Nature - David Mathre Photography

Thursday (18-July-2013) — New Jersey

Backyard Summertime Nature in New Jersey.

Back Side of Sycamore Leaves in Early Morning Light. Image taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 160, 600 mm, f/4, 1/500 sec).

Back Side of Sycamore Leaves in Early Morning Light. Image taken with a Nikon D800 and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 160, 600 mm, f/4, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre) — Back Side of Sycamore Leaves in Early Morning Light. Image taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 160, 600 mm, f/4, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)

Wednesday (17-July-2013) — New Jersey

Summertime Nature in New Jersey. Sourland Mountain Preserve.

Pair of Yellow Swallowtail Butterflies Near the Pond at Sourland Mountain Preserve in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 180, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec).

In previous years I have seen these butterflies congregate near this pond in areas with wet mud. Another time, they were on a dead ground-hog. I wonder if they are looking for a source of salt?

Pair of Yellow Swallowtail Butterflies Near the Pond at Sourland Mountain Preserve in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D4 and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 180, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)

Monday (08-July-2013) — New Jersey

Summertime Nature in New Jersey. Sourland Mountain Preserve.

Bumble Bee Working a Thistle Bloom in the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 160, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec).

Bumble Bee Working a Thistle Bloom in the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D4 and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 160, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre) — Bumble Bee Working a Thistle Bloom in the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 160, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)

Sunday (30-June-2013) — New Jersey

Backyard Nighttime Nature in New Jersey. Firefly Trails.

Between thunderstorms I have been experimenting on the best way to photograph fireflies. I want to capture both the number and movement of the fireflies. I set out three cameras to take a series of 30 second images. The images were then combined into a composite using the startrails.exe program. For these three composites I used relatively high ISO’s and narrow apertures to get a wider depth of field. C&C appreciated.

The bad news that I heard today is that the Sirius/XM Book Radio channel is going away as of 15-July-2013. The Book channel is about the only reasons I have kept up my subscription to Sirius/XM. I have the Book channel on 24/7 both at home and in my car. My long distance drives will not be the same when lost listening to a story.

Two hours of Fireflies Flashes During a Summer Night in New Jersey. Images collected using a Nikon D3s and 200 mm f/2 VR lens (ISO 6400, 200 mm, f/11, 30 sec). Composite of 238 images created using the Startrails program. (David J Mathre)

Two hours of Fireflies Flashes During a Summer Night in New Jersey. Images collected using a Nikon D800 and 105 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 3200, 105 mm, f/1, 30 sec). Composite of 225 images created using the Startrails program. (David J Mathre) — Two hours of Fireflies Flashes During a Summer Night in New Jersey. Images collected using a Nikon D800 and 105 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 3200, 105 mm, f/11, 30 sec). Composite of 225 images created using the Startrails program. (David J Mathre)

Two hours of Fireflies Flashes During a Summer Night in New Jersey. Images collected using a Nikon D3 and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 1600, 35 mm, f/8, 30 sec). Composite of 211 images created using the Startrails program. (David J Mathre)

One-Year Ago (21-June-2012) — New Jersey

Backyard Summertime Nature in New Jersey.

Three Young Wild Turkeys Grazing in My Backyard. Image taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 800, 500 mm, f/4, 1/250 sec).

Young Wild Turkeys. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D800 and 500 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 800, 500 mm, f/4, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre) — Young Wild Turkeys. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 800, 500 mm, f/4, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)