Telling the Story of the Night Through Photography

Is the subject of this month’s Estes Valley Astronomical Society (EVAS) / free public open house meeting.  EVAS, in conjunction with The Estes Park Memorial Observatory, is offering a lecture on Saturday, July 26.  The goal of EVAS is to promote amateur astronomy and education in the Estes Valley.

The program will delve into the importance of preserving dark sky environments—not just for stargazing, but for wildlife, ecology, and human connection to the cosmos.

The Milky Way Galaxy above Lilly Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park – Photo by Dawn Wilson.

You’ll see captivating new nighttime photographs of elk and other wildlife, taken in and around Rocky Mountain National Park, as well as stunning imagery from certified Dark Sky Parks.

The Aurora Borealis above Haines Harbor, Haines, Alaska – Photo by Dawn Wilson

A special highlight of the evening is a short video compilation featuring the Northern Lights over Haines, Alaska.   You will learn the stories behind the shots.  It should be quite interesting.

Our special guest speaker is award-winning professional photographer Dawn Wilson.  Dawn is a member of our EVAS club and a regular contributor to our local Trail Gazette newspaper, where she writes wildlife articles complete with her outstanding photographs.  Dawn is Past President of the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA), where she just recently won the Past President’s award for outstanding performance.

Dawn Wilson Wildlife and Night Sky Photographer

She is also co-host of The Nature Photographer Podcast. Dawn is a member of Girls Who Click, Outdoor Writers Association of America, Wild Vision Initiative, Nature First, Nikon Professional Certified Services, and she is a Leave No Trace Master Naturalist.

Estes Park Memorial Observatory – Photo by Dawn Wilson

The meeting is at the Estes Park Memorial Observatory.  Doors open at 7:00 PM with the presentation beginning at 7:30 PM. Weather permitting, a stargazing session with the observatory’s 16” dome telescope will follow. The event is free and open to the public—no reservations required.

Come be inspired by the story the stars and the night still tell.