On Thursday, July 21st 2005, AP Photographer Petros Giannakouris captured the "rugged elegant" photograph of the day. More appropriately, it should be called "the rugged elegant photograph of the night".

Whatever it is called, it is magnificent!

The full moon rising was captured behind the ancient temple of Posseidon, in Sounio about 45 miles (73 kilometers) south-east of Athens, Greece.

Last night's full moon appeared larger than usual.

The reason? The distance between the Earth and its only natural satellite was at its closest -- about 223,306 miles (357,290 km) -- until 2007.

Giannakouris also caught the full moon when it was positioned directly behind an Olympic Games sculpture. The photograph below was taken from the beachfront suburb of Palaio Faliron in southern Athens.

Full Moon Joins Olympic Circles in Greece Photograph by: Petros Giannakouris

Last night, Athenians headed for a number of the capital's vantage points to catch a glimpse of the full moon.

Moscow Moon

Meanwhile in Moscow, Maxim Marmur managed to magnify a monastery with the moon.

Mmm, mmm, magnificent!

The AFP photographer captured the golden crosses of Moscow's Novodevichy Monastery as they are silhouetted against the full moon.

In San Francisco, where the clouds and fog were kind enough to part for a moment, I caught a glimpse of the very same moon from my daughter's bedroom window.

Next month, we will see it from the coast of Maine. Sounds like the perfect opportunity to plan a campfire at the beach.

Aug - Dec 2005 Full Moon Dates

Friday, August 19th
Sunday, September 17th
Monday, October 17th
Wednesday, November 15th
Thursday, December 15th

Full moon dates are based on the Eastern Time zone in the U.S. Because of time zone differences, the full moon in your area may occur on a different date.

Until then...

Thank you Petros Giannakouris.

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "once in a blue moon" living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC