Tuesday night/Wednesday morning was the full moon. I generally prefer to capture the moon as it sets in the morning due to better timing between the sun and the moon. That is, I want some sunlight in the sky to allow me to expose my image and not lose the moon in over exposed highlights. The moon was setting at 6:30am and the sun was rising at 5:50am… perfect.
Wait! What about work?
Oh, right. Um?
I stopped in to work at my normal start time (5am). Checked on a few things. Told the third shift supervisor I would be back and headed to Delta Lake around 5:20am. Grabbed my images and was back at work by 6:15am. Most first shift people don’t show up until almost 7am. It was a busy day and I ended up staying until 4pm, so I think they got eight hours out of me… 🙂
The Sturgeon Moon. The common name for the August full moon. Other than a layer of fog on top of the lake, nothing really exciting. I still haven’t purchased a longer zoom for the new camera so I used my 105mm macro lens. It did a great job but wasn’t able to pull the moon into the frame as large as I would have liked. Maybe by the blue moon I’ll have what I need. BTW – there is a second full moon in August this year, hence, the blue moon is only 28 days away!
I’ll do some additional research by then and find a new area to capture the moon. Delta Lake is starting to feel a little repetitive to me…
Saving the Moon Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/8s, f/8, ISO 100
Moon Buoys Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/8s, f/8, ISO 100
Yes, now get moving. The sun is easy but the early morning light is better. I don’t want to miss it.
There was rain in the forecast and I hoped there would be a few clouds in the sky. I guessed right! I parked near the Mill St. bridge at Bellamy Harbor as I wanted to explore as much as possible while the morning blue hour changed with the rising of the sun.
Come on! Let’s see what I found.
Light Up the Morning Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1.3s, 30mm, f/8, ISO 100
This section of the park is fantastic during the morning. The color in the sky contrasts wonderfully with the green grass and the glow from the lights adds some interesting patterns. You can see the weather front approaching from the southeast.
With the lights still on I wanted to get the image I missed the last time I was at the park in the morning. From the edge of the bridge over the canal, I can get the water tower against the morning sky with one of the lights in the foreground.
Nailed it!
Tower Lights Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 2.5s, 40mm, f/8, ISO 100
Time to head to the opposite end of the park before the clouds cover too much of the sky. I do love the view looking down the canal. Walk or drive? Don’t be lazy, there is plenty of time, walk!
Before I get to the other side I couldn’t resist this view of the park with the lights along the canal. The mood in this view is completely different. The color is all in the east and looking west is dominated by blues. The only offset is the yellow/orange glow from the lights. Plus, when have I ignored a good reflection.
Um, never!
Harbor Lights Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 3s, 43mm, f/9, ISO 100
I reach my favorite spot and start composing my image. Choices? The color is more to the left than I would like but I’m not a fan of what I would need to include in the view. I obviously want to keep the steel structure bridge (Mill St.) in the picture. Oh, and the lights again, of course. I want the reflection but not enjoying the bright orange buoy in the canal. If I do this view… maybe…
Not the best but it works for this morning…
Harbor Glow Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 0.5s, 38mm, f/11, ISO 100
OK. Those are the main images I wanted to capture. Now walk around and see what else catches your eye. You’re in no hurry to get back home. Enjoy this time of solitude.
Those damn reflections again. The canal is perfectly still. Not the best sky. Maybe a monochrome image would work. Whatever, click the shutter before something disturbs the water.
Right, got it…
Reflection of Mill St. Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 0.6s, 28mm, f/11, ISO 100
As you can see, I decided not to process this one as a monochrome image. I liked it, but the blues and greens in this one work for me. Who knows, maybe I will eventually convert it and post a different version.
Sunrise! But the sun is still behind the low clouds. Definitely changing the color in the sky. One more of the water tower? Isolate the tower and use the color as a backdrop. There. Nice!
General Cable Renewed Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/8s, 70mm, f/11, ISO 100
The rain eventually came and lasted most of the day. Not a problem. I had plenty of other things to occupy my time after this great start to the day.
So far, today is looking pretty good. Maybe I’ll head over to the sculpture garden for a walk…
There is a great trail around Green Lake and in the morning the changing light offers great opportunities. We’ll start at the beach end and walk the loop…
Waiting on the Sun Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 0.4s, 47mm, f/8, ISO 400
Gnarly Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/30s, 70mm, f/9, ISO 400
Have a Seat Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/30s, 28mm, f/9, ISO 400
This is Green Lake Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/20s, 24mm, f/9, ISO 200
Fallen Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/25s, 24mm, f/9, ISO 200
Peek-A-Boo Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/10s, 42mm, f/9, ISO 200
Into the Morning Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/320s, 70mm, f/9, ISO 200
Golden Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/40s, 33mm, f/9, ISO 200
What Lies Below Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/20s, 27mm, f/9, ISO 200
My typical first visit when I venture down to the Ithaca area is Taughannock Falls State Park. It is my warm-up walk. A flat, 3/4 mile trail eases me into the day and at the end I am rewarded with a majestic view of the falls. Not a bad way to start a day…
Cacophony in Water Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 0.8s, 45mm, f/11, ISO 100
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