Day: February 3, 2019

Five-Years Ago (03-February-2014) — Florida

Gone to See America 2014 Road Trip. Day 3: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Birds and Sunset From Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.


Individual images from the slideshow can be viewed here.

Sunset From Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D3s camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 200, 260 mm, f/16, 1/320 sec). (David J Mathre)
Sunset From Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D3s camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 200, 260 mm, f/16, 1/320 sec). (David J Mathre)

Six-Years Ago (03-February-2013) — Norway

Gone to See Norway 2013 Chasing the Northern Lights. Day 6: Hurtigruten MS Nordkapp Norwegian Coastal Voyage Northbound (Brønnøysund to Svolvær).

On the third full day of the northbound Hurtigruten voyage, the ship stopped in seven ports: Brønnøysund (00:30-01:00); Sandnessjøen (03:45-04:15); Nesna (05:25-05:30); Ørnes (09:00-09:30); Bodø (12:30-15:00); Stamsund (19:00-19:30); and Svolvær (21:00-22:00).

Early morning short stop in Sandnessjøen. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera. (David J Mathre)
Early morning short stop in Sandnessjøen. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera. (David J Mathre)


The ship crossed the Arctic Circle at 07:20, while it was still dark out. Champagne was served for those up early enough. Baptism for those that were crossing the Arctic Circle for the first time would be celebrated later in the afternoon. At this time of the year, and this far north dawn lasts a long time. The panorama view at dawn shows the unique pink color of the Belt of Venus and blue Earth Shadow below. Conditions have to be right to see these colors.


Arctic Dawn. Composite of 7 images taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/4, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)
Arctic Dawn. Composite of 7 images taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/4, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)


While in Bodø I took the bus tour — the city and out to the Saltstraumen. When conditions are right this has one of the worlds strongest tidal currents causing whirlpools or maelstroms. We weren’t there at the right time, and the weather was deteriorating. The bus driver wanted to make sure we got back to the ship before it left. Watch the time-lapse video, a scary ride in a snowstorm.

Eleven-Years Ago (03-February-2008) — Colorado

Outdoor Winter Nature in Colorado: Rocky Mountain National Park.

The sky was clear, so drove from Boulder to Rocky Mountain National Park. The roads in the park were open, so I spent another day taking pictures in this great National Park. It is cold, and the river is frozen. I got good use out of my Golden Eagle Pass that year.

Winter, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/11, 1/640 sec) (David J Mathre)
Winter, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/11, 1/640 sec) (David J Mathre)