COSMIC TRIFECTA
We had a very rare scientific event happen this morning, something that hasn't happened since 150 years ago. It has been called a "cosmic trifecta." We had a Super Blue Blood Moon Eclipse. A "super moon" is when the moon is at its nearest point to the earth, which makes it appear larger than normal. A "blue moon" is when there are two full moons in one calendar month. A "blood moon" is so named because of the red tinge caused by the earth's shadow moving across the moon during an eclipse. So this morning about 5:45, Linda came running into the bedroom saying, "You can see the moon, you can see the moon!" I got up (I was already awake thanks to Summer Girl) and threw on my coat and hat and headed out the front door. The moon was just peeking out of the clouds but we could see the earth's shadow across it. Linda had gone outside earlier to check and the clouds were completely covering the moon. Fortunately, she went outside a second time and that's when she came in to get me. I went back inside and got my camera and set it up on the driveway. This was my first time using my new camera to take night video and photos, so I wasn't sure if I'd get anything at all. I don't think I did too badly for my first time.
The video is rather grainy due to it being so dark outside. But I gave it a go anyway, and here's the result. The noise in the background is traffic.
Did it mention that it was 27 degrees outside at this time? My fingers were so cold I could barely work the camera. After we watched it for a while the clouds really moved in and covered it up. But it was so exciting! Last summer we saw a total eclipse of the sun and then this winter we saw one of the moon. How fortunate we were to have two astrological events within 6 months visible in our neck of the woods.
ANOTHER CEMETERY WALK
We so much enjoy our walks at the cemeteries. We have two that are right beside each other only a few blocks away from us. This gives us somewhere else to walk besides the park, just for a change of scenery. We walked down at Tahoma Cemetery again on Saturday, where I took the video and pictures below. On next week's blog, I will include a few pictures of our walk at Calvary Cemetery, the other one close to us. It is interesting to look closely at the grave markers to see what they reveal about the person buried there. Perhaps the most interesting one we have found so far was the grave for Walter J. Reed, a civil war hero. In case the writing on his marker is not readable, I asked Linda to read what was written on it. The video is in two parts.
Also on this walk Linda happened to find the grave I had been looking for, the one that I think sums it all up pretty well.
Luke obviously had a good sense of humor, as did this one below:
This person had a more philosophical outlook about the whole thing:
When walking around a cemetery you often come upon certain objects that have been left on a grave. Some of the objects are obviously to honor the person buried there, such as a heart or a flower or a picture. But more often than not the object leads to speculation as to its purpose. Who left the object on the grave? Did they know the person buried there? Is it a long, lost relative? What is the connection? No one knows except the person who left the object.
YAKIMA ARBORETUM
Since the weather has warmed up a bit lately we have been taking more walks. Last Thursday we took a walk at one of my favorite places, the Yakima Arboretum. They have a bird blind there that is absolutely wonderful for bird watching. There are a couple of metal trash cans full of seed for you to throw out for the birds and other critters. Next time we go I will take a picture of the actual bird blind so you can see what it looks like.
Of course when we do go there for a walk, there isn't much walking done for a while because I'm too enthralled by all the birds. We got a rare treat this time as we saw four or five Steller's Jays. These beautiful birds are not very common here in Yakima and I have usually only seen one at a time, and never up close before. I was stunned by how pretty the jay is as I had never noticed the different colors of blue.
Also at the blind was this cute little guy below, kicking around in the dirt to uncover some seed.
Birds are not the only animals you encounter at the blind. There were a couple of squirrels there as well, since they had gotten the memo about the free seed.
Everyone probably recognizes this little fellow below as there are seven different species of this bird throughout the United States. Here in Yakima we have the Black-Capped Chickadee. The other guy over towards the right is an Oregon Junco.
The walking path at the Arboretum is connected to Yakima Greenway, so while there we usually take a walk along part of the Greenway as well. I was hoping to maybe photograph an eagle on the Greenway since it runs parallel to the river, but we didn't see any this time. Maybe next time we will spot an eagle.
UPDATE ON THE PUZZLE
Linda and I have been diligently working on the puzzle in hopes that we would have it finished in time to make this week's blog. Alas, we haven't quite been able to get it all together but we are getting very close. Since no one was brave enough last week to guess as to the nature of the puzzle, I am posting another picture this week. Does anyone have a clue yet?
PARTING SHOT
Summer Girl hasn't been up to much lately. She's been busy behaving herself for a change. She knows if she's a good girl she gets to play with Dot from time to time. She's usually more energetic than this going after Dot, but we have to give her some slack since she had just gotten up from a nap and was still a bit fuzzy.
That's all for this week, be sure to check back again next week for more from the Southerner in the Northwest (and Summer Girl).
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