Night Sky from the backyard

This is a pretty crappy photo I took but I am trying to learn how to take night photos. This is my first solo attempt and I can tell you that it's pretty hard trying to focus up at the sky, crouching down low to see roughly where the camera is pointing(on a tripod), and then constantly changing settings. I'm thinking it's not for me. I also don't like being in the city and feeling like I am lurking in the dark or waving flashlights around when there are neighbours around thinking someone is breaking in or something. It is all quite funny really. Anyway, I digress...