The Last Arch

One cold early morning in March 2023, as I climbed up an icy hill back to comfort of my car I asked myself if I was crazy. I reminded myself that I'm a nightscape photographer, and therefore the obvious answer is yes. Why was I asking myself this question at 5 o'clock this morning?
I had set my sights on capturing a photo of Paddy's Island, a sandstone formation that holds the last remaining sea arch in the North Medford Beach area. With so many natural landmarks disappearing due to erosion, I knew I had to act fast to capture this beautiful formation before it was too late.

But getting the perfect shot of Paddy's Island was no easy feat. It required the perfect alignment of the Milky Way with the island, clear skies, and specific moon cycles. And of course, the added challenge of the Bay of Fundy tides, this highest tides in the world, which make the island only accessible at select times. Determined to get the shot, and on the night when all the requirements fell into place, I woke up at 1:15am, drove for 75 minutes, and even scaled down a small waterfall in the dark to access the beach. The winds were howling, the temperatures were freezing, and the sand and mud underfoot had turned to ice. But I persevered, and I'm thrilled with the result. This photo captures the beauty of Paddy's Island and the Milky Way, and serves as a reminder of the power and wonder of nature