Friday (28-August-2009) — Washington

Gone to See North America Road Trip. Day 07: Bellingham, Washington – Alaska Marine Highway on the MV Columbia.

Everyone boarded and we are on our way on the Alaska Marine Highway from Bellingham to Haines. My RV “White Ram” is in the hold, and I have a cabin on one of the upper decks. We had a Coast Guard escort as we left port. I was surprised to see how many folks would be camping out on deck for the trip to Alaska.

Leaving Bellingham to Alaska on the M/V Columbia - Alaska Marine Highway. Image taken with a Nikon D300. (David J. Mathre)
Leaving Bellingham to Alaska on the M/V Columbia – Alaska Marine Highway. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera. (David J. Mathre)
US Coast Guard Escort for the Alaska Marine Highway M/V Columbia leaving Bellingham Washington for Alaska. Image taken with a Nikon D300 and 18-200 VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/7, 1/160 sec). (David J. Mathre)
US Coast Guard Escort for the Alaska Marine Highway MV Columbia leaving Bellingham Washington for Alaska. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/7, 1/160 sec). (David J. Mathre)
US Coast Guard Escort for the Alaska Marine Highway M/V Columbia leaving Bellingham Washington for Alaska. Image taken with a Nikon D300 and 18-200 VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/7, 1/160 sec). (David J. Mathre)
US Coast Guard Escort for the Alaska Marine Highway MV Columbia leaving Bellingham Washington for Alaska. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/7, 1/160 sec). (David J. Mathre)
"The Other Boleyn Girl" Solarium Deck on the M/V Columbia Alaska Marine Highway. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 1600, 50 mm, f/4, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)
“The Other Boleyn Girl” Solarium Deck on the MV Columbia Alaska Marine Highway. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 50 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 1600, 50 mm, f/4, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)

 

Wednesday (11-May-2009) –Utah

Gone to See America 2009 Road Trip. Day 4: Crystal Geyser in Green River Utah.

Before leaving Green River for Cedar City, I made a stop at the nearby Crystal Geyser. The cold geyser is near an abandoned Air Force missile testing facility, and is right next to the Green River. The geyser is now accessible via a dirt road on Bureau of Land Management land. I was fortunate to arrive this time when the geyser erupted. The geyser is unique in that the water is cold, and powered by carbon dioxide — not heat. The geyser is the result of drilling for gas (petroleum) many years ago. When the place was under Air Force control, the geyser was off-limits for visits.  The eruptions are irregular, and you need to be lucky or very patient to see an eruption happen. In this image there is someone meditating while the eruption occurred.  The water coming out of the geyser rises over 20 feet in the air — and unlike Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park, the water from Crystal Geyser is cold to the touch. The water is mineral rich, and deposits building the crystalline Travertine terrace as the water flows to the river.

Meditation at Crystal Geyser outside of Green River, Utah. Image taken with a Nikon D300 and 35 mm f/2D lens (ISO 200, 35 mm, f/10, 1/400 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Meditation at Crystal Geyser outside of Green River, Utah. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 35 mm f/2D lens (ISO 200, 35 mm, f/10, 1/400 sec). (David J. Mathre)

Saturday (29-November-2008) — New Jersey

The Caretaker” A Henning Hand Carved Norwegian Troll.

One of the many trolls that takes care of my house. I never know where I will find him, typically avoiding doing any work. You can find more of his friends at the Henning site in Norway.

The Caretaker, Henning Hand Carved Norwegian Troll. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 200 mm f/4 macro (ISO 200, f/11, 1/60 sec, flash). (David J Mathre)
The Caretaker, Henning Hand Carved Norwegian Troll. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 200 mm f/4 macro lens (ISO 200, f/11, 1/60 sec, flash).

Tuesday (08-April-2008) — Arizona

Gone to See America 2008. Page Arizona Photography Workshop with Winston Hall. Day 1: Lower Antelope Canyon.

On the first day of the Page Arizona Workshop with Winston Hall we started with a session in Lower Antelope Canyon. The upper and lower portions of Antelope Canyon are narrow slot canyons on the Navajo reservation near Page Arizona. The canyons are favorites for photographers because of the constantly changing light and textures. The canyons can be a challenge to photograph because of the wide range of light levels well beyond the capabilities of digital camera sensors. Several of the following images are HDR composites of 5 images (over and under exposed) processed using Photomatix Pro.

Entrance to Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D300 and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 18 mm, f/11, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
Entrance to Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D300 and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 18 mm, f/11, 1/500 sec).
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 2.5 to 15 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro. (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 2.5 to 15 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro.
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 1.6-8 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro. (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 1.6-8 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro.
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 1.3 sec). (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 1.3 sec).
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/11, 0.4-2.5 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro. (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/11, 0.4-2.5 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro.
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 2-13 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro. (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 2-13 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro.
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 0.5-3 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro. (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 0.5-3 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro.
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/22, 2-6 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro. (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/22, 2-6 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro.
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 0.5-3 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro. (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 0.5-3 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro.
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 0.8-5 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro. (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 0.8-5 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro.
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 0.33-2 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro. (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 0.33-2 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro.
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 0.5 sec). (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 0.5 sec).
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 0.6-4 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro. (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 0.6-4 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro.
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 0.25-1.6 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro. (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 0.25-1.6 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro.
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 0.6 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro. 4 (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 0.6 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro. 4
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 0.6-4 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro. (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 0.6-4 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro.
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/22, 0.4-2.5 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro (detail enhanser) (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/22, 0.4-2.5 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro (detail enhanser)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/22, 0.4-2.5 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro (tone compressor) (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/22, 0.4-2.5 sec). HDR composite of 5 images using Photomatix Pro (tone compressor)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 1-15 sec). HDR composite of 7 images using Photomatix Pro. (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 1-15 sec). HDR composite of 7 images using Photomatix Pro.

Saturday (02-February-2008) — Colorado

Outdoor Winter Nature in Colorado: Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park.

During a winter visit to Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, I observed these two folks out in the middle of the frozen lake. What do you think that they are doing? To give you a hint, they are not ice fishing, but it does have to do with fish under a frozen lake. Please reply if you think you know what they were doing.

Winter Under Ice Dissolved Oxygen Level Measurement at Lilly Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 70 mm, f/11, 1/125 sec) (David J Mathre)
Winter at Lily Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 70 mm, f/11, 1/125 sec) (David J Mathre)
Winter Under Ice Dissolved Oxygen Level Measurement at Lilly Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Image taken with a Nikon D300 and 300 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/8, 1/500 sec) (David J Mathre)
Winter at Lily Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Image taken with a Nikon D300 and 300 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/8, 1/500 sec) (David J Mathre)