Day: December 25, 2017

Monday (25-December-2017) — Florida

Gone to See Florida 2017/2018 Road Trip. Day 5: Urban Garden in St. Petersburg.

This was the first time I have seen a Black & White Warbler. It never stayed in one place very long, so was hard to get an image. Many House Sparrows and an orange butterfly (Gulf Fritillary?). Then some fruit — Bananas still on the tree, a Carambola, Figs, and a green lemon.

Black & White Warbler. Image taken with a Fuji X-T2 camera and 100-400 mm OIS lens (ISO 500, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec) (David J Mathre)
Black & White Warbler. Image taken with a Fuji X-T2 camera and 100-400 mm OIS lens (ISO 500, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec) (David J Mathre)



Three-Years Ago (25-December-2014) — South Georgia Island

Gone to See Antarctica 2014/5 Day 10: Christmas Day on South Georgia Island

The Hurtigruten MS Fram arrived at South Georgia early in the morning. We were ferried from the ship to the island on Polarcirkel boats (a more comfortable version of the Zodiac boats). We then hiked across the island to Grytviken — an abandoned whaling village to attend Christmas Service at the Whalers Church. This is reported to be the southern most church. It was prefabricated in Norway, and dedicated 104 years ago on Christmas Day. The Christmas service was performed in Norwegian, German, and English. The church has a foot-pumped organ that the ship’s musician used to play Christmas music (as well as “A Whiter Shade of Pale” by Procol Harum). We then spent the remainder of our time on shore investigating the remaining whaling buildings in Grytviken and visiting a King Penguin rookery just outside of the village.

Hikers from the Hurtigruten MS Fram going to attend Christmas Service at the Whalers Church at Grytviken in South Georgia. Image taken with a Leica T camera and 18-56 mm lens (ISO 100, 30 mm, f/16, 1/160 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 8, Focus Magic, and Photoshop CC 2014. (David J Mathre)
Hikers from the Hurtigruten MS Fram going to attend Christmas Service at the Whalers Church at Grytviken in South Georgia. Image taken with a Leica T camera and 18-56 mm lens (ISO 100, 30 mm, f/16, 1/160 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 8, Focus Magic, and Photoshop CC 2014. (David J Mathre)



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Six-Years Ago (25-December-2011) — Florida

December Road Trip to Florida in 2011: Fort De Soto Park

Osprey and Great Blue Herons kept me busy on Christmas Day at Fort De Soto Park.

Osprey in Flight at Fort Desoto Park in St Petersburg, Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 500 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 100, 500 mm, f/10, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
Osprey in Flight at Fort Desoto Park in St Petersburg, Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 500 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 100, 500 mm, f/10, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)



Ten-Years Ago (25-December-2007) — Florida

Extended Mathre Family Celebration: A Busy Christmas Day

Early morning sunrise and night-time photography at the Vinoy Hotel.  Wildlife photography at the Weedon Island Nature Preserve. Lots of birds, a crab spider, and how often do you see, let alone catch a “flying fish” in midair. Then the extended Mathre family Christmas Day celebration.

Sunrise over Tampa Bay from the Vinoy Hotel in St. Petersburg, Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 14-28 mm f/2.8 len (ISO 100, 20 mm, f/11, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)
Sunrise over Tampa Bay from the Vinoy Hotel in St. Petersburg, Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 14-28 mm f/2.8 len (ISO 100, 20 mm, f/11, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)


Mullet in Flight. Weedon Island Nature Preserve, Pinellas County, Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 80 mm, f/5, 1/500 sec) (David J Mathre)
Mullet in Flight. Weedon Island Nature Preserve, Pinellas County, Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 80 mm, f/5, 1/500 sec) (David J Mathre)



Eleven-Years Ago (25-December-2006) — New Jersey

Winter in New Jersey: Christmas Day Walkabout in the Neighborhood

Abandoned wood and stone building (ice house?) along Hollow road in Skillman, New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D200 camera and 17-55 mm f/2.8 lens. (David J Mathre)
Abandoned wood and stone building (ice house?) along Hollow road in Skillman, New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D200 camera and 17-55 mm f/2.8 lens. (David J Mathre)