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.

Wednesday (14-August-2013) Norway/India

News Item: Indian Sindhurakshak Submarine

It was reported on the news this morning that the Indian Sindhurakshak submarine that I photographed in Tromsø (09-Feb-2013) experienced two explosions a fire, and sank while docked in Mumbai last night.

Indian Navy Diesel-Electric Submarine INS  #Sindhurakshak   Docked Next to the Hurtigruten MS Finnmarken in Tromsø. The 16-year-old Russian built submarine was returning from a 2 year upgrade in Russia. This was the first time that I saw a submarine with glass windows in the conning tower. Composite of 3 images taken with a Nikon 1 V2 camera and 18.5 mm f/1.8 lens (ISO 800, 18.5 mm, f/1.8, 1/30 sec) combined using AutoPano Giga Pro.

Indian Navy Diesel-Electric Submarine INS Sindhurakshak. Composite of 3 images taken with a Nikon 1 V2 camera and 18.5 mm f/1.8 lens (ISO 800, 18.5 mm, f/1.8, 1/30 sec) combined using AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)
Indian Navy Diesel-Electric Submarine INS Sindhurakshak. Composite of 3 images taken with a Nikon 1 V2 camera and 18.5 mm f/1.8 lens (ISO 800, 18.5 mm, f/1.8, 1/30 sec) combined using AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)

Monday (12-August-2013) — New Jersey

Summertime Nature in New Jersey: Sourland Mountain Preserve.

Kermit the Bull Frog Hiding in the Shade –  Pond at the Sourland Mountain Preserve.  Image taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 400, 500 mm, f/4, 1/200 sec).

Kermit the Bull Frog in a Pond in the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D800 and 500 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 560, 500 mm, f/4, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)
Kermit the Bull Frog in a Pond in the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 560, 500 mm, f/4, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)

Monday (12-August-2013) — New Jersey

Summertime Nature in New Jersey. Sourland Mountain Preserve

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on a Joe Pye Weed Bloom at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 250, 500 mm, f/5, 1/600 sec). Lens mounted on a monopod.

I’ve visited the Sourland Mountain Preserve several times since returning from Iceland. There are a couple of patches of Joe Pye weeds that the Yellow (Tiger) Swallowtail and Black Swallowtail butterflies are attracted. I did see one Clearwing Hummingbird Butterfly, but wasn’t quick enough to get a picture. I only saw one thistle in bloom. Didn’t see any Praying Mantis (butterfly predators). Also, only one Monarch Butterfly.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on a Joe Pye Weed Bloom at the Sourland Mountain Preserve in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 250, 500 mm, f/5, 1/600 sec). Lens mounted on a monopod. (David J Mathre)
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on a Joe Pye Weed Bloom at the Sourland Mountain Preserve in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 250, 500 mm, f/5, 1/600 sec). Lens mounted on a monopod. (David J Mathre)

Saturday (10-August-2013) — New Jersey

Backyard Summertime Nature in New Jersey.

Single Stalk of Grass. Backyard Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D4 and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 800, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec).

I took a similar image in the autumn six years ago using a macro lens. This time it was with a hand-held telephoto lens.

Single Stalk of Grass. Backyard Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D4 and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 800, 400 mm, f/5.6, /1000 sec). (David J Mathre)
Single Stalk of Grass. Backyard Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 800, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre)

Three-Years Ago (06-August-2010)- California

Gone to See America August 2010 Road Trip. Day 6: Eastern Sierra Photography Workshop with Michael Mariant. Bodie State Historic Park.

Bodie Gold Mine Ghost Town  Panorama.  Composite of seven portrait images taken with a Nikon D3s camera and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 800, 50 mm, f/16, 1/200 sec). Raw images processed with DxO and the panorama created using AutoPano Giga Pro.

Bodie Ghost Town Gold Mine Panorama. (David J Mathre)
Bodie Ghost Town Gold Mine Panorama. (David J Mathre)


Individual images in the slideshow can be viewed here.