Not Just Sunsets

This side of Cape Ann is known for its sunsets, and they are pretty phenomenal. And the sunrises are pretty interesting--the sky to the west gets the same colors as that of the eastern sky just not the same intensity, and obviously without the sun. But there is something that few visitors get to see, really amazing moonsets. Many people see moonrises, the good full moonrises occur around the time of sunset, but full moonsets occur around sunrise. Of course the best ones happen before sunrise otherwise the sun washes out the moon. So unless you're up very early in the morning, say 4:30 or 5:00 AM, you dont really get to see really nice moonsets.

Moonsets pose a pretty good photographic challenge. A long lens helps, but the moon is very bright and the rest of the scene is still pretty dark. And since you only get about one a month, and it is wicked early in the morning (I just happen to wake up this morning to see it out the window), it is a pretty rare thing to photograph. When you do see one though, it is one of those "Oh, wow!" moments.