It was almost that time again. The new moon was approaching during the month of July. To be exact, the new moon would fall on July the 20th. That is when the moon passes between the sun and the earth making it invisible. That is the time each month when the skies are the darkest. This allows for some beautiful star gazing nights. This month we planned a trip to South Llano River State Park. The park is a member of the International Dark Sky Association. It is a non-profit organization formed in 1988 to preserve and protect the night time environment and our heritage of dark skies through quality outdoor lighting. Light pollution is the result of outdoor lighting that is not properly shielded, allowing light to shine into the eyes and night sky.
We searched for an AirBnB close to the park and came across a location just west of Harper, Texas, off Highway 290 called Run Away Ranch. As luck would have it, many reviewers stated they could see the Milky Way from the bunkhouse porch. It is a one bedroom, one bath converted garage with the comforts of home. When we arrived, we were greeted by a group of friendly longhorn cattle which we fed each day with food provided by our host. The deer were just as friendly and would come close to eat the food that was also provided during our three night stay.
The first night there, we had some amazing star gazing and photo opportunities. The only ambient light came from Harper and Fredericksburg. As you will see in the video, I was able to experiment with different foreground subjects for the Milky Way pics. I even set my camera on a ten second delay and got in some of the shots myself.
On the first full day there, we went to the State Park and floated the Llano river. Using Photo Pills, I planned out a few shots for later that night. When we returned to the park for the night skies, we got to visit with Buddy Richter. Buddy leads a session on Thursday nights in the park called “Astronomy With Buddy”. Buddy sets up his telescope and allows patrons to look through the lens at some of the amazing stars, planets and galaxies. I missed a photo opportunity to get a shot of Buddy looking through his telescope with the Milky Way behind him. I just wasn’t thinking and let it slip away. Maybe next time. On an interesting note, Buddy graduated from Texas A&M nine years before me, and we both have a son with the same name. Small world. Lol.
I did manage a shot of a windmill with the Milky Way in the background, but it was partially blocked by a group of trees. While talking to Buddy, my wife, who was lying on her back on top of the car looking at the stars, hollered “What is that?” We both looked up to see a train of about 40 satellites crossing the sky. Buddy told us that was the Musk train. Elon Musk launched them to provide internet services to more people. I did not realize what it was and told him I had seen it the night before from Run Away Ranch.
When we left Run Away Ranch, we drove to Cranfills Gap to visit with my brother and sister in law at Sun Down Valley Ranch. We sat on the porch and watched the sun and moon set each evening and were greeted by a visible Milky Way and a couple of starry nights. There is an old stone Norwegian house on the top of a hill on their property. I have been wanting to get a Milky Way shot rising next to the remains of the historic building. We drove the property and stopped on the hill. Using my app, I discovered that the Milky Way would rise next to the stone house at around 1:30 that night. I set my alarm and drove the farm truck to the house only to find a lot of high clouds blocking the view of the Milky Way. I patiently waited and after about 45 minutes, I had a clear sky and a good opportunity. After taking several photos, I drove down to the pond and took some shots of the pier on the pond, and the pond itself, with the Milky Way in the back ground. The ambient light from Gatesville made it a challenge, but I managed to get a few decent shots.
We loved our time at Run Away Ranch and always have a blast with my wife’s sister and brother-in-law at Sun Down Valley Ranch. I can’t wait to see where our next adventure takes us. Night skies are fun to just sit and stare at while also providing some amazing photo opportunities. Check out a dark sky map and plan a trip to see some amazing skies in the state of Texas.
Psalm 147:4 says, “He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.” Let that sink in the next time you find yourself stargazing.
Enjoy the video! All photos are one shot photos. No stacking or photoshop editing, just a few tweaks in light room classic.
Here is a link to Run Away Ranch
God bless you and thanks for reading my blog.
Tim Lumpkin
legacy-outdoors.net
Instagram: @tlump10
Legacy Outdoors 