Although the sanctuary is located in a moderately-populated valley, the skies here are still dark enough for stargazing on moonless nights.
I get excited about this lack of light pollution because of my newest hobby: astrophotography. This genre of photography encompasses any imaging of objects and phenomena in space. Those celestial subjects can include the moon, the sun, the other planets, meteors, auroras, Imperial battle stations, neighboring galaxies and stars, and anything else that emits or reflects detectable electromagnetic waves.
Like many who dabble in this art form, I began by taking long exposures of the night sky with terrestrial landscapes in the foreground. It might sound expensive and difficult, but taking these wide shots only requires a hobby camera, a sturdy tripod, and relatively dark skies.
While the techniques do require some patience and persistence to master, you can learn the basics by watching tutorials on YouTube. The most tricky step in the process is tinkering with the camera’s exposure settings. Most importantly, the shutter needs to be open for the right duration to let the perfect amount of starlight reach the sensor. I typically leave the shutter open for 10-20 seconds. Then, I manually focus the lens on the stars (which is practically focusing “to infinity”), set a delayed shutter timer, and make sure the white balance is capturing the scene’s colors with the appropriate warmth or coolness. From there, photographers can create more artistic, difficult or unique shots (e.g., by blending multiple captures into composite images), but this certainly isn’t required.
For months, I’ve dreamed of photographing the chimpanzees’ home under the Milky Way, capturing their little world in the same frame as countless others. The proverbial stars aligned around Labor Day; I volunteered to watch the sanctuary at night in place of Diana and J.B. (who took a much-deserved weekend vacation) and was lucky enough to have a clear, moonless night during my tenure as the overnight watchman.
I set out just after sunset and admired the silhouettes of the forested hills against the rose-colored sky. Eventually, the scene darkened and rendered the Milky Way visible with the naked eye. I trekked around the perimeter of Young’s Hill, trying not to annoy the nearby cattle with my headlamp or step on any nocturnal critters that might be lurking in the prairie grass. Eventually, I picked a good location where the Ponderosa pines made a natural frame around my window into the cosmos.
I wondered if any of the chimps were still awake or if all sixteen were blissfully curled up on piles of fleece blankets in the heated playrooms. From what we’ve seen, they’re mostly heavy sleepers. (Burrito, for example, picks his sleeping spot right after dinner is served.) Still, it’s possible they occasionally venture out into the greenhouses long after the humans have left and watch the Milky Way turn overhead as the coyotes yip in the distance.
We humans know what the stars are but that doesn’t make them any less wonderful. I like to think the chimps are awestruck by them, too.
The following are my favorite images from my nocturnal hike around the sanctuary. I hope you all enjoy them!
Very interesting pictures.
Night skies are always interesting and this is a new way to see them
Thanks, Debbie!
Beautiful, Anthony! Somehow I knew it was you writing before I saw your byline, but read the first line.:grinning:
I grew up in New England, with clear access to the stars, but never saw anything as awesome as what you took. And I sure can’t do it here where I am now. I hope you’ll share more as time progresses. And wouldn’t it be wonderful if the chimps were to go out at night and see this? I like to think they’d appreciate it.
Thanks, Maureen! Perhaps you think I’m the only one who would lead off a post with a statement about the local geography? 🙂
FYI, I’m a New Englander, too! You have to get far away from cities and strip malls to get skies like this. The sanctuary is located about 80 miles from Seattle (and perhaps double that distance from Spokane and Portland). Being nestled in the Cascades helps, too.
For what it’s worth, the camera does pick up more stars than the naked eye, so I couldn’t see quite this many stars from where I was standing. The Milky Way looks more like a cloud until you process the full-size images. It’s still majestic as heck, though.
Wow..Anthony I am so impressed, the photo’s are phenomenal. I really enjoyed seeing them and your description of each one. We
can’t see many stars in the Seattle sky so I am extremely envious!
Thanks, Nancy! You’ll have to venture up into the mountains and see the stars for yourself!
