What's the best place to take Skywatch Friday photos? Well, I know I will get a lot of argument with this one, but I think Joshua Tree National Park should be in the top ten. That's because Joshua Tree National Park, which harbors some of the darkest night skies in the US, has just been certified as the 10th International "Dark Sky" Park in the US national park system. Others include Death Valley, Big Bend and Grand Canyon. In case you were wondering, there are 58 national parks in the US, so only about 1 in 6 have the "dark sky" designation.
Turns out there are a total of 83 locations worldwide that have won the coveted designation, including Warrumbungle National Park in Australia, Yeongyang Firefly Eco Park in South Korea and Zselic National Landscape Protection Area in Hungary. No other Dark Sky spot on Earth, however, is a mere 140 miles from a huge metropolis where stars were washed out long ago by mega-wattage lights flooding the night sky from airports, malls, billboards, theme parks, etc., etc. (Los Angeles). Quoting one park ranger, "The Milky Way is only a two-hour drive away by car!"
Heck, we all knew JTNP has great night sky photography. I guess now it's official!! I'm just lucky and fortunate to live so close to this area. With that in mind, I went through the archives to select some night sky shots taken in JTNP suitable for sharing.
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| Early evening on Park Blvd. under starry skies. Summer evenings generally see little traffic. |
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| Cholla Cactus Garden off Pinto Basin Road. Although it looks like sunset, I think that's a moonrise shot. |
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| Even moon shots look a little sharper when taken in the Park! |
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| Star trails using a fisheye lens (taken just outside the Park). 29 Palms in the background. |
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| Beautiful early evening sky near Keys View Road. |
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| Milky Way framed between two Joshua Trees. |
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| Just another gorgeous Joshua Tree sunset! |
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| "First Stars", Geology Tour Road, with Malapai Hill in the background. |
Click on the link to check out great skies from around the world.
Thanks for stopping by!!
Lucky, lucky you! Extraordinarily beautiful night shots!
ReplyDeleteI think the first & fourth are my absolute favourites but then they are all awesome!
I think your archives are stunning, what a fantastic place.
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend ahead, Gordon.
Gorgeous pictures. Fabulous!!!
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Wow - what a stunning collection
ReplyDeleteYup, you've made your point here! I remember gazing up at zillions of stars when camping in the Colorado wilderness, it's amazing.
ReplyDeleteTruly a stunning group of images. And that second one is mind-blowing. You duh man!
ReplyDeleteSpectacular photos! Great moon and Milky Way shots.
ReplyDeleteIts a "Wow" for every photo! Beautiful milky way shot!
ReplyDeleteYour pictures show why this park is designated one of the best places for night photography.GREAT shots.
ReplyDeleteWow, these are excellent shots. I can only imagine how incredible it is to look up in the night sky in JTNP.
ReplyDeleteI saw the Milky Way for the first time a few weeks ago on a camp trip near Grand Lake in Colorado. The night sky was amazing! I can see why JTNP gets such a dark sky distinction--loved your photos!
ReplyDeleteWow - amazing shots.
ReplyDeleteWow, great great shots !
ReplyDeleteLove your pictures! Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots. Can do nothing else then admiring them. Wonderful landscape and light to photograph.
ReplyDelete"International "Dark Sky" Park"? I could've told them that on the evidence of your photos alone.
ReplyDeleteHello, these are all gorgeous captures of the night sky. I love the Milky Way. Congrats to JTNP, I guess that means more people will be visiting Joshua Tree to see the beautiful night sky. Your moon shot is awesome and I love the last tree silhouette. Great collection of photos. Happy Friday, enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeletebeautiful milky way shot
ReplyDeleteI read about the "Dark sky park" project a couple of years ago. Happy to see it still lives. And that JTNP is choosen. The bright lights everywhere is a problem for astronomers of course, but also for wildlife and birds that navigate in the dark of the night.
ReplyDeleteStunning. This is what photography is all about.
ReplyDeleteYour pictures show why this park is designated one of the best places for night photography.GREAT shots.
ReplyDeletethai porn
Absolutely gorgeous, all. Be a long drive for me to get anywhere that dark.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly get to see some stunning sights in Dark Sky Country!
ReplyDeleteKudos for such a grand collection!!
ReplyDeleteFavorite is the Milky Way shot ~ all magnificent ~nature's treasures captured so well ~ ^_^
ReplyDeleteAmazing photographs because you are willing to go on adventures and present your collection different than everyone else. Clap. Clapping. Still clapping.
ReplyDeleteVery cool! You're lucky to have such a dark place nearby!
ReplyDeleteWow. Just wow.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, what a great place you've chosen to hang out and secondly, have you entered any of these exceptional photos in any contests? My lawd I am blown away and believe me it takes a lot to do so. Brilliant use of the fish-eye. I have yet to get anything usable as far as moon shots. In friggin' credible. A moonrise, really? Dang.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful night sky photos! That's great that JTNP has been certified a Dark Sky National Park, yay for our California! :)
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos. Loved the post.
ReplyDeleteAmazing, gorgeous photos!
ReplyDeleteI live not so far (around 70 kilometres) from Zselic National Landscape Protection Area... I was so glad that you have mentioned it too. :-)
Have a lovely weekend!
Missed the blog yesterday but one word sums them up "Awesome"
ReplyDeleteMight add there is a Dark Sky place near where I go in Wales and I have featured photos in Skywatch. The Elan Valley, Maybe I should try going at Night
DeleteIn total and utter awe. Every photo is perfect ... and you do live in a wonderful place for photos Day and night. I think the last photo and the Milky Way between the trees are my favorites because of the stars. As you say, so many of us don't even really see them well, much less photograph them beautifully.
ReplyDeleteVauuu ... wonderful photos.
ReplyDeleteOMG! Lucky you! Pictures are stunning. Amazing place! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos !! So beautiful I Fisher I had seen thisvin réal!
ReplyDeleteI keep telling hubby we need to go camping overnight there...sigh...We FINALLY got a nice, big tent and a cooking stove, so as soon as the temps drop, we will head up there. They are currently looking for a pair of tourists who got lost and haven't been found...sigh...so sad.
ReplyDeleteYes, so sad about those young hikers. I haven't seen an update on the news recently, but I've lost confidence they will be found. Been well over a week in extreme temps. I know the exact trail they were hiking, and hard for me to figure out how they just completely disappeared with so many looking for them. It reinforces how careful and prepared we must all be when hiking in the desert.
DeleteAmazing pics! I always know you are going to have something good. I've never been to a designated dark sky area, but, when you are in a remote area of any kind, it is sure obvious. It is magical.
ReplyDeleteOur world is amazing!
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