The clouds were still hanging low behind the Sandias when the first full moon of 2021 rose cost to 6:00 pm tonight. Between the brightness of the full moon and the clouds, my lenses had trouble finding a sharp edge to get a sharp focus. I miss the old days when I could dial a lens to infinity and the moon would be in focus. I didn’t have to deal with finding edges in bright objects to focus on.
Mama Owl sunny side up
Uncropped photo taken from the irrigation ditch bank right under the owls just before sunset.
Cropped photo of Owls taken after sunset from the levee near the Tangle Heart tree.
Off Center & Not Even 
The moon over the Sandias looks beautiful, Tim. And of course the owls are very regal looking.
I see the moon through intermittent clouds up here tonight.
Thanks, Lavinia. That’s good you get some glimpses of it.
Spectacular!
Thanks, Dale.
Gorgeous captures! Love the owls!
Thanks, Cindy.
I know what you mean about the old days of focusing. I kind of adjusted my process. I max zoom the lens, turn on the camera. If the auto-focus is on I let it sharpen the focus. If the lens is in manual focus, I adjust until I think it’s sharp.
Hi David. I only turn off my cameras to change lenses or if I’m not using a body for a while. Shooting stars is most often a problem. I generally focus to what looks clear and then lock the focus. Or I focus on the moon, if its out, and lock the focus.
Shooting stars, that’s the hardest to photograph. They’re so brief and you don’t know what part of the sky they’ll appear in.
Moonless here, Tim. Owless as well.
So thanks for sharing, these great shots, Sir.
No moon or owls is a sad state of being. Thanks, Inchcock.
Too true! Haha!
My wishes came true and I’m overjoyed these are the first images of the first full moon of the year that I see. Most rewarding, my friend. 🙏
I also love the owls bonus!!!
Thanks, Marina. I was wondering the the clouds were going to clear enough. They cleared enough to give the moonrise a bit of interest.
“A bit” you say?!!!! It was perfect!
Nice shots and warm colors, the owl is also satisfied 🙂
Thanks, picpholio.
First sleepless night of 2021 and rather too cloudy to enjoy this!
The moon was messing with your mind and you didn’t get to see it. That is most unsatisfying. Thanks, Couriers.
Timothy, honestly, every post tops the one before and that is quite something. Thank you.
You are welcome, Shey. Thanks for dropping by.
Superb:)
Wow Timothy. Breathtaking.
Thanks, Gabriela. The kitties and I send our purrs and hugs to you, Maya and Mr. Churchill.
Good morning Timothy. Thank you very much. We need them. Sending love to everyone 🤗
Fantastic photos of that moon, Tim! And those sunny owls, as if they’re saying, “Sure you’ve caught us in the warm, golden sunlight but just try to capture us in the cold, silvery moonlight.” My favorites today are the detail of their feathers…and the moon through the branches…and the moon just breaking over the Sandias…
Thanks, Mary Jo. That sunlight is cold. Is was not much about freezing. On June 18, 218 after waiting for the moon I did get the moon behind an owlet: https://photos.tandlphotos.com/blog/2018/6/waiting-for-the-moon
Yes, I know, it only looks warm 🙂 Thanks for the link, as the owlet and other photos are amazing as well!
A false sense of warmth.
Che belle foto!
Grazie Simona.
Wow! So awesome!!!😍
Thanks, Tiffany.
Gorgeous!
Thanks, Holly.
Beautiful. 🙂 The moon and the birds look so bright!
Thanks, Linda.
Amazing shots!!
Thanks, Leyla.
Wow….lovely lunar pics Tim…..simply gorgeous🌛🌜
Thanks, Ruelha.
🌜🎀🤩
Love the lacy moon! It’s interesting to see Mummy owl up close with her feathery ears and tiger-like stripes
Thanks, Susan.
Lovely moon shots, Tim!
Mama Owl is so pretty in that light. How can you tell daddy from mama, if they are not beside each other?
Thanks, Resa. Mama owl is more yellow and Daddy owl is more gray.
Heavenly Tim!! And those owls to top off such beauty …
Thanks, Julie.
Beautiful!! 💙
Thanks, Anabel. How are you and Ketty doing in your enchanted piece of the world? Is it still cold and snowy?
Sorry Tim, I haven’t seen this message until now. The weather is changing, and this year I think spring will come earlier (if I’m not mistaken) 😉 Say hello to Glenda from this part of the world 😊