Full Moon over Puget Sound

All the elements come into line last night, with sunset at 7:39 pm followed by a full moon scheduled to rise at 7:47 pm. Just a touch of thin cirrus clouds streaked the sky which was otherwise flawless. As we launched under the train truss from the Steilacoom ferry launch, it was first time that I noticed just a tinge of fall in the air. We’ve had an unseasonably dry summer this year, and I’m surprised to find myself looking forward to some cooler and wetter weather.

The plan was to cross over to Ketron Island and film the moon as it rose over the ridge bordering Fort Lewis. As we made the crossing I was struck at how deserted the waterway was. With the exception of the MV Christen Anderson making her rounds to our old homestead Anderson Island, the southern sound was devoid of any other boat traffic; commercial or private craft. This is by far one of the best times to be on the water. Warm days, cool nights, beautiful golden sunsets, and even the sounds are different. It seems as if a lot of the background noise is muffled and all you hear are the cries of gulls, or barks of distance seals. It’s enchanted.

We made the crossing and started pulling tripods and gear out of the hatches. As we started setting up, it wasn’t long before the glow of the rising moon could be seen to the east. It looked as if a train’s spotlight was backlighting the trees on top of the ridge. We spent the next half hour filming the moon with both cameras and camcorders. The moon was so bright that when it came time to stow the gear, we didn’t need to use our headlamps at all. On the paddle back I noticed Theresa was casting a reflection on the water much like she had during the sunset.

It had been a long day at work, and tomorrow might we might need an extra mug of coffee to make it through the day, but it was well worth the effort to get on the water with 'Selene', the Greek moon goddess.