I developed a special program and lead an October Harvest moon photography hike at Bryce Canyon National Park. Started from an idea I had last year before I broke both wrists. Somehow, my days off corresponded with full moons this entire season and I finally finagled to work anyway and take a different day off so I could do this before the season ended.
Haven’t posted an update since the end of September and feel like I’ve gotten behind documenting this summer season of COVID19 at Bryce. I’ll use the excuse that I’ve been busy, working.
See a heart of fall colors on the hillside from Yovimpa Point
A few days before the moon photography hike I worked at Yovimpa Point, the end of the road, and one of my favorite overlooks because I can see for 100 miles and look south over the Grand Staircase to the North Kaibab Plateau where I worked for years. Presented the two full-length and at least three mini geology talks plus talked about fire ecology.
On the drive back, I stopped at Natural Bridge briefly.
And further along the road roved at Farview Point including a short walk to Piracy Point.
The next day I spent hours as door counter with on and off lines waiting to go inside the visitor center for bathrooms, museum, and merchandise. The limit is 50 people to provide space for social distancing. Then I helped at the end of the day answering questions and closing at 6pm before a late dinner and evening program about wildlife.
Arrived plenty early to set up my computer for the night’s slide presentation so I could walk along the rim looking for the almost full moon rise in practice for the moon photography hike. I tried to calibrate the PhotoPills app several times but it wouldn’t hold so used a compass with better accuracy. Sadly I still missed the moon right on the horizon but still got a few shots of it up and looking big in the Earth shadow.
October calendar shot
The following night, actually September 30th, the 96.87% waxing moon rose at 7:08 and sun set at 7:11. Nicely close together so I don’t have to carry a tripod to shoot the moon. And that was part of my planned moon photography hike.
All Ranger guided full moon hikes at Bryce Canyon get a lot of interest and we limit the number of people. This year the limit was much smaller. So we do a lottery. Visitors sign up during the day of the hike and get a ticket that we draw the other halves of late in the afternoon. People must show us the soles of the boots/shoes they plan to hike in as we need to know they have good grip for safety.
My hike was a little different than usual because I focused on balance of life, nature and photography, and a DSLR camera was mandatory. I didn’t plan to teach photography but did end up helping a couple people with settings.
A group of 12 dropped over the rim and ten headed down the Navajo Trail as two backed out immediately. We hiked down about four switchbacks and 200 vertical feet to my usual full moon photography location putting us below the hoodoos.
I encouraged people to spread out and find their own balance as well as move up and down the trail for diversity of views. We even saw the moon through the windowed hoodoo I call the mask, both eyes.
A few others joined our line and everyone had fun and left happy. I would gladly lead this moon photography hike again, maybe next year.
The next two nights other Rangers lead full moon hikes, not photography, but I went out on my own, not working. After looking at a couple locations on the Photographers Ephemeris app I figured the actual full moon rise should be shot at Natural Bridge overlook, about 9.5 miles down the scenic road. The small parking lot and short flat walk to the overlook meant I could easily use the tripod as the moon rose at 7:33p after a 7:10 sunset and I wouldn’t have enough light for hand-held shots.
I arrived plenty before sunset and the apps were off but not as bad as usual and better than the compass reading. How can this be? Moon ended up rising in an awkward place and my settings were off as well. By then it was too late to move locations and I was getting cold. Ah, practice.
Speaking of getting cold, my last day of work at Bryce Canyon is Saturday and I roll off the plateau Sunday, when there is a prediction of snow. Will be packing and moving from one RV to the other over my next two days off. Had hoped to go east to Capital Reef but too cold. Maybe Lees Ferry. Just not sure where or if I’ll have a signal.
Still taking orders for the Geogypsy 2021 calendar, $25 includes shipping in the USA.
Interesting shots!
Don’t know what my plans are for this winter- spring. Would be fun to connect again.
Gayle Clarity
Thanks. All plans are jello. Hope our paths cross.
Would love to join your Full Moon hike – maybe next year if you’re back at Bryce. Safe travels as you pull out and get resituated. Lee’s Ferry sounds great!
That would be awesome. Thanks for well wishes.
Loved reading about your moon adventures, Gaelyn. I’m always too lazy to go out, and I’m worried about the wildlife roaming. Your shoots are beautiful and eerie with the hoodoos as background. Safe trip as you leave Bryce and start on a new adventure. Keep warm!
Thanks. I probably wouldn’t go out for the moon if too cold and all alone.
You are amazing! I’m so happy to read about your work!
Thank you. And I’m happy work is almost over. Even though I do love my job.
Yay, I can comment again 😊😉😉
Just to confirm that I wish I had been with you on this walk. Incredible photos, I could really do with your help when it comes to capturing the moon!
Keep well and stay safe, Diane
These intermittent blog problems are a bitch. Thanks for your lovely comment. I wasn’t really teaching photography. Practice makes better.
Busy working is a perfect excuse for anything. I might not mind if I had a job like yours but otherwise, no thanks. It’s amazing that your visitor center is open at all. Many are not others tell me. Great October calendar shot. But wow oh wow the staging for the shot two down. Fantastic! And the next two of the mask as well. Glad to hear you’ll be out before snow but moving from one RV to another sounds like a task. What happens to the big one if you leave on Sunday? I assume you are moving into the truck camper?
I am thrilled with only two work days left. Though I feel tired from the last two days of packing and moving. The 5th-wheel will be towed and stored like last winter.
What a great job you have. If one has to work, what better place than this beautiful NP. Love all the moon photos. Lucky people who got to join your moon photography hike. Good luck with your move. Monday looks really cold. We are expecting a 30 degree drop. Luckily, it is only one day and then heads to the mid 70’s which is more normal.
I do love my job but am ready for the season to be over. Not happy about that cold snap but hope to move on beyond it after the weekend.
Wow, those folks were lucky to have you as a guide. I need to study up on moon shots. The ones I do I cheat a lot. I have an old super zoom camera and I just fill the frame with moon and let the auto settings take over. I am going to learn how to include the moon in the landscape. Then I’ll use my tripod.
Thanks. Practice makes better.
Me again, 6645 for next time.
This is what I see when I try to view the comments, so I have given up. Hopefully it gets fixed eventually.
GAELYN OLMSTED REPLY TO GAELYN TO GAELYN OLMSTED” ARIA-LABEL=’ REPLY TO GAELYN TO GAELYN OLMSTED’> REPLY TO GAELYN
October 23, 2020 at 7:10 am
YOGIABB REPLY TO YOGIABB TO YOGIABB” ARIA-LABEL=’ REPLY TO YOGIABB TO YOGIABB’> REPLY TO YOGIABB
October 23, 2020 at 7:08 am
I know, that’s what I see also on the blog. Glad the comments come through to me via email. Right now I don’t have the time or energy to dig deeper in to the problem. I will soon. It’s frustrating.
Those people on your hike were so fortunate! Hope they all got pictures even half as good as yours.
I hope they did too. We all had fun.