Dark skies! Black Mesa State Park is a dark sky park. The first several nights were too cold for me to want to stick my head outside for an extended time. Yes, I was a wimp. 😉 However, I miss seeing the dark sky at home as Denton, Dallas, and Ft. Worth continues to encroach on our night sky in Wise County. So of course, I relented to the cold finally on several nights.
Before we got to the totally dark sky, we went on a bear and puma hunt! (Remember you couldn’t bear to wait in yesterday’s post). The park ranger had told us they were in the area. She also mentioned that dawn and dusk were the best times for a chance to see them. And for that reason, we did not want to over do it during the daylight hours.
The sun was getting low in the sky at Lake Etling.
Additionally, a sheepherder hut was on this side of the lake. It was built into the rock face of the overhang.
The rocks were dry stacked for the hut. Also dry stacked walls can be seen in different areas of the park.
Of course, I went inside! Besides mud dauber nests, there was a phoebe’s nest too!
Another bear sign!
Venus became visible at 8:53 pm!
By 9:13pm the Big Dipper, also known as The Great Bear or Ursa major was plainly visible! I still can see the Big Dipper in North Texas. However it has gotten dimmer for sure.
Venus was almost gone. The magical stars shone so bright.
Then we watched the moon rise! Goodness I miss the night sky at home. 🙁
Last bear 😉
So we had four bears and one puma! We saw the signs. LOL
The more you know, the more you see and the more you see, the more you know
8 Comments
All those pictures are spectacular. It is a shame about our night skies. New Mexico has light restrictions so its much easier to see the night sky there.
All those pictures are spectacular. It is a shame about our night skies. New Mexico has light restrictions so its much easier to see the night sky there.
NEw Mexico got it right. 😊
I remember Tucson Arizona was really great too!
me too! 🙂
Wonderful night shots – the dark sky is magic
Bet your sky is still pretty good??
I love your sky photos. They make me wish Steve was still doing astrophotography.
We did come across one guy from Michigan that was setting up to view the sky.