October 2024 - P52 Challenge

[Cassel]

Do you want to challenge yourself to take photos every week for a year?

Maybe you want to practice your photography skills, or just try to capture "ordinary" daily occurrences.

Let's just encourage each other.

This is a no-pressure thread, and you can share the photos you took or the theme you are going for (if you are going with a theme).

And if you don't want to share the photos yet, and only showcase them once they are in a montage or a scrapbook page, you can just say that you did it.

And it is ok to start your 52 weeks at any time. It does not have to start in January!

[Sue Thomas]

An ever changing landscape!  I drive through this valley en route shopping once a week, or once a fortnight.  An incredible display of  colour as  the sun was rising yesterday morning.  Well worth leaving early, even though I had to wait  for the shops to open. 

[Ann Seeber]

Here's my Week 39 for Sunday October 6. I call it "Hello, October!"

[Corrie Kinkel]

Sometimes, depending on the wind and weather conditions we have hot air balloons coming over our house. When we hear the sound of the burner we will have a look where the balloon is. Today was such a day and I went to look at the back on the patio if I could see the balloon which was quite low and just right over our house but already to far to take a photo, so I quickly went to the frontdoor, which was still locked.... I was on time to take a couple of shots, but I had backlight. Luckily there is a little tree and by standing a bit in the shade I could take the photos.

[Sue Thomas]

  On 10/4/2024 at 7:42 PM, Corrie Kinkel said:

Sometimes, depending on the wind and weather conditions we have hot air balloons coming over our house. When we hear the sound of the burner we will have a look where the balloon is. Today was such a day and I went to look at the back on the patio if I could see the balloon which was quite low and just right over our house but already to far to take a photo, so I quickly went to the frontdoor, which was still locked.... I was on time to take a couple of shots, but I had backlight. Luckily there is a little tree and by standing a bit in the shade I could take the photos.

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I had the opportunity, to go up in a hot air balloon, many years ago. It was a wonderful experience. A whole different view of South Glamorgan, and it's diverse coastline.  A lovely capture. It always pays to sieze  the moment.

[Corrie Kinkel]

  On 10/4/2024 at 7:55 PM, Sue Thomas said:

I had the opportunity, to go up in a hot air balloon, many years ago. It was a wonderful experience. A whole different view of South Glamorgan, and it's diverse coastline.  A lovely capture. It always pays to sieze  the moment.

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I had a ride in a hot air balloon, approximately 10 years ago as a gift for my 65th birthday. It was great to see the area where I live from the air and I even saw some deer grazing on a grass spot in a small forest. It was a fantastic experience and I would love to do so again, but alas it is rather pricy. 

[Sharla]

  On 10/4/2024 at 4:40 PM, Sue Thomas said:

An ever changing landscape!  I drive through this valley en route shopping once a week, or once a fortnight.  An incredible display of  colour as  the sun was rising yesterday morning.  Well worth leaving early, even though I had to wait  for the shops to open. 

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A delightful and restful photo - I could look at it for hours.

[Sharla]

Week 40 This is a photo of an installation called ‘Stars for Eternity’ inside Hexham Abbey. There are 6,000 paper origami stars made by local people and suspended in the chancel. 

 

[Sue Thomas]

  On 10/4/2024 at 8:36 PM, Sharla said:

A delightful and restful photo - I could look at it for hours.

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I'm  much obliged, for those meaningful words. I was thinking the same, as the window of opportunity to take the best shots was closing.

[Sue Thomas]

An occurance like this doesn't happen very often, well, certainly  not with such intensity.  The last time was in 1976 in Saskatchewan. A long awaited occurance happened last night.  KP7  (a measure of geomagnetic activity index).   Was it worth being outside taking pictures, until I couldn't feel my fingers any more?  Yes! It most certainly was. We also had our first frost last night.  The Aurora danced intensely overhead and south throughout the night,  from 9pm til  shortly after 5.30am this morning.  Needless to say I didn't  get to bed until shortly  before 5am.   With your permission I'd like to post an image per day until Friday. (Which is when my P52 week begins) Each one being different.

Auroras occur when charged particles launched along the Earth's magnetic field collide with gases in the Earth's upper atmosphere.   Those collisions produce tiny flashes that fill the sky with colourful light.   What does KP7 mean, you may ask!  Well, it means a strong storm, bright, dynamic and colourful aurorae, which is clearly visible in the southern sky.  KP8, would be a severe storm, bright dynamic colourful, clearly visible again in the southern sky. 

Edited October 8, 2024 by Sue Thomas

[Cassel]

  On 10/8/2024 at 10:51 PM, Sue Thomas said:

A long awaited occurance happened last night.  KP7  (a measure of geomagnetic activity index). 

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KP of 7 is forecasted for tonight too! Unfortunately, here, it is pourring rain.

For those looking for references: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/aurora-30-minute-forecast#

I also use an app on my phone called Aurora.

I just wished my phone could take those pics, but it does not. It is too old and does not have that powerful camera feature that newer phones have.

[Sue Thomas]

  On 10/8/2024 at 11:04 PM, Cassel said:

KP of 7 is forecasted for tonight too! Unfortunately, here, it is pourring rain.

For those looking for references: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/aurora-30-minute-forecast#

I also use an app on my phone called Aurora.

I just wished my phone could take those pics, but it does not. It is too old and does not have that powerful camera feature that newer phones have.

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KP7 is forecast again tonight for Saskatchewan too!  Oh that's a shame that it's raining. Clear skies forecast again  for here.  The probelm I have is dust polution from the  combines in the area.  Once the sun sets, it should get a  little damp, supressing the  dust particles in the air, for better shots. 

