December's "Cold" Moon

 I finished my hike a little after 3:30pm. Perfect timing, as December's full moon (called the "cold" moon) was scheduled to rise at 4pm. I had positioned myself behind a boulder covered hillside out in the remote Pinto Basin in Joshua Tree National Park, with a goal of capturing the moon rising over the rugged desert boulders. It seemed like a good plan! However, I noticed a dense layer of cloud cover on the horizon. If this cloud cover thickened or raised higher on the horizon, it would spoil my chances of getting the photo I wanted. So I waited. 

 

And waited. 4:15pm: Nothing. 4:30pm: Nothing. 5pm: Still nothing! I was getting stiff, bored, and impatient. By about 5:20pm I gave up. I packed up my camera gear and headed back to the car. As I left the sandy shoulder and pulled onto the highway, I almost immediately spotted it. I pulled back off the road (I had only driven about 100 yards), parked the car and grabbed my camera.

What a gorgeous moonrise, and how lucky to be in the right place at the right time! My lesson from this outing: BE PATIENT! Don't rush. Take your time. Enjoy the moment.

 

The next morning, the same full moon was now setting and was keeping me company as I drove back home from the desert. Driving west on the 10 freeway, I could see the Cabazon dinosaurs and just couldn't resist exiting the freeway for a quick photo.

Santasaurus!

 

Wishing everyone who reads this 

Happy Holidays and a very Merry Christmas!

Linking with Skywatch Friday.