The Great Dune
In a few short hours time, I will be loaded up and headed to the desert of Southwestern Idaho. South of Mountain Home Air Force Base stands the largest single sand dune in the United States. Bruneau Dunes Park is home to the big kahuna, standing over 400 feet tall (think 40 story building). Aside from the fact the dunes represent one of the truly quiet, peaceful places in Idaho, it is also one of the least light polluted.
The plan this evening is to attempt a multi-hour exposure of the heavens to create a star trail shot. Basically you find a point, say the North Star, set up your tripod and open the shutter, read a book, or two, and see what you get. If all goes well, I will get a shot that 1) proves the world is round, and 2 shows one of those phenomenon that can only be seen through the magic of photography. As the shutter is open, the world is still spinning, and the stars as we see them begin to move relative to us. Over the course of hours, they will create a trail in the sky in a perfect circular shape.
Aside from the photographic experience, I am really looking forward to the comraderie that has come from my participation in the Camera Club of Eagle which I founded in 2008. We have a great group of people, and I’m looking forward to stories around a campfire the next couple evenings.
Will post some photos when I get back!