March Full Moon & Reflections

A little late getting posted, but worth the wait.

I usually go out two days before the full moon to scout for a location and then photograph it the next evening when moon rise is one hour before sunset. But this month my scouting photos, which I usually take just to view possible compositions, turned out quite lovely. Conditions were perfect. The moon was bright and the sky was blue and clear. I chose a spot along the edge of Chesbro Reservoir, which is so wonderfully full this year and is surrounded by hills that are stunningly green. (I know I'm gushing, but just look at these photos.)

I was hoping to get the moon's reflection in the water, but from my initial location, I could see that wasn't going to happen. I had scouted another spot earlier in the week, but rejected it because I would have to wait for the moon to rise over a hill and I thought it would be too high in the sky by the time it appeared. (I like to catch the moon as low to the horizon as possible when it is HUGE.) I took a chance and drove to a rise where a biker bar was once in business. All that is left is the foundation, a decomposing picnic table, and a horse shoe pit over grown with weeds. (I always wondered what went on up there, but was too intimidated to drive up and find out.) The views of the reservoir are marvelous.

On this evening, there was not even a wisp of a breeze. The sun was low but had not yet set and the water was mirror still. While waiting for the moon to show, I tramped down to the shore, crossing over some barbed wire, and captured these reflections.

I picked up a rock, threw it in, and shot the ripple effect.

I was having so much fun traipsing around the rubble of the bike bar, that I almost missed the moon. As I suspected, by the time it crested the hill, it was small, but to my great delight, I saw its reflection in the water.

Mission accomplished
I love it when a plan comes together.