Pelican - David Mathre Photography

Thursday (10-January-2013) — Florida

Gone to See America. January 2013 Florida Road Trip. Day 7: Merritt Island.

Before starting my drive back to New Jersey, I spent the morning on Merritt Island. First for sunrise at Playalinda Beach at Canaveral National Seashore, then for a drive through Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge — both along Bio Lab Road and Black Point Wildlife Drive. The previous day there was heavy fog in the morning so I didn’t go to Playalinda beach. This beach is favored by surf fishermen.

Rather that using the big telephoto lenses, all of the images on this day were taken with a Nikon D700 camera with a 28-300 mm VR lens, a Leica X2 camera, or a Nikon 1 V2 camera and 18.5 mm f/1.8 lens. All hand-held, no tripod.

Tern and Two Fisherman at Sunrise. Playalinda Beach, Canaveral National Seashore in Florida. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V2 camera and 18.5 mm f/1.8 lens (ISO 200, 18.5 mm, f/4, 1/1000). (David J. Mathre)

Great Blue Heron on One Leg in the Early Morning Sun. Bio Lab Road in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Image taken with a Nikon D700 and 28-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/9, 1/320 sec). (David J Mathre) — Great Blue Heron on One Leg in the Early Morning Sun. Bio Lab Road in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Image taken with a Nikon D700 camera and 28-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/9, 1/320 sec). (David J Mathre)

Two Roseate Spoonbills in a Formation of Pelicans. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Image taken with a Nikon D700 and 28-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/11, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre) — Two Roseate Spoonbills in a Formation of Pelicans. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Image taken with a Nikon D700 camera and 28-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/11, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)

Only the Eyes and Snout of the Alligator are Visible View on a Canal along Black Point Wildlife Drive in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Image taken with a Nikon D700 and 28-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/6.3, 1/320 sec) (David J Mathre) — Only the Eyes and Snout of the Alligator are Visible View on a Canal along Black Point Wildlife Drive in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Image taken with a Nikon D700 camera and 28-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/6.3, 1/320 sec) (David J Mathre)

Can You Find the Alligator? Reflections on a Canal along Black Point Wildlife Drive in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/2000). (David J Mathre)

Florida Alligator Waiting for the Morning Sun to Get Warm in a Canal along Black Point Wildlife Drive in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Image taken with a Nikon D700 and 28-300 mm VR lens (ISO 640, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/320 sec) (David J Mathre) — Florida Alligator Waiting for the Morning Sun to Get Warm in a Canal along Black Point Wildlife Drive in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Image taken with a Nikon D700 camera and 28-300 mm VR lens (ISO 640, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/320 sec) (David J Mathre)

Great Blue Heron on a Cedar. Looking Up Through the Sunroof. Black Point Wildlife Road in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Image taken with a Nikon D700 and 28-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/9, 1/320 sec). (David J Mathre) — Great Blue Heron on a Cedar. Looking Up Through the Sunroof. Black Point Wildlife Road in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Image taken with a Nikon D700 camera and 28-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/9, 1/320 sec). (David J Mathre)

Thursday (15-April-2010) — California

Gone to See America 2010. Big Sur Photography Workshop with Michael Mariant. Day 1: Morning.

The group attending the Big Sur Photography Workshop with Michael Mariant was scheduled to meet for breakfast in San Simeon. I walked down to the shore along the Pico Creek before breakfast to get some early morning images. The first is of the succulent sea fig (Carpobrotus chilensis) plant and its flower. It turns out that this is an invasive species. I then saw some tracks in the sand. I wondered if they were from a mountain lion, but since the nails were present — probably a dog. There was a lot of drift wood on the beach. Some to build a wind shelter. After breakfast, the group went to Piedras Blancas beach to view the Elephant Seals. The same place I was the previous evening. While Michael was beginning his workshop, I managed to catch a patrol of Brown Pelicans flying over in formation. Several more images of the Elephant Seals, including one with a Chipmunk on the sand. The final image includes the Piedras Blancas Rock and Lighthouse in the background (and a yawning Elephant Seal near the bottom right).

Sea Fig (Carpobrotus chilensis) near Pico Creek, San Simeon, Central California Coast. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 800, 50 mm, f/3.2, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre) — Sea Fig (Carpobrotus chilensis) near Pico Creek, San Simeon, Central California Coast. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 800, 50 mm, f/3.2, 1/250 sec).

Animal Tracks near Pico Creek, San Simeon, Central California Coast. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 800, 50 mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre) — Animal Tracks near Pico Creek, San Simeon, Central California Coast. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 800, 50 mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec).

Driftwood Shelter near Pico Creek, San Simeon, Central California Coast. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 800, 50 mm, f/10, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre) — Driftwood Shelter near Pico Creek, San Simeon, Central California Coast. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 800, 50 mm, f/10, 1/400 sec).

Driftwood Shelter near Pico Creek, San Simeon, Central California Coast. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 800, 50 mm, f/9, 1/320 sec). (David J Mathre) — Driftwood Shelter near Pico Creek, San Simeon, Central California Coast. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 800, 50 mm, f/9, 1/320 sec).

