Star Gazing

I'm getting to be a real sky junkie these days. A couple of nights ago I was walking Tannah and I happened to notice a really bright light in the southwest sky, not too far above the tree line. Intrigued, I headed in the direction of the local schoolyard for a more unobstructed view.

Also, I was looking for something to use as a tripod substitute to get a good night shot with my point-and-shoot. I tried a fire hydrant but by the time I bent over to place the camera on it's lid, I was too low to get a good shot; the trees were now in the way. Oh well, another night.

Once home again I fired up my computer to see what the Google that bright light actually was. Turns out it's Venus. That makes total sense. Quite a few years ago we were looking after a garden for friends that were away during the summer. I remember being fascinated by the same bright light low in the southern sky at dusk. And I do remember now that it was indeed Venus.

So now the challenge was to capture an image of that planet. I don't know why; I just wanted one. It's not that it's an especially intriguing shot either. A bright dot surrounded by black. Woo-hoo! For some reason I just wanted to photograph it. My first attempt with my trusty point-and-shoot was mediocre at best. Just try photographing something in the middle of a schoolyard playing field, at night when you can't read the dial selector on the camera, the dog is restless and is pulling on the leash ("Come on, let's go! I smell a squirrel/ raccoon/ skunk/ crow and it's real close by! Time's a'wastin'!"), and you're trying to steady the camera against your leg for a shot through the trees in a rare clear patch of sky in an otherwise showery evening. None too successful.

The next evening was clear and cold. Perfect, I thought. After walking Tannah I decided to grab my dSLR and head to Queen Elizabeth Park. There's a grass field on the south slope, one of the highest points in the whole city, actually. That's where I'd go...after dinner as it turned out. By the time I drove over there after dinner there was no sign of Venus. She'd beaten a hasty retreat. Camera-shy perhaps? Afraid I might not get her good side? Oh well; next time.

The next evening I didn't get home from work until 8 pm. Another excuse the following evening. Which brings me to tonight. I drove to the park before dinner, complete with my dSLR and handy instruction manual. Dialed up the ISO, set the camera on the roof of the car, set the self-timer for 2 seconds, propped up the lens until Venus was in the viewfinder and...

Bingo! Venus, in all her chilly November beauty, perched low in the sky amidst much smaller skydots that weren't even visible to me while I took the shot. It kinda looks like she's part of a triangle.

I love sky-gazing, even when I need my toque and gloves.