Story Behind the Image 6: Medicine Bow Milky Way

March 30, 2023 in Story Behind the Image

This story is one for the books, truly, as I’ll also be adding this image to my book when I can finally get it complete. Taken within the Snowy Mountain Range in Eastern Wyoming, Medicine Bow peak stands tall at 12,018ft. The goal was to capture this stunning “wave-structured” peak in the Wyoming wilderness with the Milky Way galaxy shooting out of the top whilst showcasing the many alpine lakes below.

It took me two attempts to get the shot I had in mind. First attempt was quite wild while the second was more relaxed and much comfortable. The total hike was 4mi round trip with about 1,000ft of elevation gain. And of course this shot had to be done at night to get the milky way in prime viewing.

The first attempt (Image 1): After some research to get to the trail I had to get onto and the amount I’d be hiking, I arrived around 11pm and made my way to the trail. After adventuring on the trail for about .25mi my flashlights died. Yes, both my flashlights were useless surrounding in miles of wilderness that I was most likely alone in to only try and avoid the Mountain Lions, Moose, Elk, Cows and Bears! So after contemplating about moving forward for a few minutes, as I still had 1.5mi left of my hike to the get to the view, I decided to go ahead and use my phone flashlight as the only light which garnered me about 10ft of view distance. Using my ears and keeping my head on a swivel for stalking Mountain Lions and plenty of switchbacks. I made it to the spot, and although beautiful, there was one problem. I was late, the Milky Way had already made its way behind Medicine Bow and was tilting out of frame, and if you have noticed in my photography, I love symmetry and balance. So after taking a few photos I decided it was no longer worth it and trekked back down the 2mi and thankfully got back to my car without encountering any wildlife, that I know of. So that takes me to attempt two.

Attempt 2 (2nd and 3rd images): Two nights passed of clouds and I decided it was time to try again and see if I could accomplish the shot I wanted. This time I left a little earlier. At around 9pm I made it to the trailhead and started the 2mi hike. With new batteries in the flashlights and carrying my good ole 40lbs photography bag I made my way up the 1,000ft climb. This time it was a little darker out as the Moon hadn’t risen above the horizon yet. So after taking time to navigate and understand where I was I set up shop. After a little bit of trial and error with focus, I got what I had gone there for. The Milky Way, standing up tall, over Medicine Bow, with the alpine lakes below. This shot was super rewarding not only because of failing the first night but because my plan was exact. I was able to have plenty of time to get different views and different compositions below the stars. Definitely my favorite Milky Way shot from 2022 and I can’t wait to see what I can capture this coming year.

Attempt 1: The Milky Way can be seen behind Medicine Bow Peak with some crazy hues in the sky as well. And the ridgeline of mountains that reach out to the peak as well.

Attempt 2 Image 1: The Milky Way exactly where I had envisioned and even created a stunning reflection in the water of the lakes below. The long exposure brought out just enough detail in the mountains for this compelling shot.

Attempt 2 Image 2: A little rotation in the Milky Way but that’s better than it being straight up for this image. It had some balance to the alright right heavy frame and balanced nicely along the Alpine Lakes.

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Thank you for reading and plenty more blogs to come!

Alberta, Canada

July 16, 2019

Being able to return to Alberta was a refreshing experience. I was able to capture so many different animals and landscapes in the time I was there. Coming a month later this time it opened the opportunity to see more. Less roads are closed and less possibilities for roads to be closed due to little to no snowfall. Which it did snow on the drive into Banff National Park. Though it didn’t last long the snowballs were bigger than I’ve ever seen before. But past that the Canadian Rockies didn’t show themselves till the second day, but that didn’t stop photos from being taken in the moody weather. There were amazing canyon hikes along with just easy trails to see the smaller wildlife. Jasper National Park also offered some great views and continued the beautiful mountain ranges. I was able to photograph a lot of locations that were on my bucket-list this trip. It certainly brought more inspiration to see more landscapes and capture the amazing wildlife. The world is so big and there is so much to see. With its beauty, this should be just enough to conserve the rest of its beauty.

