Category: full moon

24 May 2022

Try to catch the moon and lunar eclipse

I watched the moon rise near home for almost a week before May’s full moon and lunar eclipse to get an idea where it would crest on the horizon. Looked good for a rocky outcrop of the Bradshaw Mountains in the middle ground. And then there were clouds.

Five nights before the full Flower moon and lunar eclipse, I sat outside before sunset, 70° with clouds floating overhead and the waxing moon peeking through.

A cottontail watched me from nearby.

The sky turned from gray to gold before a glorious goodnight.

The next day, heavy wind kept me inside working at the computer all day. It felt cool and the nights low dropped below 40°. No, it didn’t snow. But the electricity went out for several hours and I didn’t even notice until opening the electric fridge for lunch. Everything else in my RV home works fine with propane and batteries. Thankfully power was restored before going to bed and I even ran a little heat.

I wanted to get an early start in the morning for chores starting with the dump then Prescott for shopping and maybe laundry. The later didn’t happen as the tiny parking lot was too full to accommodate my big rig. Not my favorite chore anyway and I still have clean clothes. Have you ever discovered a new to you place that’s been there forever in an area you shop regularly? When I go to Prescott I usually stay on the west side of town, it’s a huge town of 45 square miles with a population of 43,460 as of 2020. And it continues to grow in all directions. In fact, I think the sleepy ranch community of Skull Valley has become a bedroom community of Prescott. Anyway, when I got to town hungry for breakfast I discovered a Dennys in the same parking lot as the Wallys I’ve shopped at for at least 15 years. And guess what, it’s been there at least that long. I don’t eat out often, or at this restaurant frequently, but I do like their breakfast.

Exchanged a mini-shop vac for a Dirt Devil upright that’s suppose to pick up pet hair. Ha, ha. No vacuum with a revolving brush isn’t going to become immoveable once wrapped with my hair and long cat fur. I should know better. Otherwise, it works well.

Best buy of the day, a tie-dye looking camp chair. A friend says they won’t be able to find me sitting in it because this ole hippie likes tie-dye clothing. Ran into a Yarnell friend and we chatted in the aisle for almost an hour. Maybe I should get out more.

Western Tanager probably migrating through

Naw, I’d rather stay home and watch the outdoor world.

After a day of shopping I stayed home. Yet there’s plenty of activity as the daytime temperatures rise into the high 80s and the various lizards provide entertainment scurrying about. I’m getting to know them by name, Fred, Ann, Wendy… The side-blotched lizards put on the most colorful show in a rainbow of colors. This shot is highly cropped and taken through a window. It’s a regular hanging out on the metate decorating my yard. Good thing I can be so easily amused at home because with the rising cost of fuel, especially the diesel I need, I won’t be going very far anytime soon.

The ranch even provides open and dark sky views to watch the moon and lunar eclipse, if there are no clouds.

With the next day’s high pushing 90° outside, which means almost 100° in the RV, I took advantage of the cool morning to work inside on the computer. I find myself spending way more time with editing video thrown into the mix of processing still photos and writing blog posts. I enjoy it. I’m trying not to run the noisy and expensive AC but have fans moving the air around. I just don’t like AC but if I’m here for the summer will have to get used to it. I’ve been trying to change my sleeping pattern by going to bed an hour earlier and gain the chill time in the morning. Fortunately, with a late afternoon breeze and shade I can sit outside in my new chair reading and once again watching the world. I learned that from Raven.

Later, I moved around just a bit playing with the moon, knowing there would still be plenty of light for hand-held shooting with an iconic clear blue Arizona sky.

The next morning started off cool inside but warmed quickly and by 8:30 all windows and the door were open. Then closed again just before noon when I turned on the AC and continued to work on the video 5th-wheel tour.

May 15th, opening day for the North Rim Grand Canyon I felt a little homesick. Sure hope I can make it up there at some point this summer. Heck, if the temperatures here climb over 100° I may move in the truckcamper to the 8000’ Kaibab National Forest and become a hermit there. I can move every 14 days with amazing views along the rim.

I did manage to get outside in the afternoon and watched the clouds dance and flow. Something I love, but not on the evening of a full moon and lunar eclipse.

A little privacy please

What’s up doc?

As I stood on the berm in my yard watching the sunset I saw a coyote and jackrabbit giving me the eye.

