half moon

On the Move – Day 861

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Half Moon Geese – Photo: L. Weikel

On the Move

There were a lot of creatures on the move today. From two leggeds to four leggeds to winged ones, movement was the name of the game.

For the first time in several days, I heard the distinctive call of the Red-shouldered Hawk again today. I’m pretty sure at least one pair made their nest directly across the road from us. Probably because the missus wanted to be near the raptor equivalent of Friendly’s (aka our bird feeders). Nevertheless, it was good to hear it again and know that they are staying close.

I was also excited to hear the calls of a couple fish crows today, too. I wonder if each week we’ll be welcoming another returning champion back into the fold.

Walk-about

Because we couldn’t allow today’s perfect weather to be enjoyed on a simple walk-around, we took the long way, a walk-about. I should’ve kept track of how many fields of deer we encountered along the way. It’s funny – they’re almost as common as sparrows anymore. It’s kind of surprising to think that a field full of deer doesn’t even merit a photo. I guess I didn’t even try to take photos when we encountered fields of 8 – 15 – 30 deer because they I simply couldn’t capture them from a perspective that did them justice.

But I did manage to sneak a photo of one lone doe as she tried her very best to blend into her background. I could almost hear her in my head, “You don’t see me; you don’t see me.”

They Can’t See Me, They Can’t See Me – Photo: L. Weikel

Winning the Prize

But the species that wins the prize for most raucous and greatest number of participants this weekend definitely goes to the Canadian Geese as they played their classic hit, ‘flying due North in huge flocks,’ a perennial favorite.

The geese flying North today were outrageously vocal and seemed to be flying in shifts. They kept coming, wave after wave of honking hollerers. By the time our entire walk-about was complete, we’d seen hundreds and hundreds of geese overhead.

They were fairly high, so I felt a similar trepidation in attempting to capture the beauty (and magnitude) of their flight as I did the herds of deer. But the photo I managed that includes the quarter square (half) moon felt worth the effort.

My movement tomorrow is going to consist of engaging in some serious clutter clearing. It’s time to get the energy flowing. The movement of all the critters has inspired me!

Only a Few of the Many – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-250)

A Single Photograph – Day 860

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Delaware River (Lenape Sipu) – Photo: L. Weikel

Due to a confluence of circumstances and opportunities, Karl and I had to forego a walk today. Since neither a walk-around nor a walkabout was had, as a result, I’m relegated to a single photograph upon which to build a post. It’s an unenviable foundation, but workable. We’re going to make this happen.

One bright spot: I pulled to the side of the road early this evening to attempt to capture the precious abundance of water filling the banks of our beloved Delaware River (aka Lenape Sipu in the language of those who lived here first, the Lenape). Not only was the river running full, wide, and fast, at the moment I took this photo, the rays of the setting sun were still managing to illuminate the tops of the trees lining the river on the New Jersey side.

It was a lovely moment and if I’d been more patient, I might have been graced with a sighting of epic proportions. (Only because I tend to be lucky – as you all know.) But patience and my occasional sense that “I have all the time in the world” (which enables me to linger those extra moments or minutes that sometimes make all the difference) were not fully activated this afternoon.

Nevertheless, I did what I could.

Raptors Keep Showing Up

Although I wasn’t in a position to memorialize my sightings, we encountered at least four hawks again today as we drove a short distance from our home. The abundance of snow cover this winter probably caused a lot of rodents to snuggle up and linger in their homes longer than usual. And while they may be a little lean after a long, snowy winter, I bet the hawks don’t care if they taste a little crunchy.

Funny how hunger can make slim pickin’s for meals taste utterly delectable. Something tells me the raptors are not being culinary snobs at this stage of the game. They’re on the hunt; fertilizing eggs and ensuring the survival of their species is hungry business.

One Thing I Noticed

The skies are supposed to remain clear tomorrow and into tomorrow night. For the past two nights, I’ve had a chance to be standing outside in the dark. The moon will be in the western sky and looking like a perfect ‘half moon,’ which is actually the moon in ‘square’ to the sun. That means that it’s halfway between conjunct – or in the same spot – as the sun (when it’s a new moon) and opposite the sun (when it’s a full moon).

So if you go outside tomorrow night and look for the moon, you’ll be rewarded with a midnight blue sky, brilliant stars, a half moon (exactly at 10:40 p.m.), and a twinkling, surprisingly bright red Mars very close (to the right and just below) the moon.

The last few evenings were exquisite. Try not to miss the beauty just outside your door.

Happy Equinox!

(T-251)

Half Moon – Day 388

Posted on by Lisa Weikel 1 Comment
Half Moon – Photo: L. Weikel

Half Moon

Sheila, our Boston Terrier, is requiring frequent ‘waterings’ throughout the day and evening in order to minimize accidents. It’s a simple function of age and, according to Karl’s theory, perhaps a reaction to the colder weather.

We keep our home on the cool side during the winter (some might say freaking feezing), and so when she leaves the warmth of our living room, which we keep toasty with a fire, she’s like the rest of us: being cold makes you have to pee. And she can’t hold it as well as she used to.

All of this to say that when I took Sheila outside a few minutes ago to pre-emptively relieve herself, I was bowled over by the half moon dipping low into the western sky. It’s stunning!

Smaller Earlier

Earlier this evening, in fact it was so early in the evening it barely registered as evening, we took our usual (2.2 mile) walk ‘around.’ We were both shocked by how dark it was at only 5:30 p.m. and even more unpleasantly surprised by the fact that it was distinctly drizzling. Nevertheless, we persisted, determined to get at least some semblance of movement clocked into our systems for the day.

What was particularly odd, though, was how it felt we were in two different realities at the same time. A fine drizzle was indeed dropping from somewhere above us, yet even further above, we could see the half moon. Yes, there was some haziness surrounding it, but it was actually shedding a surprising amount of light on our path.

So it was weird. How was that moon – and only a half moon, at that – managing to shine through the cloud or fog that was dropping a steady drizzle upon our heads and light our way?

While I felt the urge to try to capture this juxtaposition, I didn’t even want to try to photograph the moon in her cloudy undergarments. This modesty was made even more compelling by my total reluctance to take my iPhone out of my pocket and expose it to the drizzle. No, I knew there was no great shot to be taken, even though I yearned to share the moment with you.

Sheila’s Revelation

Which leads me back to my surprise at how much larger the moon looked a few minutes ago when I took Sheila outside.

The sky has cleared up dramatically and stars were clear and twinkling brightly. Two bands of parallel clouds framed the moon, top and bottom, almost making the half moon appear as a note on a musical staff I was only privy to partially view.

I tried to capture the beauty of what I saw, but I know what I’m sharing barely hints at the quiet loveliness.

Nevertheless…I was thinking of all of you when I stood in wondering appreciation of the setting half moon. Catch it tomorrow night before bed if you can.

Don’t believe a word Mommy says; I can hold my water – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-723)