Had my alarm set for 4:30 this morning, but got up around 3:45 to make coffee and get things ready outside. Needed coats, blankets, flashlight, binoculars and of course my camera.
Then I sat in my lounger waiting for the lunar eclipse like millions of others in the southwest and around the world. Over the next two plus hours I took over 300 photos of the moon as it slowly disappeared and changed from white to orange to blue blood red.
I was thankful the clouds from last night had dissipated and the only clouds were very light and wispy. Temperature was around 49 degrees and no wind. Perfect for sitting outside looking up at the heavens. As the eclipse progressed, the night grew darker and I could see many more stars that were hidden by the moon's strong glow.
As I reviewed my photos I could tell either I didn't know how to set camera settings for the decrease in natural light or my camera just wasn't up to the task. I did the best I could and at least I was able to see it and that is more than most in America can say.
I will not place a lot of photos, but I want to show you how the moon progressed throughout the early hours of this morning.
Note: To see larger images, click on the image to enlarge. Those using the mobile version for viewing this post will need to view with your cell phone turned sideways.
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See you later.
Thanks for making the early-morning effort Doug! I had no idea what all the fuss was about, and your pictures help make it clearer.
ReplyDeleteGord.
Thanks Gord. If my wife hadn't reminded me I would have missed it. Don't get much news out here.
DeleteGlad I did it. For the longest time I wondered where the red was. It wasn't till close to full eclipse the red came out and boy did it. Amazing! Worth getting up for.
Your pictures of the super blue blood moon are truly Beautiful! It was great to be able to see the different phases of the eclipse. Thank you so much for the awesome pictures. They were definitely worth getting up so early for. Have a good night! ❤
ReplyDeleteThanks Dolly. I was amazed at the full eclipse how dark red it became. Looked blood red!😂
DeleteGlad I got up before four to watch it. Too bad you had clouds. Good night. Lutoo ❤
Great pics Doug! I was able to view the eclipse but not with your dedication :) Thanks for sticking with it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jeff. Just wish I could have gotten sharper pictures. But they give the idea of how it went down.
DeleteYou should send these to weather channel or something. They are better than what some news stations had. Nice job. Or make a collage poster size. I'm sure there is some software out there to make one.
ReplyDeleteThank you Flower girl. Good to hear from you. Don't think the quality of my photos will stand up to some that will be posted by other bloggers soon, but did enjoy doing it.
DeleteMy family back in Illinois missed it because of location and the cloud cover so this was their chance for a personal show and tell by me.
Incredible job on the pictures Doug! I completely missed it so I'm glad to be able to reference your hard work.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dave. Glad my photos provided you with an idea of how the eclipse played out.
DeleteI don't think laying back in a lounge chair in the middle of the Sonoran Desert constitutes hard work, but I'll take the complement.
Your photos came out fine Doug. I think the best part is being out there under the night sky and enjoying the absolute beauty of the night sky and especially for the length of time you spent out there. One of the great benefits of photography is it's ability to draw people out into nature and have them record what they see. Good stuff and your doing a good job doing that:))
ReplyDeleteThanks Al. Means alot coming from you. You're right about it drawing you out. Just hope getting out there doesn't get me killed.😉
DeleteHaven't been sleeping all that good, so it was nice to have something to keep me busy through the early morning hours.
My family loved the photos since they didn't have the opportunity to see it because of location and clouds.
Nice photos Doug! Thank you for getting up early!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rawn. It was a special event and I'm glad I was in the right place to view it. Not everyone had that opportunity.
DeleteGreat pics of the blood moon Dad! Seeing all the phases is worth the time spent. Love you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jim. I was surprised a lot of folks out here didn't bother. Glad you liked them. Love you, Sarah and the Keats.
DeleteLike seeing pictures of Keats on Facebook.
Doug those are amazing pictures thanks for posting and sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Enjoyed doing it.
DeleteNever sell yourself or your photos short. Not only are these moon shots fantastic on their own - but, you are the only one who captured the entire SHOW including the deep red Blood moon ! Your dedication of spending several hours with Yuma and blankets and coffee etc in the black darkness of the desert is amazing. You explained the experience so well and showed the progression of photos to a moon so red it gave me chills. It was a once in a lifetime event and your photos are fantastic - but what you really saw out there was a spectacle in the Heavens that created a memory that will last Forever. No one can ever truly understand or take that away from you. It belongs to you and Yuma alone. You are a lucky man ! 🌵🌷🐢🐕🌈🌞
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Moonfly. I was glad my viers and especially my family got to view it with me. Your comment and those from my family made it all worth while. My memory will fade but the photos won't.
DeleteOh my! And you were apologizing for them not being perfect? They are some of the best pictures I've seen yet. Awesome pictures. And I thank you for putting yourself out there for the full 2 hours. I enjoyed your efforts very much.
ReplyDeleteThank you Patsy. I'm glad you enjoyed them. Made the effort worth while.
DeleteWow. Stunning photo's Doug. Thank you for sharing!! I think both you and the camera were up to the job.
ReplyDeleteThank you Deb. The comments have assured me it was worth the effort.
DeleteThose are really great pictures, Doug! Thanks for sitting out in the cold from start to finish and sharing the results with the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteGlad we decided to stop yesterday. Tom and I really enjoyed our visit with you and Yuma. Safe travels as you move on.
Thanks Deb. I am glad everyone enjoyed them. Enjoyed or visit. Not often I have visitors and you and Tom enjoy the adventure like I do. It was fun to share them in person and get to know each other.
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