Thursday, September 7, 2023

Super Blue Moon & COVID

 The headline in the LA Times on 8.30.23 said "Rare Super Blue Moon will fill the night!". Wow, I had to get out and take some photos!
 
According to NASA, a blue moon is when there is more than one full moon in a month. They occur roughly every two to three years. A supermoon, meanwhile, is when the full moon occurs at the perigee of its orbit (the shortest distance between the moon and the Earth). The proximity means the moon appears about 14% larger than it does during the apogee (when the moon is furthest from Earth). The next Super Blue Moon won't appear until 2037, so hoping you had a chance to see this one!
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So after going out on 8/29 and taking some photographs, I started feeling kind of crummy. My wife had been suffering from a bad cold, or more likely, the flu, for about 4 days. Darn, looks like I've caught whatever she has. By Thursday of last week I was really feeling terrible and I decided to take a COVID test. High temp, muscle aches and pain, bad head cold, splitting headache... you get the picture.
Noooooooo!! (double line means Covid positive 😓). So no post last week. Just wasn't feeling up to it. It wasn't until about Wednesday of this week (and 5 days of Paxlovid) that I finally started feeling somewhat human again, but still not 100%.
 
But back to the Super Blue Moon. 
Moonrise was scheduled for 7PM, but I didn't see it until about 7:15 because it had to climb over those mountains. Also, it was supposed to rise at 112 degrees, which my trusty iPhone compass said would be just to the right of that big tree. My planned composition was to have the moon rising next to the tree, with the dirt trail and fence acting as leading lines, drawing your eye to the moon. Oh well, best laid plans!
Meanwhile, looking in the opposite direction (west), I liked the way the setting sun was selectively lighting up the wood fence. It's really fun when the moonrise and sunset are at the same time. So many photo opportunities!
 
 
7:26PM... Starting to get a nice purple sky!
 
 
 
Bonus points if you can spot the guy lurking at the base of the tree. I didn't see him until I uploaded the images on my computer. He's following a trail, so no worries.
 
PS: The Super Blue Moon isn't blue at all, but it's big and beautiful!
Thanks for stopping by, and stay healthy!!
Linking with Skywatch Friday.

52 comments:

  1. Glad you didn’t have Covid. I was in LA during that time frame and thought the moon seemed fuller/larger than usual … for three of the days, including when I got back to B.C. in the evening. Now I know I wasn't imagining things. But it was the vivid sunsets that captured most of my attention. Also, love your photo of the sun casting golden threads along the fence.

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  2. ...I'm sorry to hear about your Covid, wishing you a speedy recovery. My wife and are the only one that I know that have not gotten it, we live in our comfy cave! Here, we had cloudy skies the Blue Moon was a no show. Take care and be well.

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  3. Your moon shots are amazing! So glad you recovered on time to get out there. We had a nice sighting but I didn't even try for pictures. Thank you for sharing yours.

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  4. Splendid photographs. Yes... I saw the fellow... only after you mentioned him. : ) I was focused on the moon.

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  5. 2037... long time to go - here not a chance due to light pollution.
    8.30.23
    We´d write 30.08.23 - like Fahrenheit and Feet, Miles etc... confusing...
    It´s 22:01 here right now - 10:01 p.m..
    Why would it be easy? ;-)

    Easy... thank you big for Cowrie!

    Please, no Covid. We booked a flight to Perth end January. So sorry it hit you!!!

    The fence is just beautiful in this light.
    And big WOW on the moon, too.

    T hope to get some good pics of Australia´s Outback night sky next year whilst on a train ride from Adelaide to Perth - wish me luck. No pro cam... and many other people who might use flash...
    I see the lurker ;-)
    And look forward to more wonderful pics like these.

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  6. Your photos of the Blue Moon or only full moon are so beautiful. My husband took a very nice photo of it, and I was out to watch the moon too.
    I'm sorry about the Covid. I hope you will recover soon. I hope I don't get it this time.

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  7. I hope you get better quickly. I didn't get it until this year and was sooooo sick! It took me about 6 weeks to get normal energy back and I still have this weird temperature regulation issue (Like hot flushes but different - apparently it does something to the part of your brain that controls temperature) and occasional tinitus. It's so weird. My friend I gave it to also got the temperature thing. I'm now terrified of getting it again because I had to cancel so many fun things....I hope you have an easier recovery. Your moon shots are fabulous and I love you pointed out the guy. I did not see him but he looks quite menacing, now that you mention it. Ha #Skywatch

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  8. I feel for you having covid. I've only had it once and it took me a good 6-8 weeks to get over it, there was a really bad cough at the end. I can never get any decent supermoon photos here, it always seems to be cloudy

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  9. At least you got a photo of the moon which is more than I did. You have my simpathy getting Covid but at least you did not end up in ICU Hospital for 9 days like I did back in April, took me the best part of 8 weeks to get my fittnes back. Hope you get over it quickly

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  10. Bugger on getting Covid. The supermoon shot is so poetic on your end. My area is plagued by stormy rain for the past 3 months really.

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  11. Fantastic moon shots. I did get to see that super moon but I didn't take any photos this time.
    Sorry about the covid situation. At Least you can take Paxlovid without any problems. I'm pretty sure that it made me even sicker than covid did.

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  12. So glad you captured the Moon. But sorry you had covid :-(

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  13. Sorry to hear about your COVID. I hope you're starting to feel better. Beautiful sky photos today. I can't really take a decent moon photo. It seems to be beyond me.

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  14. Yep, reminds me of the trip I took this past June. That's when I tested positive . . . again.

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  15. We both made the best of it, but you did get the real thing and I was a day early.

