Coolidge State Park

First night meeting the Milky Way.

Our teacher, Loren, took us to Calvin Coolidge State Park (Coolidge was our 30th president).  In the middle of the vast field stood an old barn. We were to shoot the barn during Blue Hour. Blue Hour is about an hour after sunset.

We trudged through the tall grass and set up our tripods. The darkening sky was turning this electric blue. As we were shooting, Loren "light painted" the barn so that it could be seen in the image.

As the night progressed, we heard the howl of coyotes echoing in the darkness. Great Horned Owls were calling around us. i truly felt part of the landscape.

We then set up our cameras to shoot star trails. You set your camera to take 30 second exposures at an interval. Once done, you can stack all the shots together.

By this point, the Milky Way started to reveal itself. I could not believe what I was seeing! I forgot about my fear of the surrounding darkness as I was in awe. We set up our cameras and framed the shot.

Cabot, Vt

Darkness took on a whole new meaning.

Even though we were in a dark environment, Loren wanted to take us to a place with less light pollution. So we travelled about an hour and 1/2 up north to this covered bridge in the middle of a field.

We arrived at sunset to a view of the giant star disappearing behind the Green Mountains. This time we bracketed the images, taking the same image but changing one setting.

Once it started getting dark, we practiced shooting star trails again.

When the Milky Way appeared we walked in knee deep grass to the covered bridge to compose some beautiful shots. It was an amazing experience.

           Quechee, Vt

Applying what I learned.

Jason and I had a night to ourselves so we thought we should practice what was learned.

We went to this spot where we had to walk through the trees to get to the bank of the Ottauquechee River. The remote spot made me sing aloud to announce our presence to the hidden wildlife.

The Milky Way floated over the treetops and the river mirrored the immense galaxy.

I was so grateful that I took the workshop and was able to apply what was learned.

We had no sleep during that visit, birding during the day and stargazing at night, but it was one of the most energizing experiences I have ever had!