From Darkness Cometh Light

It didn't take long to walk to the arch we went to at sunset, and when we got there it was nice to discover the penguins had gone. There were just a few people taking nighttime photos now.

Just like at Quiver Tree Forest, it was so very dark and the Milky Way looked fabulous, arcing across the sky and sitting nicely above the arch. It would be dropping in height though, eventually disappearing behind the granite rocks, so we therefore set up tripods and started our photography without delay.

Being so dark and being together as a group, it was a little tricky to alter my position to change my viewpoint, but with a little coordination, it was doable. I took care not to get in someone's way or bump into them or, of course, not to slip or fall. That was definitely a risk. I didn't fall.

Remi did though, and it was quite scary given if he'd broken something what would we do? You can see him in the last photo of this footprint where he had climbed up to the arch with a light to pose for us. At one point he was adjusting his position, then suddenly he slipped off the edge and down into that bowl. It looked serious if you zoom in and check how high that is, but amazingly no harm was done. Close shave indeed.

We took photos at this location for a couple of hours then left to return the tents. I got some different compositions whilst I was there, and although everyone was retiring for sleep, I left them and walked a short distance to find more, including a panorama of the Milky Way as it set and of the constellation of Orion as it rose - it's weird to see it upside down. I also have photos that include the two Magellanic Clouds, which can only be seen in the Southern Hemisphere. They look like clouds of light but are in fact galaxies of stars.

I quietly entered the tent so as not to wake Greg and then settled under the duvet, fully clothed. It was 2 am now and it was a 6 am rise, which was fine except for the cold. I was freezing and simply couldn't get warm, uncontrollably dithering at times. I was annoyed to have to go outside to the toilet at 4 am but it did me a favour. When I returned I kept my down jacket on and at last I could sleep.

Rise and shine was more rise than shine and at first I was completely disoriented but it is my own fault if I insist on staying out enjoying myself. I coped though.

So yes, I loved taking my astro shots here and one night is simply not enough, not here. There must be infinite opportunities for stunning night time photos at Spitzkoppe and it's just so far away from home that probably I'll never come here again. 😥

But at least I have been here.Read more