Copyright ©2019 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
I met some girl-friends in Lee Vining this past week-end for a long weekend of camping and photography.
One of the things we wanted to do was some night photography. With the Moon rising in the wee hours of the morning we had several hours of the dark sky to work with.
After sunset which wasn’t too colorful, we went searching for a neat foreground to accompany a Milky Way image. We found this wonderful dead tree on a country road. We had a lot of fun shooting it and admiring the stars is always so peaceful.
If you look closely you’ll see I managed to capture several shooting stars in this frame.
The bright object above the tree is Jupiter.
I have quite a few images to share in future posts from this week-end that include Wild Mustangs, a Ghost town at night, and some landscapes.
I hope you’re all having a great week!
Single Frame| Nikon D810| Nikkor 20mm f/1.8G@2.8|IS0 3200|20s| Manual Priority| Tripod
more to come…
Circadianreflections Blog 
So beautiful, Deborah.
Thank you so much, Pam!
I have never done night photography, maybe one day. This is a beauty so well done 🙂
Thank you so much, John! Give it a go! I warn you though it can be addicting. 😀
That is gorgeous … love the tree and composition! I have been lazy about getting out for some night photography. I am always looking for subjects that will stand out against the night sky and sunset. I’ve found it’s not that easy to find the ideal subject, especially when you want to use a wide angle for the long exposure. Any tips? 🙂
Thank you so much Denise! It’s not easy is it. You do need to be able to be somewhat close to your subject to make it work.
We tried a couple of spots on this night. One was a new idea that once at the spot we realized quickly it wasn’t going to work, and the other spot was already taken. Someone else knew that spot! So, disappointing. So, off we went down another lonely road hoping we’d see something like a cool dead tree and we happened to find one. It was just luck.
Since that was going to be our last lonely road before giving up I’ve been thinking of carrying some extra things in my kit and making myself or one of my friends the subject if Plan A doesn’t work out.
Never stop looking cause one day you’re going to find that perfect subject!
Beautiful! It’s been so long since I’ve seen our Milky Way, I love catching it here 🙂
Thank you so much, Joey! I love seeing anywhere. I hope you get to see it this summer!
That doesn’t happen out here. It just doesn’t.
So beautiful!
What an expert shot, Deborah! You found the perfect angle to make a beautiful composition. I hope you and yours had a wonderful holiday. Hugs!
Thank you so much, Teagan! We had a nice mellow Holiday that included some fireworks.
How are you doing with your allergies? Much, much better I hope! Hugs!
Yes, much better. Thanks for thinking of me. My system, particularly my skin, is being much slower to acclimate than I ever expected. Since I made a similar change 15 years ago (Nashville to Albuquerque) — with no adjustment needed and no problems… Well, silly me, I expected to do that again.
LOL. I still love it here, though. There is a rightness to it. Hugs back.
I’m very happy to hear it’s getting better!
My skin is a whole lot dryer here. I’m bathing in moisturizer, and have added a water softener to the house. My skin should be getting better soon, but thankfully, it’s not allergies. I wish I had something as easy as moisturizer to point you to!
Hope your week end is terrific!
Now on to read the next chapter of Brother Love!xx
That’s such a gorgeous night sky, Deborah!! I had fun looking at Jupiter while I was visiting my parents because they have more open land and less light pollution, although the moon was quite bright while I was there. 🙂
Awesome! I love sky watching. I’m glad you do too. Thank you so much, Amy for the lovely comment!
Wow! Amazing photo and night Deborah!
Thank you so much Lili!
If you took this for photography class you would undoubtedly get an A+. This is one gorgeous shot. WOW!
Ha! Your nominated to be my teacher all the time!! Thank you so much for the is wonderful compliment! I’m going to float on it all day long! xx
OutSTANDing photograph!!!! And oh, man, I blasted to the past when I read “Lee Vining”. No, not the name of an old boyfriend. Our #2 Daughter spent several summers working at Mono Lake. If you haven’t been, go! It’s on my bucket list, after seeing her pictures.
Thank you so much, Marian! How cool you know about both Lee Vining and Mono Lake! I’ve been to Mono Lake quite a number of times. In fact, I was there the evening before this shot for the sunset. It was pretty and very amethyst!
I have photos!
What did your #2 daughter do while working there? Was she a Ranger? A biologist or something else altogether?
She was kind of an apprentice Ranger, I guess. This was summers when she was in college.
