December 21, 2010

Lunar And Solar Event.

As I write this post, I am sitting at my windows watching the progress of a total Lunar Eclipse in the northwest heavens. The sky is pristine, the colour of blue velvet and the silver globe is partially obstructed by Earth's shadow, as it floats so effortlessly above the snow covered trees...

A plethora of emotions encompasses my whole being watching this Lunar Event - awe, enchantment, marvel and utter fascination.

However also a slight sting of sadness, a mild irritation about not having a better camera. I long so desperately to be able to immortalize this celestial event with my lens, preserving it forever. I guess though that this moment was meant to be mine only. The vision of the moon, slowly turning red, until it is completely obscured in the morning sky was meant to be captured by my eyes only and preserved as a snapshot solely in my recollection.

How extraordinary it is though, that a total eclipse of the moon takes place during the dawn of the Winter Solstice, when a winter day envelops us in a final twilight, while the longest night falls upon my surroundings.
This Solar Event means that from now on, the sun will commence its journey back, prolonging the fragile daylight of the North.

It begins ever so slowly, with only a few minutes more light by each day, but in a month - an hour will be added to our days.

As much as I love June and the longest day of the Summer Solstice, when our days comprise almost eleven hours more as compared to today, Winter Solstice holds an entirely different allure.
It indicates that soon, we have reached midwinter. This signals the imminence and in its turn the onset of the best time of the year; as we cross the threshold back to light, the countdown to Summer, my favorite season - yet again begins...

(Below a set of comparison images of my northwest views in winter and in summer - and stages of the Lunar Eclipse taking place in the same cardinal direction - please click images for a larger, better view)












40 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Enjoy the wintersolistic.

The sun is shining on a new blanket of snow. Let's celebrate.

Snowbrush said...

Well, at least it's the solstice, so longer days are ahead. I'm glad you enjoyed the eclipse even if you didn't get to zoom in on it better.

Snowbrush said...

I posted and then read Elizabeth's response about the sun shining on snow. Here in Oregon, USA, the sun shines but little for months at a time, but if it did, it would be shining on mud. Not that I'm complaining about the horrid and utterly depressing winter weather though, no, not me. I'm way to macho for that. Of course, I do weep bitterly on rare occasions (well, okay, three to five hours a day), but not so as you would notice unless you were closer than three blocks away.

Anonymous said...

Amazing to think that last time we had a winter solstice lunar eclipse Galileo was alive!

It was cloudy here to we missed it... At least you witnessed this marvellous occurrence!

Wishing you a joyous Christmas holiday!

Kat_RN said...

I have to work today, so we were up at 4:00 am (our time) for once I am gland I got up so early. I got to watch it too.
Isn't it nice to think, we were looking at the same thing?
Happy Solistice,
Kat

Anonymous said...

Your photos are beautiful! Thanks for sharing them with us. It was very cloudy here as we had a snow storm last night. Your view from your window is amazing.
Let's enjoy our journey to summer : )

Brian Miller said...

glad you got to capture it yourself...and kinda glad we hit the turn as well...back to warm and light...a great place to be...

Kath said...

Solstice blessings on your home and family xx

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Don't wish for a different camera. What you gave us, is amazing.

And personally, I like the idea of having an event recorded, just by our eyes, in our own memory. It ties-in, with my having had no desire to be clicking-away, when on a trip. I don't want to view my time away, through the lens finder. Professionally taken photos on post cards, can be my tangible pieces, to bring home. :-)

Certainly you, in your area, must appreciate this time of year, the most. Thank you for giving us, your feelings...

Oh and what a magnificent view you have, all year long!!!

Merry Yule!

Merry coming Christmas!

Gentle Winter hugs...

Claus said...

If you could have seen the moon here in Guatemala...it was the biggest one I have ever seen! Sadly I didn't take a picture of it (will try today) nor from the eclipse (it was at 3 am!!, and I was way to tired to get up). Isn't it a beautiful event?! I think it leaves everybody in awe.
Mixed feelings because of the lack of a good camera? I know something about that!! though I have a new one now! :o) a gift from my brother for my birthday. Now the frustration is I don't know it well, and I think I'm missing in good shots for my ignorance :o( I will have time over the weekend to play with it and get to know it.
have the best of days!!

Hilary said...

You got some lovely shots, Z. The peak of the eclipse occurred here at 3:15 AM so the full event was in very dark skies. I was very grateful that the clouds took off just before it began too because we'd had a very cloudy night up until then. I had trouble with the full eclipse images because there was so little light and an unsteady hand makes for camera shake at slow shutter speeds. But that redness was amazing. I'll post in a couple of days. :)

Rohit said...

Hello Zuzana !

With your amazing photography skill, and seemingly similar interests, I can only wish now that you had photographed the Geminid showers.

That being said, I love the way you live your life to the fullest. Hope to get to know you.

Regards,
R.R

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

Beautiful Zuzana.

Christmas-etc... said...

Beautiful reflections, dear Zusana!! Thanks so much for taking these photos - I actually didn't know about the eclipse... that's what I get for missing the news during this last week! But there was a time, when I was a younger person :), that I could have told you about all the eclipses - sun and moon - for the next ten years! I had toyed with the idea of studying astronomy when I was a teenager - loved astronomy with a passion! so it's funny that I would have missed this event. Time really does change us - the seasons of our lives I guess. But... I still have my telescope! Now that lens could take some photos!
many blessings for a lovely Christmas!
Ann

Anonymous said...

Zuzana,
LadyCat posted about the eclipse, but as she says above, we didn't get to see it. Thanks for the pics... way too cool! :)
Lord Thomas of Wellington

Myrna R. said...

