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.

18-October-2009

Yosemite National Park from 30,000 feet. The view is of Liberty Cap and Nevada Falls, the top of Vernal Falls in bottom right (mostly blocked by Sierra point). I was flying from New Jersey to California on Continental. It was a clear day and the captain announced that we would be able to see Yosemite out the left windows. I was on the right side of the plane. He then announced that he made a mistake and we would be able to see Yosemite Valley from the right side. I quickly got my camera out and was able to take a number of images. This image was taken on 18-October-2009. Nikon D3x, 70-300 mm VR @ 300 mm, ISO 200, f/11, 1/500 sec. Processed with Capture One 5, Photoshop CS5, Focus Magic, Topaz Detail, and converted to jpg with Photoshop CS5 “save for web”. I never expected to get this much detail from an image taken through a commercial airline window.

Monday (31-August-2009) — Alaska

Gone to See North America Road Trip. Day 10: Alaska Marine Highway on the MV Columbia. Haines, Alaska.

The last stop for this route of the Alaska Marine Highway was in Haines Alaska. After driving the RV off the MV Columbia, I checked into a B&B for the night, and then did a walkabout through the town where I came across “The Hammer Museum”.

Hammer Museum, Haines Alaska. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera. (David J. Mathre)

Sunday (30-August-2009) — At Sea

Gone to See North America Road Trip. Day 09: Alaska Marine Highway on the MV Columbia.

We made a short stop in Wrangell, Alaska. Long enough to walk around and see the small town.

Welcome to Wrangell Alaska. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera. (David J. Mathre)

Fishing Net and Floats in Wrangell Alaska. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera. (David J. Mathre)

Saturday (29-August-2009) — At Sea

Gone to See North America Road Trip. Day 08: Alaska Marine Highway on the MV Columbia.

Somewhere in British Columbia, Canada traveling from Bellingham, Washington to Haines, Alaska. The day started out foggy. During the night there was a bit of rain and wind. I felt sorry for the folks living rough on deck, but they seemed to be warm and cheerful once they moved under the covered Solarium. We saw a few Orcas during the day. Later in the afternoon, the sun came out and folks living rough moved their chairs back out on the open deck.

Lone Deck Chair on Misty Morning. Solarium Deck on the MV Columbia Alaska Marine Highway Between Bellingham, Washington and Haines, Alaska. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 50mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 50 mm, f/8, 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre)

Seagull Fishing with an Orca. Viewed from the MV Columbia Alaska Marine Highway between Bellingham, Washington and Haines, Alaska. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 720, 400 mm, f/8, 1/400 sec). (David J. Mathre)

Jonathan and Christine Sleeping in the Afternoon Sun. Solarium Deck on the M/V Columbia Alaska Marine Highway Between Bellingham, Washington and Haines, Alaska. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 50mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 50 mm, f/11, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre) — Jonathan and Christine Sleeping in the Afternoon Sun. Solarium Deck on the MV Columbia Alaska Marine Highway Between Bellingham, Washington and Haines, Alaska. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 50mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 50 mm, f/11, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)

Christine Chimping on the Alaska Marine Highway. Image taken with a Nikon D3x camera and a 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 195 mm, f/8, 1/500 sec). (David J. Mathre)

Silhouette, Shadow, and Sunburst on the MV Columbia Alaska Marine Highway Between Bellingham, Washington and Haines, Alaska -- Queen Charlotte Sound, British Columbia - Canada. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/22, 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre) — Silhouette, Shadow, and Sunburst on the MV Columbia Alaska Marine Highway Between Bellingham, Washington and Haines, Alaska — Queen Charlotte Sound, British Columbia – Canada. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/22, 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre)

Friday (28-August-2009) — Washington

Gone to See North America Road Trip. Day 07: Bellingham, Washington – Alaska Marine Highway on the MV Columbia.

Everyone boarded and we are on our way on the Alaska Marine Highway from Bellingham to Haines. My RV “White Ram” is in the hold, and I have a cabin on one of the upper decks. We had a Coast Guard escort as we left port. I was surprised to see how many folks would be camping out on deck for the trip to Alaska.

Leaving Bellingham to Alaska on the M/V Columbia - Alaska Marine Highway. Image taken with a Nikon D300. (David J. Mathre) — Leaving Bellingham to Alaska on the M/V Columbia – Alaska Marine Highway. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera. (David J. Mathre)

US Coast Guard Escort for the Alaska Marine Highway M/V Columbia leaving Bellingham Washington for Alaska. Image taken with a Nikon D300 and 18-200 VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/7, 1/160 sec). (David J. Mathre) — US Coast Guard Escort for the Alaska Marine Highway MV Columbia leaving Bellingham Washington for Alaska. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/7, 1/160 sec). (David J. Mathre)

"The Other Boleyn Girl" Solarium Deck on the M/V Columbia Alaska Marine Highway. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 1600, 50 mm, f/4, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre) — “The Other Boleyn Girl” Solarium Deck on the MV Columbia Alaska Marine Highway. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 1600, 50 mm, f/4, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)