Joshua Tree National Park Night Landscape

 Continue previous posts about my trip to  Joshua Tree National Park. 

Canon EOS Ra, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens, f/2.8, ISO 25600, 3 sec, Panorama

Three Sisters and Milky Way Joshua Tree National Park

The park is located far from any major cities, which means that the night sky is incredibly dark and clear. On a clear night, visitors can see up to 15,000 stars, as well as the Milky Way and other celestial objects. The park even offers astronomy programs and events throughout the year.

Canon EOS Ra, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens, f/2.8, ISO 25600, 3 sec, Panorama

Milky Way Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers, and photographers alike. One of the most unique and rewarding photography experiences in the park is astrophotography. With its clear skies and minimal light pollution, Joshua Tree is the perfect place to capture stunning images of the night sky.

Canon EOS Ra, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens, f/2.8, ISO 25600, 3 sec

Night Landscape Joshua Tree National Park

Canon EOS Ra, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens, f/2.8, ISO 25600, 3 sec

Night Sky Joshua Tree National Park

Canon EOS Ra, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens, f/2.8, ISO 25600, 3 sec, Panorama

Joshua Tree and Milky Way

The Joshua tree is a member of the Agave family and is a type of yucca plant. It has a distinctive, spiky appearance, with thick, twisting branches that reach upwards of 40 feet tall. The tree's trunk is usually short and thick, and it has green, sword-shaped leaves that grow in clusters at the ends of its branches.

Canon EOS Ra, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens, f/2.8, ISO 25600, 3 sec, Panorama

Sky and Earth Joshua Tree National Park

The Joshua tree is native to the Mojave Desert, which spans parts of California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. It is particularly well-adapted to the harsh desert environment, with long, deep roots that allow it to survive in dry, sandy soils. The tree can also tolerate extreme temperatures, from freezing winter nights to scorching summer days.

The Joshua tree is a unique and fascinating plant that is an important symbol of the Mojave Desert. Its distinctive appearance and cultural significance make it a beloved icon of the American West.

 

Joshua Tree National Park Astrophotography

 There are some photos from my trip to Joshua Tree National Park.

Joshua Tree National Park is one of the fantastic places to stargaze in the US! The reason it’s so dark is because the park is located in the High Desert—3000-6000 feet above sea level—far from any major cities, which create light pollution. 

The east side of the park is best for stargazing. There is very little light pollution there, since the closest major city to the east—Phoenix, Arizona—is about 300 miles away. Unfortunately, the south/west areas of the park get light pollution from nearby Palm Springs. 

Joshua Tree National Park Astrophotography

Canon EOS Ra, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens, f/2.8, ISO 25600, 3 sec, Panorama of 8 photos

There is entrance to the park at nigh:

Joshua Tree National Park Entrance at Night

Canon EOS Ra, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens, f/2.8, ISO 25600, 7 sec

Other entrance during the day:

Entrance to Joshua Tree National Park

Stargazing Area of Joshua Tree National Park

Sunset Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park at Night

Canon EOS Ra, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens, f/2.8, ISO 25600, 9 sec

Joshua Tree National Park Night Landscape

Canon EOS Ra, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens, f/2.8, ISO 25600, 25 sec

Boulder Field (Hickory Run State Park Pennsylvania) Night Sky

I am continuing series of Pennsylvania astrophotography. Last year I did night photos in Cherry Springs State Park – one of most popular space for amateur astrophotographers. This year I did photo in Hickory Run State  Park - Boulder Field in the Poconos of Pennsylvania. 

Canon EOS Ra, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, f/2.8, 25600, Panorama of 3 images 30 sec, 5 sec, 5 sec. Post Processing: Photoshop, Topaz DeNoise AI.

