§ Blood Wolf Moon

On January 20th, we in North America were supposed to be able to see a total eclipse of the super moon. Well, since earth's shadow would begin to cover the moon's light around 10:30 pm and last for over 3 hours, I must admit, it was too late in the evening for this ol' gal. Altho, pray tell, I was gratified that we actually had clear sky for the event! I drove to Whtecap beach on North Padre Island for the moonrise. The sun was still in the west, and about 30 minutes before sunset. The horizon along the Gulf was a bit hazy so the moonrise was somewhat fuzzy in the east. Several chairs, tiki lamps, and campfires were set up along the shoreline for those that planned on staying out in the cold winter air for the eclipse. I just walked for a while, taking photos, and then it was time for me to go back into town and pick up our pizza I ordered for dinner and watch the Kansas City Chiefs lose...and the Patriots win again!! Here is what I saw...

campfires and chairs along the beach



as the sun was setting...

...the moon was rising!

By the time I got to the jetty on this section of beach, I turned around, got back to the parking lot, and before getting into the car to take off for home, I saw this behind the dunes...

Driving out of the parking lot, away from the sand hills, I rolled my window down and took this one last shot...

§ Sunrise, Sunset....moonrise

I spent most of the day at the islands on November 14th. The morning was when I was walking and doing a bit of birding. I left before sunrise and pulled off the road and stopped on the island highway shoulder to take this photo with my cellphone...

I counted 12 ospreys perched on the power lines and 10 white tailed hawks. I have dozens and dozens of photos of each, so I didn't pull over. Once I arrived at Port A, I took a detour, taking a beach access road instead of heading toward the nature preserves first. I wanted to watch the sunrise on the beach...

After hopping back in the car, covering the floor mats with gobs of soft sand [which Bud hates when I do that...he has to clean it up - lol], I drove to Leonabelle's Birding Center. There wasn't much activity that early in the morning. Spotting about a dozen white pelicans, a couple of Tri-colored Herons, a few Egrets, Grebes, and Cormorants, I left for another area. While walking out of the birding center, I spotted this on the fencing...

White Ibis

Stopping at a couple more areas, Paradise Pond and Charlie's Pasture, it was all too quiet for seeing many birds. So, I decided to go to the Beach again and walked the jetty behind the Marine Science Lab [campus associated]. A hoard of Brown Pelicans kept me occupied. And near a dozen dolphins were feeding, playing near the jetty. I also spotted a beautiful specimen of a Crested Caracara and two Turkey Vultures. By that hour, it was getting close to lunch time. I texted Bud I'd be home for lunch. That afternoon, it was a quiet time, I read my book while Bud napped. Then, we decided to go back to the islands [Padre Island this time], and dine at Mikey Mays Grill on the shore. I had a Philly Steak Sub while Bud ordered a BLT. We downed it all with some beers. By the time we finished and left, the sun was setting west of the dunes...

...the pier lights flickered on:

We kept ourselves occupied, people watching and walking along the shore, trying to pick out a good spot. We weren't the only ones there for the 'special treat'. You see, the night of the supermoon, it was too cloudy. We figured we'd get some decent views this night since it had cleared out somewhat, tho there was a thick haze on the horizon. The beach became crowded with amateur photographers and spectators. Once the sky darkened, the moon made its appearance on the horizon...a bit hidden at times through the cloudy haze, but still visible. Then, it peeked away from the obstructions and the sight was phenomenal...

Once home, the blood red hue of the moonrise had left and we had a full moon illuminating our driveway. It was a long day for me, from sunrise, to sunset, to moonrise!!

§ ...fly me to the moon

As I posted over this past weekend, our attempt at getting the moon as it rises over the bay waters is nigh on to impossible in the summer months because of the salt water evaporation over the horizon! The heat of the water and the condensation of the evaporation - heat rises and so does the vapor...making a haze just above the water surface quite 'thick' and dense...dense enough to obscure any moon rise photos. The moon on the evening of the 22nd wasn't quite a 'full moon'. The supermoon phase took place at 7:23 a.m. central time zone on the 23rd of June. Anyway, the wonderful sea breeze at Cole Park on the night of the 22nd was so pleasant, we waited around for the moon to make it's appearance once it got above the cloud cover. Just after sunset, the white hot summer sky turned a soft powder puff blue and as the clouds rolled by the moon finally came into view...






...when we got back home, after the drive to the park, I focused on the tree shadow against the moon glow...



...then, the morning of the super moon, at 6ish...this is what I saw. I tried to get some man-made object in the image to show the vast size and closeness of the moon. I utilized the peaked roof of a house nearby as it swiftly moved through the atmosphere---


...finally away from any obstruction: