Bosque by Twilight Star Trails

Meteor possibly but now more likely to be an Iridium Flare!

Thousands of Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes

It's an Iridium satelite. I photograph Iridium satelites myself, so I know ;)
Great colors!

definately an iridium flare... very cool

it looks like a cross!!! <3

biggest of the smallest.

nice

I was here

I love the fact the biggest star is reflected.

i luv this color

great view

This is a fantastic sight!

How about Star Trek Enterprise goint into Hyperspace?

niccc pic keep it up

Add your note here.

RED!!! nice colors!

stars reflected?

Bosque by Twilight Star Trails by Fort Photo.

To best view star trails please view large on black.

This is a 15 minute exposure of star trails above one of the main pools at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. I took this when it basically first looked fully dark outside and I was still able to catch color from the remains of the earlier sunset. The color is as it came out of the camera with noise reduction applied. I was amazed at my luck in catching what looks to be a meteor/shooting star in the upper left!

Edit: I stand corrected it looks as if this was an equally cool to catch Iridium Flare! My frame finished up at 7.37 pm MST per my EXIF, but in reality it was 6:37 pm MST as I had my D70 clock one hour fast since it had not been corrected for Daylight Savings Time. This means the exposure started around 6:22 pm MST and the Iridium Flare was forecast to occur at 6:33:07 pm... Ding, ding we have a winner! Major props to Walt K and fdecomite for correctly calling this. I called it a meteor thinking it was a leftover Leonid.

You can tell the hotter stars by their streak's blue color, with cooler ones coming in more red. What amazed me is that star trails would come in this good so soon after sunset. I attribute the nearly new moon and the low light pollution of this area in New Mexico, but suffice it to say I will be experimenting more with this technique in the future.

We've just returned from a week's vacation to Bosque, I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday!

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Comments

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(206 comments)

Jeanie's Pics says:

beautiful!

You are my winner!
Please add this photo to
www.flickr.com/groups/mywinners/
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

birdyboo says:

Wow! What a neat photo. Fascinating.

Please post this photo with Search the Best
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

makeupanid says:

Oh I love star trails-excellent shot!-never seen them with bonus sunset colours :O

You are my winner as well!
You deserve another one.
Found in www.flickr.com/groups/mywinners/
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

VivienneF says:

just fascinating!!!
seen in my contacts' photos

This gets a trophy!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Carmeena [deleted] says:

You are my winner as well!
You deserve another one.
Found in www.flickr.com/groups/mywinners/

Superb !
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

redow says:

Beautiful!
TWTME
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

flopper says:

wonderful color and long exposure! (Karma)
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Pacific Landscapes says:

I love your star images in general, and this one in particular. Very interesting result from good planning and a little good luck (shooting star). Congratulations on a fine, fine image.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Pacific Landscapes says:

-------------------------------------------
You are invited to post this image to "Spectacular Landscape, invitation only"
www.flickr.com/groups/spectacular_landscapes/
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

red321 says:

Wow, great luck capturing the meteor! Fantastic colors in the sky, unearthly.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Leviathor says:

This is a completely awesome long exposure, Michael--phenomenal work--a fave.

A Big Fave
Please add this to www.flickr.com/groups/bigfave

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Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Keith Yeung says:

fantastic capture!

Have a great week ahead, my friend!

Astonish me!
Now is time to present this Wisdom Award for you!

Would you please add this photo to below group:
www.flickr.com/groups/wisdom/
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

tony's pics says:

Absolutely outstanding shot!!

(gallery & instructions)[?]
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

stokrotka49 says:

Wow!
I saw this in A Big Fave
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Mark Griffith says:

Nice arc!
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Seen in 3:1 (make 3 comments, add 1 photo) (?)
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

_Bonnie_ says:

Amazing, stunning, unbelievable actually. If not for your commentary I would have thought you'd painted in a nice design over a pretty sky. But aha - it was Mother Nature who did the painting. Never seen this in my life before.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Philippe Sainte-Laudy says:

Simply awesome..great shot and so beautifully done :)
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

JarkkoS says:

Very interesting picture, looks cool. 3:1 Group
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

linda yvonne says:

Thanks for sharing this amazing shot.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Photos by Elyssa says:

Stunning! Great color and the shooting star is really a great catch. Welcome back! I look forward to more of your photos =)
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

bleuet / Anne-Marie says:

What a wonderful skyscape ! Great indeed ! :-)

A real Eyecatcher. Please add this picture and join the Eyecatcher group.

