Since moving to the SF Bay Area in 2016, I’ve frequented Bedwell Bayfront Park and other waterfront access points. I’ve captured hundreds of images of the wildlife & landscapes. It’s also a good vantage point to capture moonrise.

Bedwell at night is a unique experience.

I wasn’t sure how strictly the park’s evening closure is enforced so I took a chance, parked in the lot at about 7 pm and walked to a familiar vantage point. The images in the following slideshow were shot my first and only night visit. I’d hoped to shoot timelapse of the moon-rise but the winds were gusting and blowing the camera around too much. I opted to grab some shots with slightly long exposure. Long enough to render yet short enough to avoid wind while I did my best to block with my body. Most of the park’s native wildlife probably comes out after dark. I saw jack rabbits, mice and skunks. However, I stuck to the main path and most efficient root in and out so I probably missed most of the animal action. < more about Bedwell >

Moonrise photography takeaways:

1. Take the effort to hump a sandbag for stabilizing the tripod in windy conditions. On the bay, the conditions are always windy. 
2. Don’t park in the main lot after sunset/7pmish. They locked the gate with my car inside. Sure I was screwed, calling in support seemed the only option. However, I took one last look at the exit road to confirm shut-in only to discover a construction zone in the fence and drove to freedom. The fence and gate have since been fortified. 
3. Listen and look for skunks. I encountered 6 and they had no fear. 
4. Bring a pad to sit on between periods of calisthenics.

Super Blue Blood Moon Over The Bay

A time lapse sequence shot from the San Carlos hills on January 31st, 2018. I used a Canon 5D mkii with 70-200mm f/2.8