Tag Archives: moon

Sunday Reflections

Tonight's Moon: ISO 100, 200 mm, f/8.0 at 1/250 sec

Tonight’s Moon: ISO 100, 200 mm, f/8.0 at 1/250 sec

I gave myself an unplanned silent retreat today. It began this morning when I spent several hours with Lectio Divina (a way of prayer and meditation using the Scriptures). My spirit began to grow quiet and calm with the silent study, prayer, and reflection and I decided to allow myself the luxury of more.

My home was silent, with no TV, music, cell phone. In addition, I avoided the noise of computer interaction; Internet and email are just a few of the noisy distractions.

Now, I go to bed with peace.

What does this have to do with the image of the moon? Not much … but yet, a lot. On my walk with Sophie tonight, I was completely filled with thanksgiving for the stars in the sky, for the cool air, and for the brilliant moon hanging low, just above the rooftops. I rushed her through her walk, hastily assembled the camera, and set up in the front street to capture the moment.

Good night, moon. Good night everyone.

Tonight’s Moon

Waxing Gibbous

I wasn’t sure what a “waxing gibbous” is, but a quick search led me to moonconnection.com.

After the new moon, the sunlit portion is increasing, but less than half, so it is waxing crescent. After the first quarter, the sunlit portion is still increasing, but now it is more than half, so it is waxing gibbous. After the full moon (maximum illumination), the light continually decreases. So the waning gibbous phase occurs next. Following the third quarter is the waning crescent, which wanes until the light is completely gone — a new moon.

“O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon,…

That monthly changes in her circled orb,/ Lest that thy love prove likewise variable” (The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, 2.2.109-111).

After posting the moon shot that I took during a break from work (I still haven’t finished the essays), I noticed in Lightroom that my focal length was 70 and not 300 mm. DARN. Why did I do that? I wondered what those shots would have looked like at 300 so I returned to the street to find a clear sky and this moon.

300 mm, 1/250 at f/8.0, ISO 200

Break from work

After grading and commenting on essays for several hours tonight (picture this: freshmen attempting literary analysis), I was becoming increasingly agitated and bored (is it possible to experience both emotions simultaneously?). To relieve the mounting pressure, I stepped outside for a breath. The sky was awash with fabulous clouds backlit by the waning full moon. I ran inside for camera, 70-300 mm lens, & tripod.