An alien was right there! I've made a very strange discovery when post-processing my photo. During the whole time I’ve been in this spot (a couple of hours) I was being attentively followed and observed by "something". You can see its eyes and profile if you augment the image and observe the ground in between the trees (about 8-10 meters from where I was standing). Most certainly the “alien” was a fox or some other small animal… Anyway, it’s weird! Being observed from so close (and being unaware of it) from something totally unknown…
This is the first star trail I’ve ever made. Star trails are done when shots include, on purpose, the stars movement. This one is the result of stitching 50 long exposure shots in post, to create that beautiful effect (100 shots or more would be even better but that became impossible, when morning light came up into play to disturb my plan…).
It was taken last year at 4.30am on a new moon night at Alqueva (Alentejo region, Portugal). Alqueva is Europe’s certified biggest (and best) dark sky reserve. The flooded area resulting from the construction of the Alqueva dam originated the largest artificial lake in Europe and the inexistence of sizable cities or even small villages in its surroundings, created ideal conditions for astrophotography. It is considered to be the darkest area in Europe.
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Alqueva, Alentejo, Portugal
© All rights reserved Rui Baptista. Please do not use this image on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit written permission.
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