The “Reach for the Stars” Experience
Darkness was finally returning to Alaska’s late summer nighttime sky, and I had just bagged my first aurora shot of the season in the early am of August 20th. With that off the checklist, I turned my eyes to the stars while exploring this lake near Willow.
The conditions were perfect; calm, warm (+50°) and no mosquitos so I went off the beaten path. I was drawn to a narrow & winding forest game trail and navigated through the bumpy tree roots, bear spray in hand, while whistling and occasional barking out “Yo moose, Yo bear” so as not to surprise any critters.
When I emerged out of the thick forest and saw this unique spruce tree leaning into the Milky Way Galaxy, I gasped. I positioned my tripod right then & there, opened the camera shutter for several seconds, then used my little headlamp to illuminate the funky tree to bring out its character. Boom, one shot and I knew it was a keeper. The toughness of this hardy tree surviving in constantly wet/frozen conditions inspires me as it appears to be reaching for the stars!
