Travel - David Mathre Photography

Sunday (24-February-2008) — Colorado

Winter in Colorado: Mesa Verde National Park.

On the way from Boulder, Colorado to Kelly Place a B&B just outside of Cortez, Colorado I stopped for a few hours at Mesa Verde National Park. While at Mesa Verde, I met up with my father (Loren) and brother (Erik). We would be spending the next three days attending the Elderhostel/Road Scholar “Photography in the Southwest” workshop.

Winter Panorama while driving in Mesa Verde National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 14-24 f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 22 mm, f/11, 1/500 sec) (David J Mathre) — Winter Panorama while driving in Mesa Verde National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 22 mm, f/11, 1/500 sec) (David J Mathre)

Mesa Verde National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D300 and 18-200 VR lens (ISO 320, 44 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec) (David J Mathre) — Mesa Verde National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 VR lens (ISO 320, 44 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec) (David J Mathre)

Stone Grain Grinding Tool. Mesa Verde National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D300 and 18-200 VR lens (ISO 200, 135 mm, f/11, 1/250 sec) (David J Mathre) — Stone Grain Grinding Tool. Mesa Verde National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 VR lens (ISO 200, 135 mm, f/11, 1/250 sec) (David J Mathre)

Icicles. Mesa Verde National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D300 and 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR lens (ISO 200, 135 mm, f/5, 1/160 sec) (David J Mathre) — Icicles. Mesa Verde National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR lens (ISO 200, 135 mm, f/5, 1/160 sec) (David J Mathre)

Sunday (06-January-2008) — Colorado

Winter in Rocky Mountain National Park.

The main road on the east side of the park was open so I spent the day. It was cold and windy, and a new storm appeared to be building. It has been interesting to watch the seasons in the National Park.

Winter in Rocky Mountain NP. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 17-35 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 17 mm, f/11, 1/125 sec) (David J. Mathre) — Winter in Rocky Mountain NP. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 17-35 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 17 mm, f/11, 1/125 sec) .Winter in Rocky Mountain NP. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 17-35 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 25 mm, f/9, 1/125 sec)

Winter in Rocky Mountain NP. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 17-35 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 25 mm, f/9, 1/125 sec) (David J. Mathre) — Winter in Rocky Mountain NP. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 17-35 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 25 mm, f/9, 1/125 sec)

Friday (28-December-2007) — Florida

Gone to see Florida 2007 Road Trip Day 7: Dawn over Tampa Bay.

I stayed at the Historic Vinoy Hotel in St. Petersburg. This was my last day in Florida, and I took a series of images of the dawn colors over Tampa Bay from my balcony. The Vinoy Hotel is a great place to stay and I want to return.

Colors at Dawn over Tampa Bay from a Vinoy Hotel Balcony in St. Petersburg, Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens.. (David J Mathre) — Colors at Dawn over Tampa Bay from a Vinoy Hotel Balcony in St. Petersburg, Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens. (David J Mathre)

Thursday (27-December-2007) — Florida

Gone to See America. December 2007 Florida Road Trip. Day 6: Birds at Fort De Soto Park.

It is always fun going to Fort De Soto Park. It is located on the southern end of Pinellas county separating Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The park is known for its beaches and is a great location to take bird pictures. The three images for this day include a Great Blue Heron, a White Egret having a cricket for breakfast, and an Osprey building a nest under a full moon.

Great Blue Heron. Image taken with an Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 120 mm, f/8, 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre) — Great Blue Heron. Image taken with an Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 120 mm, f/8, 1/1000 sec).

White Egret having a Cricket for Breakfast. Image taken with an Nikon D300 and 200 mm f/2 VR lens with TC-20 II (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/11, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre) — White Egret having a Cricket for Breakfast. Image taken with an Nikon D300 and 200 mm f/2 VR lens with TC-20 II (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/11, 1/400 sec).

Osprey Landing on Nest under a Nearly Full Moon. Image taken with an Nikon D300 and 200 mm f/2 VR lens with TC-17 II (ISO 200, 340 mm, f/11, 1/340 sec). (David J Mathre)

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Wednesday (26-December-2007) — Florida

Gone to See Florida 2007 Road Trip Day 5: Selby Gardens in Sarasota.

We drove to Sarasota to visit Marie Selby Botanical Gardens to view the Orchid show. The gardens do not allow the use of tripods in the conservatory, but did allow me to use my walking stick as monopod to stabilize the camera while taking pictures. I tried to work quickly so not to block other visitors to the gardens. It was a target rich environment. After visiting the conservatory we spent time wandering around in the outdoor gardens. It was there I got an image of a crab spider having a fly for lunch.

Orchid at Selby Gardens in Sarasota, Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (David J Mathre)

Crab Spider with a Fly for Lunch at Selby Gardens in Sarasota, Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens (David J Mathre)