circadianreflections

Whatever Weds. Moonrise

February 18, 2026February 18, 2026Posted in Low Light Photography, Moon, Photography, Whatever WednesdayTagged Clouds, Contrails, Crescent Moons, Earthshine, landscape, Moonrise, Mountaiins, Whatever Wednesday26 Comments

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On Valentine’s Day morning the Moon rose just before sunrise and I was up and ready for it. I went out back and while setting up my tripod and camera I thought I heard a quiet “hello”. It was dark and way too early for anyone to be out so I carried on. Then I heard a louder “hello”. Oh, my gosh it was my neighbor out filling her bird feeder. We both giggled and said good morning then we both admired the Moonrise.

©Deborah M. Zajac | http//:circadianreflections.com
Waning Crescent 8.1%.

There was Earthshine too. What is Earthshine you may be asking? The internet has a better definition than mine.

“Earthshine is the faint glow seen on the unlit portion of the Moon, particularly during its crescent phase.

It occurs when sunlight reflects off Earth’s surface—especially clouds, ice, and landmasses—then travels to the Moon, illuminates its night side, and is reflected back to Earth. This creates a ghostly luminance on the Moon’s dark face, making the entire lunar disk visible even when only a thin crescent is lit by direct sunlight.

The phenomenon is most noticeable just before and after a New Moon, when Earth appears nearly full from the Moon’s perspective, maximizing the reflected light. Earth reflects about 30% of incoming sunlight, and from the Moon, Earth appears 40 times brighter than the full Moon does from Earth. The effect is sometimes called “the old Moon in the new Moon’s arms” or “the ashen glow.”

Earthshine is not just a visual curiosity—it’s a valuable tool for science. By studying the light reflected from Earth to the Moon, researchers can analyze Earth’s albedo (reflectivity), monitor changes in cloud cover, and even search for signs of life, such as the “red edge” spectral signature from vegetation.

It also serves as a natural illumination source for robotic missions exploring the Moon’s night side and permanently shadowed polar regions.”

I zoomed in a bit. Here it is at 100mm.

©Deborah M. Zajac | http//:circadianreflections.com

Isn’t that a lovely thought, ” The Old Moon in the New Moon’s arms”.

The contrail was interesting- it looks like it’s going right through the Moon.

We’ve got a storm coming in as I type this (Tuesday morning). They predict 4-8 inches of snow here in the valley and 12-16 in the mountains. We woke up to snow and it’s still snowing. We’re staying in and getting cozy. Well until we have to get bundled up and start shoveling!

I finished the Love Stamps puzzle I started at the beginning of the month last night so, I suppose it’s a good time to start a new one.

I hope you’re all having a good week!

Nikon Df| Nikkor 120mm| edited and processed in PS CC 2026

more to come…

Whatever Weds. Kaagwaataan Totem Pole

February 11, 2026February 10, 2026Posted in Photography, Travel and Tourism, Travel Photography, Whatever WednesdayTagged Gray day, Kaagwaataan Totem Pole, Nikon, Totem Pole, Travel31 Comments

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One of the ports we stopped in during our Alaska cruise last year was Juneau. Along the waterfront there are quite a few totem poles. They’re part of the Totem Pole Trail(Kooteeyaa Deiyi). Each pole tells the story of lineage, clan crests, and ancestral history. There are story boards and scan codes to explain their stories beside the totems. There are plans to expand to 30 totem poles representing all the clans of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples.

This one is the Kaagwaantaan Totem Pole it was created by artist Nicholas Galanin in April 2023. It depicts clan crests including the Killer Whale, and Eagle.

©Deborah M. Zajac | http//:circadianreflections.com
Kaagwaataan Totem Pole, Juneau, Alaska

more to come…

Whatever Weds. A Coyote Tale

February 4, 2026February 4, 2026Posted in Coyote, Hawks, Nature, Nature Photography, Photography, Whatever WednesdayTagged Birds, Hot Air Balloons, Nature, Nevada, Nikon, Whatever Wednesday, Wildlife, Winter Mornings45 Comments

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Saturday morning after I’d finished Wordle and Strands I shared my results with my sister. We trade results and talk about where we struggled or where we felt it was easy. We talked for a bit and then I got up to make a second cup of tea this was about 7A.M. I just caught out the corner of my eye out back a Coyote streaking by. I moved to the backdoor to see where it was going and here came another one streaking by following the first one! That was neat. I thought they were probably heading back to the den since the sun was up already.

Fast forward 50 minutes and when I looked up from reading there out at the edge of the golf course was a Coyote with its back to me gazing out across the flood plain. Oh! I raced to get my camera that was in my retreat. I wished as I was racing that it would still be there when I got back. It was!

