Travel - David Mathre Photography

Saturday (27-December-2008) — Florida

Gone to See Florida 2008 Road Trip Day 6: Birds and Reptiles at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

This was the first time that I visited Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. It is right next to (and is part of the John F. Kennedy Space Center). The wildlife viewing road can be closed during launches. Black Point Wildlife Drive is a target rich environment for viewing Florida wildlife. I have included a few images of birds (White Ibis, White Egret, Anhanga) and alligators. There was also a viewing station with telescopes set up to see a pair of American Bald Eagles building a nest.

White Ibis Fishing at Merritt Island National Wildlife Reserve. Image taken with an Nikon D3x and 300 mm f/2.8 VR lens (ISO 100, 300 mm, f/8, 1/320 sec). (David J Mathre) — White Ibis Fishing at Merritt Island National Wildlife Reserve. Image taken with an Nikon D3x and 300 mm f/2.8 VR lens (ISO 100, 300 mm, f/8, 1/320 sec). White Egret Fishing at Merritt Island National Wildlife Reserve. Image taken with an Nikon D3x and 300 mm f/2.8 VR lens (ISO 100, 300 mm, f/8, 1/320 sec).

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Friday (26-December-2008) — Florida

Gone to See Florida 2008 Road Trip Day 5: Pair of Great Blue Heron Dancing.

Back again at Fort De Soto Park. This is a great birding location. I saw these two Great Blue Herons dancing just off a small mangrove island. Another example where the high-resolution of the D3x camera proved useful for wildlife images. The camera is not just for studio applications.

Great Blue Heron Dancing in the Morning Sun. Image taken with an Nikon D3x and 300 mm f/2.8 lens with 1.4 II TC (ISO 200, 420 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre)

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Thursday (25-December-2008) — Florida

Gone to See Florida 2008 Road Trip Day 4: St. Petersburg Pier Holiday Lighting from the Vinoy Hotel.

I was staying a the Vinoy Hotel and had a window/balcony that looked out over Tampa bay. Over the holidays, the St. Petersburg Pier, which looks like an inverted pyramid is lit up with colored lights that change every few minutes. I am really liking the resolution with the new Nikon D3x camera.

St. Petersburg Pier at Night from the Vinoy Hotel. Image taken with an Nikon D3x and 200 f/2 lens (ISO 100, f/11, 10 sec). (David J Mathre)

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Wednesday (24-December-2008) — Florida

Gone to See Florida 2008 Road Trip Day 3: St. Petersburg Pier.

Daytime and a series of nighttime views of the St. Petersburg Pier illuminated by holiday lights.

St. Petersburg Pier. Daytime view from a balcony at the Historic Vinoy Hotel. Image taken with a Nikon D3x camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 250, 210 mm, f/8, 1/60 sec) (David J Mathre)

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)