Sadly, low clouds on the horizon blocked the first rise as the moon entered the Earth’s shadow.

Then it rose above the clouds close to totality giving a glimpse of the dim red known as a Blood moon and lunar eclipse. So fortunate to see this much before clouds covered the whole show. That’s as far as I saw until a late-night glow filled the 5th-wheel as I went to bed.

Of course the next day I had lots of photos to process with the help of my assistant. So I once again stayed inside and turned on the AC in the afternoon. I’m not getting outside to walk enough. A dear friend suggested I change my morning pattern more than just up an hour earlier.

So the next day I set the alarm for 6:30am, dressed, grabbed the camera and a bottle of water, and out the door I went for a walk on the ranch. Walked the eastern fence line, made a left and started to climb a hill along the northern fence but too much brush, so turned around. I ~~walked~~ sauntered about 3/4 mile in an hour taking pictures along the way.

Startled lots of bunnies, saw Blackie with another cow, and listened to the birds.

Not a lot of wildlife but did see a lot of track and scat. Then back for coffee at about the time I’d normally wake up. And I did it again the following day, taking and making a video. Will I walk every morning like that? Probably not. I’m not that disciplined. But with summer days getting warmer I will keep trying to get up earlier, and some mornings get out and walk.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Sometimes posting a week behind is confusing, writing in the past tense, double that with video which is more NOW.

I’m already tired of staying home and feeling itchy feet but high fuel prices is like having severe blisters so can’t go anywhere. Heck I’d think about returning to work at high elevation, but I really don’t have time. Besides it’s more fun to make a video exploring with a friend.

The next full moon and lunar eclipse visible in Arizona occurs November 8, 2022. I’m thinking about a meetup in the desert. How about you?

Arizona, eclipse, full moon, Places I've been, Skull Valley, United States lunar eclipse, wildlife 26 Comments

29 March 2022

Shooting the moon over a Sky Island in the Sonoran Desert

When it comes to shooting the moon, I try to get the camera out at least two to three days before the official full moon to get a rough idea where the moon will rise over the horizon. One of the reasons I chose this particular camp was the near location of a mountainous ridge, or Sky Island, to the east. Plus lots of dense Sonoran desert vegetation.

Bob rolled out of camp after over a week of visiting including following me to the BLM camp south of Ajo. Sure enjoyed his company and all the places we explored. Being that day’s high was predicted for 82° I decided to hang my solar shower bag on the camper’s ladder and heat water to wash my hair. By afternoon I enjoyed a delightfully warm outdoor shower without shooting the moon at my neighbors. Not sure a low flying jet pilot didn’t get an eyeful as I towel wrapped, but I didn’t really care. It swooped low and punched it over the camper to roar down valley. Shook the earth, air, and me. They do fly low doing maneuvers, but this seemed excessive. Turkey Vultures soar higher. Seeing them tells me Spring has sprung in the Sonoran Desert.

I set up the tripod even though I’d be shooting the moon before it was entirely full with ambient light making it easier to shoot just before sunset. Mountain ridge made a nice horizon line.

Life is short and mostly BS, so follow your dreams and reach for the moon

Surrounding Saguaro also provided a nice foreground.

More military flyovers the next day but not quite so low. Called an A10 jet or Warthog. They go so fast. When I hear one, it’s not coming, it’s already been. What does the wildlife think?

A helicopter circled the nearby mountain ridge several times then did a touch and go. Guess it’s all about learning maneuvers. I get the idea of practice makes better as I feel that way every month when I’m shooting the moon.

So I set up again the night before official full moon and at first there was still a little post-sunset glow.

Then as it got darker I found it more difficult to even see if the camera was in focus, which it is so often not in limited light. One of my nearest neighbors could be heard howling at the moon along with the coyotes.

Another 82° day had me sitting outside reading and thinking, wearing the only summer dress I brought along. With my birthday only a week away I wondered where I should be.

Flowering Creosote bush

I messaged Joann about returning to her Congress camp and she was just coming down with a head cold so that was a no go for me. I wished her virtual chicken soup and best vibes for healing. I thought about returning to the Quartzsite area, but reality said to stay right there, or at least close by.

Paul, a Grand Canyon friend, was camped just down the road and leaving the following week. So I decided to stay in place over the weekend, go to town Tuesday, and join Paul before he moved on.

(Nose where above moon rise happened)

Didn’t set up the camera for shooting the moon as it was too late and dark. Took a handheld shot out the door and a phone shot in reflection.

