Total Lunar Eclipse 10-12-2011

Tonight's Total Lunar eclipse: This was one of longest lunar eclipse which started early in evening at 6.38 PM and lasted till 9.48 Pm . I wanted to capture the whole event from start to end but due to a call in evening missed the initial parts. Though sky was clear for most part , during total eclipse phase clouds disturbed for some time. This was what I could get!

I have taken these photos with ISO 100-400 and slow shutter speeds. In these settings with slow shutter speed even shutter release button can cause camera shake and to avoid these I used wireless remote for shutter release. Another problem I encountered was after moon goes up higher in sky it is difficult to focus camera mounted on tripod . I resorted to hand held shooting with fast shutter speed and this turns images almost like black and white as seen in last two pictures. I learnt many useful things here and would like to improve upon in future photos .

Santebenuur Honda ( Puskarini)

Sante-Bennur, a small town situated in Channagiri Taluk in Davangere District, is a place of historical importance. It was called Sante-Bennur on account of the large weekly fair (sante) held there, and to distinguish it from Male Bennur, Rani Bennur and others of the name. It was founded, probably in the 16th Century, by a chief of the Basavapatna family, on the spot where a hare had been observed to turn upon the hounds, which indicated heroic soil.The settlement of traders and merchants was encouraged, and a large market sprung up.Hanumappa Nayak, one of the chiefs, erected a palace at Sante-Bennur and had skilfully constructed Pushkarni (reservoir) made in front of the ancient temple of Ranganatha, faced round with flights of steps and with ornamental pavilions at the angles and in the center.
The Pushkarni is the biggest in Karnataka and is renowned for its architectural beauty. With a length and breadth of 300 feet, it is 80 feet deep. In all eight directions there are small mantaps (Towers) of which only six are in their original shape. In the middle of this magnificent reservoir, there is a bigger tower called Vasantha Mantapa which is about 50 feet in height.It is said that Hanumappa Nayaka, built this Pushkarni and the temple of Lord Ranganatha along side it in the year 1658 AD. Ranadullah Khan, a sergeant of the Bijapur Sultan defeated Hanumappa Nayaka in a battle, destroyed the temple and constructed a mosque of large dimensions there. Hanumappa Nayaka who had been forced to retire to Tarikere and Kaldurga, was greatly incensed at this, and watching his opportunity planned a night attack, in which he put to death the Muhammadan governor, and desecrated the mosque and rebuilt the temple that existed there.
After his death, the town came under the rule of Tarikere and Chitradurga Palegars. The Bidnur Kings later rebuilt the fort around the town and restored the Pushkarni and the adjacent Temple to its original grandeur.It later fell into the hands of Haidar Ali.The mosque, never used since its desecration, and the Pushkarni, with its ruinous but graceful pavilions are the only points of interest now left.
( This information and text from wikipediahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santhebennur )
Santebennur is in Davanagere district and about 45kms from Davanagere on Channagiri-Davanagere road.From Shimoga it is about 65 Kms. Shimoga to Channagiri 43 Kms and 20kms off NH towards Davanagere.