I've strayed from my usual hangout of Joshua Tree National Park and traveled north to the Mojave Preserve near the ghost town of Cima. As mentioned in my previous post, our trip here seemed to be jinxed right from the get-go. But as sunset settles in, the rain has stopped and the wind has died down, and the skies are truly amazing. In this case anyway, perseverance seems to have paid off!
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| Mitch has a nice view from his tent! |
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| Mammatus clouds glowing pink in the sunset! |
And now, for my favorite photo of the trip. I was excited to shoot the Milky Way because night skies are darker here. Not only was it a new moon night, but there was supposed to be a meteor shower at its peak. Looking through my camera, I wasn't seeing any meteors, but the MW looked wonderful. I used a 15 second exposure for the MW, and right after I activated the shutter, I saw a huge meteor streak across the sky! I remember thinking "Please please please be on the photo!!" It not only showed up, but the composition was perfect, with the meteor streak running parallel to the MW. Added bonus: the meteor streak was green, which is something I've not seen before! Here's what Google says.
"A green streak from a meteor happens when specific chemical elements inside the space rock- most notably magnesium or nickel- vaporize and glow brightly as the rock speeds through Earth's atmosphere. A green streak from a meteor is quite rare."
Interesting, wouldn't you agree?
Thanks for stopping by!!
Linking with Skywatch Friday.
Amazing photography as always. I love your skies.
ReplyDeleteThat is quite the catch.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, you already had outstanding photos of the sky and Joshua Trees and the desert and then you get the Milky Way and green meteor.
ReplyDeleteI think you have superpowers and that is why the rattlesnakes leave you alone.
I thought the sunsets were stunning but the M W is something else. Awesome
ReplyDeleteMitch's mushroom tent is wonderful and even more so the skies above, especially the night sky and that mystical streak shooting through all those stars. Bravo!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful as always!
ReplyDelete...my friend, your posts are always interesting and I thank you for sharing. Your little piece of heaven is so much different than mine!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots.
ReplyDeleteYour photographs always bring drama through your lens. Love the skills you brought to the table
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! What a fabulous capture ot the Milky Way and Meteor! I loved seeing the silouettes of the Joshua Trees at sunset, too, in your post.
ReplyDeleteWow! That last photo is spectacular!
ReplyDeleteIt truly is spectacular, as Michelle says. My favorite is the one just before it. Oh heck--- they're all fantastic!
ReplyDeleteHow lucky were you? Great image, your perseverance was rewarded.
ReplyDeleteI do agree. You might be said to have lucked out, but it was effort and preparation that paid off well.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous sunset shots.
ReplyDeleteWorth a Thousand Words
I always look forward to your pictures. And you did not disappoint Greatshots.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos all around. I especially like the mammatus cloud shot and of course the Milky Way is always spectacular. This latest one is very interesting.
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible shot! Capturing a rare green meteor perfectly framed parallel to the Milky Way after a rough start to the trip is pure serendipity.
ReplyDeleteWahnsinn, was für tolle Fotos,
ReplyDeleteund die Milchstraße ist das absolute Nonplusultra !
Lieben Gruß aus Deutschland
I saw a documentation about the Mojave desert in TV. But being life there must be most significant. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreetings by Heidrun
Wow,wow,wow fantastic again
ReplyDeleteStunning series of photos, Amazing skies. Enjoying you post.
ReplyDeleteYour patience really paid off -- those skies are breathtaking, and that rare green streak is the kind of capture photographers dream about.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing it with us.
Kudos!
ReplyDeleteYour sky never fails to dramatize the firmament.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Joshua Tree photos and the Milky Way and Green Meteor is indeed a Wow! photo ~ always wonderful photography here ~ Thanks Peter ~ Hugs ^_^
ReplyDeleteIt was a real treat once again—those ghostly Joshua trees in the darkness, the beautiful sunset with stunning mammatus clouds, and then that meteor alongside the Milky Way.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great storyline that makes us appreciate even more these stunning, colorful photographs! But the Milky Way steals the show with the meteor making its grand appearance. Could the timing have been any more perfect? And so well composed in front of the Joshua tree.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos. 😍
ReplyDelete