Harvest Moon
The Harvest Moon is riding high over my garden right now, growing smaller and smaller as it rises into the cloudless, black sky. It shines brighter than last month’s—beautiful to the naked eye, but making for a flatter, less interesting photo. Almost a paper moon.
But who can resist the Harvest Moon? Not me. According to the Farmers’ Almanac,
This is the full Moon that occurs closest to the autumn equinox. In two years out of three, the Harvest Moon comes in September, but in some years it occurs in October. At the peak of harvest, farmers can work late into the night by the light of this Moon.
That explains why I’d thought the Harvest Moon rose in October. I don’t know about harvesting by the light of this moon, but I could clearly read my camera settings under its bright glow.
A few days ago I noticed this sphinx moth resting on a yaupon holly trunk, nicely camouflaged. Tonight, perhaps, it’s fluttering around the garden by the light of the moon.
The sight of the moon through my living room window stopped me in my tracks tonight. Did you use a tripod for that picture? I’ve never been able to get a good picture of the moon, and it’s a longstanding disappointment.
The beautiful moth on your yaupon reminds me of the amazing photography on Disk Three of the BBC documentary Planet Earth, which I watched last night: they have time-lapse photography of fungi growing through a parasitized ant, and then several still photographs of fungi-parasitized insects. It was really amazing. I’m not saying your moth is parasitized by fungi, I’m just saying I saw something really cool last night and your picture reminded me of it.
Yeah, it’s that kind of a moon, isn’t it? I don’t have a tripod, so I hauled a barstool outside and used it to steady my camera. Last month, I sat on the ground and used my knees as a tripod. Eventually I’ll spring for the real thing.
The parasitized insects sound kind of icky, but sometimes icky things can be fascinating and even beautiful. I noticed that on my Africa trip. I hope I can catch that DVD sometime. Did you rent it? —Pam
Yeah, I rented it from my mail-order thing, and I know my local rental store has it too. I’m sure it’s widely available. We’re watching the version narrated by Richard Attenborough (sp?), but apparently there’s an American version narrated by Sigorney Weaver. I have no idea how else they’re different. I think you’d really enjoy the series; it’s full of plants and animals and lots of stuff in Africa too. Really amazing wildlife photography.
They danced by the light of the moon
the moon,
the moon,
they danced by the light of the moon. (Lear) (I don’t know what made me think of that… !)
Last night was definitely a moon shadow night and it was great pumpkin huge on the rise. – Maybe that’s why you think it’s in October?…
That moth is incredible – how big is it? Looks from here like a 12-18″ wingspan – true?
Those sphinx moths ARE huge, but not quite that big. Resting, this white-lined sphinx moth was about 3 inches wide. I’m guessing its wingspan would be about 5 or 6 inches. —Pam
Your moon photo is beautiful. It was cloudy and we had some rain last night (yeah!), so not the best night to view a full moon.
That sphynx moth looks enormous. How big was it really?
Carol at May Dreams Gardens
Thanks, Carol. See my reply to Kris, above, for size info. And yea for rain—I’m glad you got some at last. —Pam
Pam: No moon visible here last night as it was cloudy so thanks for posting a beautiful picture of yours and the sphinx moth which is quite interesting!
Ah, I wondered where your moon was. Maybe next month! —Pam
I think it’s time to go to bed… now that you’ve put a lovely Neil Young tune in my head. 🙂
“But theres a full moon risin
Lets go dancin in the light
We know where the musics playin
Lets go out and feel the night…”
The Harvest Moon certainly has inspired its share of poety. I was thinking of Neil Young too when I shot it, Kim. —Pam