Partial Solar Eclipse 2012
Jack and I joined several CAAS members and about 15-20 members of the public (and one underwhelmed Black Vulture) on the overlook platform at Pinnacle Mountain State Park. The forecast was not good but as you can see below the Sun started to peak out from the clouds just at the eclipse started. We followed the Sun until it was gone, looking into well protected telescopes and passing around solar shades. One gentleman who had seen the ’72 Nova Scotia eclipse even had a totally exposed sheet of glass film that he had been using ever since. See the images below, click for a larger view.
- First Contact
- A Noticeable Bite
- Another Bite
- Sinking into the Haze
- Almost Gone
- Vulture Buddy
Sunspots
I haven’t tried the Sun in a long time. Perhaps since the Transit of Mercury years ago. I tried today with my DSLR. Focus was a pain and not incredibly satisfactory but I got a few images and was able to stack them I hope you like it. Click the image for a larger view.
The Weekend of April 22
It was a busy weekend. First there was an ASCA field trip to Lake Sylvia which was cold and sunny. That was followed by chores to justify blowing them off earlier. Sunday I birded parts of Burns Park and Cook’s Landing. Sunday afternoon I wrapped it up with a butterfly outing to Pinnacle Mountain State Park. Below are some pictures from the weekend. Click the images to see a larger version.
The American Lady and Silver-spotted Skippers were first of season and the blue in the Prairie Lizard is a mating season accessory.
- Variegated Fritillary
- Lincoln’s Sparrow
- American Lady
- Powdered Dancer
- Prairie Lizard
- Silver-spotted Skipper
