Author: David Mathre

I am a scientist by training (Eckerd College, BSc; Caltech, Ph.D.). I worked for 27 years as a Chemist in the Pharmaceutical Industry developing processes to manufacture medicines for human and animal health. I now spend my time as a photographer and world traveler. My interests include the natural world, wildlife, landscapes, sky, and seascapes, travel, and astrophotography. I look for unique ways of viewing the world and presenting my images. I have traveled to over 55 countries in six continents, often on Semester at Sea voyages. While at home in New Jersey, I spend time on home renovation and expansion of a wildflower garden/meadow.

One-Year Ago (29-January-2019) — New Jersey

Backyard Wintertime Nature in New Jersey.

Carolina Wren, House Finch, Black-capped Chickadee, and Mourning Dove.

alt_title. (David J Mathre)
Carolina Wren at a bird feeder. Image taken with a Nikon D850 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR telephoto lens (ISO 1100, 500 mm, f/4, 1/500 sec).
alt_title. (David J Mathre)
House Finch at a bird feeder. Image taken with a Nikon D850 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR telephoto lens (ISO 2500, 500 mm, f/4, 1/500 sec).
alt_title. (David J Mathre)
Blacked-capped Chickadee at a bird feeder. Image taken with a Nikon D850 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR telephoto lens (ISO 800, 500 mm, f/4, 1/500 sec).
alt_title. (David J Mathre)
Mourning Dove below a bird feeder. Image taken with a Nikon D850 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR telephoto lens (ISO 2500, 500 mm, f/4, 1/500 sec).

Thirteen-Years Ago (29-January-2007) — Norway

Gone to See Norway 2007 Family Winter Vacation. Day 9: Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald Norwegian Coastal Voyage Northbound (Båtsfjord to Kirkenes) then Southbound (Kirkenes to Berlevåg).

There were a dozen or so Black-tailed Ducks swimming in the icy waters as we departed Kirkenes, Norway on the Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald. It was cold enough out that ice was forming on the surface of the salt water.

Long-tailed Duck from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald while departing Kirkenes, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/4.5, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)
Long-tailed Duck from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald while departing Kirkenes, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/4.5, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)
Long-tailed Duck from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald while departing Kirkenes, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/13 sec). (David J Mathre)
Long-tailed Duck from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald while departing Kirkenes, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/13 sec). (David J Mathre)

Tuesday (28-January-2020) — New Jersey

Backyard Wintertime Nature in New Jersey.

Regulars (House Finch, Blue Jay, and Northern Cardinal) at my bird feeder.


Click on the above image to access my PhotoShelter gallery with the individual images in the following slideshow.


Daily Electric Energy Used (77.3 kWh) from Sense Home Energy Monitor and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (26.5 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Sunny in the morning. A deficit of 50.8 kWh.

Current Weather Conditions


powered by Ambient Weather

One-Year Ago (28-January-2019) — New Jersey

Backyard Wintertime Nature in New Jersey.

A lot of birds at the bird feeder today. Dark-eyed Junco, Blue Jay, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Carolina Wren, and House Finch. At one point a Dark-eyed Junco and Carolina Wren got into a fight over sunflower seeds. Ultimately, the Blue Jay settled the fight.

alt_title. (David J Mathre)
Dark-eyed Junco looking down at the bird feeder. Image taken with a Nikon D850 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR telephoto lens (ISO 2200, 500 mm, f/4, 1/500 sec).
alt_title. (David J Mathre)
Blue Jay looking down at the bird feeder. Image taken with a Nikon D850 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR telephoto lens (ISO 1000, 500 mm, f/4, 1/500 sec).
alt_title. (David J Mathre)
Female Red-bellied Woodpecker at a bird feeder. Image taken with a Nikon D850 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR telephoto lens (ISO 560, 500 mm, f/4, 1/500 sec).
alt_title. (David J Mathre)
Carolina Wren at the frozen bird bath. Image taken with a Nikon D850 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR telephoto lens (ISO 640, 500 mm, f/4, 1/500 sec).
alt_title. (David J Mathre)
House Finch at a bird feeder. Image taken with a Nikon D850 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR telephoto lens (ISO 400, 500 mm, f/4, 1/500 sec).


Dark-eyed Junco and Carolina Wren fighting over sunflower seeds. Image taken with a Nikon D850 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR telephoto lens. Individual images in the slideshow can be viewed in my PhotoShelter gallery.

Thirteen-Years Ago (28-January-2007) — Norway

Gone to See Norway 2007 Family Winter Vacation. Day 8: Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald Norwegian Coastal Voyage Northbound (Øksfjord to Berlevåg).

As we departed Havøysund a large Golden Eagle was soaring over the harbor. I don’t remember seeing fish farms in that location, but did note that Tøbo Fisk had a fish processing plant near where we docked.

Golden Eagle soaring over Havøsund from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/90 sec). (David J Mathre)
Golden Eagle soaring over Havøysund from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/90 sec). (David J Mathre)
Golden Eagle soaring over Havøsund from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/90 sec). (David J Mathre)
Golden Eagle soaring over Havøysund from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/90 sec). (David J Mathre)