Wednesday (24-February-2010) — California

Photography Workshop “Yosemite in Winter: A Season of Contrast” with Michael Mariant. Day 0: Travel to Yosemite National Park.

The next few days will be images from the 2010 “Yosemite in Winter: A Season of Contrast” photography workshop. I was picked up in South San Francisco as part of a carpool for a ride to the Yosemite National Park. I’ve included one image of an (almond?) orchard while the traveling through central California. Even though the trees didn’t have any leaves, the grass was bright green indicating recent rain. The night before the workshop I stayed at the Yosemite Lodge in Yosemite Valley. I took a few pictures that evening from around the lodge. I was blown away by what the Nikon D3s camera can do in low light, especially with a 50 mm f/1.4 lens.

Almond Orchard in California Central Valley. Drive By Photography. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 220, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/1600 sec). (David J Mathre)
Almond Orchard in California Central Valley. Drive By Photography. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 220, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/1600 sec). (David J Mathre)
Yosemite Valley in the Winter. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 200, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/80 sec). (David J Mathre)
Nikonians Yosemite Winter 2010 Workshop. Day 0 (David J Mathre)
Winter Clouds in Yosemite Valley . Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 20, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/80 sec).(David J Mathre)
Nikonians Yosemite Winter 2010 Workshop. Day 0 (David J Mathre)
Yosemite Falls from Yosemite Lodge. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 1280, 50 mm, f/2.8, 1/40 sec). (David J Mathre)

Thursday (11-February-2010) — New Jersey

Backyard Winter Nature in New Jersey: Snowed In Again.

The snow was deep enough to keep me from even getting my Range Rover up the driveway to the road in front of my house. I did dig a walking path to the road. Being stuck at home gave me a chance to take some pictures out in the snow.

Winter part II. Pine needles peaking up from the snow. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/9, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
Winter part II. Pine needles peaking up from the snow. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 200 mm, f/9, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
Winter part II. Drip, drip, drip. Icicles above the front doorway. The gutter is frozen. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 80 mm, f/5, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Winter part II. Drip, drip, drip. Icicles above the front doorway. The gutter is frozen. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 80 mm, f/5, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
It snowed last night. This vehicle is covered and won't be going anywhere soon. I dug a path from the house to the street (but the street hadn't been cleared yet). Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 48 mm, f/13, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
It snowed last night. This vehicle is covered and won’t be going anywhere soon. I dug a path from the house to the street (but the street hadn’t been cleared yet). Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 48 mm, f/13, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
Winter part II. It snowed last night. The RV is covered and won't be going anywhere soon. The propane tank in the RV is full in case the power goes out. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 31 mm, f/7, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
Winter part II. It snowed last night. The RV is covered and won’t be going anywhere soon. The propane tank in the RV is full in case the power goes out. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 18-200 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 31 mm, f/7, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)

Monday (08-Feburary-2010) — New Jersey

Backyard Winter Nature in New Jersey: Winter Birds.

Yet another LBJ (Little Brown Jobber) as described by Thom Hogan for an image of a small brown bird. My only comment is that it is so cold out that it just wants to sit in the sun to warm up giving me long enough time to get an image in focus.

White-throated Sparrow. Winter in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 70-200 mm lens with 2x converter (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/8, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
White-throated Sparrow. Winter in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 70-200 mm lens with 2x converter (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/8, 1/400 sec).

Sunday (07-February-2010) — New Jersey

Backyard Winter Nature in New Jersey: Winter Birds.

Afternoon walkabout. Images of a White-throated Sparrow looking cold. One of the birds that stays here all winter.

White-throated Sparrow trying to keep warm. Nikon D3s and 70-200 mm VRII with TC-E 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 400 mm f/8, 1/640 sec) (David J Mathre)
White-throated Sparrow trying to keep warm. Nikon D3s and 70-200 mm VRII with TC-E 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 400 mm f/8, 1/640 sec) (David J Mathre)
White-throated Sparrow trying to keep warm. Nikon D3s and 70-200 mm VRII with TC-E 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 400mm f/8, 1/640 sec) (David J Mathre)
White-throated Sparrow trying to keep warm. Nikon D3s and 70-200 mm VRII with TC-E 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 400mm f/8, 1/640 sec) (David J Mathre)

Saturday (06-February-2010) — New Jersey

Backyard Winter Nature in New Jersey: After the Snow Storm.

Afternoon walkabout with a camera after the snow stopped.

Silver Rhino I and IV Covered by Snow. Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4 (ISO 100 f/4, 1/800 sec) (David J Mathre)
Silver Rhino I and IV Covered by Snow. Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4 (ISO 100 f/4, 1/800 sec) (David J Mathre)
Winter in New Jersey (David J Mathre)
Winter in New Jersey (David J Mathre)
White Ram Under Snow in New Jersey. Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4 (ISO 100 f/4, 1/400 sec) (David J Mathre)
White Ram Under Snow in New Jersey. Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4 (ISO 100 f/4, 1/400 sec) (David J Mathre)
Snow in New Jersey. Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4 (ISO 100 f/4, 1/400 sec) (David J Mathre)
Snow in New Jersey. Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4 (ISO 100 f/4, 1/400 sec) (David J Mathre)