18Nov13 Forest Fires, Bright Moon Rise, Car & City Lights

Last night's observation from Wiseman's View was both interesting and informative.  The recent Table Rock fire which started a week ago and has now burned nearly 2,500 acres on the east rim of Linville Gorge, is nearly out with only a few tiny isolated spot fires remaining.  However, some folks at the overlook last night were hoping to see vast large fires and dismissed the remnant spot fires as the usual BMLs!  At least the large crowds provided the opportunity to photography vehicle headlights on NC Hwy 105 on the west rim of the gorge.  In addition, the bright rising moon over Hawksbill Mountain was spectacular.  Most of my photos should be enlarged to see the finer details.
  

Distant Lights of Taylorsville, 41.5 mi

Azimuth 88^O from Wiseman’s View

Taylorsville is the dim horizontal band of lights immediately below the far skyline in the center of the image

Two communication tower lights are visible on Hibriten Mtn (89^O azimuth) on right side of image:

1)       The usual blinking white light on the tall tower north of the summit; and

2)       A new red light on a tower on the summit

City Lights of Lenoir lie above and beyond Brown Mountain (the flat ridge in the foreground)

Tripod-mounted Canon EOS Rebel T3i DSLR with 420 mm lens at f/8, 1 second exposure & ISO-400

 

Lights of Hickory 31 miles beyond north slope of Table Rock Mountain

Azimuth 111^O from Wiseman’s View

Tripod-mounted Canon EOS Rebel T3i DSLR with 138 mm lens at f/7.1, 2 second exposure & ISO-1600

 

Small Isolated Forest Fire on Flanks of Table Rock, 1 mi distant

Azimuth 135^O from Wiseman’s View

Tripod-mounted Canon EOS Rebel T3i DSLR with 420 mm lens at f/8, 47 second exposure & ISO-3200

 

7 Small Isolated Forest Fires on Flanks of Table Rock

Table Rock is Azimuth 13^O from Wiseman’s View

The largest spot of fire in the center of the image is enlarged in photo 5178

Tripod-mounted Canon EOS Rebel T3i DSLR with 18 mm lens at f/4.5, 60 second exposure & ISO-1600

 

Vehicle Headlights on North Flank of DogBack Mountain

Azimuth 185^O from Wiseman’s View

Tripod-mounted Canon EOS Rebel T3i DSLR with 18 mm lens at f/4.5, 6 second exposure & ISO-1600

Vehicle Headlights on North Flank of DogBack Mountain

Azimuth 185-191^O from Wiseman’s View

Tripod-mounted Canon EOS Rebel T3i DSLR with 55 mm lens at f/5.6, 14 second exposure & ISO-1600

 

Moon Rise Over South Flank of Hawksbill Mountain

Azimuth 75^O from Wiseman’s View

Tripod-mounted Canon EOS Rebel T3i DSLR with 18 mm lens at f/4.5, 60 second exposure & ISO-200

 

Moon (bright white) with Unique Lens Flares

Azimuth 75^O from Wiseman’s View

Tripod-mounted Canon EOS Rebel T3i DSLR with 420 mm lens at f/8, 1 second exposure & ISO-400

 

Moon (bright white) with Unique Lens Flares

Azimuth 75^O from Wiseman’s View

Tripod-mounted Canon EOS Rebel T3i DSLR with 294mm lens at f/7.1, 1 second exposure & ISO-400