Seeing Canopus

One of my astronomical resolutions was to observe Canopus (Alpha Carinae). The problem is that from my latitude (35.91N) this star with declination 52.696S never rises more than 1.39 degrees above the horizon. Yesterday was a clear night, although the humidity was somewhat high. I climbed up to the highest point in my house looking South at about 22:45 which was the moment of culmination according to my computer and planisphere. I actually managed to see Canopus as it was bright enough to pierce the orange glow close to the horizon. I watched it for some time to make sure it was not a light on a tall pole or a landing aircraft. It did however move in the expected path and was exactly in the predicted position so it could not have been anything other than this elusive star, the second brightest star in the night sky after Sirius. This observation was also my first view of the constellation Carina.