Lunar Eclipse Melbourne {15 April 2014 - Blood Moon}

I've had a long standing delight in witnessing solar and lunar eclipses.  It all started in 2011 when we got up at some crazy hour in the morning to see Lunar Eclipse {16 June 2011} this in turn started a quest to know when the next Solar eclipse in Australia would be.  This resulted in our journey to Queensland in 2012 during which time we experienced a total Solar Eclipse. Last year we took a trip to Ballarat to see the Annular Solar Eclipse {10 May 2013}. Today we had the privilege of witnessing a lunar eclipse at sunset over the bay in Melbourne.

To start the evening the sun painted the most spectacular sunset behind us

We were disappointed as we gazed out over Port Philip Bay in Melbourne as there was a large bank of clouds across the bay. But still we hoped that the prevailing wind would clear it in time for us to see the Blood Moon. Paul and Sir N set up their camera's on tripods and I scanned the horizon using my phone app The Night Sky.

There's the moon just below the horizon

Preparing to capture the Blood Moon

We waited patiently and then all of a sudden there before us. Unfortunately not very clear due to the cloud cover.  

Blood Moon with Mars to the left and Melbourne lights below over Port Philip Bay

We watched for another hour as the red faded and was replaced by the suns rays of light reflected back at us.

The Blood Moon is fading as the moon reflection returns

Almost half way back

Just over half way

Three quarters back

Just a smidgen to go

The moon in her full glory reigning over the night sky

Here are two of Sir N's captures

Taken by Sir N

Taken by Sir N

For more information

•  There's A 'Blood Moon' - A Lunar Eclipse At Sunset Tonight In Australia. Here's How And When To See It
• What is a Lunar Eclipse ? by Monkey See great explanation about lunar eclipse for children.
• How Does a Lunar Eclipse Work?
• NASA Understanding Lunar Eclipses
• Marine Corps Nomads has a FULL photo story of the complete Lunar Eclipse: Blood Moon April 2014

The next lunar eclipses will be 

• 8 October 2014 (Melbourne viewing times full eclipse is at 9:27 pm)
• 4 April 2015 (Melbourne viewing times full eclipse is at 11:00 pm)
• 17 September 2015 

The next Annular Solar Eclipse

• 29 April 2014  (Melbourne viewing times full eclipse is at 4:04 pm)

Did you see the blood Moon last night ? If you did what did you think ? If you blog and shared some pictures please leave me a link I'd love to see your photographs.

Blessings
Chareen

Reflections - Beauty Captured {Wordless Wednesday}

I'm joining in with the Pebble Pond's Beauty Captured Challenge

The Moon - Beauty Captured {Wordless Wednesday}

I'm joining in with the Pebble Pond's Beauty Captured Challenge

HSMJ - I need more sleep

In my life this week…

Why is it that when people are angry with one another that they take to defamation ?  I've seen this happen to someone special this week and then was reminded of the scripture in Isaiah 54:17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.

I have resumed my photography course! I was feeling a little despondent with it all and a friend recently encouraged me to take it up again.  What do you think ?

In our home school this week…

• We are enjoying Season 2 of The Brinkman Adventures
• Started a new geography book by Ann Voskamp.  So far we are both enjoying it.
• Plugging away at spelling and history
• Resumed recorder class after our time away.
• Completed Studying God's Word Book C.

  

  A look at our last two weeks via Instagram @chareenr

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

• Falling off the Charlotte Mason Wagon over at Jimmie's Collage. Four signs that will tell you you have fallen off the Charlotte Mason Wagon. 
• I am absolutely shocked to read this post but feel that it is in your interest to be careful that this book does NOT come home with you from the library  ALERT: Is this in YOUR child's library at school? {"Stuck in the Middle" by Ariel Schrag}
• 428th edition of  Carnival of Homeschooling
• How to Use the Flipbooks  over at the Paper Maid
• Fraction Addition Made Easy: Clocks! over at Love 2 Learn 2 Day.
• FREE! Sea Creatures Printable set over at Homeschool Encouragement.
• Watch as 1000 years of European borders change 
• Cool Math Games 
• Do you have children that enjoy building with LEGO ?  Nikki has a fortnightly challenge for older and younger students. 
• Carnival of Homeschooling- Still Winter Edition  over at Golden Grasses
• Educating with Minecraft 
• Finishing Strong Linkup for Homeschooling Middle School 

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

• Some time at a park with families for a play date.  I have been trying to get to this park for six years.  I am so pleased that I finally made it there
• We went to the park at Buckingham Reserve the childrend had a lot of fun. 
• Tennis lessons on Thursday
• Play dates with friends.

