In my view, Autumn can be divided into three sub-seasons. Early, when the bright deep red of the swamp maples appears. Middle, when the reds, oranges and yellows of the upland maples and birch dominate. And finally, late, when the yellow-browns of the oak and beech appear.
Late autumn is now in full swing around here!
I have, in my minds eye, a photograph of the rising moon just above the local horizon with an “interesting” foreground bathed in the warm light of the setting sun. I know that this is somewhat of a visual cliche, but I want to make my own version.
In order to do this successfully, one needs to understand that on the day of the full moon, the sun sets at roughly the same time as the moon rises. On each succeeding day thereafter, progressing towards the next new moon, the moon rises a bit later relative to the sun setting. Conversely, on the days preceding the full moon the moon rises before the sun sets.
In September, I made it out to (unsuccessfully) photograph the moon rise the day after full moon.
Late Friday afternoon (i.e. on the day of the October full moon), I pointed the truck towards the Peterson WMA in Dublin to see if I could make a photo of the rising full moon. The road (NH 137) passes this large wetland on its west side so there are expansive views to the east. I was hoping that the ridge on the west side of the road was not too high so that the foreground would not be in shadow when the full moon made its appearance over the ridge to the east.
Alas, this was not to be… a day or two before the moon is full would work better… I know this. Next month!
On my way to Dublin, I made a side trip to one of my favorite spots (in Marlborough) for viewing Mount Monadnock. The first two photos shown below were made there.
The third and fourth photos were made as I waited for the moon to make its appearance over the ridge at Peterson WMA. The third photo (made at 5:15 PM) gives a hint of the disappointment to come… the sun light has already disappeared from most of the foreground and sunset was still forty five minutes away. Moonrise was about ten minutes before sunset.
The fourth photo was made at 5:56 PM (four minutes before sunset) and there was no moon in sight yet… uggh! The moon, when it finally appeared roughly twenty minutes later, rose just to the left of the trees at the far right of third photo. By then, it was too dark for an effective photo. Maybe next month in a different place and a day or two before the full moon!
The last four photos were made on Sunday. The skies were a perfect combination of bright blue and crisp clouds for making landscapes. The clouds made for rapidly changing light on the landscape so one makes lots of exposures and spends considerable time waiting for “good light”.
The first two of these photos were made at the wetland were Craig Rd., Reed Carr Rd. and Old Pound Rd. meet; a couple of miles from the house. The last two were made at the “upper” beaver swamp a short walk behind the house.
All of these photos show the oak and beech dominated late autumn foliage. The drab gray of November is soon to be upon us. Making interesting landscapes between now and the first snows will be a challenge!
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