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  16. Sorry about the Covid. It sucks. I'm glad you're on the mend. Great photos. They were worth the wait.

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  17. Too bad with the Covid. I hope for your speedy recovery. I didn´t get the Blue Moon because of the clouds. Well maybe nexttime.

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  18. I hope you quickly recover the rest of the way. And thanks for the tip about the compass. I just looked and I have one too!

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  19. We missed your post last week. Now we know why. Hope you're feeling better.
    I did go out to look for the supermoon that evening, but it was nowhere to be found! Thanks for your photos.

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  20. No fun--- We're fully vaccinated and boostered. (I know, there's no such word!) I'm hoping that we'll keep managing to avoid it. I am glad you're better. Your pictures are flat out wonderful.

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  21. I saw the blue moon here in Italy but was too busy with other things to try a few shots. Yours are wonderful.
    Get totally well soon! 👍

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  22. Hope you feel better, Take care. All izz well.
    Amazing Moon pics, great captured. Thanks a lot for sharing.

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  23. Wonderful shots of the Blue Moon.
    I hope you're feeling happy and healthy meanwhile.

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  24. How annoying that covid rears its ugly head again but your photos are beautiful thanks in part to the thought you put into them beforehand. Get well and may many more follow.

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  25. Wie immer sind deine Aufnahmen SUPER! Gesundheitlich wünsche ich dir, gute Besserung.

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  26. Super Photos from super Moon, your pictures are amazing. Number 4 and 6 are my favourite photos today,
    greetings from Germany
    Kirsi

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  27. Dearest Peter,
    You sure are an excellent photographer and with a lot of drive for going to the perfect spot for taking hem!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  28. Glad you came through Covid so well. Paxlovid has helped us too.

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  29. Covid is making a comeback here but my wife and I haven't yet got it, fingers crossed. Bautiful photos of the blue moon. Take care and be safe.

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  30. Amazing shots, I can never remember to go outside and look. I'm glad you're feeling better.

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  31. Great Moon shots! I am slowly getting back my sense of smell, possibly related to my bout of Covid back in January, 2022 and prolonged by chemotherapy.. That recumbent skull in your header photo would be good for a Halloween theme.

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  32. I can remember when people walked on the moon (the father of one of my neighbors was a shuttle astronaut.)

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  33. Hope you are feeling better by now. Covid is Great moon shots! I missed the first one due to clouds (and, the second time, I just forgot because I was getting ready to take a trip). So I enjoyed yours!

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  34. No, Covid ISN'T great. Moon shots are. Sorry about the brain burp. I meant to say that Covid is starting to surge where I live in the Northeast U.S. and one of our local hospitals has even reinstituted a mask mandate.

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  35. Lovely photos as always ~ Moon shots are awesome! ~ ~ Blue Moon fascinated me ~ so sorry you developed Covid ~ glad you are better ~

    Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  36. Nice moon pics! Sorry about your COVID diagnosis. My hubby and I caught it last February. I just had cold symptoms but my hubby got really sick. Wishing you a fast recovery!

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  37. Oh no.. so sorry you got Covid. Hope you and your wife feel better soon.
    Those super moon pics are amazing.

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  38. I was worried for a moment that you had missed the full, blue moon, but these are delightful images. I love that soft twilight glow. I too have been tricked by the moon's appearance in a position far from where I was expecting. I hope you are fully recovered.

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  39. This covid thing is not going away. We've had cases one after another at work. I'm paranoid and exposed but the test always says negative. So yay for me. Hope you had a mild case.

    Worth a Thousand Words

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  40. Take care, get fit soon! Gorgeous captures!

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  41. That is a big beautiful moon and I like how you captured it like its barely touching the tips of the tree branches! UGH, sorry to hear you caught covid, but glad to hear you were feeling well enough to get out and enjoy the super blue moon.

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  42. I trust that you're fully recovered by now, though I know there are no guarantees with that horrible virus. Great moon pictures.

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  43. What a bummer getting covid. So sorry!! I got it last year, not as bad as you did but very unpleasant.
    Great series of shots on the blue moon. You are the best moon shooter in the west!!

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  44. I was wondering why you were not on last week. I am so glad that you are a "wee" bit better and hoping for a fast recovery now that you are over the hump so to speak. Your Super Moon images rock! Sending thoughts and prayers your way.....

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  45. Oh no, not covid. So good to read that you're on your way up. These moon impressions are so poetic with these soft colors.

    I cross my fingers for a speedy complete recovery.

    best, _i.

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  46. So sorry you caught COVID, and so glad you were feeling up to taking these photos. I had it this spring. Can you believe I forgot to go outside and see the moon?

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  47. I'm sorry to hear that you had to go through a bout of illness, especially with COVID. I took a closer look at your photos, it was quite eerie to spot the mysterious figure by the tree. Thanks for sharing your Super Blue Moon adventure with us (outstanding photos!), and I hope you continue to recover and feel back to your 100% soon.

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  48. I've been sick with a flu-like illness and only had one pink strip. So at least I don't have to worry about long covid. I'm better now. Glad you caught the blue moon. Great purple stalker photos!

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  49. Sorry to hear you have been ill, and hoping you are much improved now. You managed to get some beautiful photos. I had to grimace at the Secret Man as it reminded me of once when I took a photo that showed a man standing beneath a tree in full camo gear with a gun and looking straight at me. I hadn't seen him, and I must say the photo freaked me out a bit!

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  50. So sorry to hear that you were ill with covid. My daughter-in-law and one grandson had covid this week, but happily the rest of the family stayed healthy. I guess covid is going to be like the flu and never really disappear. Thanks goodness for Paxlovid!

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