Perseid Shower over Star Trails

Clear night, calm winds, distant glow from the city and earliest dawn light contributed

to this image of star trails. Taken in Bruneau Sand Dunes, near Boise Idaho on a

special night when Perseid meteor showers were at its peak. Star trail images like this

take patience and luck (to avoid jet trails entering the scene during exposure!).

Chandra,  Nicely done.  How long was your shutter speed on this?  it would help me to see your exif data as I am trying to learn more about photographing stars.  Thanks.  Larry

Larry,  Thanks for your comments. These were hundreds of multiple exposures for a very long time, at high ISO (2000), largest possible aperture (f2.8) and 30 secs for each exposure for the trails, slightly longer exposure (50 secs) for the sky and glow on the tree branches. All taken on a very steady tripod (Gitzo) to avoid even the slightest vibration (except few critters, no one was around me on this still, dark night!). Nikon D800, 14-24mm lens.  Images were slightly processed in camera raw mainly for noise reduction, merged in photoshop, sharpened for web view.  Hope this helps. 

Surreal!! Looks more like fiction! Very nice.