Tuesday (23-December-2008) — Florida

Gone to See Florida 2008 Road Trip Day 2: Fort De Soto Park.

I drove to Fort De Soto park early in the morning with a goal of photographing the sun rising through the Sunshine Skyway bridge. I then spent a few hours photographing birds at various locations at the park.

Sun rising under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge from Fort De Soto Park. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 200-400 mm f/4 telephoto zoom lens (ISO 800, 200 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
Sun rising under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge from Fort De Soto Park. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 200-400 mm f/4 telephoto zoom lens (ISO 800, 200 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)


Thursday (10-October-2008) — California

Gone to See America October 2008 Road Trip. Eighth Annual Nikonian Photography Adventure Trip. Day 6: Yosemite National Park.

The smallest waterfall in Yosemite Valley is at Fern Spring. It is just off the road and in the shade. Well worth taking the time to visit and photograph.

 (David J Mathre)
Fern Falls in Yosemite Valley. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 42 mm, f/16, 1/2 sec). (David J Mathre)
Yosemite's Smallest Waterfall at Fern Spring. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 70 mm, f/16, 5 sec). (David J Mathre)
Yosemite’s Smallest Waterfall at Fern Spring. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 70 mm, f/16, 5 sec). (David J Mathre)

Thursday (09-October-2008) — California

Gone to See America October 2008 Road Trip. Eighth Annual Nikonian Photography Adventure Trip. Day 5: Yosemite National Park.

Half Dome early morning from Olmsted Point. After spending the night at a run down motel in Lee Vining we were given the OK to return to Yosemite Valley and rejoin the Nikonian group after the 2nd rock slide at Curry Village. We stopped at Olmsted point to view Half Dome from a different perspective. Olmsted point is on highway 120 (Tioga Pass Road). Half Dome is about 5 miles away, but over 30 miles on the highway.

 (David J Mathre)
(David J Mathre)

Tuesday (07-October-2008) — California

Gone to See America October 2008 Road Trip. Eighth Annual Nikonian Photography Adventure Trip. Day 3: Yosemite National Park.

Thistle Flowers in Yosemite Valley. Image taken in the morning on day 3 of our visit in and around Yosemite National Park. How peaceful it was in the morning before the 1st rock slide at Curry Village.

Thistle Flowers in Yosemite Valley. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/22, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)
Thistle Flowers in Yosemite Valley. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/22, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)

Monday (06-October-2008) — California

Gone to See America October 2008 Road Trip. Eighth Annual Nikonian Photography Adventure Trip. Day 2: Bodie State Historic Park.

On day 2, our van visited Bodie State Historical Park. Bodie is one of the best preserved old mining ghost towns in California. It is kept in a state of static decay, and is a favorite place for photographers (and has been the location for filming several movies). There were lots, and lots of photographers in addition to our Nikonian group. Prior to visiting Bodie State Park, we were told not to show Nikonian labels and make sure that we leave well before sunset because of problems between one of the State Park Rangers and the group in the Nikonian van the previous day .


Individual images in the slideshow can be viewed here.