On average, the Moon’s distance from the Earth is 384, 000 kilometres. It orbits around the Earth takes 27.32 Earth days, that is also the amount of time it takes to rotate once on its axis. For that reason, we see the same side of the Moon from Earth. Even though the moon mass is about 1 percent of that of the Earth. The Moon’s gravity stops the Earth wobbling on its axis too much. Which helps to stabilize the climate on our planet. As most of us know, the Moon’s gravity causes high and low tides. Not to the same degree, the Moon’s gravity also pulls on the Earth’s crust by several centimeters. And the Moon makes any pictures look pretty.
Moon
With photography, I am self-taught and only when I share some of my images, others see my work. I still need to find a way to get better at my passion. As always, new technology can only take you so far. Being critical of my work is very important for my images to keep improving. Almost all my time related to photography is spent taking pictures and then working on images that I don’t delete. At the very least, I can say. I do not make a conscious effort to copy other photographer’s images. When I do have time, I’m more likely to study and look at painting than photography. Also, luckily my mind is weird enough, as those who know me can verify. I have my unique perspective on the world around me. Playing a big role in all the final images.
Sometimes I know right away I got a good image, but the true test is when I look at it on the monitor. If I’m not sure, I’ll let it stay on the drive for a few days and then get back to it. In the end, if the image I have taken is not something I want to show others, it will be deleted. Unless I get that rare slightly out of focus image of a unicorn, that image will be saved until I get a sharper one.
The day before I got this image, I must have walked for half an hour waiting to be in the right position to get the picture of the moon coming over the Sawback Range. I got several looks of the moon and the peaks. I went home and uploaded the images. I ended up deleting them all. I thought I could do better. The next day the moon would be rising a little later over the same mountain range, but this time I wanted to be on the other side of the valley and have the moon right above Mount Ishbel. A peak that had a triangle shape on top. The possible image in my head was more balanced.
Twenty-four hours later, I was ready to try again. Just as the moon started to come over the range, in less than five minutes I was in the position to get the picture I wanted. There was no question it was going to be black and white, giving it a better contrast between the snow and rocks and helping to bring out the clouds. As always, never being fully satisfied. I already have ideas on how I can make the image even better in the future. Just need mother nature’s cooperation.
The Moon
The Moon is called “the Moon” because we did not know other moons existed until 1610, when Galileo Galilei discovered four moons going around Jupiter. If you have one single pea and a nickel, then you have a good comparison of the Moon’s size to the Earth. The Moon is 27 percent the size of the Earth, the fifth largest moon in our solar system. The Moon is the only natural satellite of our favorite planet Earth. They are tidally locked, and thanks to their rotation being so synced, we can only see one side of the Moon. And thanks to the moon, Earth is a more livable planet by controlling Earth’s wobble on it’s axis. Helping to produce a stable climate. What’s been happening the last few decades on Earth, the moon takes no blame for that.
The Moon takes 27.3 days to make one revolution around the Earth, but 29.5 days to change from a New Moon to a New Moon. The reason for that is, both are moving around the Sun, and due to the change of positions, the sunlight hits the Moon at a different angle on day 27.3 than it does on day zero. Two more days are needed for sunlight to hit the Moon in the same way it did on day zero.
Why does the Moon look bigger when it’s setting, as in the attached image, or when rising? It’s due to the Moon illusion, a trick our brains play on us.
It’s always interesting how we’re connected to the nature around us, but also what’s in space. Only 12 human beings have walked on the moon, but every human on Earth has benefitted from the Moon, providing a safer place to call home.
The Moon
Timing was on my side one morning to get the setting moon and the Sulphur Mountain Weather Station building in one picture. Norman Bethune Sanson, who was appointed the curator of the Banff Park Museum NHS in 1896. He not only looked after the museum for 36 years, but he was also the meteorologist in charge of the weather station. Ottawa sent him enough recording paper to last 33 years, but Sanson was still climbing Sulphur Mtn past that time period to record weather related observations. Including everything else he encountered, one of my favorites from his recording was the regular sighting of Mountain Goats. Today close neighbours of the goats, Bighorn Sheep can be observed up there.
Sanson claimed he had gone up to the weather station at least 1000 times, travelling by feet only, he was not a fan of horses. Return trip from the town of Banff is about 12 km, therefore he would have covered 12 000 km. Which is greater than the 10 921 long kilometer circumference of the moon.
Today we have some options when visiting the weather station, from walking to taking the gondola. The moon would still be some distance away, here, thanks to the compression properties of the lens gives us the illusion of the moon being close to Sanson’s Peak. Still, the view should be awsome day or night on top of the peak.
Moon over Fairholme Range
Nature photography is always a game of wait, for this image I was waiting for the moon to be in the open before the last light left the mountains. The clouds behind me were moving in and soon after I grabbed this image the light was off the peaks for the day.
Moon over Mount Rundle
First light hitting the north side of Mount Rundle as the moon makes its way of the peak.
