Tag: Spring

Friday (01-June-2018) — New Jersey

Backyard Springtime Nature in New Jersey.

While mowing the backyard, I found an Eastern Box Turtle at the edge of the grass and beginning of the wildflower meadow. The last time that I saw one in my yard was nearly 20 years ago. The back section is wet, and I recently found some May Apple plants — so had hoped to find that the turtles still existed on my property. There were frogs and dragonflies at the pond. The frogs jump into the pond before I can take their picture. Back on the patio, the plants in the Garden Towers are growing very fast. I have already started harvesting some of the lettuce. Individual images in the slide show can be viewed here.




Thursday (31-May-2018) — New Jersey

Backyard Springtime Nature in New Jersey.

Birds at the bird feeder, and deer close-up. I think the larger bird in the first image is a female red-crested finch. While taking some of these images a deer walked right next to the patio to chew on some grass.

House Finch and Rose-crested Grosbeak. Image taken with a Nikon D810a camera and 600 mm f/4 VR telephoto lens. (David J Mathre)
House Finch and Rose-crested Grosbeak. Image taken with a Nikon D810a camera and 600 mm f/4 VR telephoto lens. (David J Mathre)



Wednesday (30-May-2018) — New Jersey

Backyard Springtime Nature in New Jersey.

I woke up at 03:00 (still trying to figure out what time zone I am in) and noticed the sky was pretty clear and the full moon was bright. I tried several cameras, and got the best image of the moon with the Nikon D810a camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens. Later on during the day, more birds at the bird feeder.

Full Moon. Image taken with a Nikon D810a camera and 600 mm f/4 VR telephoto lens (ISO 200, 600 mm, f/4, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)
Full Moon. Image taken with a Nikon D810a camera and 600 mm f/4 VR telephoto lens (ISO 200, 600 mm, f/4, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)


Monday (28-May-2018) — New Jersey

Backyard Springtime Nature in New Jersey.

Deer, lots of birds at the bird feeder, and the remains of the Rhododendron. There was a heavy thunderstorm last night that blew down the remaining section of the rhododendron bush. Last winter I lost the first half of the bush during a heavy snowstorm.


Chipping Sparrow at the Bird Feeder. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (David J Mathre)
Chipping Sparrow at the Bird Feeder. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (David J Mathre)





Saturday (26-May-2018) — New Jersey

Backyard Springtime in New Jersey.

I am back from Japan, and don’t know what time zone I am in. I’ve been wandering around the yard to see what is new. There were a few, but not many wildflowers (and weeds). The remaining Rhododendron was fully in bloom. Much of the rhododendron shrub fell down last winter, so I  glad to see these blooms. If I am lucky, I will see some clearwing butterfly moths like last year. I was glad to see significant growth of plants on the Garden Towers. It looks like the electric fence charger kept the raccoon away while I was away.

Moths Mating. Image taken with a Leica CL camera and 60 mm f/2.8 lens (David J Mathre)
Moths Mating. Image taken with a Leica CL camera and 60 mm f/2.8 lens (David J Mathre)




Brick Sidewalk Progress. Image taken with a Leica CL camera and 60 mm f/2.8 lens (David J Mathre)
Brick Sidewalk Progress. Image taken with a Leica CL camera and 60 mm f/2.8 lens (David J Mathre)