©Deborah M. Zajac | http//:circadianreflections.com
Coyote Gazing across the field.

As I opened the sliding glass door and screen it heard me and turned to see what the noise was. It soon realized I was no threat so turned its gaze back to the field. Above is exactly what I saw that had me run for my camera.

Then I guess it decided there was nothing to worry about or going on so it laid down in the cold grass.

©Deborah M. Zajac | http//:circadianreflections.com
I think my neighbor came out to look and as it seems to be looking that way rather than at me.

After a few minutes something caught its attention out in the field and it got up to look. I looked too. Oh! There out in the field further west was another Coyote! Perhaps these two were the two I had seen running by an hour before?

Here’s Number Two out in the field looking back at Number One. This is cropped in a bit.

Next, Number One started making its way across the golf course closer to me! Curious perhaps or had it heard the birds?

©Deborah M. Zajac | http//:circadianreflections.com
It kept coming closer then below me a Cooper’s Hawk swooped in low over the Sagebrush just behind my fence! The Sparrows and Quail all dove into the Sagebrush and got really quiet. The Hawk landed up on a branch in my neighbor’s tree. The Hawk was watching the approaching Coyote not the birds. I was watching them all.

©Deborah M. Zajac | http//:circadianreflections.com
Cooper’s Hawk

Coyote Number One got to the bottom of the hill below me but, I couldn’t see him anymore. Then he started up the golf cart path headed east and soon was out of sight.

Number Two couldn’t see Number One I think, so came up to the edge of the course. It spotted me. Our eyes met. Then it turned to look east after its buddy, and off it went after it head down on the scent.

©Deborah M. Zajac | http//:circadianreflections.com Image

I watched it until it was out of sight then looked up and there out in the distance were 3 Hot Air Balloons rising. I hoped they’d float my way, but they never do. Prevailing winds tend to head east. This morning was no different they all floated east behind the mountains out into the great Nevada desert.

I watched until the last balloon slid behind the mountains and out of view. It was my turn to turn away from the view. I went to get my forgotten cup of tea now cold then headed to the kitchen to make a fresh cup. Happy with the way my day started and counting my blessings. I was thinking how wonderful it is to have all this nature and wildlife here and I was very thankful to be home Saturday morning to see it all.

more to come…

Whatever Weds. Abstract Art in Nature

January 28, 2026January 27, 2026Posted in iphonegraphy, Photography, Whatever WednesdayTagged Abstract, Ice, art in nature, street, paint, circles, bubbles, swirls, turtle, fibonacci circle40 Comments

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A couple of weeks ago I was birding with the group on a cold and icy morning. It was so icy I put on my spikes.

Part of the path we were on passes by an industrial complex and I found myself being distracted by the patterns in the ice in a parking lot.

©Deborah M. Zajac | http//:circadianreflections.com
I see a turtle with perhaps a Fibonacci circle on its shell.

©Deborah M. Zajac | http//:circadianreflections.com
I love all the circles like bubbles, and the swirl.

I’m birding with a friend this morning so I’ll be late getting to your blogs, and comments.

Happy Wednesday!

more to come…

Whatever Weds. Aurora’s Amethyst Sky

January 21, 2026January 21, 2026Posted in Low Light Photography, Night Sky, Photography, Whatever WednesdayTagged Amethyst, Aurora Borealis, Fence, Light Pollution, Nevada, Nikon, paddock, Stars, Trees, Whatever Wednesday44 Comments

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Monday I got an alert from my Aurora App that said it might possible to see the Aurora as low as Northern Nevada. There was a pretty large CME -solar flare on January 19th that I read about in Spaceweather and it mentioned the Aurora Borealis could be really good and perhaps wide spread. I was on a hike when my app pinged me Monday afternoon saying that it was looking good where I live to see some of the Aurora. When I got home I charged up my batteries, switched lenses, and got my gear ready. In the evening close to the peak KP index reading per my app I put on my thermals, coat, toe warmers, then gathered my hand heating pouch, tripod, gear bag, red headlamp, and walked out into the 35 degrees F night air. I headed down the street to photograph the sky over my neighbors ranch.

The stars were bright, and clear, and the air cold, and brisk. It was just me and a horse in the stall kicking and making that sound they make when the blow raspberries through their nose, and lips. I suspect it heard me and saw my red headlamp. Then it got really quiet.

The horse and I settled in for a bit. I set up my tripod, and camera then got my focus dialed in and made a few tests shots. Then I made this shot when it was supposed to be “peak KP index (6.67)” for my area.