My favourite thing this week was…

• 7 Things You Really Need When You’re Overwhelmed and Can’t Keep Up

Things I’m working on…

• Tuesdays Treasures - The Wheel on the School
  
  
• Second Language Program Review - Mango Languages 
• Cartoon drawing with Sir N - Turbo
• Beauty Captured a Wordless Wednesday link up
• Help this little persons dream of loads of birthday cards come true.  

In Bloggy world I’m reading…

• You have a voice.  "One voice can make a difference, one voice can change the world, one voice can make it better ..."
• Image of Baby’s Hands Touching His Fingers Highlights Dad’s Moving Letter to Miscarried Son
• An Injured Dolphin Approached this Diver for Help. If your children like dolphins this is cute to watch :)
• Weekend at Corinella over at Dingo Den's Travels.
• A 50-cent microscope that folds like origami 
• 9 Things We Should Get Rid of to Help Our Kids 
• Computers are not the devil 
• Thanks, Pharma. You created the “anti-vaccine movement”  very interesting article.
• It Seems Like A Random Guy Just Walking Around Aimlessly. But When See Him From Above… 
• Kid friendly Green Smoothie Recipe 

I’m cooking…

• I really want to try out these Zucchini Oven Chips

On Pinterest I found...

• Suzie has started a new collaborative board called Aussie Homeschool Adventures

I’m grateful for…

• Those who study and share their wisdom and insight in 5 min talks.  I've enjoyed these ones on sleep this week
  How to succeed? Get more sleep by Arianna Huffington. "shares a small idea that can awaken much bigger ones: the power of a good night's sleep. Instead of bragging about our sleep deficits, she urges us to shut our eyes and see the big picture: We can sleep our way to increased productivity and happiness -- and smarter decision-making. "She
  Why do we sleep? by Russell Foster. "He is a circadian neuroscientist: He studies the sleep cycles of the brain. And he asks: What do we know about sleep? Not a lot, it turns out, for something we do with one-third of our lives. In this talk, Foster shares three popular theories about why we sleep, busts some myths about how much sleep we need at different ages -- and hints at some bold new uses of sleep as a predictor of mental health."

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

“Music is God's gift to man, the only art of Heaven given to earth, the only art of earth we take to Heaven.”
~Walter Savage Landor

Blessings

Chareen

Photo collages made with: Photoscape a FREE photo editor

Beauty Captured {Wordless Wednesday}

I'm joining in with the Pebble Pond's Beauty Captured Challenge

Whimsical Wordless Wednesday Photo Challenge – Week 2

Today I'm taking part in Savannah's Whimsical Wordless Wednesday Photo Challenge. This is a new weekly challenge with the opportunity to win a prize. The challenge is hosted over at Hammock Tracks.

This weeks challenge is

1. pink
2. orange
3. brown
4. stripes
5. yellow

Interpretation is up to you.  Be creative! Grab your camera (DSLR, point and shoot or phone) and get snapping.  The linky is open for 5 days. This weeks prize is Rachael Ray 365: No Repeats: A Year of Deliciously Different Dinners (A 30-Minute Meal Cookbook)

I have developed a love affair with macro photography of late and it's spring around here so the flowers are just begging to be photographed.

pink

This inch plant is spectacular when in full bloom.

orange 

I loved the delicate nature of the center of this beautiful orange flower.

brown 

I loved the way this cheetah looked so deep in thought.

stripes 

We saw this boat at the Tall Ships festival a few weeks back.

yellow

Looking at these flowers makes me realise why Australia's colours are green and gold!

Looking foward to seeing your challenge photo interpretations
Blessings
Chareen

PS Once you've linked up over at Hammock Tracks leave me a note so I can come on over and see your beautiful photographs and experience the world through your lens.

Linking with
Hammock Tracks
Pebble Pond {Beauty Captured}