I love taking photos of the moon and do it almost every month from our driveway or, in this case, the sidewalk across the street. And so of course I had to try to capture this month’s super moon. I love how it appears to sit on the horizon like a huge beach ball!
The night before, I also photographed the moon, which was almost full. There were clouds on the horizon, so these shots were taken after the moon rose above the cloud layer.
I thought of calling this The Twilight of America, but I decided that was too pessimistic. Can I see this differently? The American people have spoken. I hope that the future is not as bleak as I see it right now, but right now I see the things I value- inclusion, educating our children to think, women’s rights over their bodies, respecting differences, taking care of the less fortunate, valuing science- being rejected.
About the image- It started with seeing the moon last night at sunset- and noticing red, white, and blue appearing in the image as I looked at it on my phone. A good omen, I wondered? This morning I overlaid a doorframe and the stars and a texture. And it expresses my mood. You can interpret it as you wish- negatively as in my first paragraph, or the moon as a symbol of what is constant in the universe, despite politics and politicians.
I’ve been having fun combining some of my little moonshadow images (especially the ones on leaves) into abstracts. These are the first three in a little project I’m calling “In the Path of Totality”.
Here’s our view of last night’s harvest moon as it rose above the hills! I missed the shot of it just peeking above the horizon- in the minute or two it took to get my camera and run out to the driveway it had already popped up over the hill.
My goal today was to get some genealogy research done, but I can’t seem to get my thoughts together.
So I’m WOOL GATHERING- an expression from my childhood. There are barely any signs of the approach of autumn here, but I’m already daydreaming of bare branches and winter moons. So here’s a little winter fantasy for today.
Actually, winter is HERE- as most of the country can testify. Arizona has escaped the bomb cyclone of snow and below freezing temperatures, but rain and snow are now hitting the high country, with just rain here (so far). Fingers and toes crossed that the Phoenix area (where we will be meeting our kids) will be warmer and drier.
Good thoughts sent out to all those stranded due to flight cancellations!
December moon at sunset
Goodbye, 2020!
2020 may have left us battered and bruised, mourning our losses and maybe our innocence as we come to the end of this terrible year, but we can still find hope and inspiration in our heroes, the resilience of the human heart, and in the beauty of our world.
Moonrise- the last full moon of 2020
Time spent gazing at the night sky can be as calming as watching the rhythm of ocean waves. Last night I went outside for a half hour or so before the International Space Station was due to fly over and spent time looking at the moon as it appeared and disappeared behind fast moving clouds.
And then we watched the space station as it made its arc over our driveway- looking like a bright star zooming across the night sky. A few moments of excitement on that dark night.
I missed blackout Tuesday- I hadn’t realized it was happening until late yesterday. But I add my voice to those crying for justice for all Black Americans. These are dark times- but I have hope for better days ahead.
The cloud shrouded moon the other night looked more like a spooky harvest moon than the December cold moon we’ve been hearing about.
Another view…
I can tell I’m recovering well from my surgery, because last night’s view of the moon at sunset drew me outside with my iPhone.
Last week’s pink moon as it rose above the trees.
It was so hazy during last Sunday’s super blood wolf moon eclipse, that it was difficult to get good photos. Here’s three more, showing the progress of the shadow as it moved across the lunar surface.
The full winter moon was obscured by clouds when we got home last night- and I kept thinking about the photo I missed earlier as it rose. But all the same, I’m glad to have witnessed the timeless beauty of this winter solstice moon.
No, I didn’t see the meteor shower.
melinda anderson photography 