A couple of weeks ago, I took a friend up to East Canyon Dam and Reservoir to show him how I capture Milky Way photos. I picked him up at 3:00 a.m., and we pulled up to the dam around 3:50 a.m.

Picture this: the sky is darkening, the ocean is restless… and then, slowly, majestically, the Moon begins its grand entrance. These aren’t mere sunset shots — they are true moonrise captures, raw and powerful.

I’ve always been something of an armchair pilot. For years I logged countless hours on flight simulators and even built scenery and buildings for them. I also became a regular at hot air balloon events when my kids were young. Every Saturday morning we’d head to the balloon rallies in Boise, Idaho, watch the launches, then go out for breakfast together. During the week I’d often ride my bike past the launch field on my way to work just to catch a glimpse of the balloons lifting off.

This might be one of my very first Milky Way shots—or at least an early one—from the incredible dark skies of Island Park, Idaho. (One of the best spots in the state for stargazing—minimal light pollution and pure magic overhead!)

This elegant pair of Greater Sandhill Cranes

I’m doing something a bit different this week. Here are some photos I took back in 2011 with my very first digital camera.