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Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Phoenix, Arizona - Blood Moon, Blue Moon, Eclipsed Moon

January 31 and we had slight clouds throughout the day.  This is the "Blue Moon" because it is the second full moon in a month.  It doesn't happen often, hence the phrase "once in a blue moon".

I went to my "Secret spot #1" at 4:30 AM.  I didn't get the moon changing from a brightly lit orb to a Red Moon.  As the eclipse progressed and there was a slight bit of white remaining, the red color became more pronounced.  It was too high in the sky for my camera to capture the moon and the city below.

By the way, I had big plans to get the Super Moon (very large) and the Total Lunar Eclipse all at the same time.  I soon figured out that a huge moon that is not lit is not much to photograph!


Another intent was to capture the full moon low on the horizon, but it was blocked by the White Tank mountain range 40 miles away.  As the sun rose behind me, I packed up my gear.  Then, to the north, I spotted the pyramid shape of Hunt's Tomb.

I packed up the Jeep and headed to the office.  The moon rise later that day was about an hour after the sun set, so the skies would be dark. I hoped that I would be able to capture a back lit "Four Peaks".  You can see the mountain range in dark purple here.  Suddenly the clouds began to reflect the moon and I had to readjust my direction.  It was so exciting to watch the moon come up.  The facility guard walked up to me and started the discussion about how I needed to move.  I told him all about how incredible the  moon was going to be, and that I would only stay until it was above the horizon.  And that I was harmless and that I saw some others up here.  He allowed me to stay for a little while.  I invited him to come back to admire the show, which he did!  This is my "Secret Spot #2".








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