Have you ever intended to photograph one subject and instead captured something entirely different?
That’s what happened to me last evening. I wanted to shoot the full super moon rising over the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. As soon as I left home, I could see there might be a problem. A large rain cloud hovered over the park, right where the moon was calculated to appear.
Hoping the cloud might move on or dissipate, I kept driving. I am so glad I did.
A full moon always rises as the sun sets. In the Shenandoah Valley, the sun sinks below the Allegheny Mountains that mark Virginia/West Virginia state lines to the west. It rises over the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east.
As I drove east, the last of the day’s sun rays illuminated the clouds over the national park. The closer I got, the more the clouds transitioned from white to peach to orange.
I arrived at my photo destination in time to capture the moment’s beauty. For me, this easily made up for missing the moonrise.
© Bruce Stambaugh 2022
Roadkill Crossing 
Great capture
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, beth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bruce, we sat on the balcony of our 3rd floor apt in Park Gables and watched the colors change from slate blue to light pink to coral with a hint of gold at one point. We no longer see the sunrise since we moved to the west side of Park Gables, but our windows face Park Road and its tree-filled hill which is backed by beautiful sunsets. Since moving to Virginia, I’ve said, many times, on our frequent drives throughout the Valley and over into West Virginia – “It seems there isn’t ANY place in Virginia that isn’t beautiful!”
Audrey Metz
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing, Audrey.
LikeLike
Well yes … this is the life of a landscape photographer! You did get a great shot and probably one that is more unique, with that low, illuminated cloud. Great job being open to what nature provided!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLike