Solar Eclipse Is Just 12 Days Away-- Test Mode

The total eclipse of the sun is just 12 days away, and it was time to test my solar filter, especially if I opt not to drive the six hours (and six hours back) to southern Illinois where totality will take place on April 8. This image was captured at 3:48 pm CDT on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 and was made possible by using a Neewer 72mm HD ND 100000 solar lens filter. It is a 1/2000 second exposure at f/8, ISO 100 and 67mm focal length. Note the appearance of sunspots on the disk. In Iowa, the eclipse will appear similar to a half moon. Nikon Z6ii camera.

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Just a Sliver of a Moon

The ultra-thin waxing crescent moon on the evening of Monday, March 11, 2024 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa still shone beautifully because of its "earth shine" affect. This image, a one-second exposure at f/4, ISO 500, 70mm focal length, was captured at 8:14 pm CDT, and looks west from Bowman Woods Park. Illuminated houses below the moon are from the street neighborhoods of Chatham Road, Windsor Drive and Crandall Drive NE. Air temperature was a mild 61 degrees F. Nikon Z6ii camera.

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Leap Day and Hints of Spring

Leap Day, February 29, 2024, was one day removed from a morning low temperature of 8 degrees F, but signs of spring were still making subtle appearances on our property in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Top left, lilac buds; top right, tulip greens; bottom left, crocus; bottom right, quaking aspen buds. Nikon Z6ii camera.

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