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.

Saturday (19-January-2008) — New Jersey

Winter Nature in New Jersey.

Great Blue Heron and a pair of Mallard Ducks in the pond at the nearby Sourland Mountain Preserve. I guess they decided to spend the winter here rather than in Florida.  Some years this pond freezes over.

Great Blue Heron and Mallards. Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 800, 400 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec) (David J Mathre)
Great Blue Heron and Mallards. Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D300 and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 800, 400 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec)

Sunday (06-January-2008) — Colorado

Winter in Rocky Mountain National Park.

The main road on the east side of the park was open so I spent the day. It was cold and windy, and a new storm appeared to be building. It has been interesting to watch the seasons in the National Park.

Winter in Rocky Mountain NP. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 17-35 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 17 mm, f/11, 1/125 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Winter in Rocky Mountain NP. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 17-35 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 17 mm, f/11, 1/125 sec) .Winter in Rocky Mountain NP. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 17-35 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 25 mm, f/9, 1/125 sec)
Winter in Rocky Mountain NP. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 17-35 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 25 mm, f/9, 1/125 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Winter in Rocky Mountain NP. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 17-35 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 25 mm, f/9, 1/125 sec)
Winter in Rocky Mountain NP. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 17-35 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 17 mm, f/11, 1/125 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Winter in Rocky Mountain NP. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 17-35 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 17 mm, f/11, 1/125 sec)

Sunday (30-December-2007) — New Jersey

Currency & Stamps: Micro-print.

One method I use to test the resolution of cameras and lenses is to see well the combinations perform. The US $50 bill has “The United States of America” printed using very small letters. A copy machine would have difficulty resolving something this small.

Camera & Lens Testing. United States of America micro-print on a US $50 bill. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 200 mm f/2 lens with a TC-E II 2x teleconverter (ISO 200, 400 m, f/4, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Camera & Lens Testing. United States of America micro-print on a US $50 bill. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 200 mm f/2 lens with a TC-E II 2x teleconverter (ISO 200, 400 m, f/4, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Camera & Lens Testing. United States of America micro-print on a US $50 bill. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 200 mm f/2 lens with a TC-E II 2x teleconverter (ISO 200, 400 m, f/4, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Camera & Lens Testing. United States of America micro-print on a US $50 bill. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 200 mm f/2 lens with a TC-E II 2x teleconverter (ISO 200, 400 m, f/4, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)

Friday (28-December-2007) — Florida

Gone to see Florida 2007 Road Trip Day 7: Dawn over Tampa Bay.

I stayed at the Historic Vinoy Hotel in St. Petersburg. This was my last day in Florida, and I took a series of images of the dawn colors over Tampa Bay from my balcony. The Vinoy Hotel is a great place to stay and I want to return.

Colors at Dawn over Tampa Bay from a Vinoy Hotel Balcony in St. Petersburg, Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens.. (David J Mathre)
Colors at Dawn over Tampa Bay from a Vinoy Hotel Balcony in St. Petersburg, Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens. (David J Mathre)