January 2018 – Photos by Pody

The Other Totality

January 2018. This year it is a rare occurrence, that we have a Super Moon, Blue Moon and Blood Moon all in the same month. This hasn’t happened in about 152 years, so I had to at least try and capture it. Last August we made the trip to Nebraska to make pictures of the Solar Eclipse. It seemed right to shoot the “Other Totality” as well.

The first Full, Super Moon was January 1st. Technically it was January 2nd at 8:24 CST in the morning. I captured this from our back yard the evening of January 1st. SuperMoon_20180101_031

The second Full Moon, Blue Moon, happened on January 31st, 7:27 CST. It was low on the horizon so I went to a park that is on a little hill and captured this.

Super Blue Blood Moon_20180131_017

Then the fun started. It was a windy and chilly 42 degrees. My hands and feet got really cold. Good thing I sat in my truck most of the time, except to get out and make a few shots.

Super Blue Blood Moon_20180131_034 — The beginning of the Total Eclipse of the moon, Blood Moon.

Super Blue Blood Moon_20180131_068 — About an hour into the eclipse a plane came in view. I almost missed it!

Super Blue Blood Moon_20180131_129 — Its harder to focus the camera on something so dark, and through the DFW atmosphere on top of that.

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Super Blue Blood Moon_20180131_140 — First light was starting and made it even harder to focus the camera

The Sun started coming up and the horizon was getting dimmer. I could barely see the moon, so I know my camera was having a real hard time too.

Super Blue Blood Moon_20180131_156

It was a fun learning experience. Darkness, and a Bright light for a while, then the haze and atmosphere was filtering what little light the moon was reflecting.

Super Blue Blood Moon_20180131_159

Pody

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Yellow Rose of Yesterday

Photography, Uncategorized

Trying to not be a slacker husband that I am sometimes, for Juanita’s birthday, I brought home some flowers. One of which had a pretty Yellow Rose. Juanita's Birthday Flowers_20180108_007

One afternoon while on the kitchen table I saw light hitting the flower through the blinds and could not pass up this shot.

Juanita's Birthday Flowers_20180108_010

Of course after a few days, even with the little packet, they wither and die. The reason I typically don’t get cut flowers.

On the other hand, It gives me a little creative outlet.

Juanita's Birthday Flowers_20180118_065 Juanitas Birthday Flowers_20180122_005

and a little macro to boot!

Extension Tube testing_20180123_013

Pody

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Road Trip and Ruins

Photography, Uncategorized

Almost every road trip we take I can find some old run down building that I think will make a good picture.

Over the Christmas holidays we ventured to Dublin, Texas. It used to be the Home of Dublin Dr. Pepper until a few years ago. I didn’t get many pictures of the Bottling works facility but across the way we saw an old building. I am not sure what this used to be, but cool none the less.

Dublin_20171229_013 — It looks like a water facility of some sort

Dublin_20171229_014 Dublin_20171229_015 Dublin_20171229_019

On the other side of the street again was an old Rail Road Depot

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Dublin_20171229_024 — I liked the symmetry of the three windows. Apparently the original architect did as well

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I am ready for the next adventure!

Pody
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Local Safari

Photography, Uncategorized

For Christmas this year, we decided to take a small trip instead of exchanging gifts. Over the Christmas Holiday, we went on a Local Safari about 100 miles southwest, at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose, TX.

It was well worth the 3 hour, 9 mile drive through the 1800 acre park. We saw lots of deer like horned animals, an Ostrich, a Sandhill Crane, and Emu. The Rhino’s, Cheetahs, and Giraffes were contained in protected fencing. The center said there were Zebras out there as well, but we didn’t see any.

They have several different tours of the center. The behind the scenes tour was on my list, but Mother nature decided it was a good day for 35 degrees and misting rain. With a 93 year old in the car we decided the self guided drive through would be best.

I did find it a little more difficult taking photos from inside the car than I originally thought, especially with my long zoom. Here are some of the better shots.

Fossil Rim_20171229_022

Fossil Rim_20171229_028 — Scimitar-Horned Oryx

Fossil Rim_20171229_036 — This guy came right up to the car and stuck his head in!

Fossil Rim_20171229_048 — Sandhill Crane

Fossil Rim_20171229_049 — Sandhill Crane

Fossil Rim_20171229_070

Fossil Rim_20171229_092

Fossil Rim_20171229_114 — Look close and you can see Adolf’s Jeep

Fossil Rim_20171229_128 — It was too cold for these guys to be roaming

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Fossil Rim_20171229_162 — European Red Deer

Fossil Rim_20171229_166 Fossil Rim_20171229_179

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Fossil Rim_20171229_195 — Do you have any food left?

Fossil Rim_20171229_199 — Wildebeest and calf below

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It was a fun trip. Many of these animals will come eat right out of your hand.

I am considering a photography workshop tour later in the year the center puts on. Some lens manufacturers send Professional photographers and lenses to try.

Until the next adventure!!

Pody

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