Our Moon Chase

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

Last night’s Central Oregon sky was cloudy, mostly dark, and with striations. Susie and I, a moon-chasing team, were on the east side of town in the darkness, gallantly waiting and intent on photographing the first lights of the soon-to-appear rare August Super Blue Moon.

There were challenges ahead for us. Before the first light appeared, we tried watching the horizon from behind which the moon would rise, but the darkness let us see only bits of it. Fortunately, Susie has an innate sense of location; she spotted the first light.

Despite the arguing sky, that rising moon was uniquely beautiful.

And it stayed that way, even almost becoming Saturn-like.

Our camera has a “Moon Setting.” We’re practicing and learning how to use it. This is a capture of that striated moon in the larger setting, representing more of our total view.

Finally, in rising, it begins to disappear behind layers of very dark clouds.

We sat wrapped in blankets waiting hopefully for that moon to reappear. When it didn’t, we turned to an alternate form of entertainment, a back-up, with snacks, liquids, and lots of talking. Moon chases are grand as monthly catch-up opportunities.

Also great is that this beautiful moon will remain full for two more nights. If the sky is clear, sightings will be special still.

A quick capture as we are getting ready to head home.

Dear Friends: Carve out moments: break the mold and make them extraordinary. Diana