Life with Dylan

Month: August 2012

  • What is a Blue Moon?

    We’ve all heard the saying Once in a Blue Moon, but what is a Blue Moon?

    Folklore has many explanations – the second full moon in a month, the third full moon in a season with four full moons, and some believe the Blue Moon has mystical powers.

    Either way, a Blue Moon isn’t actually blue in color – but when you add a night sky filled with moving clouds, it is definitely magical.

    Last night was the first full moon of August and there will be another full moon on August 31, hence the Blue Moon. Since there is a full moon approximately every 29.5 days, seeing two full moons in one month is something quite special – something that doesn’t happen but Once in a Blue Moon.

    I did not crop this picture because I wanted to show just how bright the moon was. The sky was black with very few visible stars from where I was.  As each cloud pattern passed by the moon, the full moon illuminated them, creating shadows and depth – at times giving each cloud a silvery-blue cast.

    Mother Nature has a way of creating some pretty amazing things and the Blue Moon is one of them. Be sure to watch for the second full moon this month, the “real” Blue Moon, on the 31st.

    Oh, and if you think a Blue Moon is rare, just wait for 2018 when this phenomenon will happen not once, but Twice in a  Blue Moon. To learn more about the phases of the moon, visit the EarthSky website.

  • Goodbye summer – I will miss you

    Today is my first day back to work after having the month of July off. I go back to work with mixed emotions. Part of me is so happy to get back and do busy work, see my friends, and meet the new students – but the other part of me will be missing the lazy days of summer.

    The late nights and sleeping in. The carefree days of nothing planned and then ending up at a park. Oh, and the infamous late night trips to get a frozen yogurt before they close. The not wearing makeup – now that part I will really miss! However, I have grown to like myself with less makeup and may just keep it that way.

    Either way, getting back to a routine will take a few days. We always have the weekends to look forward to right?

  • Panda Love

    The last few days have been nothing but panda talk at my house … not to mention the various media outlets. Bai Yun made history on Monday when she gave birth to her 6th cub at the San Diego Zoo. This was a high risk pregnancy because of her age and ever since learning that she was showing signs of pregnancy, my son and I have been keeping our fingers crossed that all went well.

    We have spent hours watching the Panda Cam trying to catch a glimpse of the cub, but Bai Yun has been holding the cub very close. It amazes me that such big animal can hold something so small and not harm it.

    Today a video was released by the San Diego Zoo showing Bai Yun leave her cub for a brief moment to get a drink of water and the squeals were non-stop from my home. I am sure they could be heard down the block. The baby is just too cute.

    More than just a successful high risk pregnancy, this panda birth makes the San Diego Zoo the most successful Panda Breeding Center outside of China. That is some pretty big conservation news to brag about. Way to go San Diego Zoo and congratulations to Bai Yun and Gao Gao.

    I took the above photo of Gao Gao on July 4, 2012