Don't Look Down! A Glimpse into the Majestic Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Prepare to be captivated by a truly unique natural wonder captured in this breathtaking astrophotograph. Rising defiantly from the Gunnison River in Colorado's Black Canyon is a formidable 700-foot spire. This geological marvel, once a silent witness to an old rail-line that traced its path along the river, is now an integral part of the Curecanti area. What's even more remarkable? Curecanti has earned its DarkSky certification, making it an exceptional location for stargazing.
This incredible image was brought to life using a Panasonic S5a paired with a Sigma 20mm f1.4 lens and the MSM Nomad. The celestial display was captured with the sky tracked for 4x180 second exposures at f4 and ISO 640. The dramatic foreground was rendered through a 3x vertical panorama, with each frame being 180 seconds at f2.8 and ISO 1250. The meticulous processing involved a suite of powerful tools: Darktable, Siril, CosmicCalartiy, Starnet++, and GIMP, all coming together to produce this magical result.
The sheer scale and beauty of this location have clearly left a lasting impression. The experience of witnessing such a sight in person is described as "Magical" and an "amazing photo!". For some, it evokes memories of past explorations, highlighting the enduring allure of Colorado's landscapes.