An Awesome Shot Award
You are invited to add this image to An Awesome Shot!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Mark Abercrombie says:

Excellent!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

darkenergy777 says:

Fantastic star trail shot. Really excellent work.!!
Thank you for you kind comments.
Mike
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

1blessedmom Photography says:

Lovely colors and excellent long exposure!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

jah~ says:

Wow, what a great idea to get the dusk star trails! A leftover Leonid? Cool!

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Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Hot Flash Photography says:

Wow, great shot. Your photos never cease to amaze. Beautiful.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

kayodeok says:

Really great work
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Markus Moning says:

A beautiful skyscape. Just great!

Kris Kros Contacts
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

paddimir says:

magnificent! did you have to use filters or anything? 321
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Fort Photo says:

@paddimir, no filters were used save for a UV/haze filter on to protect the lens. The lens used was a Tokina 28-80 2.8 ATX. This is the first long-time exposure I've tried with it and was pleased with how it handled for this. I typically use a 17-35 Nikon for these but wanted to see how this lens would do and I think it compares pretty favorably to the Nikon for night photography.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

∆ toma01 says:

Wow! a great and interesting shot! 3-2-1
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

fdecomite says:

wonderful ! Can the meteor be an iridium flare instead ?
123 5faves
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Lincolnian (Brian) says:

A great shot, mesmerising, good work.

Seen in 3-2-1
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Fort Photo says:

@fdecomite: definitely not a flare but I bet that would make a very cool photo as well. Thanks for your comments all!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

bch12 says:

Amazing capture and I will have to try this in the backcountry sometime.

--
Seen in 2 for 2 (view 2, comment on 2) (?)
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

AraiGodai says:

fantastic...!! what a photo.

You are my winner as well!
You deserve another one.

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Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Scott Ingram Photography says:

Damn cool man. That is a sweet break you got there with the shooting star. Really cool. It's amazing the kind of shots you can get once you get away from the city lights. Really nice one!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Andrew Geddes says:

incredible...

Kris Kros Contacts
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

dreamscapepics says:

Wow, this is awesome!!!
Outstanding Shot! Please add this to our pool!
(Join Outstanding Shot group and give awards!)
Please add "Outstanding Shots" tag to your photo
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

tollen says:

Wonderful and creative!!!!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

williewonker says:

Beautiful colours, and I like the star trails.

Kris Kros Contacts
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Fort Photo says:

@fdecomite's comment: I was far too quick to dismiss his suggestion. I thought he had meant the more typical flare as in the kind lost hikers launch. Boy do I now feel dumb after looking up what an Iridium Flare is. It turns out they are brilliant reflections created by Iridium communications satellites. That certainly is possible. I know it's not a jet or launched flare, but a glint of brilliance off a communications satellite is certainly possible. Sorry to fdecomite for jumping too quickly to judging-- and thank you for the interesting comment!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

gari.baldi says:

wow, thats fantastic!!

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Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

MatthewPHX says:

Amazing shot! This turned out much better than the ones I just posted to Flickr.

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Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

asawaa says:

Spec-TAC-ular!
Wow! this is awesome!

Seen in "Spectacular Landscape, invitation only"
www.flickr.com/groups/spectacular_landscapes/
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

stargazer95050 says:

S T U N N I N G !!!
[2for2]
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Nicki817 says:

Absolutely gorgeous photo! Outstanding Shot! This is my favourite of the pool!
(Join Outstanding Shot group and give awards!)
Please add "Outstanding Shots" tag to your photo
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

arosin00 says:

Spectacular. It does look even more impressive on black!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

hmaxwell says:

This is truly unbelievable. It's images like this, done the old-fashioned way (meaning with the work on the FRONT END, before the button is pushed, rather than in the lab or on the computer) that keep me from being tempted to pick up Photoshop or other tinkering software. Fantastic photo, this absolutely jumped off the page at me. Instant fave. I'm inspired to try longer exposures and night photography with my new tripod now!

Outstanding Shots Outstanding Shot! This is my favourite of the pool!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Walt K says:

Very impressive capture!! The remarkable symmetry of the additional flash of light would seem to suggest that perhaps it was an iridium flare, as opposed to a meteoroid burning up in the atmosphere, which I would expect to be less symmetric. 3:1
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

dcumminsusa says:

I'm jealous; every time I try to do a long capture of stars, along comes an airplane with it's strobing lights straight through my sky. Very cool. I'll have to remember to try this if I'm there during sunset this year.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Kirpernicus says:

Amazing long exposure!!