How neat to be stationed at such a beautiful place!
Your photo is breath-taking…….
Thank you so much, Donna!!
Absolutely stunning. It takes my breath away. Yes, I see the shooting stars. Thank you, Deborah!
Thank you so much, Jennie!
My pleasure, Deborah!
Hi Deborah, Amazing photo………eerie, beautiful, surreal…….Fun to be on a camping trip with like-minded friends:)
Thank you so much, Erica! It is fun to hang out with them, catch up, and photograph the things we love in nature for sure!
I always enjoy your sky shots, Deborah. This one is beautiful. I look forward to seeing the other images you have to share.
Thank you very much, Dan! I’m going to get this one ready to print. I was just mulling over what size I should make it.
I hope you, the Editor, Maggie, Mimi, and Mumu have a lovely Independence Day!
Thanks Deborah. I hope you guys are enjoying the holiday, too.
It was nice, and festive too. Thanks, Dan!
Really beautiful Deborah!
Thank you so much, Belinda!
WOWZA!! Love this photo!! All those stars, such a clear night! 💫⭐️✨
Thank you so much, Jill! Oh, it was a lovely night. Nice weather, and great company, and clear!
Cool MW shot. Hope you guys got some great shots of the Eastern Sierras and Bodie at night. Too much overcast weather here on the coast to get a MW shot right now and I have a location in mind; maybe I’ll get lucky soon.
Thank you so much, Gordon!
We focused on some different buildings this year. It was clear here and up and down 395 so we had great weather for Photography.
I hope you can get out to your location and get a good shot of the MW. Now’s a great time for it!
I know; was watching the weather last night. My weather app showed clearing at night but as time passed it forecasted clouds so it ended up a no go.
I hope you get out soon for an evening of night sky.
Going out tonight to photograph the fireworks? I’m going to try from a hill near home. I haven’t got a clue which way to look! Perhaps, there will be others on the hill to show me the direction the fireworks will come from. LOL!
How wonderful! I envy your clear view at night. I look forward to those mustangs too!
Thank you so much, Cheryl!! Oh, the Mustangs and the filly’s and colts are adorable, and entertaining to watch.
Lucky you!
But, your Butterflies and cone flowers!! Woman, those I am a wee bit jealous of, but you share so only a wee bit. xx
WordPress has me locked out of sharing photos unless I buy more space. I share them mostly on Instagram these days.
Have you culled your WordPress Media Library to add more space? I periodocally remove duplicates that sometimes I have created by uploading an image then see it in the blog and think, “nope, that’s not good.” then fix it and upload the better image. I’ve also only posted smalled images not full sized ones which take up less space and detracts image theives. My longest side is 1024 pixels or less. I’ve had this blog going since January 2010 and still have lots of space.
I don’t know how long you’ve had your blog it may be much longer than me!
Anyway, I’m only trying to help you find some space. 😀
Wow. What a shot. Is that a city glow to the right?
Thank you so much, John! Yes, that’s light pollution on the right. I think it’s the little town of Big Pine with some ranches mixed in along the way to there. It’s getting harder to get a truly “dark sky” anymore.
Yes, it is hard to find dark sky. But your photo is beautiful nonetheless.
Thank you!
Well done, Deborah! I have tried and tried … but the stars would not stay in one place! You make it look so easy!
Thank you so much, Cobus! You can do it if I can! If you have questions and I can help just shout!
The night sky is so incredible away from the lights of the city and you capture it so well. I see 3 shooting stars for sure and several other probables in this one photo. Amazing!
I only saw two shooting stars with my eyes, but the camera picked up 6 in this image! It’s amazing what the camera sees.
It was such a lovely night and fun to find this tree and spend the evening with friends photographing it and the night sky.
Thank you so much, Joanne!
I would have been thrilled to see one with my eyes, let alone 3!!!
We all were excited to see a big one go zipping across the sky. I hope I never grow up so much that I don’t get excited to see them anymore. ⭐
Beautiful, Deborah! I like that you find beauty everywhere you go…and then you share it with us. 🙂
janet
Thank you, Janet! Are you home now? I am looking forward to seeing the beautiful area around your mountain cabin. You always find the loveliest things there and everywhere you go too!
We’re home after a wonderful vacation. Posts will start with doors tomorrow. 😁
Welcome home!! I’m glad you made it back safely, and I’m looking forward to seeing what you saw through your viewfinder. xx