summer - David Mathre Photography

Tuesday (23-August-2016) — New Jersey

Summertime Nature at the Sourland Mountain Preserve.

Monarch Butterfly on a Thistle Bloom. Image taken with a Nikon D810a camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec). I am amazed by the high resolution detail captured by this camera, down to the individual specks of dust or pollen on the wings of the butterfly.

Over the last two weeks I only saw three Monarch butterflies, and only got an image of one. Today, I saw at least ten and was very happy. In addition to the Monarch butterflies, I also saw many Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies, Black Swallowtail butterflies (two or three varieties), Great Spangled Fritillary butterflies, Clearwing Moths (two varieties), Dragonflies, and Robber Flies. All in all the best day this season. I am going to be up late tonight processing more images…

Monarch Butterfly on a Thistle Bloom. Image taken with a Nikon D810a camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec). (David J Mathre)

Tuesday (23-August-2016) — New Jersey

Summertime Nature at the Sourland Mountain Preserve.

Hummingbird Clearwing Moth Resting on a Leaf. Image taken with a Nikon D810a camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (IS00, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec). It is the Hummingbird Clearwing moth (Hemaris thysbe) since its legs are white. This is the first time I have ever seen one of these moths “at rest” and not flapping its wings.

Clearwing Hummingbird Moth Resting on a Leaf. Image taken with a Nikon D810a camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (IS00, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec). (David J Mathre)

Monday (22-August-2016) — New Jersey

Backyard Summertime Night Sky Over New Jersey.

Star and Jet Trails Looking South. It rained Sunday night, and after the front came through we had very clear skies last night. Composite of 240 images taken with a Nikon D810a camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 14 mm, f/5.6, 60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro, and the composite generated using Photoshop CC (statistics, maximum).

Star and Jet Trails Looking South. Composite of 240 images taken with a Nikon D810a camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 14 mm, f/5.6, 60 sec). (David J Mathre)

Five-Years Ago (22-August-2011)– New Jersey

Backyard Summertime Nature in New Jersey.

Fawn and Doe. Image taken with a Nikon D3s camera and 300 mm f/2.8 VR lens (ISO 400, 300 mm, f/2.8, 1/500 sec).

Fawn and Doe. Summer Backyard Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 300 mm f/2.8 VR lens (ISO 400, 300 mm, f/2.8, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre) — Fawn and Doe. Image taken with a Nikon D3s camera and 300 mm f/2.8 VR lens (ISO 400, 300 mm, f/2.8, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)

Sunday (21-August-2016) — New Jersey.

Summertime Nature at the Sourland Mountain Preserve.

Praying Mantis With an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail for Sunday Brunch. Sourland Mountain Preserve. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Images taken with a Nikon D810a camera and 300 mm f/4 lens.