What a wonderful essay, and great photos to accompany it. I have got to try astrophotography at some point. I so enjoy being out under the stars, and recall lying on a dock in the pitch black, staring up at the night sky over Lake Winnipesaukee in NH in the fall. No lights except the stars. It was surreal. I don’t think I have ever seen a sky so clear as the one on that night.
Beautifully stated, Brian. I've felt the same sense of wonder and solitude on winter backpacking trips. We never made fires. I've thrilled to the sight of bobcat tracks on a cold, moonless January night while traversing the rugged, narrow spine of the Great Smokey Mountains, the brilliant stars my only companions. You brought me back to that particular memory. Thank you.
This essay took me back to my youth walking the forest near the Kawishiwi river at night. It also made me think that maybe with lights dimming our view of the stars, we’ve also lost track of the fact that we humans are a relatively tiny number of souls experiencing a true miracle together on this planet, amongst all those other universes and stars. I think we’ve lost something of our humanity with so much focus on progress, technology, accumulation of assets and power. I think we’re meant to commune and take care of each other and this planet differently. Thank you for reminding me of those silent nights filled with stars, awe and wonder.
Beautiful words and images. Thank you.
Beautiful photography and great writing! Hope to meet you someday.
What a wonderful essay, and great photos to accompany it. I have got to try astrophotography at some point. I so enjoy being out under the stars, and recall lying on a dock in the pitch black, staring up at the night sky over Lake Winnipesaukee in NH in the fall. No lights except the stars. It was surreal. I don’t think I have ever seen a sky so clear as the one on that night.
Loved sharing your experience, hearing the howls of the wolf, and your photos of solitude.
Beautifully stated, Brian. I've felt the same sense of wonder and solitude on winter backpacking trips. We never made fires. I've thrilled to the sight of bobcat tracks on a cold, moonless January night while traversing the rugged, narrow spine of the Great Smokey Mountains, the brilliant stars my only companions. You brought me back to that particular memory. Thank you.
Loved this. And beautiful sky pics!
This essay took me back to my youth walking the forest near the Kawishiwi river at night. It also made me think that maybe with lights dimming our view of the stars, we’ve also lost track of the fact that we humans are a relatively tiny number of souls experiencing a true miracle together on this planet, amongst all those other universes and stars. I think we’ve lost something of our humanity with so much focus on progress, technology, accumulation of assets and power. I think we’re meant to commune and take care of each other and this planet differently. Thank you for reminding me of those silent nights filled with stars, awe and wonder.
I felt I was in this story, Bryan. I felt like I was reading Sigurd Olson again:)
Love this.
Gorgeous. I do miss northern Minnesota - especially in winter...
Watching the stars alone in the middle of nowhere is great. It sounds like you had good experiences and a good time.
Beautiful words.. beautiful photography.. I feel like I shared your solitude.. with the wolf… though miles apart. Thank you
Superb, sir. What a gift of an experience. Thank you for sharing.
Lovely writing ✍️ and the pictures are just fabulous!