Driftwood near Pico Creek, San Simeon, Central California Coast. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 800, 50 mm, f/10, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre) — Driftwood near Pico Creek, San Simeon, Central California Coast. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 800, 50 mm, f/10, 1/400 sec).

Brown Pelican Patrol, Piedras Blancas Beach, Central California Coast. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 300 mm, f/14, 1/800 sec) (David J Mathre) — Brown Pelican Patrol, Piedras Blancas Beach, Central California Coast. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 300 mm, f/14, 1/800 sec)

Brown Pelican Patrol, Piedras Blancas Beach, Central California Coast. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 300 mm, f/10, 1/400 sec) (David J Mathre) — Brown Pelican Patrol, Piedras Blancas Beach, Central California Coast. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 300 mm, f/10, 1/400 sec)

Elephant Seals at Piedras Blancas Beach, Central California Coast. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 70 mm, f/16, 1/160 sec) (David J Mathre) — Elephant Seals at Piedras Blancas Beach, Central California Coast. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 70 mm, f/16, 1/160 sec)

Elephant Seals at Piedras Blancas Beach, Central California Coast. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 200 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec) (David J Mathre) — Elephant Seals at Piedras Blancas Beach, Central California Coast. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 200 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec)

Elephant Seals at Piedras Blancas Beach, Central California Coast. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 300 mm, f/6.3, 1/250 sec) (David J Mathre) — Elephant Seals at Piedras Blancas Beach, Central California Coast. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 300 mm, f/6.3, 1/250 sec)

Elephant Seal at Piedras Blancas Beach, Central California Coast. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 300 mm, f/6.3, 1/400 sec) (David J Mathre) — Elephant Seal at Piedras Blancas Beach, Central California Coast. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 300 mm, f/6.3, 1/400 sec)

Chipmunk and Elephant Seals at Piedras Blancas Beach, Central California Coast. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 300 mm, f/6.3, 1/250 sec) (David J Mathre) — Chipmunk and Elephant Seals at Piedras Blancas Beach, Central California Coast. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 300 mm, f/6.3, 1/250 sec)

Elephant Seals and Driftwood at Piedras Blancas Beach, Central California Coast. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 145 mm, f/11, 1/400 sec) (David J Mathre) — Elephant Seals and Driftwood at Piedras Blancas Beach, Central California Coast. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 145 mm, f/11, 1/400 sec)

Elephant Seals at Piedras Blancas Beach and Lighthouse, Central California Coast. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 165 mm, f/11, 1/200 sec) (David J Mathre) — Elephant Seals at Piedras Blancas Beach and Lighthouse, Central California Coast. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 165 mm, f/11, 1/200 sec)

31-October-2009

Halloween 2009

For Halloween I went to St. Petersburg Florida for the wedding of Lars (my brother) and Valerie. The day began with a sunrise photo shoot at Fort De Soto Park with Kari and Elise. When we got to the park we found out that we would not be able to get to the east tip turnaround because of the Florida Halloween Halfathon race. We ended up at the fort itself to view sunrise. After that we shot some pictures of folks in costume doing the race, and then went for a walk down the beach. I have images of both Kari working a sea urchin, and Elise working a shell. Ft. De Soto is always a target rich environment for birds.

Later that afternoon the extended family attended the wedding of Lars and Valerie. I am not a wedding photographer, but I did take some snapshots.

The following images were taken with a Nikon D3x or D700 with a 16 mm f/2.8 fisheye, 35 mm f/2, 45 mm f/2.8 PC-E, or 70-300 mm VR lens.

Sunrise at Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg Florida. Image taken with Nikon D3x and 45 mm PC-E (ISO 100, f/16, 1/160 sec)

Sunrise at Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg Florida. Image taken with Nikon D700 and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/8, 1/125 sec)

Sunrise at Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg Florida. Image taken with Nikon D700 and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 220, 300 mm, f/11, 1/125 sec)

Sunrise at Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg Florida. Image taken with Nikon D700 and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/16, 1/200 sec)

Darth Vader running the Florida Halloween Halfathon at Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D700 and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 800, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/25 sec)

Princess running the Florida Halloween Halfathon at Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 360, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec)

Hawaiian Tourist running the Florida Halloween Halfathon at Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 280, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec)

Fairy running the Florida Halloween Halfathon at Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 320, 300 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec)

Kari working a Sea Urchin at Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 280, 300 mm, f/11, 1/250 sec). Check out the result.

Kari working a Sea Urchin at Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 220, 75 mm, f/11, 1/250 sec). Check out the result.

Kari working a Sea Urchin at Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 280, 85 mm, f/11, 1/250 sec). Check out the result.

Elise chimping her image of a shell at Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 140, 155 mm, f/11, 1/250 sec).

Sunrise Pelican in flight at Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 230 mm, f/5.3, 1/400 sec).

One eyed Tern at Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 250, 300 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec).

Sandpiper at Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 250, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec).

American Oystercatcher at Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec).

Young Blue Heron at Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec).

Snowy Egret at Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg Florida. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec).

Black-hooded Parakeet?? (not native) at Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg Florida. There were at least 50 of these birds at this location. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec).

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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)