Six-Years Ago (20-September-2012) — Portugal

Gone to see Europe. Semester at Sea. Fall 2012 Semester Voyage on the MV Explorer. Day 28: Sintra, Portugal.

I joined a field trip to see the Pena National Palace and Castle in Sintra. The Pena Palace is on the top of a hill overlooking Sintra. The following panorama shows the palace. Is was really intrigued by the sculpture above the entrance  “Allegoric Gate to the creation of the World” or “Arch of the Triton.” It appears to be King Neptune sitting in a giant clam shell looking down.

Panorama from the Pena National Palace in Sintra, Portugal. Composite of 19 images taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 50 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/11, 1/320 sec). (David J Mathre)
Panorama from the Pena National Palace in Sintra, Portugal. Composite of 19 images taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 50 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/11, 1/320 sec). (David J Mathre)
“Allegoric Gate to the creation of the World” Arch of the Triton entryway to the Pena National Palace in Sintra, Portugal. Image taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 17-35 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/11, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)
“Allegoric Gate to the creation of the World” Arch of the Triton entryway to the Pena National Palace in Sintra, Portugal. Image taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 17-35 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/11, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)


Individual images in the slide show can be viewed here.

Six-Years Ago (13-September-2012) — Belgium

Gone to see Europe. Semester at Sea. Fall 2012 Semester Voyage on the MV Explorer. Day 21: Antwerp, Belgium.

Early Dawn Jupiter and Waning Crescent Moon Over the Antwerp Cathedral from the Deck of the MV Explorer. Image taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 70 mm, f/5.6, 2 sec).

Early Dawn Jupiter and Waning Crescent Moon Over the Antwerp Cathedral from the Deck of the M/V Explorer. Image taken with a Nikon D800 and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 70 mm, f/5.6, 2 sec). (David J Mathre)
Early Dawn Jupiter and Waning Crescent Moon Over the Antwerp Cathedral from the Deck of the M/V Explorer. Image taken with a Nikon D800 and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 70 mm, f/5.6, 2 sec). (David J Mathre)

Four-Years Ago (23-September-2012) — Spain

Gone to see Europe. Semester at Sea. Fall 2012 Semester Voyage on the MV Explorer. Day 31: Bullfighting Match in Seville.

I was hiding behind the lens when I took this picture because I didn’t want to watch.  Image taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 70-300 mm lens (ISO 400, 122 mm, f/5.6, 1/1500 sec). In the end, all three bulls died.

Bullfight at the Plaza de toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla. Image taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 122 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
Bullfight at the Plaza de toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla. Image taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 122 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)

Four-Years Ago (16-September-2012) — At Sea, English Channel

Gone to see Europe. Semester at Sea. Fall 2012 Semester Voyage on the MV Explorer. Day 24: At Sea, English Channel.

Northern Gannet in Flight. Viewed from deck 7 of the MV Explorer transiting the English Channel. Image taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/2000 sec).

Northern Gannet in Flight From Deck 7 of the M/V Explorer Traveling in the English Channel. Image taken with a Nikon D800 and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/2000 sec). (David J Mathre)
Northern Gannet in Flight From Deck 7 of the MV Explorer in the English Channel. Image taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/2000 sec). (David J Mathre)

Four-Years Ago (24-August-2012)– North Atlantic Ocean

Gone to see Europe. Semester at Sea. Fall 2012 Semester Voyage on the MV Explorer. Day 02: At Sea, North Atlantic Ocean.

Sunset at Sea from the deck of the M/V Explorer. Image taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 122 mm, f/11, 1/200 sec).

Sunset at Sea on the M/V Explorer. Fall 2012 Semester at Sea Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D800 and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 122 mm, f/11, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)
Sunset at Sea on the M/V Explorer. Fall 2012 Semester at Sea Voyage. Image taken with a Nikon D800 and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 122 mm, f/11, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)