Blue (And Dark) Lagoon

For the first few days back in Northlandia I quickly assumed nocturnal status.  The reason was this was the beginning of the annual Perseid's Meteor shower, and with the possibility of unmolested dark night sky, I wanted to try to get some meteor shots.  I'd set my alarm for anywhere between 1:00 AM and 3:00, spring like a 9 year old out of bed and throw my equipment in the truck.  I stopped at either Circle K or Casey's for a cup of coffee and head to darkest Mercer County.  The first couple of nights I went to Seaton, and again north of Seaton to find good sky.  The ball diamond was OK but a street light nearby wasn't ideal.  The next night a spot of remote gravel road north of the cemetery and west of Sponsler's old farm house, but it was too spooky, so I moved closer to the Y just outside of Seaton. 

After that the Wombie, aka Aquaman, 

told me to try the South Lagoon.  In fact, he said, I was to wake him up and he would join me the first night.

  



In what appears to be a meteor in the above picture is actually the lights of a police car reflecting off the lagoon as it heads back toward the entrance gate. 

Just as I was setting up a car pulled into the lagoon and made its long half mile swing toward the far end where we were.  As soon as it shined its auxiliary light on us we knew it was a policeman.  No way they can get us for trespassing since Aquaman is here. As soon as Officer Seth pulled up and got out, he, with great relief, said, "Man, am I glad its you guys."   

#1 Meteor Shot

After that excellent start to the night's shooting, the Wombie and I gazed at the night sky while I trained the camera to a spot in the sky and clicked its remote every 30 seconds, for a 30 second exposure. 

#2 Meteor Shot 

#3 Meteor Shot

I was fortunate enough to get these meteors out of about 200-250 pictures.  It is a lot like fishing somewhere along Lake Michigan wanting to catch one particular fish that you know is in there.    

The rest of the pictures are sky shots with the stars and constellations.  On subsequent evenings when I would do this alone, it made me ponder, perchance to dream:  how small I am amidst the vastness of this panorama.  It no longer mattered if I captured a streaking meteor, I wanted to be a witness to this celestial beauty and in some small way to blend in with its majesty. 

Everyone is a philosopher when gazing at the heavens.  And then the sun started its endless progression, and home to sleep.