Month: May 2012

Viewing the Annular Solar Eclipse May 20, 2012

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Copyright © 2012 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

My mother asked me if I was going to photograph the upcoming Annular Solar Eclipse, and said she wasn’t sure if they would be able to see it in the San Francisco Bay Area.

I told her “Yes, I’m planning to view, and photograph it.”  and that she will be able to see a “Partial Solar Eclipse” if she stayed home or in the Bay Area.

In the Bay Area  you won’t see the Full Annular “Ring of Fire” to view that one must drive about 4+ hours to a place where you can see that. I gathered several links for her to glean some more information about what she could expect to see here in the Bay Area and thought I’d pass them along here too.

The link below is an animation of the what will be seen in the Bay Area. Click your refresh or reload button once the map page is open. It should be animated then.

http://astro.ukho.gov.uk/eclipse/0132012/San_Jose_CA_United_States_2012May20_anim.gif

To view the Full Annular Ring of Fire the map in the link below shows the path in the west one can view that. The red line is the center line on which one can view the Full Circle.

http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/SEgoogle2001/SE2012May20Agoogle.html

Don’t look at  the Sun without protection. Use the old fashion cardboard box and paper method if you haven’t got Solar viewing glasses or a solar filter for a telescope or your camera’s lens. It’s called a Pinhole Camera. There are places around the Bay Area that are offering viewing too.

Making a Pinhole Camera
http://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse/how.html

http://pacifica.patch.com/articles/ready-for-the-eclipse-how-to-view-it-safely-41c76507

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They dance!

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Copyright © 2012 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

I’ve been a bit  behind working on my photographs from my trip to Oregon to see Clark and Western Grebes do their Spring mating courtship and Dance. I’ve still not transferred my files from my laptop to my PC where I do my processing and editing, but I have finally finished some.

By the last morning of our trip I still had not taken any photographs of the Grebes dancing that I liked. I had nearly given up hope of getting any really good photos as they tend to be very shy; keeping themselves pretty far from shore which really tested the limits of my focal range of 300mm + a 2x Teleconverter which gave me an effective range of 600mm. It wasn’t far enough!

We decided to go back once more before leaving for home. After spending 2 mornings on the pond we learned they’re awake and most active beginning about 8AM and settling down by 10AM, so arriving just before 8AM we set up in our favorites spots and waited for them wake up. About half past 8AM this is what I saw and captured with my camera…

The Visual Connection

 

After a quick sizing up one after the other dipped their heads in the water and then flung the water off!

I feel the tension rising as both were totally oblivious to anyone or anything around them. They only saw each other as they flung the water over and over again. This went on for a full minute!

and suddenly they were up gliding across the water in perfect synchronization!

The sound of the beating water was the only sound I heard. It was marvelous, and thrilling to watch. I feel very blessed to have seen it, and to have shared the experience with good friends.

Nikon D700| Nikkor 300mmVRII + 20eIII TC =600mm| Tripod| Wimberley Sidekick

Sun May 17, 2012

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Copyright © 2012 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

Still practicing for the upcoming Annular Solar Eclipse.

I’m working on getting the exposure right using Live View, and reading lots and lots of articles written by other photographers about how to go about photographing it.

This is a bit blurry you’ll notice. I think this is due to all the atmosphere between me and the sun;wind, dust, clouds, etc. This morning we have clouds in the sky.

Here’s an article I liked that has  handy settings charts for a good starting base. Here’s my friend Steven’s advice on Solar Filters. Don’t try to watch or photograph this event without proper protection for your eyes and camera! I use this Solar Filter.

I’ll be driving with friends 4-5hours away from home to view this event. Will you be traveling to view the Annular Solar Eclipse?

Nikon D300s| Nikkor 80-200@200mm+ Tamron 1.4x TC=420mm|f11| 1/200s| ISO 200| Manual Priority| Tripod| Orion Solar Filter

 

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Super Moon May 5 2012

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Super Moon May 5 2012, originally uploaded by dmzajac2004-.

Via Flickr:
Copyright © 2012 Deborah M. Zajac

This is a pretty boring shot of the moon, but I wanted to take a photo of the "Super Moon" while I had the rental 300mm f2.8, and practice for the upcoming Solar Eclipse. I’ll use these settings as a base to start with.

Nikon D300s| Nikkor 300mm + 2x TC= 600mm| f11| 1/200s| ISO 250| Manual Priority| Tripod

From my backyard San Jose, CA. USA

May 12, 2012 Sun

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May 12, 2012 Sun, originally uploaded by dmzajac2004-.

Via Flickr:
Copyright © 2011 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved

I haven’t had as much time as I’ve wanted to practice using my Solar filter and I haven’t tried a time-lapse with it yet either. Too many gray days, and other
distractions have been in the way.
The Solar Eclipse is this week! I hope to get more practice before Sunday’s event.

Yes, even though I left home without my Teleconverter I did get the sunspots.

I’m using this Solar filter:

http://www.telescope.com/410-ID-Orion-Full-Aperture-Solar-Filter/p/7733.uts?keyword=solar%20filter

Don’t try to capture the Eclipse without using proper protection for both your eyes and camera! Get a filter made especially to view the Sun! Time may be running out for you pick up a filter I recommend calling around and if you find one jump on it. I bought one that fits the end of my lens hood.

Nikon D700| Nikkor 80-200mm @ 200mm|
Costa Mesa, California, Afternoon, Sunspots, AstroPhotography