Monday (05-February-2018) — New Jersey

Backyard Winter Dawn Sky in New Jersey.

There were some brief colors just before sunrise this morning. Composite of eight images taken with a Fuji X-t1 camera and 16 mm f/1.4 lens.

Winter Backyard Dawn Sky in New Jersey. Composite of 8 images taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 16 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 16 mm, f/8, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and the composite generated using AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)
Winter Backyard Dawn Sky in New Jersey. Composite of 8 images taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 16 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 16 mm, f/8, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and the composite generated using AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)



Larger views of images from the slide-show can be viewed here.

Four-Years Ago (05-February-2014) — Florida

Gone to See America. February 2014 Florida Road Trip. Day 5: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Roseate Spoonbills Feeding in a Mangrove Pond. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 400 mm f/2.8 VR lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/4, 1/3200 sec).

Four Roseate Spoonbills Feeding in a Mangrove Pond. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 400 mm f/2.8 VR lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/4, 1/3200 sec). (David J Mathre)
Four Roseate Spoonbills Feeding in a Mangrove Pond. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 400 mm f/2.8 VR lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/4, 1/3200 sec). (David J Mathre)

Five-Years Ago (03-February-2013) — Norway

Gone to See Norway 2013 Chasing the Northern Lights. Day 6: Hurtigruten MS Nordkapp Norwegian Coastal Voyage Northbound (Brønnøysund to Svolvær).

On the third full day of the northbound Hurtigruten voyage, the ship stopped in seven ports: Brønnøysund (00:30-01:00); Sandnessjøen (03:45-04:15); Nesna (05:25-05:30); Ørnes (09:00-09:30); Bodø (12:30-15:00); Stamsund (19:00-19:30); and Svolvær (21:00-22:00).

Early morning short stop in Sandnessjøen. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera. (David J Mathre)
Early morning short stop in Sandnessjøen. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera. (David J Mathre)


The ship crossed the Arctic Circle at 07:20, while it was still dark out. Champagne was served for those up early enough. Baptism for those that were crossing the Arctic Circle for the first time would be celebrated later in the afternoon. At this time of the year, and this far north dawn lasts a long time. The panorama view at dawn shows the unique pink color of the Belt of Venus and blue Earth Shadow below. Conditions have to be right to see these colors.


Arctic Dawn. Composite of 7 images taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/4, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)
Arctic Dawn. Composite of 7 images taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/4, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)


While in Bodø I took the bus tour — the city and out to the Saltstraumen. When conditions are right this has one of the worlds strongest tidal currents causing whirlpools or maelstroms. We weren’t there at the right time, and the weather was deteriorating. The bus driver wanted to make sure we got back to the ship before it left. Watch the time-lapse video, a scary ride in a snowstorm.

Later in the evening, we stopped in Svolvær and went to the world-famous  Magic Ice bar. We entered what looked like a warehouse and were provided with warm coats. Inside the building were ice sculptures reflecting the life of the region and fishermen. Before leaving we were provided a drink in a shot glass made of ice.

Eleven-Years Ago (03-February-2007) — Norway

Gone to See Norway 2007 Family Winter Vacation. Day 14: Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald Norwegian Coastal Voyage Southbound (Ålesund to Bergen).

On the sixth and final day of the southbound Hurtigruten voyage the ship stopped at: Ålesund (00:30 – 01:00); Torvik (02:15 – 02:30); Måloy (05:15 – 05:45); Florø (07:45 – 08:15); and Bergen (14:30). It was a foggy day. At one point the Captain sounded the fog horn to warn a lone fisherman in a small boat. Other than that time to pack up for the trip home.

Fisherman on a foggy morning in a small boat getting out of the way. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 28-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 70 mm, f/6.3, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)
Fisherman on a foggy morning in a small boat getting out of the way. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 28-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 400, 70 mm, f/6.3, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)

Thursday (01-February-2018) — New Jersey

Backyard Winter Dawn Sky in New Jersey.

Somewhat of a repeat post from last Thursday (25-January-2018).

There were some subtle colors in the sky at dawn. I used a Leica T camera with a wide-angle zoom lens (11-23 mm). There is significant distortion when the lens is used at 11 mm. For comparison, the first horizontal image is at 11 mm, and the 2nd image is a composite of 5 vertical images at 18 mm.

Backyard Winter Dawn Sky in New Jersey. Image taken with a Leica T camera and 11-23 mm lens (ISO 200, 11 mm, f/4, 1/40 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre)
Backyard Winter Dawn Sky in New Jersey. Image taken with a Leica T camera and 11-23 mm lens (ISO 200, 11 mm, f/4, 1/40 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre)
Backyard Winter Dawn Sky in New Jersey. Composite of 5 images taken with a Leica T camera and 11-23 mm lens (ISO 200, 18 mm, f/4.2, 1/40 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and the panorama generated using AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)
Backyard Winter Dawn Sky in New Jersey. Composite of 5 images taken with a Leica T camera and 11-23 mm lens (ISO 200, 18 mm, f/4.2, 1/40 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and the panorama generated using AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)



View individual images from the slide-show here.