Friday (20-April-2018) — New Jersey

Backyard Springtime Nature in New Jersey.

An American black crow, house finch, and a pair of northern cardinals. At one point I observed a male cardinal feeding a female. I’ve seen male cardinals feeding juvenile cardinals before. Is this springtime courtship behavior?

Male Northern Cardinal Feeding a Female. (Courtship Behavior???). Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 100, 600 mm, f/4, 1/800 sec) (David J Mathre)
Male Northern Cardinal Feeding a Female. (Courtship Behavior???). Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 100, 600 mm, f/4, 1/800 sec) (David J Mathre)





House Finch at a Bird Feeder. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 100, 600 mm, f/4, 1/400 sec) (David J Mathre)
House Finch at a Bird Feeder. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 100, 600 mm, f/4, 1/400 sec) (David J Mathre)

Thursday (19-April-2018) — New Jersey

Backyard Spring Nature in New Jersey.

Chipping Sparrow at the bird feeder, and a very scrawny yearling deer. It was a long winter, and weather in March was difficult for finding food. Now the grass is turning green and starting to grow — which becomes the major food source for the deer.



Individual images can be viewed here.

Wednesday (18-April-2018) — New Jersey

Springtime Backyard Nature in New Jersey.

It often seems that animals only want to look away and/or show their backside as soon as they see a camera lens.

Chipping Sparrow Looking Away. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 800, 600 mm, f/4, 1/200 sec) (David J Mathre)
Chipping Sparrow Looking Away. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 800, 600 mm, f/4, 1/200 sec) (David J Mathre)

Tuesday (17-April-2018) — New Jersey

Springtime Backyard Nature in New Jersey.

Some bigger birds stopped by the new bird feeders. Actually, they stayed on the ground below the feeder to work on the spilled seeds. First a male, then female Northern Cardinal. They were soon followed by a Blue Jay that chased the Cardinals away. After the Blue Jay left, a Mourning Dove showed up. Only small birds worked the bird feeders. The Black Crows stayed out in the grass, searching for insects.

American Black Crow. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 360, 600 mm, f/4, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)
American Black Crow. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 360, 600 mm, f/4, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)






Individual images in the slide shows can be viewed here.

Saturday (14-April-2018) — New Jersey

Outdoor Springtime Nature in New Jersey.

Many of the small birds visiting the new bird feeder pick up a sunflower seed, and then fly off to extract the kernel from the shell. Some have learned to crack the seed and discard the shell while staying at the bird feeder.

House Finch Eating Sunflower Seeds. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (David J Mathre)
House Finch Eating Sunflower Seeds. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (David J Mathre)