Desert photography at night. A new adventure in survival.

I made the decision late this past week that I couldn't take it any more. The weather here in Arizona is perfect for hiking, and my new Jeep was looking for adventure. So I decided to try something new. So here is my adventure. With a few hints and tips along the way. I will not, however, be going into a long explanation of how to's. Google it, there are hundreds of how to's out there.

I was excited and impatient so I left too early to get out to the lake. I was really looking for something in particular. I didn't get that. But I am keeping it a secret for another day. I saw some people hiking in an area that looked promising to me so I parked and took a scout hike back into the desert looking for something interesting. I found this beautiful old cottonwood tree that I just couldn't pass up so I went back to my car and loaded up.

I had my backpack with cameras, lenses, two flashlights (yes, two) spare batteries and a tripod. A cooler with enough food to last three days, another tripod and a camp chair. I was really happy that the spot I selected was less than 1,000 yards from the road.

I used my trusty compass and set up my cameras. You really want to set your composition in the daylight. Set the focus to infinity. Then wait for sunset. I was a little early. I was setup by 4:00. Sunset was at 5:30.....

I was set up in a dry river bed. I do not recommend this. Most river beds in Arizona are dry at some point in time. And there was ample evidence of water rushing through this one, recently. I took a chance but I was also informed. No chance of rain anywhere in Arizona. And it hadn't rained for a few days. If you are not familiar with Arizona, stay out of the washes and river beds. Even if it doesn't look like rain.

An hour after sunset I used my flash to get a decent photo of the giant tree in front of me. My plan, use the tree for a foreground in a massive star trails photo.

Then I programmed my camera to take 360 30 second exposures. Hit start and wait. That's three hours worth of photos. About 30 minutes into this I wondered if two hours would be enough. I had forgotten my ear phones. It was just me, my very observant hearing, my imaginative thoughts and the noises of the desert night.

I heard the wild donkeys running though the desert. Peccary snorting close by. Coyotes calling each other in the distance. I swear I heard a very large feline stalking me. Maybe 30 minutes is enough! Wait! What was that?

The best meteor that I can ever remember seeing streaked across the sky. I could actually see the fire. It was incredible.

I decided to eat everything that was left very quickly. Hoping to keep the predators away. Then I realized that left only me as a potential meal. That's 45 minutes down. Only 135 more to go....patience.


Star trails done properly is a true labor of love. As I write this my computer is processing 360 photos that I will blend into the images that you will see here. This is pass two for these images. I wasn't completely happy with pass one so I am trying again. 360 photos took 3 hours just to take. Then there is the time scouting and setting up. And did I mention processing? When it is complete though, it is well worth it.

I hadn't been out with my camera seriously for about a month. That is harder to do than you might think. I relearn why I love it so much every time I go out with my camera. Especially when I get to a place like where I was last night.