Today was the big day for the August 21 total eclipse and I don’t think it could have gone much better. We had some clouds early on but they wafted out and left us with a patch of nice blue sky. 

Totality was at 2:41 p.m. and it was quite dramatic. I told myself I wouldn’t bother trying to shoot images of the eclipse phases, but I really couldn’t help myself. I didn’t have the proper filter to be honest, but a nearly opaque Hoya R72 IR filter did the trick. I used a cheap 75-300mm zoom lens and a Canon Rebel XT for the phases. 

I didn’t get the “diamond ring effect” but oh well… I only have one set of hands and eyes.

Other shots were accomplished with my 5D2 and the 12mm Rokinon, and of course, I had my Fuji X100F out for some informal shots.

Shades

Looking Up

Lights in the Sky

Husks of pitcher plants. They grow, eat bugs, die, and sprout new ones, sometimes in a matter of weeks. Fascinating plants.

Pitcher Plants

Laid to Rest

Yet another abandoned piece of property on Farrow.

Car Wash

Stop the Violence

Nozzles

Red, White and Blue

Side Door

One evening I just selected a road and started driving. I found this great place.

Nice Sign

Boneyard

Rusting

Interior

Vintage

I’m way behind on editing images, including some from more than a week back, so I’ll quickly post one from last night. 

I gathered with former co-workers last night at a local bar to send Holly on her way to her new career. Our 5-person marketing and communications department at Columbia College was decimated when the school’s financial troubles came to light last year. None of the original team remains, and I don’t think that department even exists anymore.  

Holly