Big Red - Sequoia National Forest California

Big Red, Trail of 100 Giants
Sequoia National Forest
Long Meadow Grove, California

October 1, 2013

This land is your land, this land is my land...this land was made for you and me.   Woody Guthrie

Just after midnight, deep within a forest of ancient trees, far below one of the darkest night skies, Eileen Counihan captured this image on the first day of October 2013.

Counihan found Big Red  just before dusk while hiking along the Trail of 100 Giants within the Sequoia National Forest in California. She was in the middle of a trip throughout California and the Southwest to photograph during the darkest phases of the moon, under amazingly clear, star-filled night skies.

However, on October 1st, the U.S. Federal Government implemented a 16-day shutdown of services. One of the most significant aspects of the 2013 government shutdown was the closure of the U.S. National Parks, Forests, Seashores, and Monuments. 

Eileen was undeterred by the closures. She ventured into Sequoia National Forest on the first night, and as the shutdown continued, she made her way to photograph other parks including Yosemite National Park and Joshua Tree National Monument. 

Eileen Counihan believes that our National Parks should always be available for us to experience and enjoy.She is constantly inspired while photographing the amazing landscapes and dark night skies full of stars.