The Milky Way in The Sky Above America's Mid-West - by Randy Halverson

Photographer Randy Halverson captures the rural heartland of the American Mid-West against the backdrop of the Milky Way. The 43-year-old took most of these pictures from the fields of his farm in Kennebec, South Dakota where three generations of his family have lived

The Milky Way seen over Arches National Park, Utah

"One of the biggest challenges was the weather, mainly clouds and wind," Randy said. "A few clouds look good, but if it becomes completely overcast it doesn't"

An old granary barn with moon and stars above, near Kennebec, South Dakota

"The only special equipment I use is a Stage Zero Dolly." A dolly is a metal or plastic rail which is set up to move in time with the sky. Above, the Milky Way with a windmill near Kennebec, South Dakota

Randy attached a camera which moved slowly to give perfect motion during the six hour timelapses

"With timelapse it's often hard to see how it turns out just by looking at a still," he said. "I may have to wait a few days before I really see how it looks. Sometimes they turn out better than I had planned, and that is good to see." Above, Milky Way seen over Arches National Park, Utah