september sky

After a long hiatus from photographing the night sky, the almost full moon caught my eyes. It was flanked by the top of two pines, surrounded by a hazy glow. Oh so pretty! It lured me to capture it. Fully knowing the waning moon would have traveled higher, by the time I had my camera in hand. I decided to shoot the moon anyways. No cool composition, just an orb in a sea of darkness.

9/16/24

After my brief night sky shoot, I put my jammies on and sat down next to my hubby to read. Whatever he was watching on TV chattered away in the background. Before flipping any pages, I checked my phone. My eyes grew w-i-d-e as I saw the potential Aurora Borealis geomagnetic indicator was at KP 7. Um. Yah. Just like the moon *that* got my attention. 

It quickly turned to "should I or shouldn't I chase the fickle lights"? I've been skunked locally more times than I care to admit. Mostly during low solar activity years. False hope gets old. These days my sleep takes priority over any sky event.

As I am sure you know, we are currently in a more active Solar Maximus time period. I decided to take a chance. Got dressed and grabbed my camera. It was on stand-by. Like every crazy light chaser, you preset your camera and prep your gear any time there is a real possibility. 

We headed out the door full of wonder. Shortly after 9pm. My nice hubby came along and drove us about a half an hour away. We arrived to find one car already watching for the lights. 

9/16/24 9:45pm
(lightened for scenery)

It was a beautiful unseasonable warm night. It felt weird not to be bundled up in Winter gear! I not so patiently waited. I always say, I was in the bathroom when God handed out patience. After checking my phone a hundred times, I decided to wait until 10:30pm. I always feel guilty when Brad is waiting for my photography, especially on a chance. He was content in the truck, listening to tunes and likely playing games on his phone. I popped back-n-forth from my shooting spot to the truck, giving Brad updates. I was delighted to have the safety of his company!

Much to my surprise, the lights briefly came on!! Nothing spectacular, but it was fun to practice. The last time I tried shooting the Northern Lights, was on my 2018 photographers group trip to Alaska.

9/16/24 10:46pm

It was the night before a full moon and very bright outside! No doubt the moon washed the colors out. The only visible color to the naked eye, was a faint hazy red (less pink). Straight up. Above the dang power lines. What is a girl to do, other than shoot where ever the lights are. 

10:46pm

10:46+pm

10:47pm

10:48pm

10:49pm

back by our truck 10:50pm

fading 10:51pm

In less than 10 minutes, the Northern Lights were gone. Shortly after, we headed home. I have no doubt they became visible again, at some point. If not the same night, then early the next day. I zonked out until 2:20am. I tried SO HARD to talk myself into going back outside again. With the lights shining high in the sky, there was a good chance I could have seen them from our land. Our next door neighbors have.

Maybe next time. It could happen.

first and last

This weekend is/was Padame's first and last time showing this season. Although she attended five shows spread out from March to end of August. The first was for exposure/training. She needed it. At her second show in April, Padame came up lame during practice and ended up not showing. 

An MRI revealed nothing in particular. Her course of treatment included a shot of ReNovo, followed by no training with continued partial turn out. She eventually began incremental rehab workouts.

Padame attended her third and fourth show with the trainer, to continue rehab. At least she got some kind of show exposure. Earlier this month Padame was deemed sound, and cleared to go back to full training. It took around 4 months. 

I am glad ReNovo worked for Padame. It did not work for Koda. He remains lame off/on.

Brad opted not to ride Padame during rehab. What little time was spent under saddle, was better done with the intuitive trainer she lives with. Just a few weeks ago, he started riding and connecting with his horse again.

Onto the first and last show:

Wisconsin Horse Shows continue to shrink. This season ending five day AQHA State Show was no exception. Almost all Youth classes have no one entered. How sad!! Hunter Jumper classes were also empty. Those folks chose not to attend, rumored to be because of venue/footing. The largest Ranch class I saw had 10 entries. Almost all had a lot less (4-5). It is a good thing Horse Showing is an individual sport.

Padame was only shown by the trainer. Although Brad did ride Padame in the practice rings, on no-show days. He noted a significant difference in her maturity.

Below are a few no so great cellphone shots of Brad's blondie, who turns a lot of heads.

Padame 8/31/24

For the show inclined, Padame's Ranch Riding scores ranged from a high 72.5 to an odd low 64. There was a judge that didn't like anyone she saw and scored much lower than the other two judging the same ride.

The scoring can drive a person bat shit crazy!! Everyone starts with a score of 70. You go up/down from there in .5 points increments, based on skill execution aka personal opinion...every skill, every judge opinion, two different days.

The State show was double sanctioned by both the Wisconsin Quarter Horse and Palomino Associations. On Friday, the two Palomino Judges placed Padame 1st (5 entries) in riding and 2nd in conformation (4 entries). No scoring. Saturday she got 2nd in riding and was scratched from conformation, so the two ranch horses could go home at a decent hour. They were so ready to leave the show chaos.

Padame 8/31/24

It was so fantastic and heart warming to see our long-time horse friend at the show, overcome her serious health problems. We used to all trail ride together back in the day. Most people never ride again after having a stroke, and she is even back showing. Nothing short of a miracle!! So well deserved. Brad has his show buddy back :)) Below they are getting ready to load horses.

Padame & Brad with Checkers & Peggy