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 (06-October-2008) — California

Gone to See America October 2008 Road Trip. Eighth Annual Nikonian Photography Adventure Trip. Day 2: Bodie State Historic Park.

On day 2, our van visited Bodie State Historical Park. Bodie is one of the best preserved old mining ghost towns in California. It is kept in a state of static decay, and is a favorite place for photographers (and has been the location for filming several movies). There were lots, and lots of photographers in addition to our Nikonian group. Prior to visiting Bodie State Park, we were told not to show Nikonian labels and make sure that we leave well before sunset because of problems between one of the State Park Rangers and the group in the Nikonian van the previous day .

Individual images in the slideshow can be viewed here.

[pw_map address=”38.211667, -119.012500″ width=”600px” height=”400px” enablecontrols=”true” “key=”AIzaSyDzSJfuf50JPAE5AllQz8iLyENq3jp1rR”]

Sunday (05-October-2008) — California

Gone to See America October 2008 Road Trip. Eighth Annual Nikonian Photography Adventure Trip. Day 1: Yosemite National Park.

Sunset Panorama of Yosemite Valley from Tunnel View. There were many photographers (in addition to the Nikonian group) lined up at the Tunnel View parking lot to photograph sunset. Many left thinking nothing was going to happen, then all of a sudden sunlight came in from the west under the clouds to light up both sides of the valley with this incredible orange color. I think that the mist down in the valley is smoke from campers cooking dinner.

Sunset Panorama of Yosemite Valley from Tunnel View. Composite of 3 images taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24 mm PC-E lens (ISO 800, f/16, 1/25 sec) (David J Mathre)

Saturday (04-October-2008) — California

Gone to See America October 2008 Road Trip. Yosemite National Park.

Red Headed Woodpecker. As I drove through Yosemite Valley on the way to Curry Village to join the Nikonians group for ANPAT 8, I noticed this Red Headed Woodpecker (Northern Pileated Woodpecker) on a dead tree. I stopped and realized that it was loading acorns into the tree for winter. I didn’t know that these woodpeckers also lived in California.

Red Headed Woodpecker (Northern Pileated Woodpecker). Loading acorns in a dead tree for winter in Yosemite Valley. (David J Mathre) — Red Headed Woodpecker (Northern Pileated Woodpecker). Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/8, 1/640 sec). (David J Mathre)

Friday (01-Aug-2008) — From the Air

Flying Across the United States: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory From 35K Feet.

While flying from Denver, Colorado to Newark, New Jersey I saw the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory out my window. Sometimes it is amazing the images you can get out the window of a commercial jet at 35K feet.

FermiLab From 35K Feet. Flying from Denver, Colorado to Newark, New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D300 and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 62 mm, f/5, 1/2000 sec). (© 2008 David J Mathre)

Wednesday (09-April-2008) — Arizona

Gone to See America 2008. Page Arizona Photography Workshop with Winston Hall. Day 2: Upper Antelope Canyon.

On the second day of the Page Arizona Workshop with Winston Hall we started with a session in Upper Antelope Canyon. The upper and lower portions of Antelope Canyon are narrow slot canyons on the Navajo reservation near Page Arizona. The Upper canyon is all at ground level and thus easier to enter and exit without needing to climb ladders. The downside for photographers is that more people tour the Upper Canyon. We had a great guide that metered the passage of other tourist giving us time to compose and execute our images. The canyons are favorites for photographers because of the constantly changing light and textures. The canyons can be a challenge to photograph because of the wide range of light levels well beyond the capabilities of digital camera sensors. The light was a bit flatter in the Upper Canyon vs. the Lower Canyon yesterday. As such, I didn’t need to use HDR when processing the images.

Antelope Canyon Tours Passenger Truck. Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 18 mm, f/8, 1/500 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre) — Antelope Canyon Tours Passenger Truck. Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 18 mm, f/8, 1/500 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro.

Upper Antelope Canyon Entrance, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 22 mm, f/8, 1/500 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre) — Upper Antelope Canyon Entrance, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 22 mm, f/8, 1/500 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro.

Tumble Weed at the Upper Antelope Canyon Entrance, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 27 mm, f/8, 1/320 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre) — Tumble Weed at the Upper Antelope Canyon Entrance, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 27 mm, f/8, 1/320 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro.

Tumble Weed at the Upper Antelope Canyon Entrance, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 18 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre) — Tumble Weed at the Upper Antelope Canyon Entrance, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 18 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro.

Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 14 mm, f/16, 0.4 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre) — Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 14 mm, f/16, 0.4 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro.

Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 22 mm, f/16, 1.3 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre) — Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 22 mm, f/16, 1.3 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro.

Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 3 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre) — Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 3 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro.

Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 6 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre) — Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 6 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro.

Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 10 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre) — Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 10 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro.

Falling Sand. Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 20 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre) — Falling Sand. Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 20 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro.

Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 14 mm, f/2.8, 0.5 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre) — Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 14 mm, f/2.8, 0.5 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro.

Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 8 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre) — Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 8 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro.

Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 15 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre) — Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 15 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro.

Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 14 mm, f/16, 15 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre) — Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 14 mm, f/16, 15 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro.

Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 14 mm, f/16, 13 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre) — Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 14 mm, f/16, 13 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro.

Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 14 mm, f/16, 8 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre) — Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 14 mm, f/16, 8 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro.

Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 30 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre) — Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 30 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro.