Several Middelburg residents were left disappointed this past week after failing to catch a glimpse of the much-anticipated ‘strawberry moon’.

Well-known photographer Patrick Lightfoot braved the cold on both 10 and 11 June in the hope of capturing the rare moonrise. “It was just a full moon,” he said, although he still managed to take a lovely photograph.

Despite the name, the ‘strawberry moon’ does not refer to the moon’s colour. The term originates from Native American traditions, marking the peak of the strawberry harvesting season.

What made the moon so special this week, is because the moon was at its lowest in the sky in almost 19 years.

• The moon is often most spectacular during moonrise and moonset. With fires and smoke in the air, the moon can sometimes even appear golden, especially when it is this low on the horizon.