New Moon= No Moon= Awesome Milky Way

Every month, the moon comes all the way around in its orbit so that it is mostly between us and the sun. These images were taken yesterday at Zion National Park, Utah.

 

The Milky Way appears over Zion National Park on a moonless night.
The Milky Way appears over Zion National Park on a moonless night.

 

The Milky Way appears over Zion National Park on a moonless night.

 

The Milky Way appears over Zion National Park on a moonless night.

 

The Milky Way appears over Zion National Park on a moonless night.
Billion and Billions of stars!

 

 

 

Moon and Jupiter

In case you missed it, tonight’s crescent moon was accompanied by Jupiter, just above it.

 

Zion Moon Jupiter_8180

Grand Canyon Milky Way

From the other night.

 

The Milky Way comes alive over the North Rim of The Grand Canyon at Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
The Milky Way comes alive over the North Rim of The Grand Canyon at Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

 

The Milky Way comes alive over the North Rim of The Grand Canyon at Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
That’s the town of Flagstaff in the distance as shot from the North Rim.

Lost Highway

Just got back from 5 days on California’s Coast again. Photos to follow soon! Didn’t have internet so I’m going thru 650 emails right now and everyone’s posts from this week

VIEW AT NIGHT OF COUNTRY ROAD IN CALIFORNIA

Detour to Alabama Hills in California’s Owens Valley

The normal road I take to Eureka Dunes at Death Valley National Park was washed out. So I had to go around and wouldn’t make it to the dunes that night. So I camped at Alabama Hills near Lone Pine California. It has great views and the camping is free! And the full moon was to rise that night.

 

Owens Valley Camping_2204

 

The sun rises over the eroded sandstone rocks of Alabama Hills in the Owens Valley of California

 

The moon rises over a campfire at Alabama Hills in the Owens Valley of California
The moon rises over a campfire at Alabama Hills in the Owens Valley of California

 

The light from a full moon shines on The Sierra Nevada Mountains near Lone Pine, California
The light from a full moon shines on The Sierra Nevada Mountains near Lone Pine, California

 

The sun rises over the eroded sandstone rocks of Alabama Hills in the Owens Valley of California
The sun rises over the eroded sandstone rocks of Alabama Hills in the Owens Valley of California

 

The sun rises over the eroded sandstone rocks of Alabama Hills in the Owens Valley of California

 

Monsoonal Moisture In Northern Arizona

I love the monsoon season in Northern Arizona. From July to early September, dramatic skies form above the parched desert landscape.  The rains provide some relief from the scorching 100 degree(F) temperatures. Rainbows, large puffy clouds, violent storm cells and electricity filled up the Arizona Sky.

 

A rainbow appears during a monsoonal thunderstorm near the Grand Canyon in Northern Arizona

 

Storm clouds appear over the Northern Arizona landscape.

 

Lightning strikes at The Grand Canyon in Northern Arizona

 

A monsoonal storm cell passes through the Northern Arizona landscape near The Grand Canyon.

 

A monsoonal storm cell passes through the Northern Arizona landscape near The Grand Canyon.

 

A monsoonal storm cell passes through the Northern Arizona landscape near The Grand Canyon.

 

Shafts of light beam down onto the Northern Arizona landscape near the Grand Canyon

 

Lightning strikes at The Grand Canyon in Northern Arizona

 

A monsoonal storm cell passes through the Northern Arizona landscape near The Grand Canyon.

 

 

More Lightning Boltzzz zzzzz zzzzz

This time from my own backyard.

Lightning strikes The Watchman at Zion National Park, Utah

 

Lightning strikes The Watchman at Zion National Park, Utah

 

Lightning strikes The Watchman at Zion National Park, Utah

 

 

Lightning strikes The Watchman at Zion National Park, Utah

 

Zion Night Sky

Two images  shot this week of the spectacular night sky at Zion National Park, Utah.  Both were 30 second exposures at F4.0 and ISO at 1600.

Zion Night Sky
The Three Marys

 

 

Zion Night Sky
Towers Of The Virgin With Moon Rising In Background

 

 

 

 

 

Zion Night Sky-Time Lapse Video

The night sky at Zion last night included stars, passing clouds and the light from a half moon.  Music by Mylo whose great album Destroy Rock and Roll from 2004 can be purchased at  iTunes. 

Watch video in HiDef at Full Screen

Vegas Time Lapse Video!

Shot last week in Vegas. First 2 scenes are day into night of the fabulous City Center from my hotel room. Music by The New Pornographers. You can purchase this great new tune, Champions Of Red Wine, at iTunes Link.

Watch at HiDef and Full Screen