Have you noticed how family gets involved in skywatch? We’re driving along, or eating a meal, and one of the kids says "Hey - look at that! It would be great for Skywatch, mom!" And they run get a camera. And hand it to Prince Farming. Isn’t that funny? And cute? Actually I like it. It’s like they’re taking interest in what I’m doing, like I take interest in what they’re doing. And they hand the camera to Farming because my hands shake. Like leaves. So he gets steadier shots. You all liked his pond shot a few weeks ago, so here’s a moon shot he took too. (You know about me and moons . . . the photographing of them, I mean!!)
Actually what the kids were WANTING you to see is that there was ice/snow on the trees. So that grayish hue isn’t fog - it’s ice. Not as spectacular as in real life, but we can pretend that the moon was the real focus, and that makes it okay.
I’ve promised to be brief in my posts (to you AND to myself). But I can’t resist this one (since I didn’t post yesterday). Part of the season’s busy-ness is due to school programs and the like. Here is a shot of the piano recital. Both kids played in it, but the camera only worked during our favorite child’s performance (that’s what I tell my son, anyway).
Poor boy - he’ll need therapy as badly as his mom does before he grows up . . .
Happy Skywatch Friday! You can see more skies from all over the world by visiting Skywatch Friday.
There have been so many awesome pictures of moons on Skywatch. Every time I’ve attempted capturing a moon shot, I’ve been miserably disappointed. But because of my slight OCD tendencies I keep trying. Even though in my head I kept repeating "Idiots are those who keep doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." I kept doing it.
1) spotting a cool moon
2) running in for my camera
3) pointing and shooting
4) pointing and shooting
5) pointing and shooting
6) repeat steps #3-5 four or more times.
I mean - if I could have a penny for all of my failed/deleted moon shots, I might be able to help out with the national economic crisis in a significant way.
This past week (or maybe 10 days), I have stumbled upon shareable shots. I’m amazed. And that whole "idiot theory" just got shot down. Because it’s the same nut, loose, behind the same camera, pushing the same button, with the same shaky hands. And here’s what I got.. . .
This is from outside my front door. I know you can’t see the cool color of the leaves, but who cares!? Do you see that white thing? That’s a MOON, thank you very much! And if you were to ask me to ignore the moon and focus on the trees so you could see their color. . . ? Ummm. You might need to check with a different chik. This one hasn’t a clue. (And luckily my OCD hasn’t latched on to that little task.)
But guess what!? We went to see Elk again (one of my brothers and his family came to visit, so we took another little outing). Check this out:
My hands weren’t shaking!! And that isn’t a figment of my (or your) imagination! And you can trust me on this: I did NOT put the moon there with the aid of paint shop, or iPhoto editing, or . . . (here I show pure ignorance) that other fancy photo-editing software you all play with to add or change effects. This moon is the real deal.
Please allow this digression: The next picture appears to not be clear. But let me preface your viewing with a detail. There was a significant halo around this moon - so it even seemed sort of blurry when I was looking at it in real life. Really! It was the coolest thing. My daughter suggested I take this shot for my skywatch post.
And, umm. . . You can see the fall colors in this shot (which is good, because it would otherwise be quite a boring photo). This is taken from the side of our house.
On the far right of the picture you can see the beginnings of a rock face. There are actually cliffs there where some people repel and do other dangerous and stupid extreme things. I’ve hiked up there. Twice maybe. A LONG time ago. I think it was before I married Prince Farming. Probably in an attempt to show him how tough I was. I am totally resenting that little endeavor, even from this far in the future. I should have made him carry me up there if he wanted me to be there. Then he would have known that I’m really not made of all the stuff farm people are made of. That picking up and stacking 16′ lengths of 6 x 6 lumber (in the dark) after a day of crazy shopping in the big city while planning a barn party is really out of my league. Even on the days when I don’t have a sick and throwing-up stomach. I really MUST have a talk with my daughter about her choices of activities. Doing Herculean feats while courting will NOT render her desired results. Her herculean activities will only redouble in her aging years and bite her in her butt. Which is no small thing (I’m talking about the activities that aren’t small - no comment on the butt, people!)
Good grief. Isn’t this a skywatch post? I’m so sorry for taking you down that path. Something must have snapped in me. I will refrain from dragging this out for any longer than I already have. I know you have things to do and blogs to visit. Thanks for stopping by mine. You can see other amazing sky pictures (and STUNNING moon shots) every week by visiting this site.
Oh - you’re still here? I know what you’re missing. Alright already. Here you go:
Aren’t the colors pretty? Can’t wait till the reds start peaking - should be this weekend. We’re supposed to have a bit of a cold spell, which should help out the color variety in a big way.
