04/09/2024
今天北美洲上演了一場日全蝕，而我所居住的達拉斯 (Dallas) 也位於月球本影路徑上，許多人從美國各地蜂擁而至，連學校都停課了。我昨晚通宵研究天氣，但凌晨兩點時仍然無法確定。達拉斯的預報一直是多雲，令我感到擔心，害怕再次錯失這難得的機會。
多年前，我在香港因天陰錯過了日環食，這記憶一直讓我心有不甘。今次，我在地圖上仔細挑選拍攝地點，最後選定了一些在月影路徑上且天氣預報良好的地點，但它們都不在德州，而是在阿肯色州 (Arkansas)。若錯過此次，下次美國才能再見到日全食，得等上二十年。
於是，一早我匆匆起床，還未吃早餐就開車往阿肯色州前進。我甚至匆忙得在導航上設置了錯誤的目的地，駕車四小時後才發現自己來到了湖泊的另一邊。然而，這個錯誤的路線卻讓我找到了比原先計劃更好的地點。
雖然我是獨自一人前來，但卻並不孤單。我遇到了許多友善的人，有些也是從德州來的。當日全食降臨時，天空突然變得昏暗，熟悉的太陽被黑影覆蓋。大家都分享著難以形容的感動，這種奇妙的經歷只有親眼見證才能感受得到，也讓我覺得這趟遠行是絕對值得的。
Today, a total solar eclipse occurred in North America, and I live in Dallas, which was in the path of totality. Many people from across the US gathered here, and even schools closed for the event. I spent all night studying the weather, worried because the forecast was cloudy.
I didn’t want to miss this rare opportunity like I did years ago in Hong Kong. I carefully selected shooting locations along the eclipse path with good weather forecasts, but they were in Arkansas, not Texas.
Determined not to miss it again, I woke up early, skipped breakfast, and drove four hours to Arkansas. Despite setting the wrong destination in my navigation, I ended up finding a better spot by the lake.
Though I came alone, I met friendly folks, some also from Texas. When the total eclipse arrived, the sky suddenly darkened as the familiar sun was covered by the moon’s shadow. It was an indescribable experience shared with others, making the journey well worth it.
#美國 #阿肯色州
Photographer