©Deborah M. Zajac | http//:circadianreflections.com
It was very light pinky purple with maybe a little green.

There’s light pollution from Carson City to the north.

Way out on the top of hills in the distance is a bright white light. That’s an ATV of some kind making its way to the top of the Pinenut Mountains. I wondered if they were going to a great view and maybe a darker sky?

I read the Aurora’s were spectacular in parts of Europe and some of the images I’ve seen are fantastic.

This Aurora wasn’t as strong as the one that we saw here in October 2024 see my post here , but anytime I get a ping saying maybe I’ll see an Aurora in No. Nevada I’ll be out with my camera.

Happy Mid Week Everyone!

more to come…

Friday’s Feathered Friends-Cooper’s Hawk

January 9, 2026January 8, 2026Posted in Backyard Birding, Friday's Feathered Friends, Hawks, PhotographyTagged Birding, Birds in the Wild, Cooper's Hawk, Nature, Nevada, Nikon, Perched on a Fence68 Comments

PLEASE DO NOT USE MY IMAGES WITHOUT EXPRESSED WRITTEN PERMISSION.

January 2nd a Cooper’s Hawk came to look for breakfast at my neighbor’s house. I quietly opened the back door and grabbed what are the first Hawk images of 2026. Here’s one.

I’m taking that as a sign that it’s going to be a good year of birding.

This winter has started off a bit bumpy on the home-front. Our heater went out just after Christmas on a Sunday. Fortunately, we were able to have our preferred heating and air company come out that afternoon and fix it.

Then I discovered we have a leak in the garage. We had a roofer out and they found several broken tiles. Errant golf balls no doubt. Our house gets hit a lot. I wish they…the golfers would learn to hit toward their other right!

The roofers sealed up the cracks and we’re scheduled to have the tiles replaced at the end of the month. I welcome the rain and snow, but not the leaky roof.

We’ve had several storms so I haven’t been out birding, but today the weather looks cold, but sunny so I’ll be birding with the group this morning. I’ll be late getting to your blogs and comments.

Fun Facts:

Dashing through vegetation to catch birds is a dangerous lifestyle. In a study of more than 300 Cooper’s Hawk skeletons, 23 percent showed old, healed-over fractures in the bones of the chest, especially of the furcula, or wishbone.
A Cooper’s Hawk captures a bird with its feet and kills it by repeated squeezing. Falcons tend to kill their prey by biting it, but Cooper’s Hawks hold their catch away from the body until it dies. They’ve even been known to drown their prey, holding a bird underwater until it stopped moving.
Once thought averse to towns and cities, Cooper’s Hawks are now fairly common urban and suburban birds. Some studies show their numbers are actually higher in towns than in their natural habitat, forests. Cities provide plenty of Rock Pigeon and Mourning Dove prey. Though one study in Arizona found a downside to the high-dove diet: Cooper’s Hawk nestlings suffered from a parasitic disease they acquired from eating dove meat.
Life is tricky for male Cooper’s Hawks. As in most hawks, males are significantly smaller than their mates. The danger is that female Cooper’s Hawks specialize in eating medium-sized birds. Males tend to be submissive to females and to listen out for reassuring call notes the females make when they’re willing to be approached. Males build the nest, then provide nearly all the food to females and young over the next 90 days before the young fledge.
The oldest recorded Cooper’s Hawk was a male and at least 20 years, 4 months old. He was banded in California in 1986, and found in Washington in 2006.

I wish you all a great week-end!

more to come…

Happy New Year!

December 31, 2025December 30, 2025Posted in Foodie, Holidays and Observances, TraditionsTagged Cheers, Holidays and Observances, Last Post of 2025, New Year's Eve, New Years Day, Ring in the New Year57 Comments

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We’ll be here at home for New Year’s Eve/Day this year. I’ll be making our traditional New Year’s Day Good Luck meal of sausages and Sauerkraut. This year instead of Brats we’re having Aidelle’s Chicken and Apple sausage that I cook in the crockpot with Sauerkraut, onion, garlic, and a few other things to make a sauce. We’ll have that with a salad, we’ll toast with a glass of chilled Prosecco, and I’m making a Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake with a lemon glaze for dessert.

Do you ring in the New Year with a good luck meal? What do you eat on New Year’s Day?

I’d like to take a second to thank you for joining me on this blog journey this year. It’s been wonderful getting to know you and share photos, trips, and experiences with you, and you sharing some of yours with me through your blogs. I am looking forward to seeing where the New Year takes us. I wish you all a very Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year! 🥂🍾🎆

more to come…

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