The final glimpse of an 80,000 year-once visitor

[BlackRockArt]

I’ve always envisioned a scene like this: a giant whale resting under a blanket of stars.

A few nights ago, that vision nearly came true. A baby humpback whale had beached near Santa Cruz, and when I arrived that evening, it was still mostly intact. In the dark, I set up my camera to capture the Milky Way and the Tsuchinshan Atlas A3 comet above this incredible sight.

C&C welcome.

—Oliver

P.S. Yes, two lovebirds were sitting near the whale’s tail.

 

[Michael13]

I really like this one! I feel grief for the whale, hope for the young couple, and wonder for the comet.

A square crop would also work with this.

 

[JimFox]

This with the Milky Way and the Comet is something I have been thinking on capturing. You beat me to the punch!

And you really scored in your setup for this, just amazing how it all worked out.

What lens?

 

[AlanLichty]

Unusual combination of elements for this composition but it works quite well.

Happily the image does not include smell-o-rama from the decomposing whale.

 

[BlackRockArt]

I really like this one! I feel grief for the whale, hope for the young couple, and wonder for the comet.

A square crop would also work with this.

Thanks Michael, I always feel sad for the beached whales, we have a Navy sonar station nearby, I wonder if that's the cause? I agree, a square crop would work well.

Oliver

 

[BlackRockArt]

This with the Milky Way and the Comet is something I have been thinking on capturing. You beat me to the punch!

And you really scored in your setup for this, just amazing how it all worked out.

What lens?

Thanks Jim. I was just packing up the gears when you sent me the text message, man, I wish you were there!

I used a 14mm lens
Oliver

 

[Jameel Hyder]

Quite a combination of elements. A fascinating image. Nicely done.

 

[BlackRockArt]

Unusual combination of elements for this composition but it works quite well.

Happily the image does not include smell-o-rama from the decomposing whale.

Thank you, Alan. I was lucky to get every elements into the same frame.

The rangers are more proactive now, they took some of the internal organs to avoid a massive exlosion like that Florence event. lol

Quite a combination of elements. A fascinating image. Nicely done.

Thank you, Jameel, it's once in a life experience.

Oliver

 

[AlanLichty]

Thank you, Alan. I was lucky to get every elements into the same frame.

The rangers are more proactive now, they took some of the internal organs to avoid a massive exlosion like that Florence event. lol

They used dynamite on the one in Florence. The crowds that gathered to watch got more than they bargained for

 

[Trent Watts]

Absolutely stunning Oliver. I hope the magic of the scene wasn't spoiled by the smell of a rotting whale. Apparently not enough to ward off snuggling lovers.
This image just makes me keep coming back to look again. Just another 10,000 years or whatever it is until the comet returns.

 

[Beth]

sweet image! love the concept, glad you were able to pull it off.