The New Moon is marked on all my calendars, year-round. This is when there is NO moon in the sky. Dark skies are what you need to capture clear images of the Milky Way. The sunlight reflected by the moon washes out the stars… You also need clear skies, and a location away from the lights of civilization.
Last month the new moon was July 20th, the skies were clear and Comet NEOWISE paid us a visit.
These first 4 images are from Baker Lake, at the boat launch. Mt Baker is close by and Mt Shuksan not far off to the north. As the night progressed the comet rose in the sky and then the Aurora Borealis showed up!
Encouraged by these images I went next up the Mt Baker Highway. It took a bit to find a good vantage point, but managed to get the comet as well as several other interesting night sky phenomena!
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- Comet Neowise
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- Comet Neowise
Next I decided to try the Samish Overlook and try for more NEOWISE images. I was never able to find a good vantage for the comet, but to my surprise the Milky Way was visible from there. The lights from the valley wash out the stars, especially close to the horizon, but it was clearly visible to the naked eye!
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- 30 second exposure
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- 20 minute exposure
Picture Lake, on the Mt Baker Highway is a fantastic spot for Milky Way images, high elevation, dark skies and what a reflection! Notice how clear the stars are, especially close to the horizon at Picture Lake and Mt Rainier compared to the Samish Overlook…
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- 30 second exposure
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- 20 minute exposure
My final destination for July Night Sky was Mt Rainier! The Sunrise area of Mt Rainier Nat Park is famous for its night sky views. The glaciers seem to emanate light of their own at night and the mountain glows…
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- 30 Sec
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- 20 Min
The August New Moon is on the 18th! I am excited to go find new vistas!
Night Sky Photo Tours are available on a limited basis! Here is a link with more info.
Prints are for sale at several locations! The Sedro-Woolley Chamber currently has a display of more then 15 large canvas prints, some are in a floating frame! You can also see and purchase new prints at Peace Health Hospital in Sedro-Woolley, I have a large display of my prints for sale in the lobby.
Prints of all kinds and sizes are also available anytime on my web site. Find a gallery and look for the perfect image…
IF you find something you love, use the Coupon Code: SUMMER for 50% OFF ANY purchase.
North Western Images - photos by Andy Porter 
Absolutely stunning images, especially the Neowise comet shots !!!
We weren’t lucky to get a glimpse of it as it’s Monsoon season and it was always cloudy over last one month.
Thank you so much for sharing, Andy and I really appreciate the effort behind these images 🙂
Sreejith, Thank you!!! When the New Moon coincides with clear skies magic can happen!
Thank you so much for being my eyes to the sky! Breathtaking shots, my dear friend and how wonderful having the Aurora Borealis with Neowise! 🙏
Thank you, Marina! Its nice to have such easy access to dark skies up here in the North Cascades.
You can say that again! Thank YOU, my friend.
Marina! You are making me smile…
You are most certainly welcome.
Sometimes driven by darkness, sometimes lured by the light.
I love your star images. … and if you are a friend of Marina’s, you are a friend of mine.