Beautiful captures, thanks for posting them. I was in such awe the first time I saw the Milky Way while visiting a remote area in Northern California and I’ve often wondered myself if the chimps spend any time gazing up at the heavens there at the sanctuary. Your patient efforts are very much appreciated and I hope you’ll continue to share your work!
Where in California? I went up into the Trinity Alps last summer (just before the Labor Day fires created all that haze) and the sky was amazing. I’m glad you like the photos!
Wow, Thanks for sharing Anthony, these are so cool !
I really like the “blue hour” Pic with the reflection in the pond, so beautiful, and kinda creepy, in a good way.
Thanks, CeeCee!
Very impressive Anthony!! Something I have tried to do but either my camera or my skills are not up to it.
To me the sanctuary usually looks bustling with activity, especially with 16 residents now, it looks so peaceful at night.
May the force be with you Anthony!
Thanks, Karen! It is indeed the most peaceful time to be at the sanctuary… no vehicles and machinery zooming around, staff running back and forth, or chimps making a racket in the Chimp House!
If you’re interested in giving astro another try, you should check out this video tutorial. It’s perhaps the best summary of beginner astrophotography that I’ve found on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XWFeeSl-Gc
Stunning photography Anthony, thank you for sharing. Yes, it’s interesting to ponder on the chimps view of their world but we’ll never know. They seem to go to bed early…..do they also wake up early ( Except for Neggie, ha! ha!)
I think they do! :slight_smile:
Thank you, Carol! I don’t precisely know when Neggie wakes up, but she won’t get out of bed unless she has a clear reason to! On some days, she moves out to the Greenhouse and makes a new nest out there in the morning sun before we even get there. On other days, she needs the excitement of breakfast to motivate her to leave her playroom nest.
These are wonderful. I especially like the one of the Milky Way over the chimp sanctuary. It kind of makes me want to cry, but in a good way.
Thanks, Laura!
Anthony, I loved this! Thank you for the great post and pictures.
Thanks, Pamela!
Anthony, What a rare treat to experience the night sky as seen from the sanctuary as well as other beautiful shots. Your blogs are always so interesting, but this one tops them all in my opinion. Thanks for sharing your technique as well. Your next mission is actually catching a chimp looking at the night sky! What a discovery that would be!
Thanks, Karen! I am glad you liked the photos and the post. I’m not sure if I could manage such a photo given our setup, but it’s a great idea worth looking into!
I must admit, I have never thought about the chimps star gazing at night so I was intrigued when you wrote : “…..it’s possible they occasionally venture out into the greenhouses long after the humans have left and watch the Milky Way turn overhead as the coyotes yip in the distance.
We humans know what the stars are but that doesn’t make them any less wonderful. I like to think the chimps are awestruck by them, too.”
It’s such an alluring thought, thanks for planting it in my brain. I believe they do look up to the stars now that I think about it, why wouldn’t they?! How could they not be awestruck by the night sky and all of its magic? Now, thanks to your night photography shots, I can see that the chimps home is incredibly beautiful both day and night. Amazing photography Anthony, thank you so much for sharing these images and your thoughts.
One last thought, weren’t you afraid of rattlesnakes as you waltzed about in the dark with only your headlamp to light your way?!
That crossed my mind, too!:frowning:
I’m glad you appreciated this post, and the thought of stargazing chimps, Kathleen! Imagine how interesting something like a passing airplane would be if you didn’t already know what it was? It’s probably similar to the reactions our ancestors had to then-unexplainable celestial phenomena.
As for the rattlers, they’re always on our minds when we go into dense vegetation or have to reach into crevices, but they’re otherwise not too much of a concern for us humans. Fortunately, the PNW species is *relatively* docile and they try to avoid noisy humans.
I did almost step on a small rubber boa but they’re harmless to humans. 🙂
Tremendous pix. I am afraid of the night sky, but I can enjoy your photos just the same!
Thank you, Mark! I’m curious what scares you about the night sky.
I used to be afraid that I’d see something clearly extraterrestrial, but then I realized I’d be more terrified of a galaxy or universe where we’re completely alone. I’m not sure if I’d want to meet our neighbors up close, but I’m no longer bothered by the idea that tehy might exist. 🙂
Thank you for sharing these wonderful photos. The Chimpanzee’s have such a wonderful home there at the Sanctuary.