THIS IS EYE CANDY! Please post this amazing photo to the Eye Candy! Group.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Fort Photo says:

@Walk K, I do believe after more research that it is indeed an Iridium Flare, major props to you and fdecomite for guessing it might be one. I went to the Heavens Above website that has a giant database of predictions for a variety of locations, including happily Socorro, NM (just N of Bosque). There was one forecast to occur during the 15 minutes my camera was exposing so it looks like a match!

My frame finished up at 7.37 pm MST per my EXIF, but in reality it was 6:37 pm MST as I had my D70 clock is one hour fast since it had not been corrected for Daylight Savings Time. This means the exposure started around 6:22 pm MST and the Iridium Flare was forecast to occur at 6:33:07 pm... Ding, ding we have a winner!

This is exactly why I love flickr, the thoughtful comments and learning that I do regularly here has really added to my enjoyment of photography. I of course had heard of the Iridium satellites previously, but it didn't occur to me on my own that is what this could be. How cool is that?
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

RoryO'Bryen says:

A+++ Grade Photo
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Juergen B aus M [deleted] says:

A+++ Grade Photo
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

straightfinder says:

Stunning capture!!! Beautiful star trails!!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Walt K says:

I think you may be giving me more credit than I deserve for identifying the flash as an Iridium Flare because prior to my seeing your picture I had never heard of them -- I have seen satellites after sunset. It was only my followup of fdecomite's suggestion that I looked more closely at the flash and made my "symmetry" comment suggesting that it was less likely to be a meteor. A Google search reveals other pics of Iridium Flares that are nearly identical to yours. It is this kind of learning experience that makes Flickr fun -- thanks for posting this picture along with your many other interesting ones!!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Salva del Saz says:

Awesome! I coudn't imagine a 15 minute exposure photo!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

andie.smith says:

wow!!! this is really cool!!!

A+++ Grade Photo
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Karnevil says:

Great Picture. How did you stand still for 15 minutes!!! Just Joking :)
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Luka Skracic says:

Just stunnning, well done, the overall effect looks fantastic!
~P1F1
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

shadowoflightproject says:

Impressive photograph. Great colours. The flair is very unique.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Jeff Fennell says:

I really like how the sky has color, even at night. I have a similar star-trail picture with a meteor streak ( flickr.com/photos/jfennell/299774379/in/set-7 215759435083... )
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

fdecomite says:

This is a (little) group of iridium spotters. Your picture will be welcome there.

www.flickr.com/groups/iridiumflares/
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Fort Photo says:

@fdecomite, I never ceased to be amazed by the coolness of flickr, thanks for the heads up~!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

WisDoc says:

Wow, this is awesome - I love it!

I've chosen your photo for the competition of the week at Scientist Photographers group, you can follow the scoring in the discussion section of our group! Good Luck!

--
Seen in Scientist Photographers (?)
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

jasondunsmore says:

Wow, nice capture of that meteor (or flare).
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Levistrauss says:

Scientist Photographers:

Beautful Image!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Pseudo_Ice says:

Beautiful shot...thanks for the explanation...

Scientist Photographers
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Paul Sparks says:

Absolutely stunning image. You've really captured a beautiful photo of Star Trails. The Iridium Flare is great addition. I've wanted to visit Bosque for some time now to see the cranes there. This makes me want to go for more than the cranes.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

GoodMoon says:

Wow, this is brilliant.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

BamaWester says:

Geeze.....this is amazing. I'm going to have to do a few of these in the near future. Another big fave. :-)
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

.Amir says:

this is freaking amazing!

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Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

inbarit_by says:

Oh my! That is one crazy beautiful shot!!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

n+s says:

well done... gorgious landscape... and some very interesing commentary to go with it too. i spent the past summer in northern ontario canada hunting for polaris (with moderate success) and was lucky enough to catch the last of the persids but certainly would've been amazing to have spotted a flare like you got. nice choice of grabbing the constellations around magic hour.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

jeffbaynton says:

instant fave

Thumbs Up! from Flickr Smileys

Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

stussi_daimon says:

a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/flick r_smileys"> Thumbs Up! from Flickr Smileys

Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Zeb Andrews says:

That's amazing. Beautiful.

Thumbs Up! from Flickr Smileys

Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Jeanie's Pics says:

Karma Group Photo Contest
Karma Nominated Photo
This Wonderful Photo has been Nominated for the Karma Photo Contest! Please look in the contest thread for further directions!
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

Cat Faery Shari says:

Amazing brilliant. I adore the color.

