The August full Moon was a Supermoon as well as a seasonal Blue Moon.

Using The Photographers Ephemeris I realized I could photograph the rising Moon looking down the length of Upper Lake Mary from the Narrows picnic area. Arriving early I was able to shoot several photographs of the distant clouds (more on that later) reflected in the calm water. By using a 5-stop neutral density filter (ND) I took long exposures (2-6 seconds) which had the effect of smoothing the surface of the water.

So what about those clouds? There was a dissipating cumulus congestus cloud to the east but also some anvil clouds from distant thunderstorms in eastern Arizona. Would there be a gap in the clouds? Would I be able to see the Moon?  Yes, there was; yes, I did.

As the Moon barely cleared the top of some distant clouds it cast a long reflection on the lake. Because there was only a very small bit of Moon showing the reflection had very sharp edges. As the Moon rose higher and more of it showed the reflection became wider and had less distinct edges. Even more interesting, the Moon was causing parts of the distant clouds to glow and these also cast light reflections on the water. It was very interesting and beautiful. And it only lasted a few minutes as the Moon rose higher and was obscured by the distant clouds.