Eclipse!

There's a harbour and beach that's quite easy for us to get to so we go down there often. It's a good place to watch an eclipse from and I wanted to see how it felt out and about.

It was a lot of fun, there were loads of people about, the harbour was full of the sound of people talking and laughing, and kids jumping in the water. We got chatting to people around us and we shared around the welding glasses I'd bought (yes, solar safe). So many people didn't have anything to view the eclipse with, though I saw a few colanders in use. Having so many people around did get a bit overwhelming so we left not long after 'maximum' (also so we could get some groceries while the shop was quiet).

I'd got some solar film, cut a circle of it out and put it inside a polarising filter. In previous eclipses I'd been trying to hold a welding glass in front of the lens while trying to compose and focus a shot, not a great experience. This was so much better. I was using a Nikon P1000 that has an extremely zoomy lens, I use it to take Moon photos normally. The UI on the thing could be better, it was a pain to focus at some points but I did get some good photos. The one above was one of the practice shots before the eclipse just so I wasn't going to be futzing with settings instead of enjoying the event.

It has begun! The dimmer skies started to be noticeable at this point.
This is the best photo I took. Just before maximum, but it was super clear and sharp.
Just after maximum. All the ones at actual maximum didn't come out right, it's really hard to focus the p1000 sometimes.
These two I took with the iPhone, obviously one through a welding glass. I like both, even though if you ignore the crescent sun in the lens flare they're just pictures of a harbour.
So many people! I don't think I've ever seen it that busy.
All the people out and about having picnics got the seagulls all excited.
Away from the harbour, a bit later on as the eclipse was coming to an end. Lens flare!