Category: Skyscape

Views of the sky. Sunrise, sunset, clouds, and weather

Tuesday (13-February-2018) — New Jersey

Backyard Winter Nature in New Jersey.

The Turkey Vultures keep getting closer. There were nearly 40 in my neighbor’s yard and trees before I went out to take some pictures.

Two Turkey Vultures in the Late Afternoon Sun. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 80-400 mm VRII telephoto zoom lens (ISO 280, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
Two Turkey Vultures in the Late Afternoon Sun. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 80-400 mm VRII telephoto zoom lens (ISO 280, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
Turkey Vulture in the Late Afternoon Sun. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 80-400 mm VRII telephoto zoom lens (ISO 280, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
Turkey Vulture in the Late Afternoon Sun. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 80-400 mm VRII telephoto zoom lens (ISO 280, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)

Thursday (08-February-2018) — New Jersey

Backyard Winter Dawn Sky over New Jersey.

Backyard winter dawn panorama with the last quarter moon. Composite of 10 images taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 16 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 16 mm, f/8, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)
Backyard winter dawn panorama with the last quarter moon. Composite of 10 images taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 16 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 16 mm, f/8, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)

Monday (05-February-2018) — New Jersey

Backyard Winter Dawn Sky in New Jersey.

There were some brief colors just before sunrise this morning. Composite of eight images taken with a Fuji X-t1 camera and 16 mm f/1.4 lens.

Winter Backyard Dawn Sky in New Jersey. Composite of 8 images taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 16 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 16 mm, f/8, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and the composite generated using AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)
Winter Backyard Dawn Sky in New Jersey. Composite of 8 images taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 16 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 16 mm, f/8, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and the composite generated using AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)



Larger views of images from the slide-show can be viewed here.

Four-Years Ago (04-February-2014) — Florida

Gone to See America. February 2014 Florida Road Trip. Day 3: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Three White Pelicans in Flight. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D3s camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec).

Three White Pelicans in Flight. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D3s camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre)
Three White Pelicans in Flight. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D3s camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre)

Five-Years Ago (03-February-2013) — Norway

Gone to See Norway 2013 Chasing the Northern Lights. Day 6: Hurtigruten MS Nordkapp Norwegian Coastal Voyage Northbound (Brønnøysund to Svolvær).

On the third full day of the northbound Hurtigruten voyage, the ship stopped in seven ports: Brønnøysund (00:30-01:00); Sandnessjøen (03:45-04:15); Nesna (05:25-05:30); Ørnes (09:00-09:30); Bodø (12:30-15:00); Stamsund (19:00-19:30); and Svolvær (21:00-22:00).

Early morning short stop in Sandnessjøen. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera. (David J Mathre)
Early morning short stop in Sandnessjøen. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera. (David J Mathre)


The ship crossed the Arctic Circle at 07:20, while it was still dark out. Champagne was served for those up early enough. Baptism for those that were crossing the Arctic Circle for the first time would be celebrated later in the afternoon. At this time of the year, and this far north dawn lasts a long time. The panorama view at dawn shows the unique pink color of the Belt of Venus and blue Earth Shadow below. Conditions have to be right to see these colors.


Arctic Dawn. Composite of 7 images taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/4, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)
Arctic Dawn. Composite of 7 images taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/4, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)


While in Bodø I took the bus tour — the city and out to the Saltstraumen. When conditions are right this has one of the worlds strongest tidal currents causing whirlpools or maelstroms. We weren’t there at the right time, and the weather was deteriorating. The bus driver wanted to make sure we got back to the ship before it left. Watch the time-lapse video, a scary ride in a snowstorm.

Later in the evening, we stopped in Svolvær and went to the world-famous  Magic Ice bar. We entered what looked like a warehouse and were provided with warm coats. Inside the building were ice sculptures reflecting the life of the region and fishermen. Before leaving we were provided a drink in a shot glass made of ice.