Our modern ability to understand the mechanics of solar eclipses and accurately predict occurrences for thousands of years in the future has diminished much of the mystique surrounding them.
Imagine though, how frightening eclipses must have been for ancient cultures when the sun, the giver of life on earth, began to disappear and day turned to night. Virtually every culture had its myths, often involving some animal (Korea-dogs, China-dragons, Vietnam-frogs, Norway-wolves, India-the demon Rahu) swallowing or chasing away the sun. The ancient Greeks believed that the gods were angry and that disasters were imminent.
Since modern earth-dwellers understand why eclipses occur, all that is left is gaining a better understanding of the phenomenon. To really appreciate eclipses, you need to learn a new language with hundreds of new terms to digest. I found though, that understanding seven words—the differences between shadow types and different eclipse categories—made me surprisingly conversant.
There are four kinds of eclipses: total, partial, annular and hybrid. During a total eclipse, like the anticipated event on August 21st, the moon completely covers the sun and only the aurora of the sun is visible. This is the ONLY time you can look directly at the eclipse without eye protection and it may last from a few seconds to a minute or two.
During a partial eclipse the moon partially obscures the sun. Depending on the degree of the eclipse, you may see a tiny sliver of sun or a significant portion of it. DO NOT look at a partial eclipse without eye protection.
The annular eclipse is really kind of cool. This is a total eclipse but the moon and the earth are at the extreme of their orbit. Therefore, the apparent size of the moon is not large enough to completely obscure the sun and during full eclipse there is a perfect ring, or annulus, of sun around the dark moon. DO NOT look at an annular eclipse without eye protection.
The hybrid eclipse is a combination of a total eclipse and an annular eclipse. Which one you will see depends upon where you are on the path and which shadow is dominating at the time.
There are three kinds of lunar shadows: umbral, penumbral and antumbral. The umbral shadow is the darkest part of the shadow. It is only within the umbral shadow that a total eclipse can be seen. This shadow is also known as the path of totality.
Because the sun is far larger than the moon, the umbral shadow is a cone with the point of the cone reaching the earth. This point of shadow is far smaller than the diameter of the moon itself. The path of totality is typically 10,000 miles long but only about 100 miles wide.
The penumbral shadow is the weaker portion of the moon’s shadow where the sun is only partially obscured. If you are outside the path of totality but can still see the eclipse in part, you are in the penumbral shadow.
The antumbral shadow is created when the apex or point of the umbral shadow occurs above the earth’s surface. You might think of the antumbral shadow as the shadow of the umbral shadow and it is the mirror image of the tip of the umbral shadow. Annular eclipses occur within the antumbral shadow.
Like most people on earth, I have never witnessed a total eclipse. Despite my enlightened vocabulary and knowledge of eclipses, when I see the sun disappear on August 21st, will some deep corner of my reptilian brain spark with fear when the normally dominant sun succumbs, even briefly, to the lesser moon?
Wildlife License Plates
Great news! as of 2024, there are three NEW designs for license plates. They still are bluebird, cutthroat trout and elk, but they are beautiful.
Idaho Wildlife license plates provide essential funding that benefits the great diversity of native plants and wildlife that are not hunted, fished or trapped—over 10,000 species or 98% of Idaho’s species diversity. Game species that share the same habitats (such as elk, deer, antelope, sage-grouse, salmon, trout) also benefit from these specialty plates.
No state tax dollars are provided for wildlife diversity, conservation education and recreation programs. Neither are any revenues from the sale of hunting or fishing licenses spent on nongame species. Instead, these species depend on direct donations, federal grants, fundraising initiatives—and the Idaho Wildlife license plates.
Both my vehicles have Bluebird Plates. I prefer the bluebird because the nongame program gets 70 percent of the money from bluebird plates, but only 60 percent of the money from elk and trout plates - 10 percent of the money from elk plates supports wildlife disease monitoring and testing programs (to benefit the livestock industry) and 10 percent from cutthroat plates supports non-motorized boat access.
Incidentally, in 2014, the Idaho Legislature denied the Department of Fish and Game the ability to add new plates or even to change the name of the elk and cutthroat plates (very specific) to wildlife and fish plates, a move that would have allowed for changing images occasionally and generating more revenue. It would seem that they believe that we Idahoans don't want a well funded wildlife program.
I think it is time we let the Legislature know that Idahoan support wildlife funding and that we would like to see these generic plates come to fruition.
"WOW. What a phenomenal piece you wrote. You are amazing." Jennifer Jackson
That is embarrassing, but actually a fairly typical response to my nature essays. Since The Best of Nature is created from the very best of 16 years of these nature essays published weekly in the Idaho Falls Post Register (online readership 70,000), it is a fine read. It covers a wide variety of topics including humorous glimpses of nature, philosophy, natural history, and conservation. Readers praise the style, breadth of subject matter and my ability to communicate complex and emotional topics in a relaxed and understandable manner.
Everyone can find something to love in this book. From teenagers to octogenarians, from the coffee shop to the school room, these nature essays are widely read and enjoyed.
Some of the essays here are my personal favorites, others seemed to strike a chord with readers. Most have an important message or lesson that will resonate with you. They are written with a goal to simultaneously entertain and educate about the wonderful workings of nature. Some will make you laugh out loud and others will bring a tear to the eye and warm your heart.
Readers Write:
"You hit a home run with your article on, Big Questions in Nature. It should be required reading for everyone who has lost touch with nature...great job!" Joe Chapman
"We enjoyed your column, Bloom Where Planted. Some of the best writing yet. The Post Register is fortunate to have your weekly columns." Lou Griffin.
To read more and to order a copy, click here or get the Kindle version
Copies are also available at:
Post Register
Island Park Builders Supply (upstairs)
Barnes and Noble in Idaho Falls
Harriman State Park, Island Park
Museum of Idaho
Valley Books, Jackson Wyoming
Avocet Corner Bookstore, Bear River National Wildlife Refuge, Brigham City, Utah
Craters of the Moon National Monument Bookstore, Arco, Idaho