Thank you, Caroline!
Anthony, you have a way with words … and now photos too. Great blog. Keep ’em coming.
Thanks, Chris! I try my best to put good stuff on here.
the silouette of the new building with milky way would make a beautiful Sanctuary gift card.
I believe we primates stand in awe of the star fields and it feeds our human soul, but the chimpanzees accept and benefit from having their view of the open sky and are healed from their time spent in a basement without windows. It strikes me they are so brave every time they go out to a place without a roof!
Thanks, Barbara! I wonder how the starlight would transfer to printed material?
I love you perspective! I’m sure that the sky, with all its moods and activity, is a powerful form of enrichment for them.
“The Cosmos is, was, and is all that will ever be.” — Carl Sagan.
These photographs from a small patch of North American mountainside which gaze into the macrocosm of the Universe provide a perspective from our microcosm of a planet. From the illumination of galaxies light-years distant to the tuft of hair at the crown of Nutmeg’s head, one reacts with awe at the intricacies of this endless voyage of Creation.
Though her dreams may be filled with cowboy boots, I can’t help but to think that, sometimes deep in the night, Jamie eyes open to behold the lights illuminating the sky far above her.
Beautiful Tobin. I bet Jamie has discovered a boot shaped constellation and Foxie a troll pattern within the their light free night sky.
Kathleen, since this comment is late you may not see it but I just had to tell you how much I adore your response — Jamie’s “boot shaped” and Foxie’s “troll pattern” — such creative thinking on your part! Made me chuckle and shake my head in enjoyment and knowing how correct you are! Thank you for that moment of delight!
I’m glad you tied Nutmeg’s hair into your comment, Tobin. “We’re made of star stuff. We are a way for the cosmos to know itself.”
Would it surprise you to know that I have a (different) Carl Sagan quote tattooed on my shoulder?
As for the stargazing chimps, I wouldn’t be surprised if Jamie notices and ponders the passing airplanes, shooting stars, sunset and moonrise, etc. She keeps tabs on everything else, so why not the heavens?
Not so much surprised as curious. Soooo…what is the quote?
Wow!! That is about all I have to say! Thank you for sharing, these are beautiful!!
Thank you, Nancy! I’m glad you like them. 🙂
Ha-ha! Why yes, of course. And no doubt Neggie can discern a cluster of stars in the shape of peanuts (preferably falling from the Heavens to land on Young’s Hill for her taking and gastronomical edification).
That’s made me wonder what constellations the chimps would distinguish in the night sky and teach to their peers?
Ape-quarius? Pan-dromeda? The Big Dipper Tube?
Absolutely Gorgeous! I do hope the Chimps take the opportunity to be amazed at this beauty.
Thanks, Debbie!
From someone who can hardly see any stars, I was star struck by your beautiful photography. I can see some of the chimps, especially Jamie, looking up to the sky in the dark night. Thank you Anthony.
Thank you, Janet! I’m glad you liked the post!
I also find it interesting that everyone assumes Jamie would be the resident astronomer! You’re probably right, but I think it’s remarkable how much everyone agrees. 🙂
Those were all fabulous, Anthony. I’m a big fan of the blue hour pics.
(PS- I also liked My Side of the Mountain. And the original Box Car Children series)
Thanks, Linda!!! I like photographing landscapes at that hour, especially when we have hazy pink skies.
And yes, they’re all great!
WOW, what awesome pictures !!! absolutely beautiful. I just saw this post, don’t know how I missed it. Great job Anthony
Anthony, I apologize for a late comment but simply couldn’t go without eventually making time to share some thoughts about your fabulous photos — THANK YOU!!! It’s been years since I’ve been in a place to see the Milky Way at night and I was gobsmacked by the choices you shared with us. Really! Mouth hanging open while viewing them. I guess I really do need to make a trip to Cle Elum to see these kinds of views. In the Seattle area we’re socked in by so much light that we certainly can’t just look up and see such powerful images. Thanks for sharing your interest and expertise with us as well as the wonderful equipment you have that allowed for these images.