Starry Night

The jeep trundled up the dirt road leading to sapphire lake on a black moonless night. Jeanne looked out the passenger window, amazed at how the stars multiplied in numbers as they climbed higher toward the lake. It was a long quiet ride until Liam muttered loudly while avoiding potholes and stumps to park.

Once stopped he turned off the headlights and they both emerged from the jeep into the dark night.

“Have you ever seen so many stars?” Jeanne gasped.

Liam whistled in response. Then he instantly changed the subject. “Let’s get our game plan together.”

Getting back in the Jeep Liam turned on the headlamp and broke out the “Star Photography” book that Jeanne bought last week. It was a detailed book on all types of nighttime photography techniques. The plan was to get pictures of the Milky Way and eventually build a portfolio of stock photos. Liam had all the photography gear, but Jeanne had the creative inspiration.

They made a good team photographing scenery, stills of flowers, and wildlife. Photographing at night was completely new to both of them. However, Liam’s Nikon D5 was perfectly capable of the time exposure necessary for long exposures. He mounted a new 14mm lens with an f-stop of 1.8 to get as much of the sky as possible and allowing in the most light.

“I want to try an exposure of 35 seconds first, and go from there” Liam mused almost to himself.

Jeanne hoisted the tripod out of the back of the Jeep and headed toward the lake’s edge. The water appeared black and licked at the grassy edge of the lake. They set up the tripod and camera. Liam tested the wired shutter release and set up the tablet to view the pictures. Jeanne went back to the Jeep for the camping chairs and coffee thermos.

Settling in the chairs, they took a few moments to soak up the view. The black lake stretched out about half a mile and snowcapped mountains rimmed the far edge of the water.

“Let’s have some coffee.” Liam suggested.

Joanna opened the cap on the thermos and found a cloth napkin wrapped up inside of it. “What’s this?”

Liam leaned over and gently took the napkin ball from Joanna’s hand. “It’s a surprise.”

Taking a deep breath, he turned toward Joanna and opened up the napkin to reveal a diamond ring.

“Is that what I think it is?” Joanna squinted in the dark.

“Mmm hm.” Was all Liam managed to say.

Joanna had no idea he was planning this and no idea that he even wanted to be married. This could turn out to be a very awkward night.

“I had no idea, Liam.” Joanna’s voice trailed off.

Liam turned his eyes to the sky. “Guess I will get to taking those pictures now.”

He stuffed the ring in his pocket and went to work as if nothing had happened. Joanna was so confused she stared at the dark lake as tears welled up in her eyes. Not even the reflection of the billion stars on the lake could fascinate her now.