Nature - David Mathre Photography

Monday (26-September-2011) — New Jersey

Backyard Autumn Nature in New Jersey.

This young doe that only recently lost her spots looks hungry. Her ribs are showing, not a good sign as we move into Autumn and then Winter.

Young Doe After Losing Her Spots. Image Taken with a Nikon D700 and 28-300 mm VR lens (ISO 500, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre) — Young Doe After Losing Her Spots. Image Taken with a Nikon D700 camera and 28-300 mm VR lens (ISO 500, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)

One-Year Ago (25-September-2010) — California

Gone to See California: Point Reyes National Seashore.

I drove out to Point Reyes National Seashore to photograph the Lighthouse. I’ve tried to photograph this lighthouse on several previous occasions, but it was always shrouded in fog. I got there early in the morning, and this time it was very clear. In one image, the moon is above the lighthouse. Remembering my mentor Winston Hall telling us to always look behind you for a better picture, I turned around and saw this buck on a ridge in the early morning sunlight.

Moon over Point Reyes Lighthouse. Point Reyes National Seashore. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/11, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre) — Moon over Point Reyes Lighthouse. Point Reyes National Seashore. Image taken with a Nikon D3s camera and 24 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/11, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)

Morning Light at Point Reyes Lighthouse. Point Reyes National Seashore. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 180 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 180 mm, f/4, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre) — Morning Light at Point Reyes Lighthouse. Point Reyes National Seashore. Image taken with a Nikon D3x camera and 180 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 180 mm, f/4, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)

Early Morning Buck on a Ridge at Point Reyes National Seashore. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 180 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 180 mm, f/2.8, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre) — Early Morning Buck on a Ridge at Point Reyes National Seashore. Image taken with a Nikon D3x camera and 180 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 180 mm, f/2.8, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)

Four-Years Ago (25-September-2007) — Wyoming

Gone to See America 2007 Road Trip. Nikonians ANPAT 7 Day 4: Yellowstone National Park.

Upon arrival in Jackson, the ANPAT participants were split into four groups, each with their own van (with a volunteer driver and navigator). Each van had ~8 photographers fully loaded with gear. The space in the van was tight, and I felt like I was sitting in a narrow commuter jet. The vans had schedules to go to different locations so as not to get in each other’s way… Our van did a lot of Bison hunting while traveling through Yellowstone National Park. The first image of one of our Bison hunters, and the second a shy Bison trying to hide behind some grass.

Morning Bison Hunter. Yellowstone National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D2Xs and 200 f/2 VR lens (ISO 400, 200 mm, f/2, 1/180 sec). (David J Mathre) — Morning Bison Hunter. Yellowstone National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D2Xs camera and 200 f/2 VR lens (ISO 400, 200 mm, f/2, 1/180 sec). (David J Mathre)

Shy Bison Hiding Behind Grass. Yellowstone National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D2Xs and 200 f/2 VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/2, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre) — Shy Bison Hiding Behind Grass. Yellowstone National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D2Xs camera and 200 f/2 VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/2, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)

Four-Years Ago (24-September-2007) — Wyoming

Gone to See America 2007 Road Trip. Nikonians ANPAT 7 Day 3: Yellowstone National Park.

Elk and Bison. This was my first experience with a Nikonian ANPAT trip. I found out about Nikonians online after I got my first Nikon D200 camera while looking for information how take better pictures. It should be noted that they are not funded by Nikon, but rather is an organization of Nikon camera enthusiasts. Even though ANPAT trips are often sold out within days of being announced, there was a late cancelation in 2007 and I was able to sign up at the last minute. At the time I was working part time in Boulder, Colorado. It was an easy drive to Jackson, Wyoming to meet up with the group. This was not a workshop, but rather a get together of Nikon camera enthusiasts interested in travel, wildlife, and landscape photography. I learned a lot during the trip, met some great people, and it really became the turning point for deciding to learn more and become a better photographer. Subsequently, I’ve attended several photography workshops and ANPAT trips.

Elk Passing Gas. Yellowstone National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D2Xs and 200-400 f/4 VR lens (ISO 100, 200 mm, f/4, 1/125 sec). (David J Mathre) — Elk Passing Gas. Yellowstone National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D2Xs camera and 200-400 f/4 VR lens (ISO 100, 200 mm, f/4, 1/125 sec). (David J Mathre)

Bison Resting. Yellowstone National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D2Xs and 200-400 f/4 VR lens (ISO 100, 290 mm, f/5.6, 1/20 sec). (David J Mathre) — Bison Resting. Yellowstone National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D2Xs camera and 200-400 f/4 VR lens (ISO 100, 290 mm, f/5.6, 1/20 sec). (David J Mathre)

It has been a few days since I have posted anything. I’ve been very busy at work since getting back from San Francisco, it has also been raining for the last several days and predicted to rain for the next several days (more local flooding) and not many opportunities for new images other than some mushrooms :-). We also have also moved the site for this photoblog to a new server (Thanks Hans). Regarding the move, let me know if you have any issues accessing the site and images.

Monday (19-September-2011) — New Jersey

Backyard Late Summertime Nature in New Jersey.

I found this Tree Fungus/Mushroom on a fallen Birch tree while walking through my backyard. This was one of the trees that came down when the power company cleared the lines following a wind storm in March 2010 that is slowly decomposing. Not surprising the decomposition has accelerated with all of the rain we have had recently.

Tree Mushroom/Fungus on Fallen Birch Tree. Image taken with a Nikon D700 and 28-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 56 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec) and SB-900 flash. (David J Mathre) — Tree Mushroom/Fungus on Fallen Birch Tree. Image taken with a Nikon D700 camera and 28-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 56 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec) and SB-900 flash. (David J Mathre)