Eclipse viewing in Pittsburgh near Staghorn Cafe, 21 August 2017 (photo by Kate St. John)
A small crowd convened last Monday to view the solar eclipse outside the Staghorn Cafe. Though Pittsburgh wasn’t in the path of totality we were still amazed by the shape of the moon moving across the sun.
Here are some photos from the event. The captions tell the story.
John English set up his scope to project the sun’s image (photo by Nancy Moeller)
A crowd gathered at Staghorn Cafe in Greenfield (photo by Tom Moeller)
The sun was so bright that Doug Cunzolo had to use an umbrella to shade the projection (photo by Nancy Moeller)
After moving the pallet into the shade, Doug adjusted the scope (photo by Kate St.John)
With our backs to the sun, we took pictures of the eclipse projection (photo by Tom Moeller)
During the best part of the eclipse I forgot to take pictures of the crowd. Many of us wore solar eclipse glasses. It would have been a cool photo but you’ll just have to imagine what we looked like. 😉
Satisfied group! After the darkest part of the eclipse, we stopped watching (photo by Tom Moeller)
See the comments for reports on bird activity during the eclipse.
(photos by Kate St. John and Tom and Nancy Moeller. See the captions for photo credits)
4 thoughts on “Looking Back At The Eclipse”
Did you notice anything with regard to birds, etc.? Only 61% where I live, so all I noticed was a dip in our solar production.
Kate, thanks for the eclipse update from Pittsburgh. I continue to follow your blog all year long after the busy falcon season. I did get to Pgh once this year to catch a glimpse of them soaring around the Cathedral of Learning. I was fortunate enough to be on the centerline of totality in South Carolina for the eclipse last Monday and wanted to share a composite of my photos with your readers. Please advise if this is possible and how to attach or send the photos to you. Thanks and I hope to see some of y’all next season ! Herm Donatelli, Atlanta, GA
Kate, a few raptor and bird watchers went to Braddock Bay State Park (near Rochester, NY) where we observed some natal dispersal migration of red-tailed hawks, and bald eagles before the eclipse. There were numerous dragon flies over the fields and swallows as well. As the eclipse approached, we noticed the absence of dragonflies. There were no swallows, and the migration of raptors ceased. We also heard cardinal’s song, which normally isn’t heard until dusk. The only bird activity we observed during the early part of the eclipse were caspian terns hunting. When the eclipse reached peak – 70% in our area, there was nothing moving. No insects, no birds, no flying, no sounds. It was interesting to observe this behavior.
In Pittsburgh I used iNaturalist to record bird activity 30 minutes before the eclipse, during it, and 30 minutes after it. The eclipse occurred on a hot day during the time when bird activity is usually at its lowest.
30 minutes before and after the eclipse there was no bird activity, no birds seen near the Staghorn Cafe.
During the darkest part of the eclipse the light level was like the beginning of dusk and there was more bird activity. Some flocks of mourning doves flew by, a turkey vulture, house sparrows, starlings. It was almost as if they were preparing to roost.
Did you notice anything with regard to birds, etc.? Only 61% where I live, so all I noticed was a dip in our solar production.
Kate, thanks for the eclipse update from Pittsburgh. I continue to follow your blog all year long after the busy falcon season. I did get to Pgh once this year to catch a glimpse of them soaring around the Cathedral of Learning. I was fortunate enough to be on the centerline of totality in South Carolina for the eclipse last Monday and wanted to share a composite of my photos with your readers. Please advise if this is possible and how to attach or send the photos to you. Thanks and I hope to see some of y’all next season ! Herm Donatelli, Atlanta, GA
Kate, a few raptor and bird watchers went to Braddock Bay State Park (near Rochester, NY) where we observed some natal dispersal migration of red-tailed hawks, and bald eagles before the eclipse. There were numerous dragon flies over the fields and swallows as well. As the eclipse approached, we noticed the absence of dragonflies. There were no swallows, and the migration of raptors ceased. We also heard cardinal’s song, which normally isn’t heard until dusk. The only bird activity we observed during the early part of the eclipse were caspian terns hunting. When the eclipse reached peak – 70% in our area, there was nothing moving. No insects, no birds, no flying, no sounds. It was interesting to observe this behavior.
In Pittsburgh I used iNaturalist to record bird activity 30 minutes before the eclipse, during it, and 30 minutes after it. The eclipse occurred on a hot day during the time when bird activity is usually at its lowest.
30 minutes before and after the eclipse there was no bird activity, no birds seen near the Staghorn Cafe.
During the darkest part of the eclipse the light level was like the beginning of dusk and there was more bird activity. Some flocks of mourning doves flew by, a turkey vulture, house sparrows, starlings. It was almost as if they were preparing to roost.