OK, so my summer solstice actually began with sunset and the milky way on the 20th then I actually set the alarm for the solstice sunrise.
I met a friend and fellow photographer at Cape Royal in the afternoon as we’d planned to shoot the milky way. Using the app PhotoPills, she was able to get an idea where the milky way would be at various different times. This is an app I plan to download onto my phone in the future.
But first the sunset. We found a nice bunch of rocks at the rim by the Wedding site and settled in to mostly watched the show. I did however get out the tripod and made a few shots as the sun set behind trees on the horizon.
Photo curtesy of Rebecca Wilks
Then before the milky way would rise we enjoyed a grand dinner of strawberries on brownies, angel food cake for me with heavy cream. Very fortifying. I mean, how can one go wrong with fruit and chocolate.
I am rather new to night photography so had to take a few test shots to determine what I was pointing at. Auto focus is impossible after dark and I have difficulty using manual focus. But with the ISO at 1600, a 20 second exposure, f-stop as wide as possible at 3.5 with my 18-200mm lens, tripod, and 2-second delay I managed to get a few shots.
I was surprised to actually see the red glow from the Boundary Fire burning on Kendrick Peak not far north of Flagstaff.
After being awake until almost 11pm I wasn’t sure I’d make it in the morning for the solstice sunrise. When the alarm went off at 4am I reset it for an extra 25 minutes, then got up, made coffee, grabbed gear, and headed down the Cape Royal trail for the solstice sunrise. I was surprised to see a small crescent of the moon as the sun lit the smoke on the horizon.
A few other photographers were already out, including my friend who I didn’t see until later. And of course, first one up gets the premier location. I moved down the trail to find my own view.
Slowly, the red ball of fiery sun slowly rose above the distant Echo Cliffs creating a soft glow on the wisps of clouds.
More light revealed the layers of plateaus across the canyon.
Until finally the glow was almost too bright to look at.
So I moved to the west side of the point for the soft glow of first light on Wotan’s Throne and the canyon walls.
Then took a slow drive home with a stop along the way at Roosevelt Point.
Plus a geranium lined invitation to the Ken Patrick trail along the Cape Royal Road.
And one of the few places to see Colorado Columbine in bloom along the Cape Royal Road.
Your photographs are always stunning! I especially loved the milky way shot. Thank you!
Thank you for the nice compliment.
Great photos, Gaelyn! I love the Milky Way. How interesting that the fire is glowing in the corner. Good for you for staying up and then arise way too early to share these events with us:)
Thanks Pam. I’m no more a morning person than you two.
So glad you had an early morning – stunning!!
Won’t happen frequently.
Now that’s what I call a perfect solstice. To do it right requires sunset and sunrise. Some would add tge perfect party all night long in between but fruit and chocolate sounds right to me. Your pictures are really so beautiful. I can’t imagine a better place to watch it than over the grand canyon. While it’s hard to pick a favorite the second sunset shot with beams is just perfect. Your photography of the night sky and milky way is amazing. One day you need to put together a book of your fantastic images of and over the canyon.
I’m sure I couldn’t have stayed awake all night long.
Wow Gaelyn, those shots are amazing. I must try to work out the settings for sky shots, I know a little more about the camera since my 2 hour one on one course, but I have still to put it all into practice!!
I am truly very impressed with your photos. Diane
Thanks Diane. It really takes lots of practice.
You are dedicated! Beautiful pics.
Thanks Lynda. Sunrises won’t happen very often.
Wonderful to see the solstice from “both sides”. Love the Milky Way and the canyon walls lighting up with the rising sun. Thanks for getting out there and sharing the results with us. Just beautiful.
You have to know there won’t be many sunrises I see and share.
Stunning photos- thanks for sharing-Mary Lou
Thank you Mary Lou.
Beautiful photography and a fantastic idea. The best ever tribute to the summer solstice. I’m in awe. Thanks for sharing!!
Thank you Sallie.