A raindrop tapped me on the shoulder yesterday morning as I was headed up the path with the puppies, and the stone walkway was freckled with more. I didn't want to risk getting my camera wet, so I stashed it in the car on my way to the road. It was kind of nice not having it swinging around my neck and, besides, nothing much changes along the road. One day without photos wouldn't matter.
Seconds later, a herd of deer dashed out of the woods, crossing the road just a few yards ahead of me. Belle and Max shot after them... Max in a full-fledged run, totally ignoring his sore elbow. It was several seconds before the last white tail disappeared into the woods on the other side, plenty of time for me to snap multiple shots of the scene. If I'd had my camera.
That was when I realized it wasn't raining. Dang it.
So I hoped to get a good shot of the Harvest Moon last night, to make up for the photo of the deer that I missed. But late afternoon storm clouds ruled the sky for hours; when I headed up to the road just after sunset, camera around my neck, I didn't expect what I found... a clear sky framing a beautiful full moon. It stayed still for me... didn't try to hide behind a cloud or run into the woods. Just sat there posing while I experimented with different settings on my camera, snapped dozens of photos and swatted the mosquitoes feasting on my legs and shoulders.
When I felt I'd exhausted the combinations, I turned to start down to the house. In front of me was a gorgeous sky... remnants of the storm clouds played with the dying sunlight. I tried to capture it, but I only had my zoom lens with me. So I just stood a moment soaking it up before heading down to the house.
I had no idea if any of my moon shots were decent. It was only after I had transferred them to Picasa and played around with them that I could see what I had... dozens of identical photos, but pretty good ones, of that beautiful Harvest Moon...
Several Facebook and FlickR friends have asked me for my secret - that seems unreal to me! It's hard to believe I've figured this out before others with more photographic experience and knowledge, but then, moons are special to me. Maybe I just have more motivation.
I'm not sure when I first felt their magic, but I can't keep my eyes off of them. I especially love them reflected on the water or surrounding clouds. It can get dangerous if I'm driving on a night with a full moon.
Maybe I can blame "Moonymouse", one of my first books. It tells the story of a mouse that daydreams so much it gets him into trouble. I can sure identify with that (see the note about full moon driving above).
I don't remember an actual moon picture in the book, but Moonymouse sure is cute, isn't he?
For more moon photos and the "secret" to my moon shots, click HERE.
