tulip - David Mathre Photography

Saturday (02-May-2020) — New Jersey

Backyard Springtime Nature in New Jersey.

More birds at the feeder today. In the morning: Blue Jay, Northern Cardinal, and Chipping Sparrow. In the afternoon: Northern Cardinal, Brown-headed Cowbird, and Carolina Wren. The Carolina Wren actually was on the roof with a grub in its mouth. It was also calling out letting folks know it had a grub. I’m not sure if it was trying to attract a mate, or to get a young bird to fledge and get out of the nest. In the afternoon, I mowed the lawn for the first time this year. The grass was getting to be ankle high. I hadn’t mowed earlier because a tire on the lawn tractor was flat. While mowing, I noticed a number of small wildflowers already blooming. I haven’t planted andy wildflower seeds yet this spring, so these are either native, or have self-seeded from last year. Later in the afternoon, I went for a walkabout in the yard to document the early May flowers: Johnny-Jump-Up, Blue Forget me Not, Grape Hyacinth, Plum Tree, Siberian Wallflower, Five-Spots, Prunella Vulgaris (also known as Self-Heal, Heal-All, and Woundwort), Baby Blue Eyes, wild Violet (Viola), Jack in the Pulpit, Lilac, California Poppy, Allium bud, Star of Bethlehem, Strawberry, Yellow Tulip.

Birds in the Morning. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Birds in the Afternoon and Early Evening. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Carolina Wren with a slug. Image taken with a Fuji X-T3 camera and 80 mm f/2.8 macro lens (ISO 320, 80 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE) — Carolina Wren with a grub. Image taken with a Fuji X-T3 camera and 80 mm f/2.8 macro lens (ISO 320, 80 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)

Early May Backyard Flowers. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Daily Electric Energy Used (45.9 kWh) from meter readings the Sense Home Energy Monitor. The daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (69.5 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Sunny, but the power was out for a couple of hours in the afternoon. A surplus of 23.6 kWh.

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Friday (01-May-2020) — New Jersey

Backyard Springtime Nature in New Jersey.

Afternoon May Day walkabout looking for flowers. Just had some heavy rain. While in shutdown mode, I haven’t used the front door that much. When I went out today, I noticed a bird nest has been built above the door. The door is splattered with mud. I need to figure what type of bird built the nest. Last year, a House or Carolina Wren built a nest in a hole where the doorbell button used to be mounted. The Plum tree is still in bloom, the Japanese Maple tree has filled out with red leaves. The last Tulip to bloom this spring is yellow. The first outdoor California Poppy flower opened today. Also, one of the Lilac shrubs planted last spring has started to bloom.

Birds nest above the front door. Image taken with a Leica CL camera and 60 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 1250, 60 mm, f/2.8, 1/125 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Plum tree flowers. Image taken with a Leica CL camera and 60 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 60 mm, f/3.5, 1/320 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Japanese Maple Tree. Image taken with a Leica CL camera and 60 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 60 mm, f/3.2, 1/200 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Yellow Tulip flower. Image taken with a Leica CL camera and 60 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 60 mm, f/4, 1/640 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

California Poppy flower after the rain. Image taken with a Leica CL camera and 60 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 60 mm, f/4, 1/500 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Lilac flowers. Image taken with a Leica CL camera and 60 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 60 mm, f/3.5, 1/400 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Daily Electric Energy Used (50.9 kWh) from meter readings the Sense Home Energy Monitor. The daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (51.1 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. The sun was out after the rain passe. A surplus of 0.2 kWh.

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Wednesday (22-April-2020) — New Jersey

Happy Earth Day.

Over the last year, my Solar Panels have generated over 16 kWh of electricity, and the Geothermal HVAC system eliminated the use of 3000 gallons of heating oil while providing heating, cooling, and hot water. Including the SREC (solar energy credits) I saved over $14K, and significantly reduced my carbon footprint.

Backyard Springtime Nature in New Jersey.

Not as many birds around today. Just a Tufted Titmouse and a pair of Northern Cardinals. There are more flowers on the Plum Tree, I also noticed a perennial Siberian Wallflower blooming. The first returning flowers from one of last years Wildflower Meadows. On the patio several Tulips are still blooming. The Kale plants left on the Grow Towers over the winter survived and are now bolting. I am also starting to see Lilac flowers from the shrubs planted last fall. At least some survived the ravenous deer.

Tufted Titmouse. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 900, 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)

Female Northern Cardinal. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 900, 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)

Male Northern Cardinal. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 900, 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)

Backyard Spring Flowers. Images taken with a Leica CL camera and 60 mm f/2.8 lens. Individual images in the slideshow are available in my PhotoShelter Gallery.

Daily Electric Energy Used (63.1 kWh) from Sense Home Energy Monitor and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (87.7 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Lots of sun. A surplus of 24.6 kWh. This is the most solar power generated in one day since last August. There is a chance I will be net positive for the month of April — although several days of rain are forecasted for the next week.

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Sunday (19-April-2020) — New Jersey

Backyard Springtime Nature in New Jersey.

Northern Cardinal at the birdfeeder, Tulips on the patio.

Female Northern Cardinal. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 1600, 600 mm, f/4. 1/800 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)

Pink Tulip flower. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 140, 600 mm, f/4. 1/1250 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)

Orange Tulip flower. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 100, 600 mm, f/4.5. 1/1250 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)

Female Northern Cardinal. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 280, 600 mm, f/4. 1/1250 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)

Female Northern Cardinal. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 180, 600 mm, f/4. 1/1250 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)

Male Northern Cardinal. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 160, 600 mm, f/4. 1/1250 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)

Male Northern Cardinal. Image taken with a Nikon D5 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 250, 600 mm, f/4. 1/1250 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)

Daily Electric Energy Used (60.5 kWh) from Sense Home Energy Monitor and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (18.2 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Lots of clouds. A deficit of 42.3 kWh.

Weekly Electric Energy Used (401 kWh) from Sense Home Energy Monitor and Weekly Solar Electric Energy Produced (362 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. A deficit of 49 kWh. Getting closer to being net positive.

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Saturday (18-April-2020) — New Jersey

Backyard Springtime Nature in New Jersey.

Tulip and Daffodil flowers after the overnight spring rains. First Plum tree flowers this spring.

Orange Tulip Flower after the rain. Image taken with a Nikon D850 camera and 105 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 105 mm, f/2.8, 1/8000 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)

Pink Tulip Flower after the rain. Image taken with a Nikon D850 camera and 105 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 105 mm, f/2.8, 1/8000 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)

Daffodil Flower after the rain. Image taken with a Nikon D850 camera and 105 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 105 mm, f/2.8, 1/8000 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)

Orange Tulip Flower after the rain. Image taken with a Nikon D850 camera and 105 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 105 mm, f/2.8, 1/6400 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)

Red Tulip Flower after the rain. Image taken with a Nikon D850 camera and 105 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 105 mm, f/2.8, 1/4000 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)

Pink Plum tree flower. Image taken with a Nikon D850 camera and 105 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 105 mm, f/2.8, 1/1250 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)

Daily Electric Energy Used (60.5 kWh) from Sense Home Energy Monitor and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (18.2 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Lots of clouds. A deficit of 42.3 kWh.

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