Verse And Worse

Random Wit, Errant Rhyme. Not A Literary Crime

Said Obama of the moon
"It’s time we changed our tune
A modern-day Apollo
Is not a plan I’d follow".

Sunset And Moonrise

A Double Blessing On The First Day Of Summer

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

I just happened to look towards the western horizon at precisely the right time on Monday. Luckily, I always have my camera close at hand, so I was able to get these quick shots of the clearly-defined rays of the setting sun.

Monday was an interesting day for a Sky Watch participant, especially one who lives in Australia. You see, December 1 is the official start of our summer, so spring is behind us and the weather is getting hotter as the days get longer.


These two shots of the sunset were taken through a window, because I needed the elevation in order to get the best effect of the rays - and I had to act extremely swiftly because I knew the span of the rays would only last a couple of minutes.

The clouds had me worried, though. We were looking forward to nightfall because I knew that a clear sky would enable us to see the extremely rare right of the moon, Venus and Jupiter aligned to look like a smiling face. For most of you, the sight would have been the other way around, but we're the Land Down Under, where everything is topsy-turvy, including the seasons and the orientation of the sky!

But as I told the Authorbloglets, the clouds were building up quickly and we probably wouldn't even get a glimpse of the "face in the sky".

Then, about an hour later, the clouds went scudding through fairly rapidly because of the strong breeze and we were able to feast our eyes on this sight. We were in a hurry as we were going out - so I took this shot without a tripod. There is actually a slight shimmer on the image of the stars, but it's not a bad result for a shot taken with the camera held freehand.

I guess it was a real blessing, by Jupiter.


For other participants in Dot’s concept, go to Sky Watch HQ.

Ice Age

The Photographs Are Cold Comfort

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

So I can be a little bit slow sometimes, okay? But I’m a bloke, and it comes with the territory. So don’t shake your head and click your tongue when I tell you that I missed all the clues yesterday. Yup, every single clue.

It was cold when I got up. Missed clue #1. It was a cloudless sky. Missed clue #2. I could see smoke-vapour billowing gracefully from the roof heating vent of my neighbour across the road. Missed clue #3.

So, clad in my grey suit and my maroon-and-silver tie and nothing warm except my sense of humour, out I strode through the front door – to find both cars covered with ice. Ice? We’re still a week away from winter but yes, it was cold. And yes, the car doors were frozen shut as well.

But an icy Melbourne night means a cloudless Melbourne day and a blue Melbourne sky, so when I got to the station there was a beautiful crystal-clear sky daubed with pink and blue.

I did the right thing and ignored my train so that I could take these shots of the early-morning moon hanging over the station. Which of these four compositions do you like best?

I guess Friday morning is as good a time as any to moon all of you!


For other participants in Dot’s concept, go to Sky Watch Friday.