fireworks, a galaxy, and minnow trails

[kurt]

Pole nets splash and ripple. Quiet kayak glide for two, one pair of eyes unburdened.

Fading fiery sky hosts scattered fireworks. Pops echo the warmly lit homes lining the shore. Milky Way fills unseasonably mild, clear sky with gentle salty breeze.

Mellow surf, gentle Marley.

Sand squeaks, fat auburn moon two days past complete brightens dunes. Darting minnows phosphorescent trails, pale green fireworks in shallow warm water. Steps create brief galaxies, blooming from beneath, reflected from above.

Dream time.

[DD]

[Teresa]

that was the nght (tonight) at the beach. the moon was so late in rising, and then it was so orange and so almost round and the sky so black so that the stars shot out like our own fire works in the sky. a shootin star goes by.

[Mermaid]

Kurt, that's really lovely. Words and photo.

[Miss Kitty]

I will sleep well tonight. Thanks Daddy-O.

[Paula]

I love those precious moments when just being alive seems awesome and we get a chance to remember that -- that's what the photo seems to say. Time seems to stand still for a little while rather than rush by.

I remember a line from the book, The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe -- great short fun book, that talked about taking time to do "awe-robics" every day.

[Jdarg]

Very beautiful- and you described it perfectly.

We were talking about the color of the moon the other night- is there a name (like H"harvest moon") for this midsummer orange moon?

[kurt]

The Harvest Moon is the full moon that appears nearest to the autumnal equinox, which occurs on or about 23 September. This moon is also known as the Wine Moon, the Singing Moon and the Elk Call Moon. It sometimes occurs in October, depending on the cycles of the moon.

The appearance of the Harvest Moon begins the first of the harvesting months in the Northern Hemisphere. Many cultures celebrate the harvests with gatherings, festivals, and rituals that are intricately attuned to the Harvest Moon.

At this time, the moon rises at a point which is opposite to the sun, and is situated close to the eastern point of the horizon.

It is claimed by some that the harvest moon seems to be somehow "larger" than other full moons. The human eye sees a low hanging moon as being larger than one that rides high in the sky. This is known as a Moon illusion, because the image of the moon in the sky is always the same size. A similar type of lunar effect is seen at the time of the spring equinox, which occurs on or about 21 March.

The harvest moon gets its name from the fact that farmers who were harvesting their crops at this time of year were able to use the extra light of the harvest moon to continue the work in the fields. In October, the full moon for that month can exhibit a similar effect, and is called the hunter's moon.

In myth and folklore the full moon of each month is given a name. There are many variations but the following list gives the most widely known names:

• January - Wolf moon
• February - Ice moon
• March - Storm moon
• April - Growing moon
• May - Hare moon
• June - Mead moon
• July - Hay moon
• August - Corn moon
• September - Harvest moon
• October - Hunter's moon
• November - Snow moon
• December - Winter moon

Like a hunter's moon a harvest moon is tinted yellow.

A second full moon in a calendar month, or the third full moon in a season containing 4 full moons, is sometimes called a blue moon.

[Jdarg]

September 23 = Wine moon!!

This is great- I had never heard of some of these!

[Mermaid]

September 23 = Wine moon!!

This is great- I had never heard of some of these!

I was obviously born in the best month of all.

[miramargal]

The other day I had an epiphany....
In my life I have been to beaches all along the Atlantic coast from Maine to Florida. I have been along the California Coast, the Mexican Caribbean and also the beaches of Oahu.
It is so amazing to me that the most beautiful beaches are on the Florida panhandle, just a few hours from my home. I consider myself blessed.

[kurt]

Two nights before on the full.

[Mermaid]

Kurt, that's one cool photo! I really like this one. Best tailgating around, being on the beach with a glowing moon above.

[aquaticbiology]

and why is the july full moon called the 'hay moon'?

because the days and nights are dry and hot for the making of the hay!

ain't our elders clever!

unless you've actually made hay (i.e., cutting, spreading and bale-ing) you have no clue as to the importance of the hay moon on later life - or the weight of a growing hay bale chasing you down the hill in the tractor

little lambs may eat ivy, but us cows and horses (ag schools) eat hay, not oats

[katie blue]

That's what I'm talkin about.

[mahthamadear]

love this!

[kimbug]

I learn so much on SoWal.com! Great stuff!

[ktschris]

Those are great kurt! Thanks for sharing!

[Mango]

September 23 = Wine moon!!

This is great- I had never heard of some of these!

and my birthday!

[Mango]

September 23 = Wine moon!!

This is great- I had never heard of some of these!

and my birthday!
Nice pics Kurt.