taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 60 mm f/2.4 macro lens. Images processed using Capture One Pro 7 and Helicon Focus.

I just got back from a birding photography trip to southern Texas and hoped that I would see the Rhododendron blooming this spring. The only blooms are the ones higher than the deer can reach.

Rhododendron Blooms. Composite of 17 stacked images taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 60 mm f/2.4 macro lens. Images processed using Capture One Pro 7 and Helicon Focus. (David J Mathre)
Rhododendron Blooms. Composite of 17 stacked images taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 60 mm f/2.4 macro lens. Images processed using Capture One Pro 7 and Helicon Focus. (David J Mathre)

Five-Years Ago (23-May-2009) — South Dakota

Gone to See America 2009 Road Trip. Day 16: Badlands National Park.

Western Meadowlark, Badlands National Park, South Dakota. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/11, 1/640 sec).

Western Meadowlark, Badlands National Park, South Dakota. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/11, 1/640 sec). (David J Mathre)
Western Meadowlark, Badlands National Park, South Dakota. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/11, 1/640 sec). (David J Mathre)

Sunday (18-May-2014) — Texas

South Texas Birding Photo Safari with Jason Odell Day 3.

Silhouette of a Windmill at Dawn on a Ranch in Southern Texas. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 560, 300 mm, f/9, 1/1250 sec).

Silhouette of a Windmill at Dawn on a Ranch in Southern Texas. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 560, 300 mm, f/9, 1/1250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Silhouette of a Windmill at Dawn on a Ranch in Southern Texas. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 560, 300 mm, f/9, 1/1250 sec). (David J Mathre)

Sunday (18-May-2014) — Texas

South Texas Birding Photo Safari with Jason Odell Day 3.

Turkey Vulture Vs. Crested Caracara at Dos Venadas Ranch in Southern Texas. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 450, 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec).

Turkey Vulture Vs. Crested Caracara at Campos Viejos Ranch in Southern Texas. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 450, 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Turkey Vulture Vs. Crested Caracara at Turkey Vulture Vs. Crested Caracara in Southern Texas. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 450, 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec). (David J Mathre)

Saturday (17-May-2014) — Texas

South Texas Birding Photo Safari with Jason Odell Day 2.

Northern Mockingbird at Campos Viejos Ranch in Southern Texas. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 280, 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec).

Mockingbird at Campos Viejos Ranch in Southern Texas. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 280, 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre)
Mockingbird at Campos Viejos Ranch in Southern Texas. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 280, 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre)