Valley of Eclipse
Albuquerque, New Mexico 5/20/2012
5/21/2012
Yesterday, I chased the moon chasing the sun and caught up with it in Albuquerque. There, I watched moon watchers watching the moon’s antics and celebrated the uncommon eclipse with wine drunk from a water bottle.
Long View
Believer
They slowly gathered on the irrigated green lawn of a park above the wider valley of dry and brown that surrounds the city. Photographers first, families last, they toted cameras and telescopes and coolers and children, arriving eager and enthusiastic, and then waited.
Meditation
Frisbees were thrown, potato salad served up, cameras and telescopes admired, and tales told. One man I met said he had watched the total eclipse in 1948.
Final Eclipse
Doubled
We strangers who together stopped life long enough to shift our focus skyward were connected for a moment in time. We were comrades on the top of a hill, collectively waiting for a much-hyped show.
Gathering
There was loud applause when the ring of fire finally appeared. Rabbits ran back under brush. Dogs squirmed and whined. And the audience quieted for the finale. They watched the sky turn a deep shade of yellow and then darken, as the sun and the moon that chased it slipped below the horizon, stage West.
Photo by John Baumchen
5/20/2012
Photo by John Baumchen
5/20/2012
Photo by John Baumchen
5/20/2012
Photo by John Baumchen
5/20/2012
Thank you to John Baumchen for sharing four of the many fabulous photos he captured of the eclipse. You can see more of his photographs at http://www.johnbmedia.com/.
Magnificent. The last one through all of the phases is just breathtaking. We didn’t get the view of it here in the southeast. I’m so jealous.
It was beautiful, writingfeemale. Glad you enjoyed this
Beautiful photos! I was lucky enough to see a similar eclipse in the ’90s back in Illinois. It’s easy to understand why our ancestors thought the world might be ending when they occurred.
Definitely a strange and beautiful event. Thank you jm
Brilliant!
Thank you elyse
Last pic definitely a keeper. First one looks like surface of Mars.
Go to mars often?
The composite photo that John did is truly out-of-this-world.
Wow! Gorgeous.
Thank you Susan
I’m astounded at how perfect that ring is!
Great pictures, kudos to John.
Thanks Al, from John and from me
Winsomebella -Thanks for sharing! We were so disappointed on the east coast to hear we would not be able to see the eclipse. The photos (and your descriptions of the camaraderie) are so good I feel I was there!
It was quite an experience Dor. I couldn’t help myself–just had to share!
Yes, thank you for sharing both the gathering and the photos!
And thank you, Dianna, for taking a look
Chills and tears – this gives me wonderful chills and tears. The gathering of strangers reminds me of the last shuttle launch, which we experienced in June last year.
Thank you so much for sharing these pictures and words with us. Thanks to John B., too
You are welcome…and thank you from both John and I for taking a look. I bet the shuttle experience was fabulous too
Hard to put into words but you do!! Thanks for sharing…Rich
Thank you Rich
A galactic ballet or the end of the world?
It was wonderful to have John B’s photographs, particularly the time lapse progression of the eclipse, but your essay of the gathering was what tickled me. I love the way these celestial phenomena link us to our earliest forebears, and you can see this in the faces you captured – still rapt by the workings of the universe.
Thank you wanderlust. I am voting for the galactic ballet
Wise, I think …
My sentiment also….lovely
Glad you liked it….thank you.
wow!!! Breathtaking! Last photo is a winner!!
Thank you. Glad you stopped in
Amazing shots! Nature is wonderful.
The best photo subject, I think. Thanks.
We could see it here in Northern California. It was interesting to me to see how various people reacted to this very rare experience. Beautiful pictures – thanks. T
I had much fun people-watching Tricia. Thanks for visiting.
Beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing these pics, as this time the ring was not visible in our part of world.
I am glad you liked these pics, Arindam. Thanks.
Amazing! Thank you and John Baumchen for sharing.
You are welcome Michelle. And we appreciate your visit here
F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C! Not only of the eclipse, but of catching “anticipation” in each of the faces.
I got so distracted watching the people watching the event that I nearly missed the big show
Thank YOU for sharing his photos, and your own. Most of us weren’t anywhere near a viewing spot…you were lucky enough to find a great one, and a community party, from the sound of it!
Thank YOU for taking time to stop in. I just had to share the experience
Just awesome!
Thank you Tori. It was great fun!
Fantastic work! Thanks to both of you! Not sure if it was visible anywhere around Chicago. Storm clouds had threatened our trip to the beach, and by sunset we were tucking in my granddaughters— I think it was raining.
It was a short and last minute road trip to get to Albuquerque where the viewing could not have been better
Wow. How fun to go somewhere where everyone was focused on the same amazing event. Great photos of the people + the eclipse. Thanks.
It was a great gathering of a big mix of people all focused in one direction….up.
Thank you for these amazing photos. I really wanted to get some shots of the super moon last week but we were clouded over for days. You are so fortunate to have been there and able to experience this.
b
We had clouds the night of the super moon too. Glad it was clear where we were for the eclipse. Thanks B.
I like the eclipse photos, but the faces watching, so stern, so deliberate, those are the shots i love!! c
There were a few folks talking and texting on cellphones
but the vast majority seemed properly mesmerized, C. Thank you for stopping in.
Amazing sight.
Thank you.
It’s encouraging to know there are still people around who literally applaud the beauty of nature. Thank you for capturing this event for the rest of us. Beautiful post, as always.
The best sort of people
. Thanks bronxboy.
Simply wow! Thanks for sharing your experience!
Thank you
How fun! I took a shower before it started and it was over before I toweled off. Your afternoon sounds so much better.
The long wait for a quick show was entertaining at least
Superb.
Thank you. Always glad to see you
Lovely pictures!
Thank you Marvin.
My brother just sent me an email with some absolutely stunning photos I know you will enjoy. The wild west in the 1800′s! Let me know if this link works. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2149899/The-American-West-youve-seen-Amazing-19th-century-pictures-landscape-chartered-time.html#ixzz1vtjUGcOP
Would love to have seen that, Bella. Thanks for the lovely pictures.
It was beautiful Susan. Thank you.