Some experiences stay with you forever. This particular spring night along the shores of Lake Erie in Haldimand County will be one of my most cherished astronomy memories of 2025 — a Saturday spent under the stars with two fellow astrophotographers, the Milky Way arching overhead like a celestial river of light.

We arrived just before 11 p.m., the night air crisp and the sky clear. As we set up our gear, the lake's gentle waves whispered against the rocks, a rhythmic lullaby that seemed to sync with the pulse of the universe. The Great Lake gave us an unobstructed view allowing us to feel fully immersed in the glittering star-filled sky. By God's grace, these perfect conditions gave us time: time to connect and marvel, time to speak with God.

The Milky Way

When astrophotographers speak of the Milky Way, it's almost always a reference to its galactic core - the bright, dense, and visually stunning central region of our galaxy. It's a tapestry of dark dust lanes interlaced with a dense concentration of stars and glowing nebulae. I was happy to be doing some landscape astrophotography, letting the land and sky tell their stories.

I love how this type of astrophotography captures more of the night's overall experience. With the perfect balance of shooting and stargazing, the hours passed in this serene, healing, and inspiring setting.

A Surprise

There had been a recent buzz in the astronomy community of up-and-coming aurorae. People were making plans to gear up and head out for the following night. But as we packed up our gear in the pre-dawn hush, we noticed faint ribbons of light in the sky which grew into stronger aurorae activity.

Of course we ended up staying a bit longer - and how could we not? This was a double blessing! We took some more shots followed by a very contented drive home - our souls still humming with the night's wonders. Dawn would soon call us to prayer, afterwhich I got some needed rest. I awoke having returned to the rythm of city life, but my heart remains seated at the shoreline gazing up at the night sky, marvelling at God's handiwork. Glorified and Exalted is He!