Five-Years Ago (03-February-2014) — Florida

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

Birds and Sunset From Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.


Individual images from the slideshow can be viewed here.

Sunset From Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D3s camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 200, 260 mm, f/16, 1/320 sec). (David J Mathre)
Sunset From Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D3s camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 200, 260 mm, f/16, 1/320 sec). (David J Mathre)

Six-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.

Eleven-Years Ago (03-February-2008) — Colorado

Outdoor Winter Nature in Colorado: Rocky Mountain National Park.

The sky was clear, so drove from Boulder to Rocky Mountain National Park. The roads in the park were open, so I spent another day taking pictures in this great National Park. It is cold, and the river is frozen. I got good use out of my Golden Eagle Pass that year.

Winter, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/11, 1/640 sec) (David J Mathre)
Winter, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/11, 1/640 sec) (David J Mathre)

Saturday (02-February-2019) — New Jersey

Backyard Wintertime Nature in New Jersey.

It has been very cold, and the local critters came out looking for food on this sunny morning. This is the first time that a crow came up onto the deck. It looks like it needs a bath, but all the water is frozen.

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Black Crow looking for food. Image taken with a Nikon D850 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR telephoto lens (ISO 900, 500 mm, f/4, 1/500 sec) (David J Mathre)






Six-Years Ago (02-February-2013) — Norway

Gone to See Norway 2013 Chasing the Northern Lights. Day 5: Hurtigruten MS Nordkapp Norwegian Coastal Voyage Northbound (Trondheim and Rørvik).

On the second full day of the northbound Hurtigruten voyage, the ship only stops in two ports: Trondheim (06:00-12:00) and Rørvik (20:30-21:15). Having six hours in Trondheim allowed us to spend some time to see the city. Our first stop was at Nidaros Cathedral. The exterior of the cathedral is a target rich environment for religious statues and gargoyles. But it was cold outside. The last time I was here in 2007 I said I would love to go back with a perspective control lens to record all sides of the exterior of the cathedral. Well, I didn’t bring that lens along, so had to do with a Nikon 1 V2 camera and an older 180 mm f/2.8 lens. It was cloudy and still relatively dark in the morning, so the images are noisy. The statues can be identified here. After leaving Trondheim, we passed the Kjeungskjær Lighthouse.

Lonely bench in the snow. Trondheim overlook. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V2 camera and 10 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 800, 10 mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)
Lonely bench in the snow. Trondheim overlook. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V2 camera and 10 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 800, 10 mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)



Individual images from the slide show can be viewed here.

Kjeungskjær Lighthouse in Norway on a Cold Windy Rainy Winter Day from the Deck of the Hurtigruten MS Nordkapp. Image taken with a Nikon D800 and 180 mm f/2.8D lens (ISO 400, 180 mm, f/2.8, 1/320 sec).Kjeungskjær Lighthouse (David J Mathre)
Kjeungskjær Lighthouse in Norway on a Cold Windy Rainy Winter Day from the Deck of the Hurtigruten MS Nordkapp. Image taken with a Nikon D800 and 180 mm f/2.8D lens (ISO 400, 180 mm, f/2.8, 1/320 sec).Kjeungskjær Lighthouse (David J Mathre)