ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY COYOTES AND TICKS
A Journey to the Manistee National Forest
THE ADVENTURE
My husband and I planned a trip to the Manistee National Forest in Northern Michigan to an AirBnB cabin in the woods. There was no internet so we could unwind with our German Shepherd, Luther.
Knowing the area would be extremely dark and away from any major towns or cities, I prepped for some Astrophotography.
THE PLOT
We hiked during the day and I made it my mission to find a field that had a decent view of the southern sky that would showcase the Milky Way. Equipped with two of my favorite Apps, Sky Guide and Photo Pills, I knew exactly which night would be clear and what time and direction the brightest part of the Milky Way would be showing. Luckily there was phone coverage up there or this would have to be mapped out ahead of time and printed.
DAYTIME RECON
While hiking we did run across some beautiful insects, birds and other wildlife. Being Spring in Michigan, we also had some hitchhikers when we got back to the cabin. Ticks were in their main mating season and hungry! This was enough to keep me out of the woods during the day and plan my activities more into the nighttime!
I practiced some long exposures on the camp fire to warm up before planning the 2 AM excursion into the pitch black forest behind the cabin.
A long exposure photo can make flames look soft and feathery, capture spark trails, and be used to create a romantic or cozy mood.
THE MAIN EVENT
My husband and dog were up for the adventure even though we had heard coyotes singing nearby the night before. There are also black bear and cougars (allegedly) in this same National Forest.
On a beautiful 65 degree clear night, it was a little unnerving walking down the narrow wooded path in unfamiliar territory. The ferns were very dense and I had visions of the foggy scene in the movie The American Werewolf in London! If I had heard a growl, I would have been up the nearest tree!
When we got to the field, I had my pen flashlight in hand so I could see the settings on my camera, while my husband had a bigger flashlight for the hike.
I was doing 30 second exposure times and so when I said, “Go”...we turned off all flashlights and the shutter button was pressed. 30 seconds is a long time to wait in pitch black! As soon as we heard the shutter click, on came the flashlights!
That’s when we noticed the eyes glowing in the tall grass in front of us. Luther was on full alert but wasn’t growling, so I bravely put us through four more 30 second black-outs. When the photography was done, we scooped up the gear and started to take the 10 minute hike to the cabin. The glowing eyes were gone at the time we started back. It was a fast paced walk back up the hill. We could feel ourselves being watched and I kept telling myself that whatever animals were out there, they were more scared of us! I blocked out the stories I had heard about cougars attacking hikers, and coyotes surrounding their prey.
We arrived back to the cabin and caught our breath. I noticed that the stars were bright right above the cabin, so I quickly set up my tripod about 5 feet from the door of the cabin and took a couple more shots.
Hearing some rustling around the side of the cabin, I scooped up my tripod with camera attached, quickly backed into the front door of the cabin and locked the door! As soon as I turned the lock on the door, the coyotes started singing and howling right outside! They were closer than before and the sound was coming from all directions! Luther finally started barking and acting protective. It was an exhilarating night and experience!
Now I know all you woodsmen out there are probably smirking at my cowardliness, but I am a fan of Horror and Thriller movies and that is what likely sent my brain into overdrive! Maybe I should start watching more chick flicks instead.....or maybe not.
THE SHOT
It was worth the fear and excitement because this is my very first photograph of the Milky Way! Not too bad for a scared newbie night photographer!
