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 (05-June-2010) — Bonaire

Gone to See the Caribbean Islands. Semester at Sea Spring 2010 Enrichment Voyage on the MV Explorer. Ultimate Travel Photography Workshop with Michael Mariant. Day 10: Kralendijk, Bonaire.

I found this Fip-Flop graveyard while photographing a lighthouse in Bonaire. I have no idea why all of these shoes are here — and if they were from tourists or locals lost on the beach.

Flip Flop Lost and Found on Bonaire. ISE/SAS Spring 2010 Enrichment Caribbean Voyage, Nikonians Ultimate Travel Workshop. UTW-I Day 9: Bonaire. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/5.6, 1/30 sec). (David J Mathre)
Flip Flop Lost and Found on Bonaire. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/5.6, 1/30 sec).
Flip Flop Lost and Found on Bonaire. ISE/SAS Spring 2010 Enrichment Caribbean Voyage, Nikonians Ultimate Travel Workshop. UTW-I Day 9: Bonaire. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/5.6, 1/30 sec). (David J Mathre)
Flip Flop Lost and Found on Bonaire.  Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/5.6, 1/30 sec).

Saturday (04-June-2011) — New Jersey

Backyard Springtime Nature in New Jersey.

Images from a walkabout in my backyard. A dragonfly, immature pine cones, wild raspberry flowers, honeysuckle flowers, and small white butterfly (also known as a cabbage moth)

Dragonfly. Spring Outdoor Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 200-400 mm f/4 lens (ISO 640, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Focus Magic, Nik Define, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Dragonfly. Spring Outdoor Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 200-400 mm f/4 lens (ISO 640, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Focus Magic, Nik Define, and Photoshop CS5.
Early Pine Cones, Spring Backyard Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 200-400 f/4 lens (ISO 3200, 330 mm, f/5.6 1/400 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Focus Magic, Nik Define 2, and Adobe Photoshop CS5 (David J Mathre)
Early Pine Cones, Spring Backyard Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 200-400 f/4 lens (ISO 3200, 330 mm, f/5.6 1/400 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Focus Magic, Nik Define 2, and Adobe Photoshop CS5
Wild Raspberry Flower. Spring Outdoor Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 200-400 mm f/4 lens (ISO 1000, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Focus Magic, Nik Define, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Wild Raspberry Flower. Spring Outdoor Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 200-400 mm f/4 lens (ISO 1000, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Focus Magic, Nik Define, and Photoshop CS5.
Wild Honeysuckle Flower. Spring Outdoor Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 200-400 mm f/4 lens (ISO 1000, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Focus Magic, Nik Define, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Wild Honeysuckle Flower. Spring Outdoor Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 200-400 mm f/4 lens (ISO 1000, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Focus Magic, Nik Define, and Photoshop CS5.
Small White Butterfly. Spring Outdoor Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 200-400 mm f/4 lens (ISO 2200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Focus Magic, Nik Define, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Small White Butterfly. Spring Outdoor Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 200-400 mm f/4 lens (ISO 2200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Focus Magic, Nik Define, and Photoshop CS5.

One-Year Ago (03-June-2010) — Trididad

Gone to See the Caribbean Islands. Semester at Sea Spring 2010 Enrichment Voyage on the MV Explorer. Ultimate Travel Photography Workshop with Michael Mariant. Day 8: Port of Spain, Trinidad.

Morning view of off-shore oil platforms from the deck of the MV Explorer.

Morning View of Off-shore Oil Rigs. Port of Spain, Trinidad. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 135 mm, f/16, 1/1000 sec). Raw Image processed with DxO, Capture One 6 Pro, Nik Define, and Photoshop CS5. (David J. Mathre)
Morning View of Off-shore Oil Rigs. Port of Spain, Trinidad. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 135 mm, f/16, 1/1000 sec). Raw Image processed with DxO, Capture One 6 Pro, Nik Define, and Photoshop CS5.

 

Three-Years Ago (01-June-2008) — Colorado

Springtime Nature in Colorado: Rocky Mountain National Park.

While visiting Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park I saw a number of male Broad-tailed Hummingbirds. It looked like they were setting up territories as they would perch on a branch and watch the others in the vicinity. Every now and then they would dive toward the others in an attempt to get some more space.

Male Broad-tailed Humming Bird at Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR lens + TC-E II 20 teleconverter (ISO 280, 400 mm, f/8, 1/400 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Male Broad-tailed Humming Bird at Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR lens + TC-E II 20 teleconverter (ISO 280, 400 mm, f/8, 1/400 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, and Photoshop CS5.
Male Broad-tailed Humming Bird at Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D300 and 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR lens + TC-E II 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/8, 1/160 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Male Broad-tailed Humming Bird at Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D300 and 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR lens + TC-E II 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/8, 1/160 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, and Photoshop CS5.
Male Broad-tailed Humming Bird at Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR lens + TC-E II 20 teleconverter (ISO 500, 400 mm, f/11, 1/400 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Male Broad-tailed Humming Bird at Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR lens + TC-E II 20 teleconverter (ISO 500, 400 mm, f/11, 1/400 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, and Photoshop CS5.
Male Broad-tailed Humming Bird at Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR lens + TC-E II 20 teleconverter (ISO 360, 400 mm, f/11, 1/400 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Male Broad-tailed Humming Bird at Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR lens + TC-E II 20 teleconverter (ISO 360, 400 mm, f/11, 1/400 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, and Photoshop CS5.
Male Broad-tailed Humming Bird at Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR lens + TC-E II 20 teleconverter (ISO 280, 400 mm, f/11, 1/400 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Male Broad-tailed Humming Bird at Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR lens + TC-E II 20 teleconverter (ISO 280, 400 mm, f/11, 1/400 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, and Photoshop CS5.

Tuesday (31-May-2011) — New Jersey

I am resisting NAS (Nikon Acquisition Syndrome) Today.

While reading the commentary on Thom Hogon’s site today, I saw that B&H (and other vendors) had received new Nikon 500 mm and 600 mm f/4 VRII Super Telephoto lenses and still have some available for sale. These have been in short supply for a long time, and may be in even shorter supply for an even longer time since the earthquake in Japan. I held out and did not place an order (and thus didn’t help the economy by spending nearly $20K). This was hard, since I missed many great photo opportunities while on the Semester at Sea, Spring Enrichment Voyage — Ultimate Travel Photography Workshop (UTPW-II) earlier this month. Several of the folks attending the workshop had the larger 500 mm and 600 mm lenses and were able to get some great images that made those of us with lighter kits (70-300 or 80-400) jealous.