I Learned From That

I recently visited the Island of Hawaii, commonly known as the Big Island. I was hoping to shoot star trails.  I had planned a trip to the Big Island because it's one of the best places in the world to view the solar system.  I chose Volcanoes National Park because of its' isolation and very little ambient light. I had previously done my homework and checked when the moon would rise and set at www.stardate.org

Unfortunately when I arrived the weather was not cooperating, it was rainy, and the cloud cover was not going to allow me to photograph star trails. I needed to refocus my efforts.

Because I was only staying for two nights and the first night was a bust, I crabbed something to eat.  I decided I would rise before the sun and possibly get a few sunrise shots.  Afterwards I would drive to the northern part of the Big Island and photograph Polulu Valley Lookout.

When I awoke, the weather had not changed and I contemplated not going out as I had planned. Fortunately I had followed the advice of a commonly heard phrase in Hawaii, "If the weather is not very good stick around for awhile and it will change".  Even though this has proven to be true more times than not on this particular day, it would seem things were not going my way.

As I made my way from Volcanoes National Park, through Hilo, and up the Hamakua Coast; I continued to doubt why I even made an effort to get out of bed.  The low cloud cover did not allow me to get a good sunrise shot, so I continued my journey north. 

When I arrived at Polulu Valley Lookout I was pleasantly surprised and glad I decided to get out of bed and make my way north.  I not sure if the horses are horses, or the donkeys are donkeys, but they're probably a combination of both; and they really added to the composition of the photographs. 

 Even tho the weather conditions were not in my favor for what I intended,  I initially began to doubt that I would be able to get some quality shots.  However my instincts told me to go.  I could have easily chosen not to go and my trip would have been a bust.  I'm glad I went and the thought of not going out to do what I love will not cross my mind again.

I learned from that!

Finally if you've made it this far please send any comments or suggestion and keep shooting.  I hope all your photographs are exactly what you wanted and most of all I hope you've learned from my mistakes and potential blunders.