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.

Monday (23-May-2016) — New Jersey

Backyard Springtime Nature in New Jersey.

Afternoon stretch following the thunderstorms. Image taken with a Nikon D810A camera and 400 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 250, 400 mm, f/2.8, 1/800 sec). This rabbit is pushing the minimum focus distance for this lens…

Afternoon Stretch Following the Thunderstorm. Image taken with a Nikon D810A camera and 400 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 250, 400 mm, f/2.8, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre) — Afternoon stretch following the thunderstorm. Image taken with a Nikon D810A camera and 400 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 250, 400 mm, f/2.8, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)

Three-Years Ago (22-May-2013) — Ireland

Gone to See Europe. Semester at Sea Spring 2013 Enrichment Voyage on the MV Explorer. Ultimate Travel Photography Workshop IV with Michael Mariant. Day 26: Dublin, Ireland.

North Bull Lighthouse at the Entrance to Dublin Harbor at the End of Bull Wall (most of which is now underwater). Image taken with a Leica V-Lux 6 camera (ISO 100, 17.7 mm, f/2.8, 1/320 sec).

Thursday (19-May-2016) — New Jersey

Backyard Springtime Night Sky Over New Jersey.

Waxing Gibbous – Nearly Full Moon Image taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 100-400 mm OIS lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/16, 1/125 sec). Handheld using the lens optical image stabilization (OIS).

Waxing gibbous (nearly full) moon. Backyard night sky in New Jersey. Image taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 OIS lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/16, 1/125 sec). (David J Mathre) — Waxing gibbous (nearly full) moon. Image taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 OIS lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/16, 1/125 sec). (David J Mathre)

Thursday (19-May-2016) — New Jersey

Backyard Springtime Nature in New Jersey.

The new Fujinon XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR telephoto lens arrived this afternoon. It was not available before the Semester at Sea voyage. I took it out for a few shots while the sun was still out. My initial impression is favorable. The Fuji X-T1 camera and new lens is about 1 kg lighter than a corresponding Nikon D4 and 80-400mm VRII lens. The Fuji lens does not focus as fast as the Nikon lens, but the focus appears to accurate. I will take it out to the Sourland Preserve this weekend for some field testing. I do want to see if the focus will be fast enough to catch birds in flight.

Cluster of rhododendron flowers. Backyard spring nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 100-400 mm OS lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/14, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)

Thursday (19-May-2016) — New Jersey

Backyard Springtime Nature in New Jersey.

A Tiny Chipping Sparrow Walked into My Field of View. Thom Hogan calls little birds like this LBJ’s (little brown jobs). I think it is eating the wildflower seeds I put out in my garden yesterday. Since I was on the Semester at Sea Spring 2016 voyage I didn’t get home until it was late for planting wildflower seeds. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 280, 500 mm, f/4, 1/500 sec).

Chipping sparrow. Backyard spring nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 500 mm f/4 lens (ISO 280, 500 mm, f/4, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre) — Chipping sparrow. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 500 mm f/4 lens (ISO 280, 500 mm, f/4, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)