For three years now I've been pursuing the Milky Way. The Milky Way is visible year-round, but the colorful center, the Galactic Core, disappears in November and rises above the horizon in March. After lots of failures, I have recently refined my process with some good results. Still, like all nature photography, photos are dependant on weather, location and time of day.

One image that I have sought without luck is the Milky Way core with the moon in the same sky. I've tried with both rising and setting moon, and every phase possible. But finally, Success!

At 5:30 am. as the crescent moon rises, and the sun warms the horizon, I captured my elusive image.

Technology played a large part in making this possible. I used PhotoPills to predict the location of the Milky Way. I used MoonCalendar to locate the moon. And finally I used PhotoShop to overlay two shots for exp[osure and focus. Beyond that, I managed to find the narrow window of time that made it possible.

Another image that has occupied my mind for some time is one of the Milky Way over Red Bluff Overlook on the Buffalo River. Again, this shot is only available during a narrow window of time, both day and year. It took four different attempts, each involving a 3 hour trip, but I finally got it!

And, to top things off, a meter added to the scene