Friday (26-September-2014) — New Jersey

Autumn Nature at the Sourland Mountain Preserve.

I saw hundreds of these alien looking warriors today massing at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V3 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 160, 300 mm, f/11, 1/320 sec).

Sourland Mountain Preserve (David J Mathre)
Praying Mantis at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V3 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 160, 300 mm, f/11, 1/320 sec) (David J Mathre)

Seven-Years Ago (22-September-2007) — Wyoming

Gone to See America 2007 Road Trip. Seventh Annual Nikonians Photography Adventure Trip. Day 1: Grand Teton National Park.

Why are nine large birds flying north past the Grand Tetons in late September? At this distance I can’t tell if they are geese, cranes, or swans. My guess is Sandhill Cranes.  Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 200-400 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 200 mm, f/8,, 1/180 sec).

Why are nine large birds flying north past the Grand Tetons in late September? At this distance I can't tell if they are geese, cranes, or swans. My guess is Sandhill Cranes. Grand Teton National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 200-400 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 200 mm, f/8,, 1/180 sec). (David J Mathre)
Nine large birds flying north past the Grand Tetons in late September Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 200-400 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 200 mm, f/8,, 1/180 sec). (David J Mathre)

Wednesday (17-September-2014) — New Jersey

Summertime Nature at the Sourland Mountain Preserve.

A Black Iridescent Blue Butterfly Sunning at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V3 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 160, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/200 sec). Raw image processed with Photoshop CC 2014 and Focus Magic.

A Black Iridescent Blue Butterfly Sunning at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V3 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 160, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/200 sec). Raw image processed with Photoshop CC 2014 and Focus Magic. (David J Mathre)
A Black Iridescent Blue Butterfly Sunning at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V3 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 160, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)

Two-Years Ago (13-September-2012) — Belgium

Gone to see Europe. Semester at Sea. Fall 2012 Semester Voyage on the MV Explorer. Day 21: Antwerp Zoo, Belgium.

Female Snowy Owl at the Antwerp Zoo. Image taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/200 sec). Additional Processing with Capture One Pro 6 and Photoshop CS6.

Female Snowy Owl at the Antwerp Zoo. Image taken with a Nikon D800 and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/200 sec). Additional Processing with Capture One Pro 6 and Photoshop CS6. (David J Mathre)
Female Snowy Owl at the Antwerp Zoo. Image taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)

Monday (08-September-2014) — New Jersey

Summertime Nature at the Sourland Mountain Preserve.

I finally tracked down a Monarch Butterfly today. Since I returned from the Semester at Sea voyage, it has been hot in New Jersey and the butterflies have been sparse. It was cloudy and windy today so wasn’t that hopeful. Lots of the yellow wild flowers, a very few thistle blooms – but did see several milkweed pods. Finally, I did see one Monarch Butterfly fly by. I had to pass through a lot of raspberry bushes to get close enough to get some good images.

Monarch Butterfly at the Sourland Mountain Preserve, Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 800, 400 mm, f/8, 1/400 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, and Photoshop CC 2014.

Monarch Butterfly at the Sourland Mountain Preserve, (David J Mathre)
Monarch Butterfly at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. (David J Mathre)