I’m not always awake for even a colorful sunrise yet enjoy whatever I get from my main window view. One morning I saw a rather dark spot on a dead tree top maybe 1000 feet away. As the early morning rays struck, the spot became a Turkey Vulture roosting on a guano covered snag. It hung out for 40 minutes, preening and stretching wings with the light dancing around different parts of its body. I wondered if perhaps there was a nest nearby. Bob had told me they lay only two eggs directly on the ground.

Later in the morning, one of my neighbors, the BobCats, stopped to say goodbye as they’d run out of propane in the night and were headed back to their Phoenix area home only a couple hours away. They gifted me an extra gallon jug of water for my birthday.

I spent a large part of the day inside at the computer writing, processing photos, and editing videos while watching the clouds drift around.

Then outside for a wonderful sunset. So hard to stop taking photos of an ultra worthy coloring to the late night sky.

Left and down from center for the snag

The next day’s clouds were also outstanding and with temperatures in the high 60s and little wind it seemed a perfect day to go for a walk and maybe find where that Vulture snag rises from.

But no hurry as I’m not particularly an early morning person and the clouds lingered.

After lunch I headed out avoiding the nickel-sized Globe Mallow breaking through the parched desert dirt. Then I felt a few raindrops hit my thirsty skin. Arizona 12 foot rule, that’s 12 drops per square foot.

It wasn’t easy to find a trail through the dense growth along the dry washes avoiding spines from the Mesquite and Palo Verde trees plus Cholla cactus spines strewn about.

I managed to work back and forth crossing two dry washes before I stood at the base of that white-colored Vulture snag. It was much more impressive from camp. Didn’t find a nesting site. I ended up taking more video with the phone than camera photos. I only got one thorn snag that drew a little blood on the back of my hand on an hour and a half walk.

After my walk the clouds increased and temperature dropped and brought a little more needed rain. Petrichor, with an added essence of Spring creosote bush. Then came the best gift of all as a rainbow seemed to fall from mammatus clouds only to disappear behind the nearby mountain.

It didn’t last long but the clouds continued with sweeping shapes until a colorful sunset took over the show.

Hard wind kept me inside the following day. Sometimes I question my sanity hanging out in the Spring desert but it sure beats 25° nights at my Skull Valley home.

Fortunately, with wind on the nose of the truck the camper door could still be open and I do enjoy not only a great view but saw—and even better heard–my first of the season Cactus Wren.

As I was finished shooting the moon and needed water plus a few supplies, I went to Ajo and included a lunch treat.

Then returned to the Sonoran Desert and drove a bit beyond my previous camp to visit with Paul and settle into a new camp where I’d be joined for my birthday celebration.

Ajo, Arizona, full moon, Places I've been, RV life, Sonoran desert, United States bird watching, boondocking, full moon, nature walk, photography 20 Comments

22 February 2022

Sun and Moon over the mountains from camp Kofa

Part of the February Geogypsy Journey—that nobody attended except me—included watching for the full moon over the mountains. Clear nights are best for the moon, clouds make colorful sunsets, and dust is different. Wind tends to blow during the winter in the desert Southwest so the days and nights are uncertain. Yet even a cold (to me) 45° night in the desert feels better than below freezing with snow.

End of a long day

After watching the early rising moon for several clear afternoons, moving a little further south on the horizon every day, I hoped to see the full moon over the mountains with the rugged ridgeline of the Kofa Mountains. I’ve seen it before, and you may have too if you’ve seen my photos or been there yourself.

Clear sky at sunrise hits those same rugged Kofa Mountains, just a little further north than the current header shot so the light is different again. I believe early February would be better for that. A good reason to make the February 2023 Geogypsy Journey: Sharing the Kofa Light nature experience centered around that full moon rise on the 5th. (More coming on this around August/September or ask.)

By afternoon the temperature reached almost 80° and a light southern breeze kept the camper comfortable. I sat outside reading and watching the world, eye caught by a soaring Prairie Falcon. Noticed the moon about an hour before a pleasant sunset.

That wind persisted over night, increasing in strength, and blowing against my door from the SSW, opposite what the usual winter wind does. At first it was just rudely obnoxious. By early afternoon the camper was rocking and soon came the dust. First the Chocolate Mountains to the west disappeared.