Even without a better camera, the photos are spectacular. Glad you enjoyed the moment, that was yours alone.

Reading Tea Leaves said...

Oh my - you have witnessed a once in a lifetime event Zuzana - with your own eyes and with your camera. I expanded the images and they are spectacular, as are all your photos!

Best wishes during this Winter Solstice dear friend.

Jeanne
xox

Cat in the road said...

I had perfect weather for viewing. It was cold but clear. I posted 4 pics on one of my blogs. My tripod wasn't cooperating but I did get some nice close up free hand shots.

Unknown said...

Zuzana: Your skill with the camera you have is great! These are wonderful photos and if we don't chat before the holidays,I want to wish you a Very Merry Christmas with xoxo! :D)

Michael

bright star said...

As usual really great photos and thoughtful text.Happy Solstice Zuzanna!x

sprinkles said...

I just knew you were going to post about this today! I don't know how but I totally missed it last night. I watched the news for images and they said that it won't be around again for another 84 years. And I missed the only chance I'll ever have to see it...

I think your pictures are great! Much better quality than mine! I'd LOVE a new camera for Christmas but I haven't mentioned it to anyone because I feel bad asking for something like that considering I can't really afford to do much more than shop at the $1 Store for them. :'(

SandyCarlson said...

I like what you have to say about this time of year. I feel the same way, and I appreciate your beautifully wrought words.

adrielleroyale said...

Beautifully said! Thank you for capturing the moment even as you did, as so many of us were unable to see anything at all due to weather or other things which got in the way. Your admiration of creation is inspiring, you know. :)

Regina said...

Awesome Zuzana!
Hello and Happy Holidays!
Regards.

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Yes! dear Zuzana,

The threshold back to light.

Your words always inspire us.

Joyous holidays to you.

Let there be light!

Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

S. Susan Deborah said...

The blue of your pictures is so captivating that for a moment all that I can see and think is BLUE. Your camera as of now, is fantastic. We have many lovely memories of the same. Your present camera has given us so many wonderful pictures. It is a treasure.
I love the way you anticipate seasons. We, in this part of the world don't have seasons. All that we experience is summer with changes here and there. As I see you looking forward to the next season, I wonder about you and the eternal hope that colours your mind.

Zuzana, thanks for being there to colour our days and thought.

Joy always,
Susan

Maria said...

What beautiful images. Eclipses have particular meaning for Hindus and the activities of the moon interest them so much. They won't undertake any activity during an eclipse and avoid going out also.

Merry Christmas dear Zuzana. You are in my thoughts....xxx

Keera Ann Fox said...

I live in a stupid part of the world: Whenever there's something great happening in the sky - lunar eclipse, meteor shower, aurora borealis, a summer sun - we have cloudy weather.

I did once see a lunar eclipse, though. Got a clear evening and a spectacular view from my bedroom. Awesome!

Happy winter solstice, Zuzana! We are now headed for longer days! YAY!

Laura said...

"I guess though that this moment was meant to be mine only." What a blessing to feel that deep sacred connection and presence. Such a beautiful post, and your photos are lovely....I understand that desire for a better camera, for holding time still forever...such a deep longing...but it is never the same thing as the actual direct experience, beautiful and treasured though a photograph is...it is the memory it the photo draws forth that awakens the moment...and that you do have!

Unknown said...

I did not stay up to watch but driving home from work (5:00 pm) the moon was coming up and looking so big. it was quite a sight. glad our days will be getting longer, I don't like these days. it is dark when I go to work and dark when I come home!

Merry Christmas!!

Vagabonde said...

It was cloudy here so I enjoyed looking at your photos – they are impressive. It must have been a sight to see this eclipse live – you described it well.

tony said...

I Missed It! But ,yes, It's A Promise of future warmth & light!

Ash said...

You are a brilliant photographer! (Have I told you that before?) :-)

Happy Christmas to you and your loved ones!

steviewren said...

The eclipse took place about 2am here. I slept right through it. Thanks to the beauty of the Internet, I see I didn't miss it at all. Your photos may not be the quality you wanted, but they are still very good. I love the time-line on the photos too.

Merry Christmas friend! May the day be Merry and Bright and filled with love for you and those you love.

Toyin O. said...

Love the pictures:) Merry Christams!

Betsy Brock said...

I hope you have the most wonderful Christmas! I'm so glad you are my bloggy friend!

You got some great shots of the eclipse!

~Betsy
xxoo

Zuzana said...

Elizabeth, Snowbrush, ladyfi, Kat, Ladycat, Brian, Kath, Amelia, Claudia, Hilary, Rohit (welcome), Jill, Ann, The Bach, Myrna, Jeanne, Scribe, Michael, Angela, sprinkles, Sandy, adrielle, Regina, Sharon, Susan, Maria, Keera, Laura, Doreen, Vagabonde, Tony, Ash, Stevie, Toyin (welcome) and Betsy - thank you everyone for your kind words about my photography and for enjoying these spellbound, albeit quality wise less than perfect images of a one in a lifetime event.

And indeed, lets enjoy the magic of lady Winter as soon its reign will end, as the Winter Solstice so eloquently indicates.

Thank you all so very much for taking the time to stop by,

Xoxo
Zuzana

Sônia Pachelle said...

Cara Zuzana,


Um belíssimo ano para voce, com muita alegria, prosperidade.

abraços sonia

Coenheça um blog novo, de meu filho Ricardo

http://guerraepolitica.blogspot.com/

Cheryl Kohan said...

You do such great things with the camera that you have, Zuzana. We had cloudy skies, here, so I think you're right...you were meant to view that eclipse and it was yours alone.

Zuzana said...

Sonia and Cheryl, thank you so much Ladies for your very kind comments.;))
xoxo