Eleven-Years Ago (23-January-2007) — Norway

Gone to See Norway 2007 Family Winter Vacation. Day 3: Bergen then Embarkation on the Northbound Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald Norwegian Coastal Voyage.

The sky was clear and there was new snow on the ground when we woke in Bergen. The locals said that it had been raining for the last 50 days. I think many took the day off to enjoy the sun and snow. The Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald would not be departing until later that night, so we had the day to visit Bergen. As part of our travel package, we had a one day Bergen Card for transportation and various attractions. After spending some time outside around the Bergen harbor and Bergen Fish Market, we took the Fløibarnen Funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen. We also visited the art museum to see some of Edvard Munch’s paintings. Finally, as it started to get dark we made our way to the Hurtigruten terminal. I’ve included a fisheye view of my cabin and the stateroom at the front of the ship. As we learned later in the voyage, rooms near the front (or rear) of the ship move the most in heavy seas. Since then I always try to get a cabin near the middle of a ship for any voyage that may experience heavy seas.

Bergan Harbor Panorama. Composite of 3 images taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 12-24 mm f/4 lens (ISO 800, 24 mm, f/4, 1/15 sec). (David J Mathre)
Bergan Harbor Panorama. Composite of 3 images taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 12-24 mm f/4 lens (ISO 800, 24 mm, f/4, 1/15 sec). (David J Mathre)


Five-Years Ago (09-January-2013) — Florida

Gone to See America. January 2013 Florida Road Trip. Day 7: Merritt Island.

Osprey with a fish for breakfast — scanning the sky for competition between bites. Images taken with a Nikon D3x camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens.

Osprey with a Fish for Breakfast. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 100, 500 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec). (David J Mathre)
Osprey with a Fish for Breakfast. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 100, 500 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec). (David J Mathre)
Osprey with a Fish for Breakfast. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D3x camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 400, 600 mm, f/8, 1/1250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Osprey with a Fish for Breakfast. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D3x camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 400, 600 mm, f/8, 1/1250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Osprey Finishing a Fish for Breakfast. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Image taken with a Nikon D800 and 500 mm f/4 lens (ISO 100, 500 mm, f/4, 1/640 sec) (David J Mathre)
Osprey Finishing a Fish for Breakfast. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Image taken with a Nikon D800 and 500 mm f/4 lens (ISO 100, 500 mm, f/4, 1/640 sec) (David J Mathre)

Five-Years Ago (09-January-2013) — Florida

Gone to See Florida 2013 Road Trip. Day 6: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Osprey with a Fish for Breakfast. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Images taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR lens or Nikon D3x camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens.

Osprey with a Fish for Breakfast. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 100, 500 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec). (David J Mathre)
Osprey with a Fish for Breakfast. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 100, 500 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec). (David J Mathre)
Osprey with a Fish for Breakfast. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D3x camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 400, 600 mm, f/8, 1/1250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Osprey with a Fish for Breakfast. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D3x camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 400, 600 mm, f/8, 1/1250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Osprey Finishing a Fish for Breakfast. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Image taken with a Nikon D800 and 500 mm f/4 lens (ISO 100, 500 mm, f/4, 1/640 sec) (David J Mathre)
Osprey Finishing a Fish for Breakfast. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Image taken with a Nikon D800 and 500 mm f/4 lens (ISO 100, 500 mm, f/4, 1/640 sec) (David J Mathre)

Three-Years Ago (03-January-2015) — Drake Passage

Gone to See Antarctica 2014/2015. Hurtigruten Christmas Voyage. Day 18: At Sea Crossing the Drake Passage.

This was our last full day on the Hurtigruten MS Fram as we proceeded north toward South America. Food and Final Celebration. A long-range view of Cape Horn, an Albatross in flight, and clouds with colors that reminded me of Patagonia.

Hurtigruten MS Fram Brass Bell. Image taken with a Leica T camera and 23 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 23 mm, f/16, 1/125 sec). (David J Mathre)
Hurtigruten MS Fram Brass Bell. Image taken with a Leica T camera and 23 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 23 mm, f/16, 1/125 sec). (David J Mathre)



Monday (25-December-2017) — Florida

Gone to See Florida 2017/2018 Road Trip. Day 5: Urban Garden in St. Petersburg.

This was the first time I have seen a Black & White Warbler. It never stayed in one place very long, so was hard to get an image. Many House Sparrows and an orange butterfly (Gulf Fritillary?). Then some fruit — Bananas still on the tree, a Carambola, Figs, and a green lemon.

Black & White Warbler. Image taken with a Fuji X-T2 camera and 100-400 mm OIS lens (ISO 500, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec) (David J Mathre)
Black & White Warbler. Image taken with a Fuji X-T2 camera and 100-400 mm OIS lens (ISO 500, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec) (David J Mathre)