Big Cypress National Preserve
🌟 International Dark Sky Park #16

With my visit to Big Cypress National Preserve I would accomplish visiting both of Florida’s IDA-certified dark sky parks. Though the skies were plentiful in the preserve, the rise of a spectacularly bright moon, along with constant vehicle traffic, along with no time for daytime exploration to seek a spot to shoot made capturing the stars a challenge. Having no knowledge of the lay of swampland, it was important to er on the side of caution lest we wander into being a meal for a gator. I would like to return in the daytime hours during Milky Way season under a New Moon.

My best shots were the first shots, when the moon had not risen above the horizon. Though the Milky Way core is not visible this time of the year, I can still see clusters of stars that are similarly exciting.

The sun waving goodbye

Then it was the moon that stole the show. It was tremendous. Far bigger than this picture appears.

The moon is like the sun

How brightly it illuminated the preserve as it rose in the sky.

I like using shadows in my pictures. Tripods appear “old timey.” I dig old timey.

Can you believe that moon?! I couldn’t stop talking about it.

Pretty much daylight

After the moon came up, we headed back East to watch the New Years fireworks pop off on the way. Happy New Year I’ll say again! What a way to bring it in.