[Sue Thomas]

Carole, last night was again spectacular,  not anything like the night before, nor for anywhere as long either.  I would have it  was more of a KP3 or 4.  As the light show was much further north.  I stayed up until around 1am, then decided to go bed seeing as I  didn't get to bed the night before until around 5am. 

Edited October 9, 2024 by Sue Thomas

[Michele]

  On 10/9/2024 at 2:33 PM, Sue Thomas said:

Carole, last night was again spectacular,  not anything like the night before, nor for anywhere as long either.  I would have it  was more of a KP3 or 4.  As the light show was much further north.  I stayed up until around 1am, then decided to go bed seeing as I  didn't get to bed the night before until around 5am. 

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OMG, the colors!

[Susan Ewart]

  On 10/8/2024 at 10:51 PM, Sue Thomas said:

An occurance like this doesn't happen very often, well, certainly  not with such intensity.  The last time was in 1976 in Saskatchewan. A long awaited occurance happened last night.  KP7  (a measure of geomagnetic activity index).   Was it worth being outside taking pictures, until I couldn't feel my fingers any more?  Yes! It most certainly was. We also had our first frost last night.  The Aurora danced intensely overhead and south throughout the night,  from 9pm til  shortly after 5.30am this morning.  Needless to say I didn't  get to bed until shortly  before 5am.   With your permission I'd like to post an image per day until Friday. (Which is when my P52 week begins) Each one being different.

Auroras occur when charged particles launched along the Earth's magnetic field collide with gases in the Earth's upper atmosphere.   Those collisions produce tiny flashes that fill the sky with colourful light.   What does KP7 mean, you may ask!  Well, it means a strong storm, bright, dynamic and colourful aurorae, which is clearly visible in the southern sky.  KP8, would be a severe storm, bright dynamic colourful, clearly visible again in the southern sky. 

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Magical experience!  Incredible!

 

[Sue Thomas]

  On 10/9/2024 at 3:06 PM, Susan Ewart said:

Magical experience!  Incredible!

 

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Whateveer Mother Nature does or creates, one never ceases to be amazed by her!  Again  the word ineffable  come to mind.

[Cassel]

  On 10/9/2024 at 2:33 PM, Sue Thomas said:

Carole, last night was again spectacular,  not anything like the night before, nor for anywhere as long either.  I would have it  was more of a KP3 or 4.  As the light show was much further north.  I stayed up until around 1am, then decided to go bed seeing as I  didn't get to bed the night before until around 5am. 

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Interestingly, even with a lower KP, it seemed to have been a very different show. The colors are different too.

Did you get some in May when the KP was at 8? I'll have to go back and check.

[Ann Seeber]

  On 10/9/2024 at 4:55 PM, Cassel said:

the KP was at 8

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can you explain what those numbers mean?

[Cassel]

  On 10/9/2024 at 5:45 PM, Ann Seeber said:

can you explain what those numbers mean?

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I found this site with the explanation: https://www.theaurorazone.com/nuts-about-kp/ 

[Sue Thomas]

  On 10/9/2024 at 5:45 PM, Ann Seeber said:

can you explain what those numbers mean?

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I gave a simple explanation of what the KP index means in  the comments of the first aurora image I posted on Tuesday.

[Cassel]

  On 10/10/2024 at 5:52 AM, Sue Thomas said:

I gave a simple explanation of what the KP index means in  the comments of the first aurora image I posted on Tuesday.

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Oops. I had not seen it.

And by the way, it looks like the KP will be 8 tonight and tomorrow! At least, in my area, of eastern Canada. HOping for cloud breaks!

[Sue Thomas]

  On 10/10/2024 at 12:04 PM, Cassel said:

Oops. I had not seen it.

And by the way, it looks like the KP will be 8 tonight and tomorrow! At least, in my area, of eastern Canada. HOping for cloud breaks!

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We had another clear night last night.  This morning it's overcast, giving possible snow showers.  I'll wait to see what tonight fetches.

[Susan Ewart]

  On 10/10/2024 at 3:18 PM, Sue Thomas said:

We had another clear night last night.  This morning it's overcast, giving possible snow showers.  I'll wait to see what tonight fetches.

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boy, I'm lovin' week 41, hope it goes on for several weeks!  This is amazing.  Sometimes, do you look up and think, "I can't believe I'm so lucky to be seeing this".  nature being so dazzling is also emotional isnt it?

[Corrie Kinkel]

  On 10/10/2024 at 3:18 PM, Sue Thomas said:

We had another clear night last night.  This morning it's overcast, giving possible snow showers.  I'll wait to see what tonight fetches.

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It is an amazing light show from mother nature and you are so lucky to live in an area where it is visible. I hope that I once in my lifetime will have the opportunity to witness it too.🙏

[Sue Thomas]

Corrie, I hope so too,  that  you will get to experience the  aurora  at least once in your lifetime.  Night before last my daughter who lives in Haverfordwest West Wales, made a trip to the top of Preseli mountain in Pembrokeshire with others, and captured some awesome shots on her phone.  The very first time she had ever seen them.  Being a KP7 index  and higher, the viewing of them dancing can be seen much further south.  They are giving another high index for tonight, providing the sky is clear, go out after 10pm to see if you can  see them. Being on the same latitude you should see something. Don't only look north.

Yes, Susan, although I am fortunate to see the auroras dancing on a regular basis over counless years, this weeks' displays have outranked all the others I  have seen. Unreal how the skies were dancing this week, well into the early hours and longer. I have never seen anything like it. I am contantly in awe of the lady (mother nature) dancing the night away.   Last night I went to bed early, getting up at 3am this morning, to watch her still dancing.

I'm like Carole, I have  a basic phone, so I have to resort to my camera.  The slower the shutter speed the more colour I am able to capture. 

Edited October 11, 2024 by Sue Thomas