Moon
A few times each winter I just like to go for a drive on 93 North. As long as the weather is good for driving, it’s a great way to check on several different areas and see how places look compared to previous winters. Plus, it’s my favourite drive. I left well before the sunrise in order to get pictures of it. But that morning there were more clouds than open sky, preventing the bright sunrise. Still, it was great to be out there, many of the peaks covered with snow and the glaciers were showing their beautiful winter blue colour. I started paying attention to the moon. Stopping a few times along the way to get pictures of the moon with a peak in the foreground. As the moon got closer and closer to setting behind the mountains, the pictures started to look better. As too many times, the best picture was the last one. Capturing it less than a km before reaching Jasper National Park. With lack of other vehicles on the road, the relaxing road trip continued to see if I could locate mountain goats further ahead.
Moon
Not far from home I was able to capture this image of the moon rising over one of the smaller mountain in the Bow Valley in Banff.
The Moon and Mount Rundle
There are some pictures you plan far ahead of time. Some can take years before you get what you wanted. An example was one I got of Castle Mtn few years back during the winter. The idea for that one came during the summer as I was walking along a creek which had calm water. Most winters the creek did not completely freeze over, so I thought the place would be great to get a picture of the Castle Mtn one winter. When everything would be covered with snow except for the small pockets of open water. I tried a few times to get the picture, the light was not right and or the clouds were in the wrong position. After several attempts I got the image and I made sure I got several variations. The list will never be complete for these type of images, always adding more. I like the challenge and I like raising my standards for the image I want.
But I also like the challenge when I see something front of me and I have to hurry to get the picture before the light or the subject change. That was the case yesterday as I saw the moon rising next to Mount Rundle while shovelling snow at home. I saw, ran inside, grabbed the camera and quickly got the picture.
Crescent Moon
Yesterday evening after watching the sunset, I saw the moon was also about to set. Before that took place I was able to grab the picture of the crescent moon.
Moon
Beauty is all around us, including in the sky.
Moon
I was driving in Kootenay National Park, looked to my left and saw the moon setting behind a peak. Pulled over, the road was clear of traffic in both directions. Turned around and went to the location which would give me the best picture. Took the picture and off I went.
Moon
Life would be different if there was no Moon. There would be no eclipses, well Venus does get between the Sun and Earth, but just not the same. The nights would be much darker, we would see more looking up in the night sky. The tides, would be very small with the Sun causing them. With no tides caused by the Moon, there would be no tidal friction, which would mean the Earth would rotate faster. That would provide us with much shorter days, 6 to 8 hours long. The Earth's axial tilt would change greatly, which in turn would have a major effect on weather. With these and other effects on the Earth without the Moon, life would evolve differently. But thankfully we do have the Moon looking after us and can enjoy chocolate on the only planet that it grows on, as far as we know.
Moon
It was the night before the Full Moon was going to make an appearance. The opportunity was there to take the picture of the moon rising over the mountain. Work was going to play a role taking picture of the Full Moon, so I took full advantage the day before.
Moon
There's always something to take pictures of, flora, fauna, landscapes, and day and night sky. Lot of options for photographers. Having couple of lens, will looks after most situations for photography. I was out taking pictures of wildlife, returning home I notice the moon over Sundance Range, stopped to the side of the road and took the picture.
Moon over Massive Range
Few mornings back I was watching the moon as it made its way back of the Massive Range. The Massive mountain range all covered with fresh snow, creating a beautiful winter morning. There was more then enough light on the moon and still mostly clear of the clouds. And just before the moon disappeared behind the clouds, I took the picture.
Until next moment,
Amar
Full Moon
I got this picture as the full moon was rising over Tunnel Mountain yesterday evening. The sky was clear, it was just matter of waiting in the cold for the moon to reach top of the mountain before I could take few pictures, worth the wait.
Until next moment,
Amar
Moon
This Monday full moon will be rising, or in this case a supermoon. The difference, a supermoon is when a full moon or a new moon makes its closest approach to Earth on its elliptical orbit. A another additional bonus for this Monday, the Moon will be closest to the Earth since 1948. On November 14 the Moon will be 30 percent brighter and 14 percent bigger than the regular full moon. If you don't live in the mountains, it will even look more impressive when it rises over the horizon, the visual moon effect at its best. For those of us in the mountains, we will have to wait bit longer as it makes its way above the peaks on Monday.
Until next moment,
Amar
Moon over Cascade Mtn
The moon setting over Cascade Mtn one cold winter morning. It was a clear blue sky, the mountain covered with snow was lit up by the morning light. For about ten minutes I waited and watched the moon set. Taking pictures when the moon was just about to go behind the mountain.
Until next moment,
Amar
Moon over Massive Range
Next Saturday evening I will giving a slideshow presentation of some of the pictures I took in 2015. Each year is always little different, from what is out there and what I come across, and 2015 was no exception. The weather played a role, as did the wildfires and lack of food for the bears affected where they went to find food and in turn how many I came across. But as long as you can get out, there will always be something to see and to take pictures of. I'll be sharing pictures and the stores to go along with them. Here is the information if you are able to make it out:
Photo Moments of 2015
Cave and Basin NHS
Saturday Feb. 6
7 pm to 9pm
Senior $3.40
Adult $3.90
Youth $1.90
Until next moment,
Amar
