Full Moon Over James Lick Observatory, originally uploaded by dmzajac2004.
Copyright © 2010 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.
This shoot was fun. We hiked out through some thick brush, and not much of a trail to get to this location.
Using TPE we got the angle and with a bit more math and thought we got the time right too.
I need to remember to buy bug spray and wipes they were eating me alive! We’re having a hot spell so the evening was gorgeous and warm. I didn’t need my wool sweater or jacket until the sun dropped.
I didn’t realize the little dome was open last night at all. It wasn’t until I uploaded my photos that I saw it open. It was only open for two frames then closed again.
Walking out of the location and back to our cars we were stopped by a Ranger who had been looking for us. Evidently we were parked in area that was closed after sunset. He told us he’d been looking for us for 45 minutes and he given all 3 cars citations despite our day passes and camping permit. He didn’t see our camping permit. We didn’t put it in the right spot. We left it on the dash of one car and it should have been dropped in a box at the entrance. We had been told we needed to buy a campsite, and a day pass per car two days prior to our going to shoot this by a Ranger.
Once we explained what the Ranger told us to do to be legal he said he’d remove the citations. What a relief that was!
I’m glad the group leader for this event called ahead to speak to a Ranger and made sure we would be legally in the park after sunset.
Nikon D300s
Nikkor 70-300mmVR
Circadianreflections Blog 
real nice Deb
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That is a fabulous shot,Deborah
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Excellent shot Deborah. The moon is so big and clear. Superb.
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Well worth the effort, Deborah.
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Fantastic capture, Deborah! Wow…this composition is beautiful, and so clear.
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Very nice. The moon is so large and sharp it looks like it was photoshoped into place.
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Thank you so much Roy! I’m so glad you think the moon is sharp. Manual focusing isn’t my strong suit. I’m glad I got there early enough to pre-focus!
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Oh wow…. this is AMAZING. I would be over the moon if I ever got a shot like this! You did good!
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Thank you so much Elaine! I am happy. “)
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Thank you all so much! I’ve wanted to take this shot since I saw a photo like it that a man in my camera club took last year. If you can believe it his moon was bigger! I’m happy though, and hooked on night skies, and Night Photography.
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Very nice!!
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Excellent, lovely detail in the moon as well as the buildings… great job!
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OMGosh Deborah…this is stunning….I simply have no words!!!….J
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Wow what a shot Debs Im liking this a lot…
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