I saw this in the 50+ Faves group and Faved it.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

The Capturer says:

really great shot!
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

Kelly Bates says:

What a stunning shot, wonderful composition and those colours are just gorgeous!
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

yezzer says:

excellent photo!
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

rich66 ~ says:

What an amazing capture. Breath-taking. To have seen this in person must have been awesome. Fave for me. Thank you for sharing this with us in the KARMA ** SHADOWS OF THE NIGHT ** THREAD
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

Ed.ward says:

Hi, I'd love to have your photo in the GeoTagged Landscapes, Cityscapes and Panoramas group. The group currently has its own layer in Google Earth - see this link if you have it installed.
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

graham_wa says:

Coooool!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Bill from Boston says:

Wow, this is an amazing shot! Love the colors, the details... so well done!
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

livbase13 says:

This is my favorite shot!
It's more than amazing!! - It's out of this world!!!
I wanna take pictures like that :)
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Eisenheim. says:

Beautifull!!

Votre photo vaut de l'or !
Please add this photo to
www.flickr.com/groups/goldingot/
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

BigBean says:

This is wonderful!

It's definitely one of

You are invited to join:
Natures best!
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

guyfattal says:

this is a great photo
i invite you to join my new club landscape&waterscape and submit this photo or any other photograph.
www.flickr.com/groups/landscapewaterscape/
im looking forward to seeing you.
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

flattop341 says:

Incredible exposure. That Iridium Flare is awesome. I've never seen another photo like this one.

Hi, I'm a member of a group called Five Flickr Favs, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.

This photo has also been nominated to participate in our TAG 5 Landscape Contest #2. Please post a medium size of this photo into the TAG 5 Landscape Contest thread.

The winning photo of this contest will be featured on our home page.

Thank you for participating. I hope to see you there.
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

Peter Ede says:

What a great shot of an iridium flare
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

klausthebest says:

Hi, I'm a moderator of "Holidays-Vacanze-Urlaub" group.
Please, If you haven't done it yet, vote the Night Contest
www.flickr.com/groups/holidays-vacanze-urlaub /discuss/721...

Thanks.
“Holidays-Vacanze-Urlaub" staff.
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

k-pic says:

ohhh great shot... love it!
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

e20ci says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Night and Day. This is a really great shot, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

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Taken in Tiffany, New Mexico (map)
Taken with a Nikon D70.
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Taken on November 23, 2006
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Bosque by Twilight Star Trails

Comments

Jeanie's Pics says:

birdyboo says:

makeupanid says:

VivienneF says:

Carmeena [deleted] says:

redow says:

flopper says:

Pacific Landscapes says:

Pacific Landscapes says:

red321 says:

Leviathor says:

Keith Yeung says:

tony's pics says:

stokrotka49 says:

Mark Griffith says:

_Bonnie_ says:

Philippe Sainte-Laudy says:

JarkkoS says:

linda yvonne says:

Photos by Elyssa says:

bleuet / Anne-Marie says:

Mark Abercrombie says:

darkenergy777 says:

1blessedmom Photography says:

jah~ says:

Hot Flash Photography says:

kayodeok says:

Markus Moning says:

paddimir says:

Fort Photo says:

∆ toma01 says:

fdecomite says:

Lincolnian (Brian) says:

Fort Photo says:

bch12 says:

AraiGodai says:

Scott Ingram Photography says:

Andrew Geddes says:

dreamscapepics says:

tollen says:

williewonker says:

Fort Photo says:

gari.baldi says:

MatthewPHX says:

asawaa says:

stargazer95050 says:

Nicki817 says:

arosin00 says:

hmaxwell says:

Walt K says:

dcumminsusa says:

Kirpernicus says:

Fort Photo says:

RoryO'Bryen says:

Juergen B aus M [deleted] says:

straightfinder says:

Walt K says:

Salva del Saz says:

andie.smith says:

Karnevil says:

Luka Skracic says:

shadowoflightproject says:

Jeff Fennell says:

fdecomite says:

Fort Photo says:

WisDoc says:

jasondunsmore says:

Levistrauss says:

Pseudo_Ice says:

Paul Sparks says:

GoodMoon says:

BamaWester says:

.Amir says:

inbarit_by says:

n+s says:

jeffbaynton says:

stussi_daimon says:

Ms Maestra says: