Milky Way - Colorado Style

[Michele]

Thanks for making this forum, Adam. While I don't have a natural talent for photography, having a father who was a photographer helped me to appreciate the talent and cherish the results. I have family and friends who are hobbiest in the field and a s-i-l who is a professional who takes headshots for the beautiful people (established and upcoming) in CA.

Scott, this photo made me think of you. It was taken by a local Colorado ranch broker. As it was captioned, it wasn't random. The photographers planned it weeks in advance and spent long hours getting the many shots it took to get this final one. The only thing better...for me, not the brokers...would've been to have the lights off in the house or have the house gone. It's amazing how you notice light pollution when you live away from it.

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[Gingersnap]

Very cool!

When camping, I'm shocked by what the sky looks likes.

[Tom Servo]

The first real experience I had seeing a Milky Way like that in person was off I-15 in the California desert. Somewhere near Zzyzx or Halloran Springs, I forget which. Pulled off the highway, down a dirt lane, and got out and just looked. It was beautiful.

After my eyes acclimated I was shocked not just at the sheer number of stars, but the number of faint satellites and other bits of flotsam and jetsam floating above, reflecting tiny amounts of sunlight. The Milky Way is barely visible from rural parts around here, but the only man-made objects that easily spotted are Iridium flares (which are all but gone now) and the ISS.

Something else that stuck with me from that time spent looking at the sky was, despite the distance from LA and Las Vegas, light from both cities was clearly visible on the horizon.

[Michele]

The first real experience I had seeing a Milky Way like that in person was off I-15 in the California desert. Somewhere near Zzyzx or Halloran Springs, I forget which. Pulled off the highway, down a dirt lane, and got out and just looked. It was beautiful.

After my eyes acclimated I was shocked not just at the sheer number of stars, but the number of faint satellites and other bits of flotsam and jetsam floating above, reflecting tiny amounts of sunlight. The Milky Way is barely visible from rural parts around here, but the only man-made objects that easily spotted are Iridium flares (which are all but gone now) and the ISS.

Something else that stuck with me from that time spent looking at the sky was, despite the distance from LA and Las Vegas, light from both cities was clearly visible on the horizon.

The Milky Way is so beautiful. We take blankets and sleeping bags outside during the summer...especially the end of July and beginning of August when the meteor showers are...when the kids and grandkids are here to watch the stars. You can see so much going on. And yes, you can still see the lights from a house down the road or the low lights in town which is seven miles away but it's still a nice view.

Every night before I go to bed, I walk outside on bedroom deck to check the temp and then I stay a while to look up at the sky. I've noticed lately that Saturn is very visible. One of these nights, I'm going to go downstairs, grab a chair and drag my husband's telescope up there (or have him do it ) to watch the sky.

[scott]

Stunning shot! It definitely took a whole lot of preparation.

[phillygirl]

When I went to Arizona I really noticed the difference in the night sky. I've seen it in the mountains of Pennsylvania, with little light pollution, but I fully understood what "big sky" meant when going to Arizona and Utah. What a difference in how the skies look out west compared to here. And there is also nothing like the sky at night as seen from a boat on the water. So cool.

[Gingersnap]

When I went to Arizona I really noticed the difference in the night sky. I've seen it in the mountains of Pennsylvania, with little light pollution, but I fully understood what "big sky" meant when going to Arizona and Utah. What a difference in how the skies look out west compared to here. And there is also nothing like the sky at night as seen from a boat on the water. So cool.

Part of the reason the view is so spectacular in the West is simply a lack of light pollution but a lot of it is very low humidity and in the case of mountain states, the sheer elevation.

But you'd be surprised how low you can be and how near light sources you can be and you still get that panoramic explosion of stars. One of the most mesmerizing night scenes I have ever seen happened in Julesburg (yes, dirt bike racing was involved).

I got up around o'dark thirty to use the inconveniently located port-a-potty and....holy cow!

I just stood there for maybe 20 minutes staring at the arc of stars and picking out the constellations I knew then (I know more now).

I've seen the same thing hunting or fishing or camping but for some reason, that one event stands out in my mind. Probably the fatigue and the Jack (not dog-related) I had around the enormous bonfire earlier.

Just amazing.

When doing XC, I'm often on the trail before dawn breaks entirely and I just stop and stare. Others are plowing through checking their fitbits.

Not me. I'm staring.

[Frostbit]

Milky Way - Zambia style.

These two pictures were taken by a hunter a couple years after we hunted Royal Kafue in Zambia. I give him credit for having the guts to go out in the fields around camp after dark to get the shots. The predators own the night.






The best night sky we ever experienced was in the Niassa Reserve in Mozambique. Alas, my photographic skill is lacking.

[Michele]

Milky Way - Zambia style.

These two pictures were taken by a hunter a couple years after we hunted Royal Kafue in Zambia. I give him credit for having the guts to go out in the fields around camp after dark to get the shots. The predators own the night.






The best night sky we ever experienced was in the Niassa Reserve in Mozambique. Alas, my photographic skill is lacking.

Really beautiful!