Capturing the Milky Way in the Eastern Sierra

It has been a while since I made any posts, partly due to less travel this year and partly due to the time it takes to create a post. I like to share the photos, but it is the writing that takes so much time. I may try to write less and post more. I took this one last week while traveling in the Eastern Sierra. Later that night we took some Milky Way shots, but I love this one with the meteor unexpectedly photo-bombing my blue hour shot. I took the liberty of moving the meteor from the edge of the frame to a more prominent position to create a better composition.

We had hoped to go on a Milky Way shooting adventure for each of three nights we were there, but the weather had other plans – cloudy skies and rain. In the end we had one good night, the day we arrived.

I will begin work shortly on the NEW 2026 Calendar. Stay tuned!

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On one of the following mornings we went out for sunrise in the along Hot Creek .

On the way home, my friend showed me this location near Lone Pine. We were both surprised to find the late season bloom of flowers. Lone Pine Peak is the prominent mountain off to the right. Mt Whitney is out of sight further north.

Mesquite Dunes – Dust in the Wind


I went back to Mesquite Dunes in Death Valley National Park again in early January during a dust storm. I was prepared with goggles and face mask. It was dusty everywhere.  I loved the moody atmosphere this created.  Here are five of my favorites. Go to my website to see the full Mesquite Dunes – Dust in the Wind collection.

Dust Storm on the Dunes
Dust in the Wind

The next morning, I went out again as the sun began to light the landscape. The wind had died down and the dunes were blown smooth.

Pastel Palette
Sea of Dunes at Dawn
Desert Solitude