July 11, 2021
In the back of my mind during a recent road trip was the fact that it was time for the New Moon. Since shooting the Milky Way is often less fruitful in the East, I didn’t make any plans around astrophotography. But as the sky darkened and that familiar cluster Read more…
July 4, 2021
According to the handy digital thermometer at the visitor center at Death Valley National Park, the day would reach a high of 117 degrees F. Though during my previous visit to the park in 2017 the temperature maxed out at 124, tonight’s night time low–which I didn’t stay for previously–would Read more…
July 1, 2021
With a Milky Way twinkling vibrantly above, it is not difficult to capture a magical shot. But just down the dark path were the abandoned trains of the San Diego Railroad… so, astro-urbex it was. The contrast of the glowing beauty of our Universe and the lifeless decay of train Read more…
June 30, 2021
I want to share how lovely my stay at La Casa de Zorro in Borrego Springs was. Well-needed and fantastic in every way, especially after roughing it, I tried to capture all its fun in pictures. It’s a great place to settle in before and after area star-gazing. They even Read more…
June 29, 2021
Camping at Joshua Tree National Park was like living in a gorgeous desert painting… from sunrise to sunset. To follow, a visual report from that colorful canvas. Yield. Don’t die. This tree’s name is Joshua. Butt rock Skull rock
June 28, 2021
I first visited Joshua Tree National Park in 2017 (see here).Β This time Iβd camp in the park despite the excessive heat warning to see its dark skies, my 17th dark sky park. Things to know: The moon rises like the sun, just as powerful in my camera’s lens. Β Read more…
April 3, 2021
Pool blue is such a pretty color. The sun in the palm. In the archives, my friend’s art medium Oh you got green eyes; oh you got blue eyes; oh you got grey eyes… and I’ve never seen anyone quite like you before… Layers of green Avocado toast from Celis Read more…
April 1, 2021
As I am sure you know, Florida is a different climate than New York. But I like to notice how different that makes things down there. Different climate–different air, different land, different water. Different everything. I love to visit places that contrast my home in every way possible and be Read more…
March 31, 2021
Going to Florida on Spring break doesn’t have to mean packing on the beach with a bunch of partying yutes. In fact, I can’t think of anything more annoying than that. The state, and its beaches, has so much to offer–tranquil, isolated, beautiful experiences far from the crowds of college Read more…
March 30, 2021
Nestled in Florida’s Volusia County near Lake Helen is a spiritualist community, home to one of the largest populations of psychics and mediums in the world. The brightly colored spaces beam of knowing and wonder, drawing in open-minded visitors and connoisseurs of ethereal awe. We walked the Horseshoe Park Fairy Read more…
January 3, 2021
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 Read more…
Shelling, like astrophotography, is hobby best completed when one takes into account the moon, the season, location. With a big, bright full Cold Moon in the sky, strong winds and within the winter season, I was hopeful to get some shelling in while visiting Florida’s Suncoast. Unfortunately with the long Read more…
January 2, 2021
I kind of fell in love with the sound of wind through the palm trees. So this post is in honor of all that noise did to transport me. In gratitude to the wind… on Crandon Park Beach.
On Florida’s Virginia Key sits the the concrete decay of the Miami Marine Stadium. Built in the 60’s it was constructed for water sport events mostly, but also hosted concerts and Easter sunrise services. Despite being struck with some bad luck in its inauguratory race, when a speedboat racer died Read more…
December 30, 2020
Ringing in the New Year in the tropics, these beautiful trees/beautiful sky are surely a welcome retreat from my usual couch time in Brooklyn. With the last few days being busier that the last few weeks combined, I’ve neglected you dear blog, archive of daily wonderment. So after a mission Read more…
October 22, 2020
The Allegheny Cemetery has a beautiful set of angel wings on its grounds–enormous feather-brushed bronze. The striking Porter Angel marks the resting place of Henry Kirke Porter, a congressman and businessman who died in 1921. She’s long been on my list of must-sees. And she was worth it. Pretty face, Read more…
The Homewood Cemetery has got what I like in a cemetery–it was founded in the late 1800’s, its grounds are Lawn Park style, and it’s full of gorgeous trees in peak foliage. And when you enter bright and early you can watch the bright streams of sun penetrate the morning Read more…
October 19, 2020
[Oh my.] The Orionids Meteor Shower will be peaking on my birthday. So naturally, I have to accept the sky’s invitation. I’d have to find the dark, program my camera, sit back and watch the show, hoping for better luck than when I attempted to catch the Perseids this time Read more…
August 22, 2020
I kind of dropped the ball with this night shoot. Though exhaustion and the heat during the day played a part in my not finding the right spot for my shoot, there was also construction, lots of traffic and nonstop visitor action… and my shooting with way too sensitive ISO Read more…
My final National Park on this trip isβ¦ The Big One. The Grand Canyon. One of the natural wonders of the world. On my knees at the glorious altar of geological worship, the Colorado Plateauβs exquisite beauty is the draw for the millions who visit Grand Canyon National Park annually. Read more…
August 20, 2020
The Navajo Nation has been hit hard by Covid-19. In the initial plan of this trip, which was thought up before the pandemic hit, included a stay at a Navajo βHoganβ or yΓ‘ΚΌΓ‘tʼééh–a traditional and primitive home with a dirt floor, no running water and, I am sure, dark undeveloped Read more…
Sometimes river beats rock–with breathtaking results. In this case it is the San Juan River, a tributary of the Colorado River, that carved several 1,000 foot high curves into the land, creating the main draw for Goosenecks State Park. It is a primitive site without designated hiking trails–or barriers. Because Read more…
August 19, 2020
As thee first IDA-certified park ever, I was really looking forward to visiting Natural Bridges National Monument. One of the darkest skies of the National Park system, my daytime exploration would provide me with an evening plan. I wanted to talk with a Ranger and I wanted to secure a Read more…
August 18, 2020
I re-entered Arches National Park when the sky grew dark and found it to be just as busy as it was in the daytime. Perhaps it seemed more so as every passing vehicle would impact my every shot. I decided Iβd go to the area called Wall Street for several Read more…
With more than 2,000 arches within its 76,000 acres, Arches National Park is a huge tourist draw.Β And given the accessibility and relatively short hikes about their most iconic arches, I knew I couldnβt pass it up during the daytime hoursβ¦ and during the night time hours.Β Which meant two Read more…
These folks know something I was about to learn: That watching the sunrise through Canyonlands National Park‘s Mesa Arch is a magical show. So rather than deconstruct sunshine, I’ll just show you how beautiful it was to see. You want to watch that orange glow and what it does to Read more…