Tony's Takes Photography

Wildlife, landscape and weather photography

A “crescent sun” during the 2023 solar eclipse

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The sun is nearly entirely eclipsed during the solar eclipse of October 14, 2023. (© Tony's Takes)
The sun is nearly entirely eclipsed during the solar eclipse of October 14, 2023. (© Tony’s Takes)

As we already had plans, I couldn’t make it directly under the path of the eclipse yesterday but did manage to come close. We were attending the Grand Junction Air Show and while we waited for the show to begin, I was snapping pics of the eclipse. From there, the sun was about 90% eclipsed and when at its maximum, it was noticeable, as if a cloud had moved in front of the sun and temps seemed to cool slightly. Certainly not as impressive of an experience as during the Great American Eclipse of 2017 but still fun to see.

Six years ago today: The Great American Eclipse

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The end of totality during the solar eclipse. (© Tony's Takes)
The end of totality during the solar eclipse. (© Tony’s Takes)

Oh, what an amazing experience this was, one that took my breath away. When my brother and I started planning an RV trip to go to Wyoming to see the solar eclipse, I figured it would be pretty cool. I sorely underestimated the experience.

It is hard to explain what it was like but it was beyond my wildest dreams. At its maximum, the sky turned as dark as if it was dusk, temperatures plunged and it became incredibly silent. Just amazing. This image, one which I have not shared before, shows the eclipse as totality ended and the sun began to emerge from behind the moon – part of what is called the ‘diamond ring’ phase of the eclipse.

There will be another total solar eclipse visible in the United States on April 8, 2024. That one would require me to travel a long ways and that time of year there would be a greater risk of the weather preventing viewing but I have to admit to being tempted to try to see it.

Smokestack blood moon

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The moon during a total lunar eclipse above an old smokestack in Denver, Colorado. (© Tony's Takes)
The moon during a total lunar eclipse above an old smokestack in Denver, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Mother Nature didn’t do me any favors this morning in my attempt to capture the lunar eclipse. I got up earlier than normal and headed out toward work, figuring I would find a spot along the way to get some pics of the celestial event. Unfortunately, every place I tried along the way had clouds.

I arrived at work early, figuring I would just use the time to catch up on some things and as I got out of my truck, there it was! Unfortunately, there was a thin bit of cirrus clouds so I just could not get a fully sharp capture like what I wanted. However, this 1920s smokestack (undergoing renovation as you can tell) provided some additional interest and didn’t require a huge crop.

As the eclipse was already past maximum, I had very little time to play around with compositions, finally realizing that a bit of a move to one side would put the moon right over the smokestack. Not too bad in the end I reckon.

Totality! Two years ago today, the Great American Eclipse

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The Great American Eclipse showing the sun's corona. (© Tony’s Takes)
The Great American Eclipse showing the sun’s corona. (© Tony’s Takes)

I figured it would be “pretty cool”. I came away in awe and amazement and was ecstatic I took the time to go see it.

Best of all, for my first time capturing pics of a solar eclipse, I think I did pretty well with my images. It helped that I researched and read dozens and dozens of articles about how to do it so had a pretty good plan in place.

This is one taken at the height of the eclipse with the corona is clearly visible. Probably one of my most popular pics was a collage I put together of all the phases of the eclipse. 

Check out more images of this amazing event here.

Total lunar eclipse among the stars

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The total lunar eclipse turns the moon red while allowing the stars around it to shine. (© Tony’s Takes)
The total lunar eclipse turns the moon red while allowing the stars around it to shine. (© Tony’s Takes)

Just a quick edit of one of my pics of the big celestial event last night as I had to get to bed and sleep before work today.

We were very lucky here in the Denver area in that while we had clouds much of the day yesterday, it cleared off quite nicely after dark. That gave us prime viewing for the so-called “Super Blood Wolf Moon” (or whatever the hype-masters called it). 😉

One of the things that struck me most about the event was that once totality was reached, the stars really brightened up and became quite visible. Here in the city, we don’t usually see so many except when there is a new moon.

I decided this is probably one of my favorite shots from the night as it offsets the moon and allows you to really see all the stars. 

One year ago today: The Great American Eclipse

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Collage of images of the Great American Eclipse in August 2017 from start to finish. (© Tony’s Takes)
Collage of images of the Great American Eclipse in August 2017 from start to finish. (© Tony’s Takes)

I still get goosebumps when I think back to this extraordinary celestial event.

My brother and I had the date marked on our calendars for years and when the time came, our planning could not have panned out better. I spent weeks leading up to the event researching how to photograph a solar eclipse and practiced every chance I got. We chose a spot in southeastern Wyoming near the town of Lingle, away from major population centers and a spot that would likely have clear skies.

When the time came, well, it was just awesome. Period. For those that were able to get under the path of totality, it was something you will remember for the rest of your life.

I was so impressed by it, I already have the date of April 8, 2024 circled on my calendar for when the next total solar eclipse happens in North America and I will be doing my best to be there.

This image is a collage of the various stages of the event from the start when the first sliver of the moon started to block the sun to the diamond ring just before totality, totality, and then the finishing stages.

Images taken with my CanonUSA 7D Mark II and SIGMA 150-600 Sports.

Blood moon and stars

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One more from yesterday morning’s lunar eclipse. As I mentioned in the posting last night, I kind of struggled with my zoomed in pics of the celestial event. Clearly my manual focusing was less than spot on and there seemed to be a bit of movement.

This capture didn’t come out too horrible and I do like the hint of blue in the sky caused by the rising sun in the opposite direction.

View my complete set of captures of the celestial event below the image.

The January 2018 total lunar eclipse at totality with a few stars showing. (© Tony’s Takes)
The January 2018 total lunar eclipse at totality with a few stars showing. (© Tony’s Takes)

The super blue blood moon over Colorado’s Rocky Mountains

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I took a couple hours off of work today so I could come in late to capture the lunar eclipse. For two hours I froze my you-know-what-off to capture the event from Barr Lake State Park, Colorado State Parks.

Unfortunately I am less than happy with my zoomed in pics of the event. I suspect I did a poor job manually focusing.

However, as things came to an end, I took a wider view of the scene capturing this one. Below, the frozen lake and lights from the Front Range with those snow-capped mountains behind. Above, a wave cloud and of course that blood moon.

View all my images from this celestial event below the image.

The January 2018 total lunar eclipse is seen above Colorado's Rocky Mountains. (© Tony’s Takes)
The January 2018 total lunar eclipse is seen above Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. (© Tony’s Takes)

Looking back: December 10, 2011 total lunar eclipse

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This coming Wednesday we will get to witness a bit of a trifecta of lunar events – a super moon, a blue moon and a blood moon. Of course the big part of that is the latter, the total lunar eclipse that will take place. Not long before sunrise, the full moon will be setting in the west and at 6:29am MST be totally eclipsed. Soon after it will disappear over the horizon.

The event will be similar to the one pictured here just over six years ago. Back then I was just re-dipping my toes into photography after being largely absent for a number of years and my gear and skills lacked where I am at / what I have today. If I can make it work with my schedule, I am going to give the 2018 version of the event a try.

A view of the December 2011 total lunar eclipse as seen from Colorado's Barr Lake State Park. (© Tony’s Takes)
A view of the December 2011 total lunar eclipse as seen from Colorado’s Barr Lake State Park. (© Tony’s Takes)