Three-Years Ago (12-February-2014) — Florida

Gone to See America. February 2014 Florida Road Trip. Day 12: Big Cypress National Preserve.

Silhouette of a Kingfisher with its Beak Open Making a Call at Dusk. Big Cypress Swamp in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500 sec). Image converted to B&W with Capture One Pro 7.

Silhouette of a Kingfisher with its Beak Open Making a Call at Dusk. Big Cypress Swamp in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500 sec). Image converted to B&W with Capture One Pro 7. (David J Mathre)
Silhouette of a Kingfisher with its Beak Open Making a Call at Dusk. Big Cypress Swamp in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500 sec). Image converted to B&W with Capture One Pro 7. (David J Mathre)

Four-Years Ago (11-February-2013) — Norway

Gone to See Norway 2013. Chasing the Northern Lights. Day 14: Tromsø.

Wintertime walkabout in Tromsø, Norway. Part 2: Ships and boats. With its long coastline, Norway is a nautical seafaring nation. I arrived in Tromsø on the MS Nordkapp, a Hurtigruten line ship three days earlier and would leave on a different Hurtigruten ship. On this day there were fishing trawlers, combination passenger ferry/Ro-Ro (roll on, roll off) cargo ships, and a fire/rescue boat named the Wanny Woldstad. Later in the day, the Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald stopped in Tromsø. I had been on that ship the winter of 2007. On the way back to the hotel, we watched a combination passenger ferry/Ro-Ro cargo ship be winched out of the water to into a dry dock shipyard.

Haugagut H-50-AV fishing trawler docked in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W). (David J Mathre)
Haugagut H-50-AV fishing trawler docked in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W). (David J Mathre)
Kamaro fishing trawler docked in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/200 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W). (David J Mathre)
Kamaro fishing trawler docked in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/200 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W). (David J Mathre)
Vensøy -- passenger/Ro-Ro cargo ship docked in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W). (David J Mathre)
Vensøy — passenger/Ro-Ro cargo ship docked in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W). (David J Mathre)
Lenvik fishing trawler docked in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W). (David J Mathre)
Lenvik fishing trawler docked in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W). (David J Mathre)
Wanny Woldstad -- Tromsø fire and rescue boat. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/80 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W). (David J Mathre)
Wanny Woldstad — Tromsø fire and rescue boat. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/80 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W). (David J Mathre)
Hurtigruten line MS Kong Harald docked in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/25 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W and one color). (David J Mathre)
Hurtigruten line MS Kong Harald docked in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/25 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W and one color). (David J Mathre)
Stallovarre -- passenger/Ro-Ro cargo ship being winched into a dry dock in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/50 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W). (David J Mathre)
Stallovarre — passenger/Ro-Ro cargo ship being winched into a dry dock in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/50 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W). (David J Mathre)
Aft rudder and screw on the Stallovarre. A passenger/Ro-Ro cargo ship being winched into a dry dock in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/50 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W). (David J Mathre)
Aft rudder and screw on the Stallovarre. A passenger/Ro-Ro cargo ship being winched into a dry dock in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/50 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W). (David J Mathre)

Four-Years Ago (11-February-2013) — Norway

Gone to See Norway 2013. Chasing the Northern Lights. Day 14: Tromsø.

Wintertime walkabout in Tromsø, Norway. Part 1: Random sights and graffiti in B&W. Images taken with a Leica X2 camera.

Roald Amundsen statue in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5, 1/250 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W). (David J Mathre)
Roald Amundsen statue in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5, 1/250 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W). (David J Mathre)
Lonely snow covered bench in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5, 1/320 sec). (David J Mathre)
Lonely snow covered bench in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5, 1/320 sec). (David J Mathre)
Graffitti in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/80 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W). (David J Mathre)
Graffiti in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/80 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W). (David J Mathre)
Shadow photographer capturing graffitti in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W). (David J Mathre)
Shadow photographer capturing graffiti in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W). (David J Mathre)
Shadow photographer fishing in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W). (David J Mathre)
Shadow photographer fishing in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W). (David J Mathre)
Shadow photographer fishing in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W). (David J Mathre)
Shadow photographer fishing in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W). (David J Mathre)
Fish graffitti in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/100 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W). (David J Mathre)
Fish graffiti in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/100 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W). (David J Mathre)

Four-Years Ago (11-February-2013) — Norway

Gone to See Norway 2013. Chasing the Northern Lights. Day 14: Tromsø.

Wintertime walkabout in Tromsø, Norway. Part 3: A wide Panorama, the Tromsø bridge, “Life is Beautiful”, and the winter sun close to the horizon at 1:20 PM (13:20). We were looking forward to it getting dark so we could go out to see if the Northern Lights would show up again.

