So a quick update. Well, as quick as an old geezer who likes to pontificate can accomplish. I went out last night with my 70-200mm with a 2X teleconverter. I shot off-hand, as my sole purpose was to work on the exposure.

I was able to get the exposure problem under control, so I may try the 200-500mm again, but on a tripod. I’m still having the eyeglass fogging problem, but I have some drops from my scuba diving days that will fix that.

I’m proud to live in Texas, and until I had a heat stroke years ago (another long but interesting story), I could tolerate the heat rather well. Now, being more advanced in age, I have to pick my battles more carefully, so I may need to schedule my moon shots in cooler months. Good thing the moon is predictable every month.

I have branched out into astrophotography, which has some enjoyable benefits, but unless I travel to a darker area, I am restricted by what some call light pollution. Also, I purchased a tracking mount which will help a lot, but from the few locations in my backyard suitable to set up, Polaris is blocked by my house. There is a workaround for this, and I am investigating.

Let me tell you though, even though I thought my gear load was light, packing what I need requires the use of my donkey. His former name was Hoosier Daddy, but after I got him, I changed it to Donkey Hotay. As you may know, donkeys are independent cusses, and he is no different.

I’ve had recent surgeries that limit my mobility, so I use Donkey Hotay to do the heavy lifting. He has a sense of humor, as the last time I set my gear up I was not able to make the connection between my tracking mount and laptop, and I must have looked quite the sight trying to coordinate all of the gear.

Sweat was pouring off of me, I was fighting mosquitoes, and frantically trying to get everything set up before I lost too much blood to stay consciousness, or melted like the wicked witch in The Wizard of Oz, having sweated all of my juices away. I’m sure I must have looked like a one-arm paper hanger in a windstorm. Donkey Hotay was laughing so hard, I think you call it braying, that he barely made it back to the house after I gave up.

Oh, a piece of advice when you are holding onto the tail of a donkey for support. Remember what end of the animal the tail is located at. Also, remember, Donkeys do have a sense of humor.

Clear skies everyone,
Larry from Texas

So a quick update. Well, as quick as an old geezer who likes to pontificate can accomplish. I went out last night with my 70-200mm with a 2X teleconverter. I shot off-hand, as my sole purpose was to work on the exposure.

I was able to get the exposure problem under control, so I may try the 200-500mm again, but on a tripod. I’m still having the eyeglass fogging problem, but I have some drops from my scuba diving days that will fix that.

I’m proud to live in Texas, and until I had a heat stroke years ago (another long but interesting story), I could tolerate the heat rather well. Now, being more advanced in age, I have to pick my battles more carefully, so I may need to schedule my moon shots in cooler months. Good thing the moon is predictable every month.

I have branched out into astrophotography, which has some enjoyable benefits, but unless I travel to a darker area, I am restricted by what some call light pollution. Also, I purchased a tracking mount which will help a lot, but from the few locations in my backyard suitable to set up, Polaris is blocked by my house. There is a workaround for this, and I am investigating.

Let me tell you though, even though I thought my gear load was light, packing what I need requires the use of my donkey. His former name was Hoosier Daddy, but after I got him, I changed it to Donkey Hotay. As you may know, donkeys are independent cusses, and he is no different.

I’ve had recent surgeries that limit my mobility, so I use Donkey Hotay to do the heavy lifting. He has a sense of humor, as the last time I set my gear up I was not able to make the connection between my tracking mount and laptop, and I must have looked quite the sight trying to coordinate all of the gear.

Sweat was pouring off of me, I was fighting mosquitoes, and frantically trying to get everything set up before I lost too much blood to stay consciousness, or melted like the wicked witch in The Wizard of Oz, having sweated all of my juices away. I’m sure I must have looked like a one-arm paper hanger in a windstorm. Donkey Hotay was laughing so hard, I think you call it braying, that he barely made it back to the house after I gave up.

Oh, a piece of advice when you are holding onto the tail of a donkey for support. Remember what end of the animal the tail is located at. Also, remember, Donkeys do have a sense of humor.

Clear skies everyone,
Larry from Texas