The alarm is set for 3:00 am. Coffee is on the timer so it will be ready when I crawl out of a nice warm bed. Camera, lens and tripod are ready. This morning we'll have the opportunity to witness a rare lunar eclipse. One that hasn't been seen since March 31,1866, 152 years ago. It's going to be a Super Blue Blood Moon!

Super-Blue MoonA super blue moon soon to become a super-blue-blood moon. Photographed in Tucson, AZ on 01/31/18.

We start with the super blue moon. It's super because at this time the moon is in it's closest position to Earth. It looks larger and is brighter. It's called a blue moon because it's the second full moon this month. The moon does not have any blue color to it. This usually only happens about once every two or three years. And this is where we get the phrase "once in a blue moon".

First Quarter Super-Blue-Blood Moon EclipseThe Earth's shadow starts to creep across the super-blue moon. When complete, it will be a super-blue-blood moon. Photographed in Tucson, AZ on 01/31/18.

As we're watching the super blue moon, the lunar eclipse starts. This is when the earth's shadow from the sun crosses the moon. This type of eclipse can occur up to three or four times a year depending on your location.

Half Of Super-Blue-Blood Moon EclipseThe Earth's creeps across the super-blue moon. When complete, it will be a super-blue-blood moon. Photographed in Tucson, AZ on 01/31/18.

It took approximately one hour for the shadow to completely cross the moon.

Last Quarter Super-Blue-Blood Moon EclipseThe Earth's creeps across the super-blue moon. When complete, it will be a super-blue-blood moon. Photographed in Tucson, AZ on 01/31/18.

Once the moon is completely in the shadow of Earth it takes on the reddish color. This is where it gets the name "blood moon" and is applied to all lunar eclipses today.

Super-Blue-Blood Moon EclipseA rare super-blue-blood moon lunar eclipse. Photographed in Tucson, AZ on 01/31/18.

The blood moon photo has had no color adjustments to enhance the red color. Though I did make some minor adjustments to sharpness, clarity, contrast and shadows, the color is how it came out of the camera. The montage was put together in photoshop. I used a Nikon D800E with a Sigma 150-600mm f6.3 Sport Edition on a tripod.

montage super-blue-blood moon eclipse

I hope you enjoyed this little photo essay on the super blue blood moon as much as I enjoyed photographing it. The next one visible in the U.S. will be January 31, 2037. At 82 years old, I don't know if I'll be able to lift the big lens anymore but I'll try! Workamping in Tucson, AZ put us in the right place at the right time for this experience.