Thank you for reading and I hope your inspired to go see more of nature!

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Aruba

April 04, 2018

Welcome to Aruba, I small little Island about 19mi long and 8mi wide with winds that average 18mph everyday. I was here February 10-18 of 2018 exploring and experiencing the Aruban culture and climate. One thing that stuck out most to me was the windy days combined with the heat created a great temperature to enjoy during the day. Aruba being a touristy destination has a lot to offer. You can quad around the Island, jet ski, sunset cruises, parasailing, snorkeling, you name it they probably have it. From the most northern part of the island to the most southern part of the island it is lined with hotel after hotel on the left side, and on the right it's lined with beautiful rocky scenery and a National Park. This small little island only being 6mi from Venezuela is apart of South America. Being this close to South America made me want to have an impromptu trip to Peru, but that would've been a little hard to do considering the time of year. The activities I was able to experience were the Quads, a couch type tubing in the sea, a sunset cruise, and then I watched wild Pelican's hunt for food off the beaches by the resort. This trip was filled with drama, I almost lost my drone to 25mph winds and the sea, I was thankfully able to bring it back; the wind also played a game of knocking over my camera and tripod every once and awhile. The landscape and the people were great and fun. Here are images I took from this trip!

The famous Divi Tree. This was a must have shot, I went during sunrise. Did not regret it, except this is when the wind knocked my camera and tripod over 3 times!

The rocky coast drew my eye when I saw the waves crashing and leaking through the cracks.

This image from my drone is a product of 25MPH winds carrying my drone to the sea and me fighting to bring it back.

The beautiful California Lighthouse during Sunset. With some Cacti in the foreground.

What is left of the Natural Bridge. Was fortunate enough to come go here for sunrise.

Beautiful sunrise shooting through stacked rocks.

Waves were shooting into this wall and jumping out taller than me standing on top of this. About a 10ft drop into the first level of this wave pool.

Thank you for reading this post about my trip to Aruba. If you would like to see more blog posts like this please check this trip out I'll be going on in May. Please do not feel pressured to donate, but it would be a great help and you get a free print!

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Mexico

December 12, 2016

A family trip to Riviera Maya, Mexico where iguanas, coatimundis, and beautiful stars were seen. The vacation happened late July early August. What was intended to be a week of relaxing on a beach and soaking up the sun turned into a photo adventure. Riviera Maya was the destination of our resort and we saw Tulum, Xel-Ha Park, and did a little snorkeling.

Coatimundi reaching for food tourists threw in the grass for the animals.

Milky Way shooting out of a beach hut during one of the warm summer nights.

Tulum ancient mayan ruins on the coast of Mexico.

Iguana basking in the sun in front of Tulum.

Riviera Maya, Mexico was a great vacation with a lot of experience and for me to see another part of the world.

"It is better to travel well than to arrive." - Buddha

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Nick Koehler Photography

Short Trip

November 14, 2016

On Saturday November 12, 2016 my roommates and I traveled to a few spots around the Poconos Mountains in North Eastern Pennsylvania. The purpose of the trip was to get out of the apartment and go explore a little bit of the places north of Philadelphia. The spots we touched were "Hickory Run Lake", "Boulder Field", and a part of the Appalachian Trail upon the "Delaware Water Gap". We ended the night watching the stars appear at the "Delaware Water Gap" and then slowly made it down the trail.

Hickory Run Lake in Hickory Run State Park during the time of the sun slowly dropping below the tree line.

A sunlight area below the Hickory Run Lake.

A tree growing out of the abundance of rocks in "Boulder Field" in Hickory Run State Park. Sun flare striking through the branches of the tree.

On top of the Appalachian Trail in the "Delaware Water Gap".

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Story Behind the Image 6: Medicine Bow Milky Way

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