Boulder Field (Hickory Run State Park Pennsylvania) Night Sky

Boulder Field is a very popular and a pretty cool place. It is hidden gem deep within the woods and really an awesome place. The Hickory Run Boulder Field was designated by the National Park Service as a natural national landmark in 1967. It’s a huge field of rocks in the middle of the forest.  It is said to be the largest boulder field of its kind in all of the Appalachian Mountains. The rocks range in size from under 18 inches to more than 25 feet in length. The tops of the rocks are nearly at the same height over the approximately 400-by-1,800-foot field that slopes at a one-degree pitch. Why did an 18-acre field of rocks form in the Poconos? There are several theories on how exactly this boulder field formed.

Poconos Boulder Field Night Landscape

Milky Way over Poconos Boulder Field - Summer Triangle - Stars Altair, Deneb, and Vega  - Constellations Aquila, Cygnus, and Lyra

Map Boulder Field

Green Fireflies Night Landscape Bethel New York Canon Ra

It is Fireflies season. There is something so magical at this time. Starry night and a light show of lightning bugs is amazing combination. A time-lapse composite image of fireflies taken in  Bethel, New York.

Green Fireflies Night Landscape Bethel New York Canon Ra

Canon EOS Ra, F2.8, ISO 12800, Combination of 30 images - 3 sec each, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM.

Canon Ra Reflection Night Landscape Bethel, Sullivan County, New York Astrophotography

I am continue testing new Canon Ra astrophotography camera. There's nothing quite like starry night sky. Milky Way is moving majestically through the night, and you can see reflection of stars in a small pond. This area was brought to the world's attention in 1969, when nearly 500,000 people gathered at Max Yasgur's Farm for "Three Days of Peace and Music" on Woodstock Festival.

Canon Ra Reflection Night Landscape Bethel,  Sullivan County, New York Astrophotography 

Canon EOS Ra, 25 sec, ISO 20000, F2.8, Lens EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM

Acadia National Park, Maine USA - Astrophotography

Acadia National Park is one of the darkest place on the East Coast. It is amazing how good sky is here - amazing airglow and shadow from Milky Way. I not even expected something like this on the East Coast of US.

Acadia Astrophotography - Panorama of 4 Images Milky Way over Sand Beach

Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 25.0 sec;  f/2.8;  ISO 6400 - Four photos, Panorama

Acadia Astrophptography  Milky Way Night Landscape

Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 30.0 sec;  f/2.8;  ISO 12800 - One photo

Black and White Acadia Astrophotography

Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 30.0 sec;  f/2.8;  ISO 12800 - One photo

Night Landscape Canon Astrophotography Panorama Milky Way Acadia National Park Maine USA

Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 25.0 sec;  f/2.8;  ISO 6400 - 6 photos

Chasing the Milky Way - Acadia National Park

Rainbow Milky Way - Maine Astrophotography, Acadia National Park

Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 25.0 sec;  f/2.8;  ISO 6400 - Panorama of 20 photos


I derived with my family and friends from New York to Acadia National Park about 10 hours. There was new moon and weather forecast for this night was good.  It was chance to get good dark sky.

While Mount Desert Island is not heavily populated and is remote, but some light pollution exists. So, some places in Acadia National Park are just with good dark sky. But some places are having amazing sky! Sand Beach, while just a 290-yard-long beach inlet between granite mountains, has a spectacular view of the night sky. On the Bortle Dark-Sky Scale, this place has “Class 1” (out of 9) is absolutely, naturally dark — the darkest skies on earth! Such darkness sky in the Sand Beach can be attributed to two factors: location and park lighting. Newport cove protects the beach from most of the sky glow from major population centers on the island. The beach faces out to the dark open ocean. The surrounding topography blocks the line of sight from Bar Harbor preventing residual sky glow. Park lighting were design to minimized light pollution.

The Sand Beach was good choice.  The Galactic center region of the Milky Way casts obvious diffuse shadows on the ground. Airglow is readily apparent. The presence of Jupiter in the sky seems to degrade dark adaptation. Its big contrast between New York sky and Acadia National Park.

