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With only a few hours sleep we arose early to witness a beautiful pink
"super moon" setting in to the Pacific Ocean as the sun was rising upon
California's most stunning lighthouse at Pigeon Point. The soft hues of the
early morning sky contrast nicely with the bright spring colors in the
meadow below the towering lighthouse. A soft summer breeze blew offshore
creating clear skies perfect for viewing the super moon from California's
coastline. The super moon occurs rarely when the moon's elliptical orbit
brings it about thirty thousand (30,000) miles closer to earth increasing
its illumination by up to 30%.
Pigeon Point Lighthouse is California's tallest lighthouse. Seen here it
is currently missing its massive Fresnel lens while the lighthouse undergoes
restoration and repair. The famous lens can currently be viewed up close in
the large building seen on the right side of the image. The ground
surrounding the lighthouse now serve as a youth hostel for travelers. The
lighthouse is positioned on a rocky shore between San Francisco and Santa
Cruz.
The title of the image is for my loving wife, who though quite sleepy from
filming the moon over the Bay Bridge the night before, was still willing to
get up after less than three hours of sleep, on her birthday no less, so
that we could drive the 68 miles to the lighthouse and take pictures of this
special event as the sun was rising. I promise, I did let her sleep in the
next day.
© Darvin Atkeson
LiquidMoonlight Studios
