Chasing the Milky Way at Carrizo Plains
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ISO2500 | 14mm | f/2.8 | 20 sec
Tree of Life
Just us, the van, and a million stars above Carrizo Plains.
A night under the vast Milky Way, wrapped in quiet magic and a sense of renewal.
In this wide, open, desolate desert, this lone tree thrives—a reminder of resilience and the beauty that grows in the most unexpected places. Sometimes we stand too long at the fork in the road, wondering which path to take. But every path leads somewhere, and every journey teaches us. Don’t waste precious time standing still—embrace the journey, trust the process, and stay grateful for the growth that comes along the way.
There are trips you plan… and then there are trips that change you.
We drove into the Carrizo Plains chasing the Milky Way, but I was also chasing quiet—an escape from the noise of the city, the weight of an emotionally heavy workweek, and the feeling of being pulled in every direction. Out here, the silence was almost deafening at first. But once our bodies acclimated, it felt like a complete reset.
Earlier that afternoon, the heat was brutal—dry, scorching, and relentless. In this vast, empty plain, there’s nowhere to hide from it. That lone tree and the van became our only shelter. We sat beneath it, taking long, deep breaths.
Finding Magic in the Middle of Nowhere
When the sun finally dipped behind the hills, the whole plain shifted. The fiery gold light softened into a quiet, cinematic blue. The vastness of the Carrizo Plains reminded us how small we are—and how much wonder can exist in a single night.
Hawk nest in the tree above us. - Carrizo Plains, California
(photo by: Tikibob)
As the temperature fell, each breath of cold, fresh night air felt like a reset button. It grounded us, washed away the noise we’d carried in, and prepared us for the magic that was about to unfold.
And we weren’t truly alone.
High in the branches of that lone tree was a nest—either hawks or young eagles—and the mother circled overhead, silently guarding her babies. Her presence was calm but vigilant. It added a sacredness to the night, as if nature had allowed us to borrow a piece of her world for just a few hours.
Out here, stargazing in California can be challenging with all the light pollution from the city but this felt special—surrounded by nothing but open space, quiet desert night, and the slow turning of the earth.
Drone Pano
More color in Carizzo Plains, March 2024
Two Seasons, One Story
Some of the images in this story were captured in early-June, when the terrain was dry, brown, and sun-bleached.
But other photos come from a scouting trip I took back in March, when the land was completely different—soft greens, warm color, subtle blooms, and textures that felt alive.
Including both seasons felt right.
Carrizo doesn’t offer just one version of itself.
And neither do we.
Photopills screen capture of the composition we were aiming to capture.
The Milky Way Reveals Herself
When full darkness settled, the sky exploded with stars—billions of tiny lights scattered across black velvet. The Milky Way rose slowly, shimmering, arching, and aligning exactly where we planned.
Before this trip, we mapped out everything with intention—our exact shooting position, field of view, and foreground using the PhotoPills app. When the sky matched our plan with almost eerie precision, it felt like the universe was meeting us halfway.
We stayed up until 3am, taking in the silence, the cold air, and the majesty overhead. Every long exposure felt earned. Every careful composition felt like a small act of devotion.
ISO 2000 | 18mm | f 2.8 | 6 sec
What This Night Gave Us
Carrizo Plains reminded me what it feels like to be small in the best way possible. To stand under a sky so huge it resets your soul. To laugh, play, explore, and stay up way too late waiting for the universe to line up just right. If you’re craving magic, connection, or a quiet escape into dark sky camping California, go. Find your own lonely tree. Wait for the stars to rise. You’ll understand exactly what I mean.
Photographing Dawn at Carizzo Plains
Behind the Shots: The Gear I Used
For anyone looking to photograph the Milky Way or capture landscapes like this, here’s the gear I relied on. These links help support my work at no extra cost, and every piece of this gear made the night smoother, easier, and more creative.
Camera + Lenses
– Sony Camera A7R3
(main stargazing body) – https://amzn.to/48GLx5y
– Sigma 14–24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Lens
(Milky Way foreground + sky workhorse) – https://amzn.to/48FtnRE
– Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DGDN
(backup lens) - https://amzn.to/4iMSjdL
– SIRUI Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod
(light and easy to carry) - https://amzn.to/4iw8FHx
Drone Gear
– Drone model - DJI Mini 4 Pro - https://amzn.to/3XWodun
– SKYREAT ND Drone Filters - https://amzn.to/4p8Chgv
Other Essentials
– Lowepro LP37015-PWW, Flipside Trek BP 350 AW Backpack - https://amzn.to/3M9Vpfq
– DJI Osmo Mobile 7P Gimbal Stabilizer – https://amzn.to/48uxZZT