Nighttime View at Stave Island, VT

in the failing light
Shooting star and the Milky Way over the Main House
I am a firm believer that with all of the technology out there that many people never get outside after dark to experience a different side of the world around them. With electricity, tv, and internet all around it is easy to stay indoors and miss out on things like shooting stars, constellations, and feeling comfortable in darkness. But luckily this same advanced technology that keeps many indoors, also gives us the power to capture the night in photos like never before. Far away from the big cities, on moonless nights, photographers armed with long exposure capable cameras and a bit of patience see what the night really has to offer. Sometimes it will surprise you with its beauty.

Looking up the Lookout Tower
Kid's Cottage at Night
   I spent the last two nights on a quiet island in the middle of Lake Champlain named Stave Island. I noticed the stars coming into focus and even the milky way making an appearance. So after everyone said their goodnights I grabbed my camera and slipped out to quietly see what I could capture. Using a 30second shutter speed and a 3200 iso I was able to capture different scenes from around the island. Looking up the lookout tower, the milky way cascading into the main house, vestiges of yellow and gold lights over the lake, and even a shooting star announcing the coming of the famous Persied Meteor Shower were some of the scenes that I could have just as easily slept through. It makes you wonder what you might be missing out there right now... 
View off the dock at 11:30pm
Milky Way and wispy streaks

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