Tag: summer

Monday (25-July-2011) — New Jersey

Backyard Summertime Nature in New Jersey. Deck Garden and Jersey Tomatoes.

For the last several years I have not been keeping a kitchen garden for a combination of reasons — mainly too many deer and too much work or photography related travel during the summer. This year I already used much of my vacation for my photography trips to Patagonia and then Central America so I am home this summer. I didn’t get the garden ready during the spring so didn’t expect to be doing any gardening again this summer. However, a few weeks ago one of my neighbors told me that he had excess tomato plants that he didn’t have room for. I decided to try to grow them on my deck (away from the deer) in some small high density self watering containers and self watering container soil (obtained, but not used several years ago from Gardener Supply Company). Yesterday I took images of some of the first tomato flowers, and some green tomatoes. As long as the critters stay away, I should have some fresh tomatoes soon. Although the containers are supposed to be “self watering” with the excess heat we have been going through, I have been watering each container with about 2 gallons of water each day.

Summer New Jersey Tomato Flower. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens plus TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with a SB-900 Flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6 and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Summer New Jersey Tomato Flower. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens plus TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with a SB-900 Flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6 and Photoshop CS5.
Summer New Jersey Tomato Flower. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens plus TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with a SB-900 Flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6 and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Summer New Jersey Tomato Flower. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens plus TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with a SB-900 Flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6 and Photoshop CS5.
Green Tomato Fruit. Summer New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens plus TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with a SB-900 Flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6 and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Green Tomato Fruit. Summer New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens plus TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with a SB-900 Flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6 and Photoshop CS5.
Summer New Jersey Tomato Flower. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens plus TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with a SB-900 Flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6 and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Summer New Jersey Tomato Flower. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens plus TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with a SB-900 Flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6 and Photoshop CS5.
Green Tomato Fruit. Summer New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens plus TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with a SB-900 Flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6 and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Green Tomato Fruit. Summer New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens plus TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with a SB-900 Flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6 and Photoshop CS5.

One-Year Ago (24-July-2010) — New Jersey

Backyard Summertime Nature in New Jersey. Bald Faced Hornet Hive Video.

A year ago I recorded this DSLR video of the entrance to a Bald Faced Hornet Hive. It was recorded with a Nikon D3s camera and a Questar 3.5″ Birder Telescope. I needed the telescope so I could be at least 30 feet away from the basketball sized nest/hive. I understand that the bald faced hornet is easily upset, and unlike a honey bee is able to inflict multiple stings.

Question regarding the video. Should it be shorter and only show when the hornets swarm out? Should I include background music and/or bee swarming sound effects? Is the title sequence too long? Leave a comment to let me know.

Saturday (23-July-2011) — New Jersey

Backyard Summertime Nature in New Jersey.

Bald Faced Hornets Are Back. I thought I saw a Bald Faced Hornet yesterday, but by the time I got back out with a macro lens it was gone. I went out again today and found one on a cedar tree trunk. It looked to be collecting wood fiber for its nest. I walked the yard looking for the hornet nest/hive, but have not found it yet.

It was a year ago that I discovered a basket ball sized Bald Faced Hornet Nest/Hive. At that time I set up a telescope so I could take a movie of the nest from a safe distance.

Bald Faced Hornet Harvesting Fiber from a Cedar Tree Trunk. Summer in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/6, 1/60 sec) and SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Bald Faced Hornet Harvesting Fiber from a Cedar Tree Trunk. Summer in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/6, 1/60 sec) and SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5.
Hovering Bald Faced Hornet Harvesting Fiber from a Cedar Tree Trunk. Summer in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/6, 1/60 sec) and SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Hovering Bald Faced Hornet Harvesting Fiber from a Cedar Tree Trunk. Summer in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/6, 1/60 sec) and SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5.
Bald Faced Hornet Harvesting Fiber from a Cedar Tree Trunk. Summer in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/6, 1/60 sec) and SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Bald Faced Hornet Harvesting Fiber from a Cedar Tree Trunk. Summer in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/6, 1/60 sec) and SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5.
Bald Faced Hornet Harvesting Fiber from a Cedar Tree Trunk. Summer in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/6, 1/60 sec) and SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Bald Faced Hornet Harvesting Fiber from a Cedar Tree Trunk. Summer in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/6, 1/60 sec) and SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5.

Saturday (23-July-2011) — New Jersey

Summertime Heat Wave. “Let it Snow” in July.

The Carrier Clinic in nearby Belle Mead put this wishful thinking inflatable display up. They usually have it up in December and January. It has been in the upper 90’s and even over 100°F for the last several days. Anything to think cold is helpful.

Let it Snow -- July and 98°F in New Jersey. Wishful Thinking Inflatable Display in Front of the Carrier Clinic in Belle Mead, NJ. Image taken with a Leica X1 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). Out of the camera jpg image. (David J. Mathre)
Let it Snow — July and 98°F in New Jersey. Wishful Thinking Inflatable Display in Front of the Carrier Clinic in Belle Mead, NJ. Image taken with a Leica X1 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). Out of the camera jpg image.

Friday (22-July-2011) — New Jersey

Backyard Summertime Nature in New Jersey.

A series of images of a black fly with red eyes, and several spiders — including hundreds of newly hatched baby spiders. I may not like spiders, but they are great subjects for practicing macro images.

Macro Image of Black Fly with Red Eyes. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/8, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Macro Image of Black Fly with Red Eyes. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/8, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5.
Macro Image of Black Fly with Red Eyes. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Macro Image of Black Fly with Red Eyes. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5.
Macro Image of Black Fly with Red Eyes. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Macro Image of Black Fly with Red Eyes. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5.
Macro Image of Spider. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Macro Image of Spider. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5.
Baby Spiders Hatching. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Baby Spiders Hatching. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5.
Baby Spiders Hatching. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Baby Spiders Hatching. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5.
Baby Spiders Hatching. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Baby Spiders Hatching. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5.
Macro Image of a Spider with a Mass of Baby Spiders. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Macro Image of a Spider with a Mass of Baby Spiders. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5.
Macro Image of a Spider with a Mass of Baby Spiders. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Macro Image of a Spider with a Mass of Baby Spiders. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5.
Macro Image of a Spider with a Mass of Baby Spiders. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Macro Image of a Spider with a Mass of Baby Spiders. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5.
Macro Image of a Spider with a Mass of Baby Spiders. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Macro Image of a Spider with a Mass of Baby Spiders. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5.
Macro Image of Spider with Prey. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Macro Image of Spider with Prey. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5.