Everyone here was all excited about the idea of the first Super Blue Moon Lunar Eclipse in around 150 years. Although such a lunar phenomenon happened in 1982, one hasn't been visible anywhere in the United States since March 31, 1886. So this was a really big deal. Our local news encouraged everyone to get up early to watch this once-in-a-lifetime event. The only caveat was that they forgot to mention was that totality (the blood moon) would not happen until AFTER sunrise where we live... They also didn't factor weather into the story.

The moon last night/this morning was totally socked in by very heavy cloud cover with only occasional brief partial breaks. However, with persistence, I did manage to get at least one photo during a very, very brief semi break in the clouds. Actually, this moment seemed to be the only break...After watching for hours for the sky to clear more, I finally got to bed around 4:30 AM with instructions to my husband to wake me if the clouds did clear at all. I was hoping to get at least the first part of the lunar eclipse as the sun moved in front of the moon. The clouds never cleared. Unfortunately, they only thickened.

So like with totality of the 2018 Solar Eclipse (which occurred directly over our house), I also missed the main event of the 2018 Super Blue Moon. You can't fight Mother Nature. Additionally, with totality of the eclipse occurring here after both sunrise and moonset, totality wouldn't have been visible; not even if the weather had been good. So I'm going to have to wait until 2037 to try again... Sigh. Almost 20 years away is a long time. However if photographing a regular Super Moon Eclipse will do, there is always next year. If the weather co-operates, that should be visible from where we live. I'm saving the date...

When all is and & done, I started this January with a photo of the first Super Moon of the month. AND I was able to also end January with a photo of the second Super Moon: the Blue Moon.

Although not being the Blue Blood Mood that I had hoped for, I like this photo. Thanks to the trusty P900, not all was lost. The cloud cover actually enhanced the "blue" of the Blue Moon. Considering how thick the clouds were, it was almost a miracle to get even one shot. But, all you need is one shot if it's "the right shot".

As for photographing a Blood Moon, I did have better luck in 2015 with another Super Moon Eclipse: http://www.pbase.com/britestar/image/161454622