Winter Solstice

Bill Dark and I met at 2:00am Saturday morning for an adventure of star photography and ultimately to capture the sunrise at the Great Arch at Buzzard Roost natural area. I've had capturing the sunrise at the Arch on my bucket list for several years and when Bill called and said let's meet on go for it, I was all in. I have seen the great pictures that both Tim Ernst and Bill Dark had posted from this area, but I have never made it there. In fact Bill commented as we made our final approach that someone may have been there recently because the leaves were recently disturbed and I noticed that Tim Ernst had posted a picture from this spot sometime on Friday.

The sun rises in the perfect spot only a few days a year surrounding the winter Solstice and then for only a few minutes. We arrived at the Arch just before 4am and spent some time taking pictures of the stars and the arch. The temperature was in the 20's but what a great way to spend the early morning of December 22th!

Thanks to Bill Dark for taking me to this spot and to Tim Ernst for his perfect directions in the " Arkansas Nature Lover's Guidebook,"

Great looking image Tom and the story is just as nice. Glad you two were able to get out and get the right conditions. All the best to you from KC.

That is a great image and story to go with it. Sounds like a very fun adventure!!

Looks like you can check that one off your bucket list, Tom. Very nice, it sounds like a great time.

Fabulous! Merry Christmas!

You did a really nice job with processing this one, Tom. And after planning this trip for several weeks, I'm glad we had clear skies. I'd also like to thank Tim for sharing the many locations he's described in his guidebooks. I often wonder about how the heck people stumble on to these hidden gems in the woods.

Nice work, Tom...Merry Christmas!

Great Job Tom!
Bill was right about someone being there earlier. I was there on Friday morning with Tim and Sue Schuble.
Wish I'd had a 14 mm with me to get more of the arch. I see where Canon may be coming out with a 14 to 24mm this year. If so, that will be on my bucket list. The current 14mm was introduced in 2007 and is due for an update. Hope the quaility of the zoom is as good as the 14mm fixed.
Again, great job.

Thanks for all the great comments, this is why I like landscape photography and the adventures associated with it. Rod, I used my 16-35 f2.8 lenses but a couple more cm would certainly helped with the view.