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.

Thursday (11-February-2010) — New Jersey

Backyard Winter Nature in New Jersey: Snowed In Again.

The snow was deep enough to keep me from even getting my Range Rover up the driveway to the road in front of my house. I did dig a walking path to the road. Being stuck at home gave me a chance to take some pictures out in the snow.

Winter part II. Pine needles peaking up from the snow. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/9, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
Winter part II. Pine needles peaking up from the snow. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/9, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
Winter part II. Drip, drip, drip. Icicles above the front doorway. The gutter is frozen. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 80 mm, f/5, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Winter part II. Drip, drip, drip. Icicles above the front doorway. The gutter is frozen. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 80 mm, f/5, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
It snowed last night. This vehicle is covered and won't be going anywhere soon. I dug a path from the house to the street (but the street hadn't been cleared yet). Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 48 mm, f/13, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
It snowed last night. This vehicle is covered and won’t be going anywhere soon. I dug a path from the house to the street (but the street hadn’t been cleared yet). Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 48 mm, f/13, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
Winter part II. It snowed last night. The RV is covered and won't be going anywhere soon. The propane tank in the RV is full in case the power goes out. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 31 mm, f/7, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
Winter part II. It snowed last night. The RV is covered and won’t be going anywhere soon. The propane tank in the RV is full in case the power goes out. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 31 mm, f/7, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)

Monday (08-Feburary-2010) — New Jersey

Backyard Winter Nature in New Jersey: Winter Birds.

Yet another LBJ (Little Brown Jobber) as described by Thom Hogan for an image of a small brown bird. My only comment is that it is so cold out that it just wants to sit in the sun to warm up giving me long enough time to get an image in focus.

White-throated Sparrow. Winter in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 70-200 mm lens with 2x converter (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/8, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
White-throated Sparrow. Winter in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 70-200 mm lens with 2x converter (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/8, 1/400 sec).

Sunday (07-February-2010) — New Jersey

Backyard Winter Nature in New Jersey: Winter Birds.

Afternoon walkabout. Images of a White-throated Sparrow looking cold. One of the birds that stays here all winter.

White-throated Sparrow trying to keep warm. Nikon D3s and 70-200 mm VRII with TC-E 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 400 mm f/8, 1/640 sec) (David J Mathre)
White-throated Sparrow trying to keep warm. Nikon D3s and 70-200 mm VRII with TC-E 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 400 mm f/8, 1/640 sec) (David J Mathre)
White-throated Sparrow trying to keep warm. Nikon D3s and 70-200 mm VRII with TC-E 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 400mm f/8, 1/640 sec) (David J Mathre)
White-throated Sparrow trying to keep warm. Nikon D3s and 70-200 mm VRII with TC-E 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 400mm f/8, 1/640 sec) (David J Mathre)

Saturday (06-February-2010) — New Jersey

Backyard Winter Nature in New Jersey: After the Snow Storm.

Afternoon walkabout with a camera after the snow stopped.

Silver Rhino I and IV Covered by Snow. Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4 (ISO 100 f/4, 1/800 sec) (David J Mathre)
Silver Rhino I and IV Covered by Snow. Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4 (ISO 100 f/4, 1/800 sec) (David J Mathre)
Winter in New Jersey (David J Mathre)
Winter in New Jersey (David J Mathre)
White Ram Under Snow in New Jersey. Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4 (ISO 100 f/4, 1/400 sec) (David J Mathre)
White Ram Under Snow in New Jersey. Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4 (ISO 100 f/4, 1/400 sec) (David J Mathre)
Snow in New Jersey. Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4 (ISO 100 f/4, 1/400 sec) (David J Mathre)
Snow in New Jersey. Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4 (ISO 100 f/4, 1/400 sec) (David J Mathre)

Sunday (31-January-2010) — New Jersey

Troll Family Portrait: Helicon Focus

Macro focus stacking study using Helicon Focus. This is a composite of 30 stacked image where the focus was adjusted near to far using Helicon Remote and then combined using Helicon Focus. The images were acquired using a Nikon D3x camera and 5o mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, f/1.4, 1.3 sec) and ambient light.  The distance between nearest and farthest focus point was ~5 inches, and the camera was ~24 inches from the nearest focus point. The Helicon Focus settings used to process the images were mode B, radius 8, smoothing 4. Other settings increased the halo.

Troll Family. Composite of 30 stacked images using Helicon Focus. Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G (ISO 100, f/1.4, 1.3 sec) (David J Mathre)
Troll Family. Composite of 30 stacked images using Helicon Focus. Nikon D3x camera and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, f/1.4, 1.3 sec) (David J Mathre)