Night Photos :: Harvest Moon

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A harvest moon is the full moon closest to the Autumnal (or September) Equinox.  It can come anywhere from two weeks before the equinox to two weeks after the equinox.  This year it came on the early side between September 8-9.

I was crossing from Japan to California and was treated to some very bright morning watches before the sun rose.  

Because we were advancing our clocks as we crossed the ocean our ship time was majorly out of whack with the actual time zone.  This meant that it was like winter in Alaska - the sun rose really late!  

Harvest Moon At Sea

This photo was taken at six in the morning.  One of my favorite things about Night Photos at sea is the streaking of light.  The fact that I got that moon as round as I did blew my mind!

Harvest Moon At Sea

The following evening I was able to capture some moon beams.  

Moon beams feel magical.  Totally cliche but totally true.

A few more shots of the Harvest Moon....

I See At Sea :: A Fin Whale!

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Nothing perks me up at sea quite like seeing a marine mammal.  That sounds so ridiculously corny but, I just don't know how else to explain it!  A dolphin, whale, seal, or otter can make me feel down right euphoric and giddy.  Often times, if I have a large enough heads up that there is wild life in my general vicinity I'll run for my camera.  Sometimes they're too far off, sometimes the weather just doesn't cooperate and on rare occasions sometimes I keep the event simple and just enjoy my sighting.

Coming into California a few days ago I spotted some whale spouts nearby.  I quickly switched camera lenses and hoped a whale would make an appearance.

I tried to get a few shots but missed every time.  In the meantime the Captain joined me in my whale watching.  

There was a large spout and then the Captain realized this whale was going to stick around and yelled out, 'Haul Ass to the Port Side!!!!!!!!'.  So I did.

I literally ran with my camera as fast as I could to the Port Bridge Wing.  

The Captain was quick on my heels and there he was.  A pale blue outline against the deeper blue of the ocean.  

fin whale

My camera was up - focused and ready to snap away - when our lovely whale friend decided to make his presence known.  

fin whale

First his head came up - a sharper pointer nose - then he slowly arched giving us a good look at his blow hole and finally his sleek back and dorsal fin.

fin whale

After taking a good look at the photos we identified it as a Fin Whale.  Fin's are the second largest whale (the first being a Blue Whale) - and man, it was easy to tell our whale friend was a behemoth!  So long!

Clearly, I can't only post these photos - I took 19 photos before he disappeared from sight.  Enjoy the full experience!

Sayonara Japan

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outbound yokohama

I'm gonna tell you this and you're almost not going to believe me.  I went in and out of Yokohama, Japan which is Tokyo's port - in fact I went in and out of Yokohama six times - and I never went ashore!

outbound yokohama

When I tell people I work on cargo ships they imagine long exotic port stays but, on a containership the reality is we are in and out within hours.  If I want to prep the bridge for the next leg of they voyage, get a bite to eat and grab some zzz's then there is no shore leave for me.

sunlight chartroom

Here's the kicker.  I'm kind of an old biddie when it comes to being tired.  I hate it.

Four years ago I would have been pedal to the metal.  No sleep in 24 hours - No problem.  That is majorly not the case anymore.  If I get behind in sleep at the beginning of the voyage it takes me days to catch back up and feel like a functioning human.

yokohama sunset

I'll have to be content with sunlight outbound transits.  I'll guard my sleep and document sunsets thank you very much.

ACDC v1

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I have a watch partner who has  thing for ACDC.  I find random ACDC etchings all over the ship. Mostly, I find them in condensation.  Sometimes I find them on scrap paper.  Sometimes I find them in dust.  I've started taking pictures of these little offerings and it's strangely become a lovely collection!

My first ACDC photo is still the best because the sunrise just lit it up.

My first ACDC photo is still the best because the sunrise just lit it up.

“For those about to rock, we salute you.”
— ACDC

This watch partner of mine can often times be found air guitaring on the bridge wing or muttering drum solos under his breath.

I offer you ACDC v1 - I've got some more versions to follow!

Nautie Randomness.

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I'm loving the West Coast.  Listening to the Seals bark as I passed under the Oakland Bay Bridge this morning made me realize how happy I am to be back in this neck of the woods!  I missed you Best Coast.

I'm finally getting my containership bearings.  The only downside I can see so far is very little port time.  The flip side is that I was pretty used to that.  I wanted to run an errand today and realized I had zero time to do it in.  Just a little downside.

My room here on the ship is an absolute disaster.  Maybe I should do something about that...

My scalp is rotting off.  I can't figure out if it's my shampoo, the water or old age.  Any suggestions?  

I've been using Josie Maran's Argan Daily Moisturizer with SPF 47.  My face is loving me for it.  I'd say it's pretty much the bomb and you should check it out.

Some of my shipmates went home from the West Coast.  It always amazes me how sad I get when shipmates leave.  (don't worry....I'll be over it in two days....and then I'll be sad when the next guys leave...)

Thank you so much for letting me share my losses with you.  You've been so patient, letting me get a feel for the new ship and if I'm honest.....avoiding the slow internet connection.  I heart you so hard!

morning sky

morning sky