Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Storm brewing

We've had a couple of hot, humid days (31C/88F) which exceeded the forecasted highs of 27C/80F and 23C/73F. The sky had become progressively cloudy during the day but nothing that looked threatening. However, during the news after dinner, the weatherman said our area was under a thunderstorm warning. While some thunderheads were visible to the north and south of us, we were still blessed under a patch of blue.

That didn't last long, however, as storm clouds gathered in the west. I grabbed the camera and tripod and shot some of the cloud formations. At one point, large drops of rain started to fall, and you`ll see a few drops on my lens on the last shot. Then, suddenly, the sun burst out of a hole in the clouds, bathed the front yard in brilliant sunshine, and produced a rainbow that lasted less than 30 seconds. As quick as the sun appeared it was covered with dark clouds again, allowing me just enough time to get a few shots.

Shortly thereafter the clouds burst open - but I had already sought shelter indoors. We received a deluge for a good 15 minutes - sans lightning and thunder - and then it was all over.

(first shot made with 70-200mm lens, last 3 shots made with a 10-22mm lens - all at f11 and ISO200, with shutter speeds of 1/500, 1/2, 1/4, and 1/20 sec respectively)

click on photos to enlarge



31 comments:

Lisa Gordon said...

That sky is amazing Rick.
The last photograph is absolutely beautiful.

Nancy said...

I love these kind of storms -- well not being in them, but because of the awesome skies that come and go so quickly. Great shots, Rick. You were lucky to get the rainbow! :)

Ruth Hiebert said...

Extraordinary light!These are spectacular.
The heavens declare the glory of God.

Carolyn Ford said...

the scarier the approaching storm the greater the photographs! These are awesome, Rick! Love the last one...wow!

ju-north said...

These would be worth getting wet for!

darlin said...

Wow, it was a don't blink time from the sounds of it, you might have missed something. Did it remind you of Alberta by chance? ;-)

I love your shots, the last one is fantastic. I guess it's my favorite because I love the sunshine.

Have a great week!

My name is Riet said...

Prachhtige foto's Rick. We hadden hier gisteren 33 graden C dus heel heet en gisteravond en vannacht is het verschrikkelijk slecht weer geweest. Onweer en regen. Ondergelopen straten en huizen. Gelukkig wordt het vandsaag maar weer 22 graden. Dat is een stuk lekkerder.
Fijne dag!

Katherine said...

Such ominous looking storm clouds. They're amazing photos Rick .. the sky really is such a magnificent subject for a photo .. doesn't matter the weather! Stay safe during those storms!!

Karin / Southern Meadows said...

Storm clouds are fascinating. The last photo is spectacular!

Anonymous said...

Dear friend, what a moment in your picture... Nature is powerfull and sometimes scares us...

When a I was in Michigan, some years ago with my soon we had a unforgetable experience with a thundrstorm... It was so close, but thank God, nothing bad happend...

Nice pictures...

Hugs from here...

(sorry about some English mistakes)

Su.

Elizabeth Grimes said...

That last photo is unlike anything I've seen. Beautiful captures!

Michelle said...

That last shot is just stunning.

Unknown said...

The last picture is beautiful!

A grey sky makes you assume that the landscape MUST lose it's color, but NO, the sun finds a way to peek threw the thick layer of divine wrath spreading color and a rainbow :-)

Greetz,


Joseph

Cicero Sings said...

Storms can be lovely! Especially these short, summer storms.

Fábio Martins | Fotografia said...

The fourty photo is extraordinary! Good job

magda said...

Surveys of the lens extremely storm!
Congratulations Rick!
a hug

imac said...

Wow very profound skies Rick

Soraia Brito said...

Great shots! :D

Soraia Brito said...

Thank you! That photo was taken in Cascais (:

Saz said...

Wow Rick! What absolutely stunning photo's! I love thunderstorms! I love to listen to them, and watch for the lightning. (:

I think it's weird when your walking along or something, and one minute it's dry, the next it's absolutely tipping it down. Really strange, but always funny, haha.

Sweet Lily said...

Great pics!
Wonderful post!
Keep it coming!
We all are always here to support you.

Here I Am Carrie said...

Just love the lightening in the last photo. Clouds and storms can be so mesmerizing to watch. Wishing you a wonderful coming weekend. Hugs Carrie

Marisa said...

Ciao Rick,
it's hot here too, but that's why we have these wonderful shows like you've got!
kiss

Jeanne Frances Klaver said...

Blankets of clouds, then the rainbow appears...Nature's really showing off for you!

Anonymous said...

Mighty nice shots, Rick, but that last one is AWESOME! I love pictures like that... the sun shining on just sections of the shot, not to mention the ominous sky in the background & a rainbow to boot! You rock! =)

Rick said...

Thank you Lisa (ABC paid off, again).

Thanks Nancy - preparation + opportunity = luck ;-)

Thank you Ruth - so right !

Thanks Carolyn - so fortunate I was already out shooting - would have missed the opportunity otherwise.

LOL Julia - I was trying to have my cake and eat it too ;-)

Rick said...

It sure was Darlene - and it did remind me of Alberta (don't like the weather ? wait 5 minutes !). Thank you - enjoy your Canada Day weekend !

Dank je wel, Riet ! 33C - dat is erg heet ! 22C zou toch wel een beetje lekkerder voelen dacht ik. Fijn weekeind.

Thanks Katherine - I always like a dramatic sky - it looked much more ominous than it turned out to be. Have a great weekend !

Thank you Karin - right place, right time ;-)

Su - great to hear from you, and thank you. Yes, storms can be scary moments, but they provide opportunities for interesting photos. No problems with your English - much appreciated !

Rick said...

Thank you Elizabeth - the light was very strange with darkness covering part of the landscape and brilliant sunshine in the background; glad I caught it.

Thanks Farmchick !

Danke, Joseph - truly amazing what can happen during a storm, and yes, some of those clouds did really look wicked ! Enjoy your weekend !

I always enjoy them Eileen - a brief blast of fury !

Obrigado, Fábio !

Rick said...

Thank you so much, Magda. I hope your weekend is wonderful, and peaceful.

Thank you Stewart ! 'Our' royals are enjoying them too ;-)

Thank you Soraia ! I will have to look Cascais up - must be a lovely place.

Ha ha - thanks Saz; I just don't like to get caught in those moments when it goes from dry to downpour - especially not with my camera !

@The Tame Lion - thanks for stopping by, and your kind words. (always enjoy your posts for a chuckle !).

Hi Carrie - thank you; I enjoy watching storms and seeing what I can capture (not much luck with lightning. yet).

Rick said...

Hi Minusca - thanks for visiting and your nice words. I hope to visit you soon. Hugs. Ciao !

And I was so fortunate to be there to capture it when she did, Jeanne ! Thank you.

Thanks Tricia ! It was a really strange sight - had I not been looking on that side of the house I would have missed it all. Talk about a trifecta !!

Lisa said...

Just amazing