The last two weeks have really been an enchanted time for Paul and me. Thanks to Paul's timely alert, we had two opportunities to view passes of the International Space Station (ISS). Standing right at the end of our driveway, we enjoyed the flyovers that were at 50°or higher on May 11 and 14. As our area was less foggy than our usual East Cliff viewing site, we could watch the proud ISS much longer and further, averaging 8 minutes or more each time.
Courtesy of https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/4979
On Monday night, May 16, we saw the long-predicted Blood Moon, a total lunar eclipse. When Paul called me outside, the moon was a total dark blood color. In over an hour, it was transformed from a sliver of shinning hues at the bottom to a full bright moon again. Paul lost no time adjusting his tripod and camera to photograph the process. He captured a series of pictures of the moon changing stages. The eclipse was so total that Nick called us from Pleasanton where he happened to be walking in his neighborhood. "It is so outlandishly amazing," he exclaimed. According to https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/4979, there will be a second total Lunar Eclipse on November 8, 2022.
Courtesy of https://www.livemint.com/
Owing perhaps to the mood of the blood moon, the ocean became a little uneasy too. Sunday afternoon, we went to the Point where the waves seemed higher and more urgent. Along Rockview Street, we saw a red SUV marked Marine Mammal Life Rescue on each side of the vehicle. Out of curiosity and concern, we lingered in the area and soon saw two workers carrying a cage with two poles towards the edge of a rock along the beach. A short while later, we saw a baby Harbor seal inside, looking forlorn. One worker told us that the baby had a gash under its neck, which might explain its abandonment. They did wait for some time, hoping to find its mother. We asked her if they were from San Francisco, since the telephone area code displayed on their vehicle was 415. As it turned out, they are stationed at Moss Landing.
Before leaving the seal and rescue workers, we were asked if we could propose a name for the baby seal. "How about Chippy," we ventured. It was readily recorded, in addition to another suggestion of Rock from a nearby spectator.
What an eventful and memorable fortnight in May!
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