Skyswirl

Introducing my latest image, "Skyswirl." This image reminds us that the Earth is rotating, and quite rapidly at that. With this photo, I aimed to capture not just a fleeting moment but the passage of time as the stars appear to move around the southern celestial pole. I stumbled upon this location back in 2016 and was captivated by the scene. I revisited several times, but the constant high waters always hid these delicate sticks from view, making the shot elusive. Their recent emergence from beneath the water, due to the lake's low level, offered a rare opportunity. Venturing deep into the mud for this shot was not a pleasant experience. After setting up, I tried to move and found myself stuck in the mud. While I laughed it off at the time, but cleaning up at my campsite later was quite a task. Captured over three hours, "Skyswirl" comprises a stack of 340 images, with each frame being a 30-second exposure. The end result is this hypnotizing photo showing the Earth's rotation. To me, this image represents the persistence I've shown in achieving a vision I've held onto for so long.