Eclipse over Cabezon

My chosen location to take a shot at the eclipse was among the volcanic plugs of New Mexico's Rio Puerco Valley. I also grabbed the opportunity to make an overnight of it, figuring that is I was going to drive, I might as well get to shoot sunset the night before as well. After some satisfying evening photography, followed by dinner, I hiked by moonlight to the summit of one of the area's smaller plugs to scout it out for the morning, and realized that I had substantially mis-estimated the field of view, and there was no way that scenery was going to work at the focal lengths necessary for the moon to show up. Glad I took the trouble to check it out instead of just curling up in the sleeping bag! Fortunately, I had considered another location, White Mesa, about half an hour's drive away. It was about as good as I could have hoped, especially with recent snow still lacing the badlands. These are my two favorites from this morning.

Cabezon Peak made a great long-distance counterpoint to the moon.

Besides the value of scouting locations for rare astronomical events, I also learned that I really need a better tele lens. This one is just acceptable, but it's a little, errr... painterly at 100%. Live and learn, I'll still take it!

Slightly larger version here.

I like the 1st comp the best with how the moon is aligned with the distant butte. Although the foreground tends to dominate the comp, the moon being the bright spot still easily captures my eye. In the second, I think the foreground is too bright given the amount of light in the sky, although depending on cloud layers and reflection from the opposite horizon, the brightness on the foreground might be a perfect interpretation.

Thanks Don! I agree on the comps, wish I could have had the focal length of #2 with the moon to the right, but so it goes. As for the foreground, I've thought it over, and I've gotta say I think it's pretty close to the scene as is. That ridge is mostly gypsum (albeit dirty gypsum), and those formations at White Mesa have a way of reflecting a surprising amount of light. Every time I've shot here, I find they really tend to glow, and they get downright psychedelic in the morning sun. The snow helped lighten things up too.

I really like the first image. As Don said, my eyes also were easily drawn to the bright moon. I like how it is almost aligned with the butte. Additionally, the interesting foreground wall adds some balance and the near/far dichotomy it creates is a pleasure to view. The second image is a bit more conventional. It is solid, but not as special to me as the first shot.