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November 4, 2016 by Terran 10 Comments

Star Trail Skye | Dog Astrophotography at Skye Valley Ranch

It was a little after 10pm at Skye Valley Ranch and the sun had long-since kissed the pink mountains goodnight. Greg and I finished dinner and had a s’more or two as the darkness set in. The cool night air filled the valley as we packed the truck with the camera and camping gear. We had scouted out a perfect spot earlier in the day and I was excited to create a photo that had been in my head for ages.

We said hello to three deer who were casually nibbling on some alfalfa as we made our way out into the valley. As we arrived at our spot, two more deer spied us and bounded away, not knowing they had nothing to fear.

With lanterns in-hand, we set up the camera and tripod, making sure it was on sturdy ground. The stars were as bright as could be and the Milky Way was directly overhead. Roxy — my “little wolf” — climbed on a nearby rock and howled deeply into the night.

Creating star trails in an image takes time — lots and lots of time. So, after I got the camera going, Greg and I put the tailgate down, inflated our sleeping mats, positioned them in the truck bed, and unrolled our sleeping bags. Roxy curled up on her bed by our feet. We laid there quietly — the three of us together — soaking in the silence.

The silence. How can I even explain it? It envelopes you and is only broken by an owl in the distance or the crunch of leaves that signal something wild nearby.

Looking up at the stars, I couldn’t help but think just how small we all are. There is so much out there. The longer my eyes stayed open, the more stars started to appear. And then, a meteor! And another! They shot clear across the sky and in a flash, they were gone.

We tried and tried to keep our eyes open but they grew heavy and we all fell asleep. A few hours later, I awoke, still under the most magnificent starlit sky. I could hear an owl calling out from the tree next to us. I listened and smiled. It was if he was saying hello and allowing me a brief glimpse into his nocturnal life. A moment later, he swooped from the tree, his black silhouette against the starry sky moving swiftly, quietly directly above me. I gasped in disbelief — how amazing was it to just get to experience that? And then, a second owl followed in his path. I shook my head and said a quiet thank you to the owls for that incredible gift.

My camera was still hard at work soaking in all the starlight, so I once again closed my eyes and went to sleep. Another hour or so later, I woke up again and decided it was time to head back to the house. We packed up our gear, said goodnight to the wildlife and thanked them for letting us into their world for a few beautiful hours.

The photo above is what was created that night and it’s already hanging in my home. The memory of this evening brings me pure joy and I love to be reminded of it daily.


Now booking the 2017 Skye Valley Ranch Experience

Filed Under: all pet portraits, field notes, skye valley ranch

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Leyna says

    November 7, 2016 at 8:43 pm

    This is just beautiful!!! I wouldn’t even know where to begin! Your ranch sounds amazing!

    Reply
  2. Alexis says

    November 9, 2016 at 12:36 pm

    Such a beautiful photo and I love the sweet story!!

    Reply
  3. Marisa says

    November 9, 2016 at 12:39 pm

    How amazing! Love this image.

    Reply
  4. Katrina says

    November 9, 2016 at 1:26 pm

    This is simply amazing – way to rock this shot! Impressive!

    Reply
  5. Pauline C. says

    November 9, 2016 at 1:36 pm

    Love the story :) Such a beautiful shot. Looking at it, just gives me a peaceful feeling. Beautiful, beautiful work.

    Reply
  6. Melissa M says

    November 9, 2016 at 2:44 pm

    Holy crap this is amazing. You are a rockstar talent!!

    Reply
  7. Heather Moreau says

    November 9, 2016 at 6:03 pm

    I love this!! I can’t even imagine how you brought all these elements together but it’s amazing!

    Reply
  8. Kristin says

    November 9, 2016 at 6:45 pm

    Wow wow wow….so stunning!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  9. Ashley D says

    November 10, 2016 at 1:30 pm

    I can’t get enough of this, so beautifully captured!!

    Reply
  10. Kriste Vincent says

    November 11, 2016 at 10:51 am

    This is extraordinary!

    Reply

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Home » Star Trail Skye | Dog Astrophotography at Skye Valley Ranch

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Wyoming better move on over and make some room bec Wyoming better move on over and make some room because Montana now shares my heart. We spent 45 days in the western half of the state this year and I did NOT want to leave.​​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​​On our last day, Roxy and I sat out by the Gallatin River together. I sipped my morning tea, we listened to the birds, and watched a little squirrel eat a nut in the tree next to us. It was pure perfection.⁣ 
My *TWO* Montana blogs are up on my website so head on over to westwaypets.com/blog or click the links in my IG bio!
We're officially back in San Diego but I'm still d We're officially back in San Diego but I'm still dreaming of Utah! Photographing Rey and her mom among the red rocks was one of the highlights of our trip. Rey's beautiful brindle tones worked so perfectly with the red rocks and I just loved the happy, natural smiles both mom & pup had when they were together!
I absolutely loved this peaceful spot in Jackson H I absolutely loved this peaceful spot in Jackson Hole. Down a gravel road, away from the tourist crowds, the Teton range stood nobly in the distance while tall trees, yellow wildflowers, and a friendly little chipmunk called this hilltop home. This was such a special evening and Mother Nature's dramatic sunset is not one I'll soon forget.
Here's a little Montana sunrise sparkle and a big Here's a little Montana sunrise sparkle and a big smile from Henry to start your day!
Hello, Las Vegas! Shutterhound starts TOMORROW!!!! Hello, Las Vegas! Shutterhound starts TOMORROW!!!! I know how hard the conference founders, Kaylee & Sam, have been working to pull this all together and I am 1,000,000% confident this will be an event to remember! I am honored to have been asked to teach two separate classes at the event and am so excited to get up there on stage and share what I've learned over the past 13 years as a pet photographer! Are any of my social followers here at the conference, too? Are you ready to have your socks knocked off????? I am!!!
Who's ready to go have some fun this weekend??? Who's ready to go have some fun this weekend???
We wrapped up this year's road trip in Big Sky, Mo We wrapped up this year's road trip in Big Sky, Montana and this was our final hike. Roxy rode in her carriage and was as happy as a little clam the whole time. She loves being out in nature and I'm just so glad we can still provide her with special outings like this one.
This year's Great American Road trip flew by way t This year's Great American Road trip flew by way too quickly. It feels like we were in Wyoming just yesterday, staring out at my favorite mountain range in awe, and photographing the amazing Harley and his mom.​​​​​​​​​ 
I'm flying out to Las Vegas next week to teach at Shutterhound, *the* conference for pet photographers. I'm excited to see old friends, meet new ones, and teach two classes! I am so honored to be part of the "rockstar speaker" lineup, which includes some of the very best, most iconic, and talented pet photographers from across the globe! Can Vegas even contain so much talent? As the conference founders are telling us, expect your socks to be blown right off more than once!
Montana taught me that I can plan and plan and pla Montana taught me that I can plan and plan and plan — but Mother Nature likes to have a little fun with those who get a little too confident in the weather! ➡️ We got completely drenched at one of our photo shoots this month and it will be one of my favorite memories from our entire road trip!
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  • The Great American Road Trip Season 2, Part 3: Wyoming
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