As an avid stargazer I have a love-hate relationship with the moon. I like it when it’s near the horizon, especially when I can photograph it near a local landmark such as the capitol or a Fort Lincoln blockhouse. When it’s up in the sky, however, it tends to ruin any stargazing with its overpowering light. In the daytime, however, it’s another story.

I got the idea of photographing the moon during the day when my two year old pointed out the moon to his daddy. I was able to get out the long lens and my tripod to get this shot with the deep blue of the afternoon sky instead of the black of the night. I like the daytime moon much better, actually. It’s also easier to get an even exposure, since I don’t fight the contrast between a black sky and a brilliant moon.

If you keep track of the current moon phase, then you know that this isn’t a recent photo. It was taken a few weeks ago, actually…I just forgot to post it. Lots of people mind the phase of the moon; I’m told that avid fishermen do. When I lived up in the Rockies, I always knew when the full moon was coming because I’d go snowboarding at night. At 8,000 feet you can see pretty well in the moonlight! As a stargazer, I also watch out for the “new moon” phase as it provides the best opportunity to see the other objects in the night sky without interference from the moon’s bright reflected light.