Moonset

During a recent sunset in early July at the Point,  a fellow sunset watcher, asked if we had ever seen a moonset. 

A moonset? 

Never thought about it. 

A moonset is best, of course, seen during a full moon and lucky us, there was one that weekend. 

So, we set our clocks early for Saturday morning, July 8 at 4:45 a.m. The alarm rang and looking outside, we saw a mist and likely not good viewing for the moonset. Back to bed, we went.

The next night, we went to set the alarm for the same time, but I thought we should double check the time. So glad we did, as we could get up even later, 5:45 a.m. The alarm went off, the skies were clear and we could see stars from the window. 

Off we dashed to the beach and we made it just in the nick of time,

  as the moon was starting to set and 

was slowly descending into a mist or fog over the bay.

It would have been better to have seen in at an earlier time in the morning, like the day before, as the sky would have been darker and it would have more dramatic. 

That darn mist!

So, as we were watching the moonset at 6:00 a.m., the sun had already started breaking at 5:42 a.m. behind us, well before the moonset. 

 It was a memorable start for a great day. 

We then made our way to 

The Blue Pig at Congress Hall for some delicious waffles with strawberries and cream. 

We were the first ones there.

Winter Sunset

 This sunset, from a week ago, started out very subdued, 

 we waited for more . . .

then it grew in intensity, casting light onto the surrounding clouds,

 then reached it's peak 

 and slowly dissipated 

and the light disappeared into night.

Truly awe-inspiring! 

Spectacular Day's End!

All this in less than an hour - 

Enjoy!

Captured moments through the seasons

2 bluebirds from a flock of 50+

cape may view on a chilly early spring day

mute swans in formation

green horseshoe crab eggs 

spring flowers

 dog walker

black bellied plover antics

dramatic sunset

 summer end's noisy cicada 

monarch population rebounds

autumn seeds

sunset silhoutte

  evening sky canvas

glorious camellia flowers

Earliest Sunset NOT on Winter Solstice!

I often like to catch the sunset and when I checked on my blog site for the sunset time, which is located on the right column below, I noticed that the sunset time 

was the same for several days in a row:

How could that be? What about solstice? Wouldn't the earliest sunsets be on solstice?

After some research, NO it is not for this part of the hemisphere! The earliest sunsets are happening NOW and not just for one day but for days, as displayed above. 

Winter solstice is on December 21st this year and the reason the earliest sunsets and solstice don't coincide is due to the discrepancy between the clock and sun. It has to do with the solar noon measurement, which is a half minute longer in December. 

See this site for further information: 

http://earthsky.org/tonight/earliest-sunset-today-but-not-shortest-day

Make note though, that the shortest day still is on solstice since sunrise is later!

The upside is we can start enjoying later sunsets sooner, starting December 16th!

Progression of a Sunset

It was sunset time and time to celebrate the end of a great day!

After watching for a short while, it looked like it was finishing up quickly.

Later, the sky was glowing and begged for another visit. 

Racing over the dune and down to the beach, this was the view to behold. . .

 It slowly melted away.

The Dragon Eyed Sunset

Although the skies were gray and not very inviting, we decided to head down to take a late day beach walk and enjoy whatever sunset might appear. It is mid-April.

As we walked, we noticed a beautiful plume cloud begin to form.

 and then the sun emerged below the clouds . . .

The cloud plume began to dissolve from the winds aloft.

and then it was over;

". . . rippling at water's 

edge, as

sunset splays one last outburst 

of gleam, her warming breath

...serene

lay your troubles aside while

earth turns a tired cheek - 

her last gasp of solitude, a

soliloquy of peace."

(Poem by Richard Provencher)

The contrast of white sand and dark blue night sky are striking here.

Fall Reflections: Monarch Migration Snapshot

On a gusty and sunny September 29th, 2012, the monarchs were feasting, some right out my window on the non-native english ivy, nourishing themselves with nectar to prepare for the long journey ahead.

Evening was drawing near and they congregated en masse in the evergreens next to the dunes at the end of Cape Avenue. The following morning had the promise of a good time to cross the wide Delaware Bay.

The day closed with a beautiful sunset.

The next morning was sunny and mild and off they soared, by the dozens, a continuous flow, up over the dunes, like miniature birds,

over the sands,

and on over the bay waters, off to Mexico. 

So an amazing journey, 

an animal so delicate and fragile can endure and fly so very far.