Tupper Lake New York Adirondack Mountains Astrophotography

Adirondack Mountains, Tupper Lake, Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 30.0 sec;  f/2.8;  ISO 6400

Tupper Lake New York Milky Way Astrophotography

Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 30.0 sec;  f/2.8;  ISO 6400

Adirondack Mountains Tupper Lake Big Dipper New York Astrophotography

Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 30.0 sec;  f/2.8;  ISO 6400

Pleiades over Tupper Lake - Adirondack Mountains Astrophotography

Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 30.0 sec;  f/2.8;  ISO 6400

Reflection of Big Dipper - Tupper Lake Astrophotography

Large Magellanic Cloud - Galapagos Night Landscape Astrophotography

Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is one of the symbol of the Southern Sky (especially for me northern-biased star gazer).  First time I saw Large Magellanic Cloud in Peru, couple of years ago, but it was too close to horizon. Finally, I got it!   This small white cloud on the right is not regular cloud, it is companion of our Milky Way, just 1/100 mass of our Galaxy. The position of the LMC can be recognized using Southern Cross. On Galapagos fantastic starry night sky, the LMC view was amazing!

Large Magellanic Cloud - Galapagos Night Landscape Astrophotography

Large Magellanic Cloud, Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island, Galapagos, Ecuador. Canon EOS 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 30.0 sec; f/4.0; ISO 6400.

Moonset - Galapagos Ecuador Astrophotography

After couple of days trips on Ecuador and Galapagos Islands when weather was cloudy and rainy (February is rain season) we got clear night sky.

I early went to sleep and wake up midnight to start astrophotography with Moonset. Photo was done on Isabela island on the beach of small city Puerto Villamil (less 2,000 people). There are about 100 meters to the main street. I was tied after day trips so it also was convenient to get this place. The other reason there are too many animals around so as minimum I able to see it.

Moonset - Isabela Island, Galapagos, Ecuador Astrophotography

Moonset (not to be confused with sunset) Astrophotography. Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island, Galapagos, Ecuador. Canon EOS 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens, 10.0 sec; f/2.8; ISO 6400.

Arches National Park Astrophotography

I continue my Astrophotography tourism to compare Night Sky from different places of the word. The constellations are the same but it looks different in other locations. These photos from my trip to Arches National Park. There are about 2,000 arches in the park! And a lot of other amazing landscapes! Even during a day, it looks absolutely unreal. But at night is fantastic and amazing! Looks like you on the other planet! The sky in the Arches is truly dark and during new moon you can easy to see Airglow! And on the photo sky is astonishing colorful with greenish reddish and other spectrum colors. All this creates amazing night landscape photos. Really Arches National Park is one of the top 10 best places for astrophotography and night landscaping photos!

Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 20.0 sec; f/3.5; ISO 6400 - panorama of 40 images.

Arching Milky Way - Arches Astrophotography 

Sailing Milky Way. We are traveling together on a little spaceship. We call this ship the Earth. It sailing Milky Way through the space-time. This photo is just illustration of this Spaceship Earth idea. Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 25.0 sec; f/2.8; ISO 6400 - panorama 5 images

Sail Milky Way over Park Avenue at Arches National Park Astrophotography

 Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 25.0 sec; f/2.8; ISO 6400

Stairway to Heaven Arches - National Park Astrophotography Night landscape

Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 25.0 sec; f/2.8; ISO 6400

Balanced Rock and Milky Way - Arches Astrophotography

Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 25.0 sec; f/2.8; ISO 6400

Airglow and Balanced Rock - Arches NP Astrophotography

And finally there are photos of arches.