Winter Panorama of Tromsø. Composite of thirteen images taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and the composite panorama generated using Auto Pano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)
Winter Panorama of Tromsø. Composite of thirteen images taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and the composite panorama generated using Auto Pano Giga Pro. I have printed this as a 65″ wide x 10″ high panorama. (David J Mathre)
"Life is Beautiful" painted in pink on a wall in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5, 1/50 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (David J Mathre)
“Life is Beautiful” painted in pink on a wall in Tromsø, Norway. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5, 1/50 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (David J Mathre)
Tromsø, Norway bridge and reflection. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/100 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W). (David J Mathre)
Tromsø, Norway bridge and reflection. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/100 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro (including conversion to B&W). (David J Mathre)
The sun doesn't rise very high above the horizon in Tromsø, Norway during the winter. This picture was taken at 1:20 PM (13:20). Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/16, 1/1000 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Photoshop CC, and Google/NIK Colorefex Pro. (David J Mathre)
The sun doesn’t rise very high above the horizon in Tromsø, Norway during the winter. This picture was taken at 1:20 PM (13:20). Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/16, 1/1000 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Photoshop CC, and Google/NIK Color Efex Pro. (David J Mathre)

Three-Years Ago (10-February-2014) — Florida

Gone to See Florida 2014 Road Trip. Day 9: Big Cypress Swamp.

While staying at Clyde Butcher’s Swamp Bungalow, I went for a “Swamp Walk” in the Big Cypress Swamp with Kristen and Angela. Before the trip, I got a pair of waders from Cabela’s. Not really sure what I was getting into, I only took a walking stick/monopod and my trusty Leica X2 travel camera. It was a lot of fun — and we didn’t see any alligators or water moccasin snakes. Just the week before, one of the invasive 15+ foot Burmese pythons was caught nearby.

Follow the leader into the jungle. Swamp walk with Kristen and Angela in the Everglades behind Clyde Butcher's Big Cypress Gallery. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/3.5, 1/80 sec). (David J Mathre)
Follow the leader into the jungle. Swamp walk with Kristen and Angela in the Everglades behind Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/3.5, 1/80 sec). (David J Mathre)
Time to get your feet wet. Swamp walk with Kristen and Angela in the Everglades behind Clyde Butcher's Big Cypress Gallery. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/3.5, 1/80 sec). (David J Mathre)
Time to get your feet wet. Swamp walk with Kristen and Angela in the Everglades behind Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/3.5, 1/80 sec). (David J Mathre)
Swamp walk with Kristen and Angela in the Everglades behind Clyde Butcher's Big Cypress Gallery. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/4.5, 1/100 sec). (David J Mathre)
Swamp walk with Kristen and Angela in the Everglades behind Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/4.5, 1/100 sec). (David J Mathre)
Swamp walk with Kristen and Angela in the Everglades behind Clyde Butcher's Big Cypress Gallery. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/4.5, 1/125 sec). (David J Mathre)
Swamp walk with Kristen and Angela in the Everglades behind Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/4.5, 1/125 sec). (David J Mathre)
Swamp walk with Kristen and Angela in the Everglades behind Clyde Butcher's Big Cypress Gallery. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/4, 1/80 sec). (David J Mathre)
Swamp walk with Kristen and Angela in the Everglades behind Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/4, 1/80 sec). (David J Mathre)
Feet are now wet. Swamp walk with Kristen and Angela in the Everglades behind Clyde Butcher's Big Cypress Gallery. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/3.5, 1/50 sec). (David J Mathre)
Feet are now wet. Swamp walk with Kristen and Angela in the Everglades behind Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/3.5, 1/50 sec). (David J Mathre)
Swamp walk with Kristen and Angela in the Everglades behind Clyde Butcher's Big Cypress Gallery. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/4.5, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)
Swamp walk with Kristen and Angela in the Everglades behind Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/4.5, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)
Swamp walk with Kristen and Angela in the Everglades behind Clyde Butcher's Big Cypress Gallery. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)
Swamp walk with Kristen and Angela in the Everglades behind Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)
Swamp walk with Kristen and Angela in the Everglades behind Clyde Butcher's Big Cypress Gallery. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
Swamp walk with Kristen and Angela in the Everglades behind Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
Just about out of the jungle. Swamp walk with Kristen and Angela in the Everglades behind Clyde Butcher's Big Cypress Gallery. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/4, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)
Just about out of the jungle. Swamp walk with Kristen and Angela in the Everglades behind Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/4, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)
Just about out of the jungle. Swamp walk with Kristen and Angela in the Everglades behind Clyde Butcher's Big Cypress Gallery. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/4, 1/100 sec). (David J Mathre)
Just about out of the jungle. Swamp walk with Kristen and Angela in the Everglades behind Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/4, 1/100 sec). (David J Mathre)