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.

Four-Years Ago (16-September-2008) — Utah

Gone to See America 2008. Moab Utah Photography Workshop with Winston Hall. Day 2: Dead Horse State Park, Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park.

Orange Dragonfly on a Car Antenna. I noticed this orange dragonfly while waiting for the group to assemble on day 2 of the Eastern Utah Photography Workshop. It landed on a car antenna and remained still long enough to get several images. I really like the 80-400 mm VR lens since I can hand-hold it and get macro images of insects from 8 feet.

Orange Dragonfly on a Car Antenna. Image taken with a Nikon D300 and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 640, 400 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Orange Dragonfly on a Car Antenna. Image taken with a Nikon D300 and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 640, 400 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)

Monday (10-September-2012) — Belgium

Gone to see Europe. Semester at Sea. Fall 2012 Semester Voyage on the MV Explorer. Day 18: Arrive in Antwerp, Belgium.

Belgium Waffles, Strawberries, and Chocolate in Brussels. Image taken with a Leica V-Lux-30 camera (ISO 200, 4.3 mm, f/3.3, 1/50 sec).

Belgium Waffles, Strawberries, and Chocolate in Brussels. Image taken with a Leica V-Lux-30 camera (ISO 200, 4.3 mm, f/3.3, 1/50 sec). Semester at Sea Fall 2012 Voyage. (David J. Mathre)
Belgium Waffles, Strawberries, and Chocolate in Brussels. Image taken with a Leica V-Lux-30 camera (ISO 200, 4.3 mm, f/3.3, 1/50 sec). (David J. Mathre)

Four-Years Ago (09-September-2008) — New Jersey

Late Summertime Nature in New Jersey.

Big Spider at My Front Door. I saw this big spider lurking above my front doorway, and decided to enter via the back door. I then came back around with a camera, macro lens, and flash. This is the biggest spider I have ever seen in New Jersey. I really don’t like spiders, but do like taking their pictures. I don’t know what type of spider it is. If anyone knows, please send me a message.

Big Spider Above My Front Door. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 200 mm f/4 macro lens (ISO 220, 200 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) and SB-900 flash. (David J. Mathre)
Big Spider Above My Front Door. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 200 mm f/4 macro lens (ISO 220, 200 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) and SB-900 flash. (David J. Mathre)

Six-Years Ago (05-September-2006) — Washington

Gone to See America 2006 Driving Tour. Day 11: North Cascade National Park, Lake Chelan, Washington.

Image of a female mallard duck taken during the ferry ride from Chelan to Stehkin with a Nikon D200 camera and 80-400 mm VR Lens. One of my favorite images from the “Gone to See America 2006 Driving Tour”.

Female Mallard Duck on Lake Chelan. Image taken with a Nikon D200 and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/9, 1/320 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Female Mallard Duck on Lake Chelan. Image taken with a Nikon D200 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/9, 1/320 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Female Mallard Duck on Lake Chelan. Image taken with a Nikon D200 and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/9, 1/320 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Female Mallard Duck on Lake Chelan. Image taken with a Nikon D200 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/9, 1/320 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Female Mallard Duck on Lake Chelan. Image taken with a Nikon D200 and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/9, 1/320 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Female Mallard Duck on Lake Chelan. Image taken with a Nikon D200 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/9, 1/320 sec). (David J. Mathre)

Three-Years Ago (27-August-2009) — Washington

Gone to See North America Road Trip. Day 06: Lake Chelan, Washington.

Losing It — Or Darwin Award Candidate. While riding the “Lady of the Lake II” ferry crossing Lake Chelan, I caught this Jet Skier lose his grip as he was jumping the wake behind the ship. He had been showing off to his girlfriend. Even though the Nikon D3x camera does not have the high-speed burst rate of the D3 camera, sometimes you get lucky. It appeared that he was OK once his companion made it to his position.

Losing It. Jet Skier on Lake Chelan from the rear of "The Lady of the Lake II. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 300 mm, f/10, 1/1000 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Losing It. Jet Skier on Lake Chelan from the rear of “The Lady of the Lake II. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 300 mm, f/10, 1/1000 sec). (David J. Mathre)