News : It came, we saw. Eclipse 2024 is in the books

Well, the world didn't end and all of the warnings given for emergency preparations, were a reminder of Y2K for me. When things were going to switch from 1999 to the big 2000, we were warned to stock up on supplies. And much like that warning, the same went out for this eclipse, " emergency officials are saying it's smart to stock up on food, water gas and other basics." it was another "boy crying wolf" situation.

Now it's been a while since I've seen an eclipse. The last time I saw one, I was standing outside of Tilford with the kids from my class...waaay back in the 70s. As I watched the eclipse yesterday, I remembered that day 40 some years ago. Back then we lived dangerously. We didn't have special glasses, but were told not to look at the sun.

This time I wasn't juggling a cardboard gadget to view the eclipse, but a heavy camera with a zoom lens, which I'm sure helped. I mean after all, it was a long ways away and I'm sure the zoom brought it a few feet closer.

I pointed my camera directly at the sun and clicked the button a few times. The camera wondered what in the world I was doing to it. Looking directly at the sun, the camera was trying to figure out what it was taking a picture of and it had trouble focusing. It finally took the picture and the camera still works. Even better, I didn't go blind from the glances that I took at the sun, like i did back in the 70s.

So here's just one of the shots of the sun after the eclipse where I think you can see some planets out there in the middle of the day.

Oh and some advice for the day after the eclipse, don't stare at the sun today either. It's really bright and not good for your eyes!