By dusk, moon over mountains was looking pretty fuzzy.

And sunset was a rather eerie blur. The temperature suddenly dropped about 30° so I oven heated the house with pizza for dinner.

The next morning, clear blue sky still carried a haze of dust particles, yet the stillness was a creepy contrast to the night before. An afternoon light wind eventually blew the dust away. I played electrician when the hot wire on the 12v socket simply fell off. The solar panels are making lots of power and keeping the battery fully charged every day. What good when I couldn’t access the power? I had already tried to tape the connection but no go. I do not have the right connectors to replace the one that’s obviously not holding a solid connection. Spare parts are important to carry. So I stripped back some of the plastic insulation to expose more length of wire and wrapped it around the post on the back of the socket. Viola! It ain’t pretty but it works until I get the right connectors in town this week. I’m a half-ass MacGyver. I do have to be extremely careful not to bump it when plugging and unplugging the inverter that makes 12v DC into household 110v AC to charge my laptop. Another thing I want to change, the inverter should have a power switch to reduce that stress on the socket system. I don’t really know. Maybe I’m wrong. I’m not really an electrician but I’d like to see the entire set up more solid. Perhaps an inverter could be hardwired.

AR moon rise BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona In the afternoon I took a walk to look for a potential location to shoot the moon over the mountains, and maybe a Saguaro in the foreground. Between the PhotoPills app I never entirely trust, and a backup compass bearing, I get a close idea to where the moon should break over the horizon. Sometimes, it’s close to right. I set the tripod where I wanted to shoot from, within sight of the camper where I returned for dinner.

Moon rise occurred about 30 minutes after sunset, noticeably clearer than the night before.

With the limited light I always struggle to clearly manual focus the camera when auto focus doesn’t work.

The series isn’t bad, of course I want better, but gives me the challenge to try again next month.

At sunrise east over the Kofa Mountains, I managed to catch the setting moon over the mountains and Earth’s Shadow to the west, the Chocolate Mountains. Such a wonderful name. Sometimes the first morning light makes them look dusted with confectioners sugar.

As I began to process the moon photos my laptop tells me the drive is full. My D5600 camera takes 24mp photos, times almost six because I shoot in jpg and RAW, plus bracket every shot and all that equals huge file sizes that fill disk space. I backup everything twice on external drives so it was time to move photo files before I could process more with Lightroom.

I’m kind of camped at the end of a line and isn’t easy to find. In almost two weeks here, only two vehicles have come by then turn around and left. But on weekends, the main gravel Palm Canyon Road can be like a freeway. People fly in all kinds of vehicle from two-wheeled to 12, kicking up a trail of dust that thankfully blows away from me, most of the time.

Not like my little house on wheels isn’t dirty enough with dust, dirt, and cat hair.

It’s about time to shop, dump, fill, and do laundry. Timing mostly revolves around propane needs to maintain fridge, stove, and heat. Have RVer company coming this weekend so need to get chores done before hand.

Hazy view

Must be getting itchy feet as I’ve been studying the road atlas—a real paper version—for routes this summer. Starting with the Cascade Mountains north to the Pacific Northwest and then east through the northern states for a mid-September arrival in the Chicago suburbs for my 50th high school reunion. I’m not good at specific date plans so reservations are rather difficult to digest. I figure if I stick with routes through/near federal and state public lands I can boondock much of the way. I’ll be staying off interstates as much as possible. What we used to call “blue-lines”, now those are the freeways on maps. I’m not about go fast to get somewhere and would rather enjoy the journey. I hope to visit with some of you along the way and will share my route ideas soon plus am open to suggestions. Side trips can be arranged and I like to friendock if you have space for my truckcamper.

Phone shot of the full moon over the mountains

In the meantime, I’m thinking about a different set of mountains for full moon rise in March.

(Hope you enjoy this palindrome date on Tuesday 2-22-22. The next time all of these conditions align in the same way is in the year 2422, 400 years from now. Don’t think I’ll be here. But if you read this then, please leave a comment.}

Arizona, full moon, Kofa NWR, Places I've been, RV life, United States boondocking, desert apricity, full moon, Sonoran Desert 38 Comments

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Category: full moon

Try to catch the moon and lunar eclipse

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Shooting the moon over a Sky Island in the Sonoran Desert

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Sun and Moon over the mountains from camp Kofa

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Category: full moon

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Push my buttons!

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