If you thought Crater Lake National Park was beautiful by day, I invite you to experience the magic that occurs there at night.  Few places in the world have as clear of skies as Crater Lake, revealing more stars than some people will see in their lifetime.

This photo capturing the stars as an example of "astrophotography," perhaps my favorite form of photography.  Modern cameras' ability to pick up detail and distant light far surpasses what our eyes can see, and the resulting images can be stunning.

What I love about this photo from a cold winter night in Crater Lake is the clarity and purity of everything; the snow, the sky, the water, all of it is so miraculously flawless.