Lunar Eclipse Over Donner Peak

Lunar Eclipse Over Donner Peak  |   Order a Print
April 14/15, 2014
(click in the image to see a larger version)

For the lunar eclipse a couple of nights ago, I headed up to Donner Peak (8019 ft / 2444 m) in the Sierras. I wanted a location where I could have a view of a big landscape, and also a place where the view wasn't blocked by tall trees (an issue in the area immediately near my house, about an hour away from the summit). This is what I had in mind when I set out to shoot the eclipse (though the Donner Summit location was a last minute decision) and I'm pretty pleased with how it came out. This is a composite of 20 images, all taken on-site at this location. I'm working on a more detailed description of the planning and process that will be available soon.

The summit area here is named for the ill-fated Donner Party who became snowbound in the Sierras in the winter of 1846-47. Looking directly left from this vantage point is a view of Donner Lake. The makeshift cabins where they were stranded and spent the winter are about 6 miles from here on the far side of the lake.