Eclipses & Lunar Photos


“Near collision” with the setting moon….I saw this commercial jet turn towards the setting moon this morning and thought the jet contrail would cross the moon….but it was a “near miss”. Contrails are created by the water vapor from the combustion in jet engines where, in the frigid altitude, the water vapor crystalizes into trail of harmless ice particles. The skinny line of clouds to the right of the moon is also an older contrail spreading out. Some other “things” in this photo: 1) Two fishing boats that are in motion on the left side and one stationary boat on the far right, all near the horizon,  2) several brown pelicans floating on the water – the one with the circular wake had just dove into the water to catch a fish for breakfast, and 3) the skyline of Houston is on the horizon (just below the “origin” of the jet contrail) about 25 miles away.

 

The “Ring of Fire” annular eclipse passed through Texas today (October 14th) but I only saw a partial eclipse (about 80%) from my viewing point. The nearest viewing point to be in the path of annularity was a 4 hour drive west.

 

 

Crescent Moon-set over Burnet Bay above Houston skyline (to the left) and the planet Jupiter in upper right – Jan 25, 2023

 

Fishing boat on Burnet Bay as the Moon sets in the morning – January 6, 2023

 

 

May15, 2022.  “Super Flower Blood Moon” because the full moon is occurring near its perigee, or closest point to Earth in its orbit, and appears larger; therefore, a “supermoon”. May’s full moon is known as the Full Flower Moon, a traditional name for May’s full moon, based on older Native American customs in parts of the United States. The star to the left of the moon is Zuben El-Akrab of the Libra constellation (as are the two stars below to the right). The cluster of stars in the lower left of center are the “claws” and “body” of the Scorpio constellation (the tail  extends below the photo).

 

Moonset on Burnet Bay with industrial lights – Dec 20, 2020 – Was about to head for bed when I saw the moon setting and reflecting in the still waters of Burnet Bay and decided to attempt a photo….was too tired to process and post last night.

 

Super Moon April 7, 2020 – The moon is about 1% closer to earth for this super moon which is closer than any other this year. Caught the image as the clouds glided by.

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Super Blood Wolf Moon Total Eclipse – January 20, 2019

“Super” because the moon is closer to earth and therefore appears larger, “Blood” because the color when shaded during the eclipse, and “Wolf” because it is the first full moon of January (hungry wolfs howled in January). There will not be another total lunar eclipse in the USA until 2022.

 

Total Solar Eclipse Sequence, Aug 21, 2017

With a little Photoshop magic, we have this collage of the sequence of the photos taken of the August 21, 2017 total solar eclipse from Madras, OR – Img 67610 1

 

 

Total Solar Eclipse – Aug 21, 2017

Total eclipse on August 21 from Madras OR. This is a late posting because I have been hiking in WA national parks until Labor Day. The eclipse was really interesting: the light began to dim, and the temperature dropped and then the lights suddenly went out. You could see sunset colors 360 degrees on the horizon around you. The total eclipse only lasted 2 minutes but it seemed shorter – busy looking at the eclipse and all around you, then suddenly the lights came back on.

Took this photo of the total solar eclipse (along with 100,000+ others in Madras). Tom and I were trapped in traffic heading north out of Madras, OR for 10hrs. The cell towers were bogged down – you could sometimes get text messages but could not send. I have never seen so many people in an out of the way spot. Was happy to head for the wilderness to hike and escape the crowds – Img 67610

 

 

Blood Moon Total Eclipse – Apr 15, 2014

I did not intend to stay up and take a photo of the lunar eclipse this morning, but woke up at 3:30AM and decided since I could not sleep, why not? I did not get the total eclipse but it was interesting to see anyway. Not sure about the object below and the right of the moon – I think it was the star Spica. I could also see Mars and Saturn (outside the photo) It was cold outside this morning. – Img 38707

 

 

Wolf Moon Setting on Burnet Bay – Jan 16, 2014

The first full moon in January  (the wolf moon setting over Lynchburg across Burnet Bay the morning of January 16th – Img 38122

 

Full Moonset – Burnet Bay, Nov 10, 2011 – Img 17352a

 

Moon Set – Burnet Bay – Mar 20, 2008 – Img 1795

 

Moon Set – Burnet Bay – Oct 26, 2007 – Img 0789

 

Moon Set – Burnet Bay – Oct 26, 2007 – Img 0775b

 

Moon Set – Burnet Bay – Sep 27, 2007 – Img 0631

 

Moon Set – Burnet Bay – Oct 26, 2007 – Img 0753

 

 

 

 

Categories: Lunar

15 comments

  1. beautiful!!!! (“Wolf Moon Setting on Burnet Bay – Jan 16, 2014” photo)

  2. Great picture even if you missed the total eclipse. I wanted to see it but couldn’t get up. Larry

  3. Wow ! Thanks for the explanation. Very awesome photo. Glad you took the opportunity. (“Blood Moon Total Eclipse – April 15, 2014” photo)

  4. who needs a camera when I have you! I live vicariously through your camera lens and your creativity and travels! thank you for your willingness to share with us.

  5. Knowing that you were up early to get this amazing shot is amazing!! My faith in mankind is restored, thnx!! (“Blood Moon – Lunar Eclipse – Oct 8, 2014” photo)

  6. Awesome! what camera did you use? and what settings to capture this pic? (“Blood Moon – Lunar Eclipse – Oct 8, 2014” photo)

  7. Awesome photos, good write-ups on who and where. Your middle name should be Nat-Geo

    Thanks (“Blood Moon – Lunar Eclipse – Oct 8, 2014” photo)

  8. I so love that you are living this really fascinating & exciting life!! Thank you for your willingness to share with us!! This is an awesome look!! (“Total Solar Eclipse – August 21, 2017” photo)

  9. Wow, Randy! What an amazing photo and what an amazing experience!! Thanks for sharing. I’m glad you got to get some quality hiking in after all of the traffic issues. (“Total Solar Eclipse – August 21, 2017” photo)

  10. what settings and technic to capture these images? (“Total Eclipse Sequence, Aug 21, 2017” photo)

  11. awesome! (“Total Solar Eclipse – August 21, 2017” photo)

  12. Very beautiful, as always!! Hope you and yours are all well and hunkered down. As are we in Northwest Arkansas.

  13. Amazing pictures (enjoyed the show last night!)

  14. Cresent Moon with Jupiter Wow!!! So cool.

  15. All of these are just amazing. Thanks for sharing‼️

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