Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
By Rob Greebon
Canon EOS 5DS R camera,
EF11-24mm f/4L USM lens
Foreground image: 10 seconds at f/16, ISO 320
Background images (multiple): 2 to 3 minutes at f/16, ISO 500 using intervalometer
Exposures of the same frame taken an hour apart, before and after sunset, and stacked in Photoshop.
As long as people have existed, we have been gazing up at the stars.
Stars are woven throughout our mythology, our navigation systems and our imaginations. They're a connective tissue linking us to our furthest ancestors. Staring into the night sky can remind us of how small we are and put our lives in context. It produces measurable changes in our brains, and can make us feel more connected to the world and each other.
As our state's population grows, it becomes increasingly rare to find truly dark skies. One of the best places to do so is at a state park. Four of Texas' state parks (Big Bend Ranch, Copper Breaks, Enchanted Rock and South Llano River) are designated Dark Sky Parks by the International Dark-Sky Association. Many of the others also offer amazing opportunities to see beautiful starry vistas.
We hope you enjoy this photo essay of stunning state park skies at night. Our photographers have spent many a night sitting in riverbeds, scrambling up sandhills and camped out in the desert to capture the majesty of the Milky Way. It's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it.
We also hope that this visual exhibit inspires you to plan your own stargazing journey soon, whether that's camping in a state park, taking a trip to the McDonald Observatory for one of their star parties or relaxing in your own backyard. It's beautiful to think that throughout our state, so many of us are gazing up at that same expansive, awe-inspiring Texas sky.
Mustang Island State Park
By Garrett Hughes
Nikon D800 camera, Tokina 16-28mm f/2.8 lens
15 seconds at f/2.8, ISO 3200
Red headlamp used to illuminate foreground.
Palo Duro Canyon
By Maegan Lanham
Canon EOS-1Dx Mark II camera, E24-700mm f/2.8L II USM lens
Foreground image: 1/3 second at f/2.8, ISO 400
Background image: 15 seconds at f/2.8, ISO 1000
Two exposures of the same frame stitched together in Photoshop.
Davis Mountains State Park
By Ken Zoller
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV camera, EF16-35mm f/2.8L III USM lens
15 seconds at f/5.6, ISO 1600
Image taken at dawn with orange gel filter.
LED used for light painting of structure and foreground.
Huntsville State Park
By Kathy Adams Clark
Canon EOS R6m2 camera, RF14-35mm F4L IS USM lens
13 seconds at f/4.0, ISO 1600
Dinosaur Valley State Park
By Alison Takacs
Nikon D750 camera, Nikkor 20mm f/1.8 lens
25 seconds at f/2.2, ISO 1600
Image produced using time-lapse setting on interval timer.
