Hyalite at Night: Capturing Montana's Dark Skies and Volcanic Gems

South of Bozeman, Montana, the serene Hyalite Creek flows from the Gallatin Range, a place steeped in natural beauty and geological wonder. Formerly known as Middle Creek, its name was changed in 1929, partly due to the commonness of its original moniker and, more intriguingly, the presence of opalescent hyalite. This beautiful form of opal, found in volcanic rock, is so prized it's even used in jewelry – though I've yet to discover a piece myself during my explorations of this enchanting area.

My connection with Hyalite Creek is strongest during two distinct times: the quiet hush of early morning, when dew blankets the grass and wildlife stirs, and the profound stillness of the middle of the night. Despite its proximity to Bozeman’s light pollution, the view to the south offers a gateway to some of the world's darkest skies, overlooking the vastness of the Yellowstone region.

At full pool, Hyalite Reservoir transforms into a photographer's dream. Its shallows on the upstream end create a glassy surface, providing a perfect, undisturbed reflection of the cosmos above. It's this ethereal scene that I set out to capture.

The Technicalities of Capturing the Cosmos

This shot was made possible with a Nikon D850 and a Sigma Art 20mm f/1.4 lens. Achieving such a detailed nightscape involved a multi-stage process:

• Sky and Reflection: To capture the faint light of the Milky Way and its reflection, I used a high ISO of 8000, an aperture of f/1.8, and an exposure of 10 seconds. The final image is a stack of 10 light and 10 dark images, processed through Starry Landscape Stacker to minimize noise and enhance detail.
• Land: For the foreground, a longer exposure was necessary. I used an ISO of 2000, an aperture of f/3.2, and an exposure of 200 seconds. Noise reduction was handled by Topaz Sharpen.

The two exposures were then blended seamlessly in Photoshop, with a 'Ministars' action applied at Level 3 for that extra sparkle. Finally, Lightroom Classic CC was used for the overall color correction and final polish.

The result is a testament to the magic that happens when technology meets the untamed beauty of nature, allowing us to share these incredible moments with the world. There's truly nothing quite like a night under the stars, especially when they're mirrored in still waters.