The skies and conditions through February weren't amazing, but I did manage to venture out one clear night to the coast of Devon to photograph the coastline at Thurlstone.
Orion and Venus looking spectacular over Thurlstone Beach.
Thurlstone rocky foreshore.
Thurlstone Beach.
Unlike February, March provided some amazing clear skies but also the beginnings of the pandemic. With a cloak of uncertainly over normal life, astrophotography through March became an important outlet for me to maintain an area of normality amongst all the change. My next location was Hartland Quay on the north Devon Coast. A beautiful stretch of coastline with no shortage of photogenic coastal viewpoints.
Upright Cliff Waterfall and Orion.
This night was particularly windy and with a lapse of concentration, my tripod toppled shortly after this shot was taken, breaking my trusted Samyang lens into two. Wanting to savage the night, I continued up the cliff looking for a second compositions and found this viewpoint which ended up becoming an award winning image.
Looking along the North Devon coastal path towards Hartland.
My next trip saw me travel to North Devon’s Westward Ho in search of this striking shipwreck. This was a risk, as the shifting sands often covered the wreck so there was no guarantee we would see it. Fortunately, after a bit of searching, we were treated to this spectacular view.
Westward Ho Ship Wreck.
On the journey back home from Westward Ho, I decided to stop off a Brent Tor Church on the western side of Dartmoor to capture an early morning Milky Way photo. I also find this a humbling place to visit, especially in the peaceful hours of the early morning.
Brent Tor Church and the Milkyway.
My third night of astro this month saw me visit the coast again, but this time at my local beach Downderry. I didn't have a lot of free time this evening, so this was a quick grab and dash type of shoot. However, it is always amazing to spend time under the stars, if only for an hour or two.
The dramatic rocks of Downderry Beach always make for some interesting waters edge compositions.
My final shoot of March involved travelling down to Lizard Point to photograph the last of the winter skies before the summer constellation started dominating the skies again. I decided to spend the night at the Lizard boat ramp. Skies where the clearest I had seen this year. Incredible to see such dark and starry skies and a nice way to end a month of good astrophotography.
Old lifeboat ramp at Lizard Point.