Tag: Cathedral Rock

Sedona Moonrise–June 2024

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It is the season for capturing the nearly-full Moon as it rises behind Cathedral Rock in Sedona, Arizona. The best time to capture this is a day (or two) before the actual full Moon so that late afternoon sunlight still illuminates Cathedral Rock. The Photographers Ephemeris (TPE) was used to determine the best location to shoot this as it became visible between the towers.

Unfortunately, there was a major dust storm the day and dust remained in the air partially obscuring the Moon at lower elevation angles. The Moon got brighter as it rose higher in the sky.

The nearly full Moon rises behind Cathedral Rock in Sedona, Arizona.
The nearly full Moon rises behind Cathedral Rock in Sedona, Arizona.

And here is a time-lapse sequence of the Moon rising.

Time-lapse sequence of the Moon rising behind Cathedral Rock.

Bonus:

Here is additional Moon photograph taken at Upper Lake Mary near Flagstaff in early June. I was going for the reflection.

Moonlight reflected in Upper Lake Mary from a crescent Moon.
Moonlight reflected in Upper Lake Mary from a crescent Moon.

 

 

Moonrise and Cathedral Rock–May 2024

We are now in the season for capturing the nearly-full Moon as it rises behind Cathedral Rock in Sedona, Arizona. The best time to capture this is a day (or two) before the actual full Moon so that late afternoon sunlight still illuminates Cathedral Rock. As always, The Photographers Ephemeris greatly aides in determining the best location to capture this event.

The nearly-full Moon rises behind Cathedral Rock and Oak Creek near Sedona, Arizona.
The nearly-full Moon rises behind Cathedral Rock and Oak Creek near Sedona, Arizona.

The timing on this Moonrise was late enough that the Sun would already be partially obscured by mountains and ridges to the west. So one photograph was made when the light on Cathedral Rock was most dramatic and about ten minutes later the Moon photograph was taken as it rose above Cathedral Rock. The two photographs were then combined to create this composite image.

A short time earlier there were several people on the rocks in the creek including a portrait photographer. Thankfully they got their shots and left before it was time for us to take our photographs.

Bonus: a few days earlier I shot this image of the waxing gibbous Moon using a 500mm telephoto.

Waxing gibbous Moon on 17 May 2024.
Waxing gibbous Moon on 17 May 2024.

 

Moon and Cathedral Rock–July 2023

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It is the season for capturing the nearly-full Moon as it rises behind Cathedral Rock in Sedona, Arizona. The best time to capture this is a day (or two) before the actual full Moon so that late afternoon sunlight still illuminates Cathedral Rock. The Photographers Ephemeris (TPE) was used to determine the best location to shoot this as it became visible between the towers.

The nearly-full Moon rises behind Cathedral Rock in Sedona, Arizona.
The nearly-full Moon rises behind Cathedral Rock in Sedona, Arizona.

The Moon rose into the gap between the north buttress and the spires about 45 minutes before sunset. Here are two shots of the Moon taken ~90 seconds apart as the Moon rose higher. I particularly like the spire that is in shadow because of the illusion that the spires are casting a shadow on the Moon.

The Moon rises above the clouds at Cathedral Rock in Sedona, Arizona (1909 MST)
The Moon rises above the clouds at Cathedral Rock in Sedona, Arizona (1909 MST).
A nearly-full Moon during twilight (1943 MST).
A nearly-full Moon during twilight (1943 MST).

As the Moon rose higher it was obscured by clouds and then made a reappearance above the clouds.

Trail Running With Snow and Ice in Sedona

January has been a very snowy month in Flagstaff. So far, 2023 is the third snowiest January–and only a few inches from being second snowiest. So we have been taking advantage of the lower elevations of Sedona and doing all of our trail runs there.

Cathedral Rock from Templeton Trail in Sedona.
Cathedral Rock from Templeton Trail in Sedona.
One of the many icy flows along the Templeton Trail in Sedona.
One of the many icy flows along the Templeton Trail in Sedona.
Thin ice along the Easy Breezy Trail in Sedona.
Thin ice along the Easy Breezy Trail in Sedona.

This run took us along the Baldwin, Templeton, HT, and Easy Breezy Trails. Recent rains and some snow resulted in rivulets of water running across the slickrock–except that the nights had been cold enough to freeze the water and create icy patches. Although it made for some tricky running it also produced some very photogenic scenes.

It’s always fun to combine a trail run with a bit of photography.

 

 

Snow and Ice in Sedona

A few days ago we ventured down to Sedona for a morning trail run with Northern Arizona Trail Running Association (NATRA.org). Recent rain/snow and cold temperatures resulted in slippery conditions on the sandstone slickrock with rivulets of water and ice crossing the trail. Although treacherous–and many of us took a spill or two–it was also very beautiful so see patches of snow and ice on these trails.

A frozen stream cascades down Cathedral Rock in Sedona.
A frozen stream cascades down Cathedral Rock in Sedona.
One of many frozen streams along the Templeton Trail in Sedona.
One of many frozen streams along the Templeton Trail in Sedona.
Delicate ice structures in the stream alongside the Easy Breezy Trail in Sedona.
Delicate ice structures in the stream alongside the Easy Breezy Trail in Sedona.