"Smoking gun" - Turret Arch and Milky Way :) I think on this picture we see evidence of ... Big Bang :) Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 30.0 sec; f/2.8; ISO 6400 - Panorama 5 images

Turret Arch and Milky Way - Arches National Park Astrophotography

Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 30.0 sec; f/2.8; ISO 6400 - Panorama 5 images

North and South Windows Arches and Starry Sky - Arches National Park Astrophotography

Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 30.0 sec; f/2.8; ISO 6400

Double Arch and Milky Way - Arches National Park Night Landscape Astrophotography

Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 30.0 sec; f/2.8; ISO 6400 - panorama of two photos

Rainbow Milky Way over Double Arch Panorama Astrophotography

Balanced Rock Arches National Park Utah Night Landscape Astrophotography

Balanced Rock is one of example of erosion. Absolutely not understandable how it still keeping balance! Even you see it during day it is amazing, but at night it looks fantastic! These photos were done during my trip to Arches National Park.

Balanced Rock, Milky Way and drama of clouds on the sky. Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 25.0 sec; f/2.8; ISO 6400

Balanced Rock and Milky Way Arches National Park Utah Night Landscape Astrophotography

Airglow and Balanced Rock.The natural moonless night sky is dark but not black; it is not even blue (no scattering light from sun and moon). Earth atmosphere generates green, red, orange, yellow light- Airglow! All these doing Arches national park is one of the best place for astroscape photography. Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 25.0 sec; f/2.8; ISO 6400

Airglow and Balanced Rock - Arches National Park Utah Night Landscape Astrophotography

Different types of the Milky Way Night Landscape - Stair Sail and Arch

Let me introduce new classifications of the Milky Way. Of cause I am not serious, but give me chance, just look on the picture – different types of Milky Way Night Landscaping. On this collage you can see three types of Milky Way – Stair, Sail, and Arch. These three photos were done in Park Avenue at Arches National Park during the same night, just small changes location and it looks different!

Different types of the Milky Way Night Landscape Astrophotography - Stair Sail and Arch

Aruba Astrophotography - Canon 60Da

I am continuing my travel astrophotography. There some astrophotos from my trip to Aruba - Canon 60Da

Aruba Astrophotography Moonlight and Moonpath

 

Aruba Astrophotography Cactus and Stars (Orion)

Aruba Astrophotography Night Landscape Moonlight and Moonpath

Yellowstone Night Landscape Geyser eruption Canon 60Da

One more photo from Yellowstone National Park trip - Eruption of Old Faithful Geyser. Eruption was so strong that take most space on photo with wide angle lens. Dew was so big after eruption that it took some time to heat the lens to start photography again after that photo.

Yellowstone Night Landscape Geyser eruption Canon 60Da

Camera Canon 60Da; Wide Angle Lens EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM; Exposure 30.0 sec; f/2.8; ISO 4000

Yellowstone Geyser eruption and the Milky Way

 Camera Canon 60Da; Wide Angle Lens EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM; Exposure 30.0 sec; f/2.8; ISO 4000

Yellowstone night sky Geyser astrophotography Canon 60Da

  Camera Canon 60Da; Wide Angle Lens EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM; Exposure 15.0 sec; f/2.8; ISO 3200

Yellowstone night  photography - black and white - Old Faithful Geyser

   Camera Canon 60Da; Wide Angle Lens EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM; Exposure 30.0 sec; f/2.8; ISO 4000

Milky Way Galaxy Over Yellowstone National Park Starry night Sky Astrophotography Canon 60Da

   Camera Canon 60Da; Wide Angle Lens EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM; Exposure 30.0 sec; f/2.8; ISO 4000

Yellowstone Park Milky Way Galaxy Geyser Airglow Night Sky Landscape Astrophotography

 Camera Canon 60Da; Wide Angle Lens EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM; Exposure 30.0 sec; f/2.8; ISO 3200

Yellowstone eruptions and Pleiades seven sisters M45 Astrophotography

 Camera Canon 60Da; Wide Angle Lens EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM; Exposure 15.0 sec; f/2.8; ISO 3200

Pleiades and geyser Yellowstone night starry sky landscape Canon 60da

Yellowstone starry night astrophotography Canon 60Da