I usually plan my hikes to end shortly after sunset. The desert light is just so beautiful when the shadows get long and the mountains pick up that golden color on the peaks. Not to mention the beautiful sunsets. But it's always a balancing act. Finish your hike too soon, you miss the best light. Finish your hike to late and you will be hiking back to your car in the dark wearing a headlamp.
On this particular hike, Mitch, Roger and I pretty much nailed it. This was near the end of our hike and the mountain ridges had already turned from gold to purple. Mitch and Roger almost disappear into the creosote bushes. Where we were hiking was in total shadow, but the far horizon was still bathed in the last light of the day. And although it was close, we managed to get back to our cars without the use of headlamps. This photo was taken at 6:47PM on 2/26/21. But let me rewind the clock by about 20 minutes...
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| 6:27PM: Golden light on the Coxcomb mountains |
More golden light. It's amazing how quickly the quality of light changes this time of day... from flat, to long shadows, to golden, to purple, to dark, all in about 30 minutes.
A big bonus on this hike was the rise of the full moon! We hadn't planned for it, so looking off to the east and seeing this big guy rising above the mountains was a real treat. So glad I brought my telephoto lens. This photo was taken at 6:40PM.
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| Four minutes later (6:44PM) and the moon is a little higher. |
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| Five minutes later (6:49PM), and higher still. |
If you overlay these images, it's easy to see that the moon does not rise in a straight vertical line, but rather, at an angle. At least, that's our view from planet Earth!
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| 6:52PM |
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| 6:59PM |
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| Moonset (8:00AM the next morning) |
Thanks for stopping by!!
Beautiful moon shots -- and an ianteresting way to illustrate the rising pattern. The light just before sundown is amazing on the desert! Thanks for rewinding" and showing it to us.
ReplyDeleteThose are some fabulous shots of the moon. Nothing compares to the night sky in the desert.
ReplyDeletetiming your departure sounds like an intricate dance - which had gorgeous results!
ReplyDeleteI had wondered how you get those golden hour shots, considering there's nothing out there if you're hiking at night.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful pictures!
ReplyDelete...your neck of the woods has a special beauty, it is unlike anything that I've seen. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe moon is always a bonus. It looks like you're on Mars!
ReplyDeleteIncredible views!
ReplyDeleteAs good as your mountain pics are, the moon photos stole the show (stole is a word in Oklahoma, just so you know). Spectacular shots.
ReplyDeleteThe evening skies give it a different contrast especially with the moon up in the sky.
ReplyDeleteThese had a wonderful effect on me thank you. Yes I recently become aware that the sun does not set straight down either but at a similar slant
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Moon shots but I specially like the golden hour shots. Thanks for the travelogue
ReplyDeleteMB
What a magical light over mountains. I too yearn for landscape shoot post rains when skies lit up with vivid colours
ReplyDeleteIt remains beautiful, that desert under all conditions . So far from our normal existence. The only thing I have trouble with is 3 moons in the sky but yes. That's possible these days too.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteLove the moon photos, beautiful captures. Have a happy weekend!
Beautiful colors, and ohhhh, the moon, perfect!
ReplyDeleteMy Dad would love your three-moon-pic!
Beautiful, thank you again for sharing all the beauty!
wow wonderful pics.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures of your sunset. Here sunset is already as late as 20:46, with a long, long twilight before it gets truly dark.
ReplyDeleteI did see the Face. Well spotted!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous shots!
ReplyDeleteLove the desert and your photos are outstanding
ReplyDeleteStunning photos, it certainly get dark there quickly
ReplyDeleteGreat shots! The moon images are absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteAll wonderfully creative sunset and moon shots ~ Good timing ~ Awesome ~ thanks Xo
ReplyDeleteLiving moment by moment,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Nicely done with overlay picture. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAs I've said before, it's always a delight to see a new post from you!
ReplyDeleteAmazing! Thank you So Much. 💙
ReplyDeleteAmazing moon shots!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I fee we are blessed to recognize the light in the way we do.
ReplyDeleteSpectacular sunset from your hike. Thank you for sharing these beautiful shots with us. Love the beautiful moon shots too.
ReplyDeleteHello, moon-multiplier, I wish you a happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteYou Totally Nailed It - The High Desert Here Also Offers Amazing Opportunities For Sunrise Or Sunset Moments In Time - Always Enjoy Your Perspective There Spare Parts - Be Well And Keep On Keeping On
ReplyDeleteCheers
Greetings and Salutations! Glad you got back to the car before dark. Have a nice week end. Be safe.
ReplyDeleteLas luces del atardecer son fabulosa y no hay que perdérselas. Luego cuando la oscuridad de la noche penetra en esos bellos paisajes, lo mejor es irse a casa, ya que no se puede caminar en la oscuridad.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous color! and the moonrise over that landscape made for wonderful photos.
ReplyDeleteSome really great images there.
ReplyDeleteAwesome photos.
ReplyDeletethese are beautiful. i want to do some desert hiking. those full moon pictures are awesome.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful indeed.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous sunset photos! I like the creative moon shots.
ReplyDeleteWow the beauty of the desert. Those full moon shots are fantastic!
ReplyDeleteYou continue to impress me every week.
ReplyDelete