• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Heart of Louisiana Logo

The Heart of Louisiana

  • Staycations
  • Regions
    • New Orleans Region
    • Capital Region
    • Acadiana
    • Southwest Louisiana
    • Central Louisiana
    • Northshore
    • North Louisiana
    • Bayou Region
  • 60 Second Road Trips
  • TV Stories
  • Buy Photos
  • Recent Posts
  • Show Search
Hide Search
Home/Dave's Favorites/Western Sky Photography
dawn colors of blue and orange reflection limestone formations at Mono Lake

Western Sky Photography

Some of the best opportunities for Western sky photography can be found in our national parks, which offer some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. The clear, dark skies of the western United States provide the best locations for stargazing. And the sunrises and sunsets are equally amazing.

morning sunrise and sunrays at Yosemite with waterfall
Sunrise at Tunnel View in Yosemite National Park, CA

I will never forget standing at Tunnel View in Yosemite National Park waiting for sunrise, but being disappointed by a sky cloaked in clouds. And then it happened. The morning sun burst through the dark clouds to create an explosion of sunrays through the magnificent valley.

WESTERN SKY PRINTS
milky way and man with flashlight in Death Valley
A self-portrait at Badwater Basin in Death Valley, CA

western sky photography under the brightest stars

The western night skies are the darkest I have experienced. My travels have taken me from the lowest point in America at the bottom of Death Valley, to the mountain tops of the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. I’ve captured photos of the milky way rising above the desert basin and lighting the oldest trees on earth.

WESTERN SKY PRINTS

More of Dave’s Photography

sunset over Lake Martin, Louisiana featured in Louisiana nature photography

Louisiana Landscape Photography

    silhouette of pelican flying at sunset over water

    Gulf Coast Photography

      golden color at sunrise through light fog and cypress trees in lake

      Dave’s Photo Website

        Written by:
        Dave McNamara
        Published on:
        November 6, 2022
        Thoughts:
        1 Comment

        Categories: Dave's Favorites, Landscape Photographs

        Reader Interactions

        Comments

        1. Elizabeth Perilloux

          February 4, 2023 at 10:20 am

          I love your photographer, particularly of the night sty out west. We had the opportunity to see some of those skies north of Jackson Hole in 1999 and I was mesmerized! We evacuated to Bay Springs, MS for Katrina, and as did everyone else in it’s path – the electricity was off for about 5 days. On Tuesday night I went out with our dog and while waiting, I looked up into the sky that I expected to see blackness! It was truly amazing…there was NO light even from candles or generated light, and the sky over Mississippi was ablaze with stars. All I could do was stare. My second favorite in your Heart of Louisiana is the story of the artist who has painted the horse against a dark background with the Mardi Gras themed “blanket” How beautiful! Thank you for doing these stores. I look forward to then each week. God bless you.

          Reply

        Leave a Reply Cancel reply

        Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

        Heart of Louisiana logo

        Footer

        Copyright © 2025 Heart of Louisiana ยท Web Design

        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • About Dave McNamara
        • Contact
        • Advertising Opportunities
        • Archives
        • Privacy Policy
        • Site Map
        We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Privacy policyOk