Sunset on the Beach

It has been years since I sat under the stars and was able to see them so brilliantly. I was with two friends sitting on a beach waiting to watch the Perseids meteor shower last week. Out of practice with camera settings and putting up a tripod with telescopic legs that need to screw open or shut and got nothing with my camera, but saw a few streaks across the whole sky and on the horizons. It was good having company in the dark, never would have had the nerve on my own. We were southeast of Edmonton in the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve where light pollution is at a minimum. Here are some photos of our view as the sun set.

I missed the full glow in the clouds as I spent so much time fiddling with my tripod, finally took this by hand.

Some Canada Geese were out in the water with some Grebes, Gulls. Far away but still nice to see them.

Picnic table made a decent foreground subject.

A beautiful calm night. Cold too! glad I had a tuque and layers under my jacket.

The clouds did clear to some extent and we had a great view of the Milky Way and could hear the yipping of Coyotes and two great Horned Owls calling to each other along with our excited voices exclaiming, “there goes one!” ” I saw it!” “It had a tail!” “Did you see that??” ” Right across the sky!”

Great night; great memories.