The first diary in this series focused on storms that happened on the afternoon of August 10. The storms were coming from the south, and one cell got stuck over the Wallowa Mountains and did not push all of the way through. Around sunset another cell, the strongest of the day, began to spill over the mountains. Sensing another photo opportunity, I again made my way to the hilltop vantage point near the Enterprise airport. On my way there, I took this picture next to the fairgrounds, where a livestock auction was in full swing.
None of the images in this diary have been enhanced in any way, other than a bit of cropping. This is the storm as my camera saw it.
The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns spinning around us.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
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At this point, there was impressive cloud-to-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning. I set about trying to get some elusive lightning pictures. Somewhere in my camera’s menu is more than one option to take multiple images. The option that I found only lasts briefly, and then reverts to single-picture mode. Not having time to read the manual, I had to settle for single images, and be quick on the draw. Since one lightning flash is usually followed by more, it was not necessary for my reactions to be as fast as the speed of light. Eventually I captured this image:
To the west, this wild-looking cloud formation loomed. Was it some kind of downburst? If your meterology skills are great enough that you recognize it, please leave a comment.
It was at this point in the storm that I got my best lightning shot, the one that leads this diary. In all my years of lugging cameras around, I had never gotten a single picture of lightning. Usually when a thunderstorm comes up, I’m running for cover, or the view is blocked by trees or buildings. This time around, everything was right. I had an unobstructed view, yet was far enough away that I didn’t have to worry about becoming a lightning rod myself. In the low light of late evening, the flashes showed up well.
Waiting patiently to capture more lightning…
With darkness falling, the camera’s autofocus became balky. The lightning was only three miles away. It was time to get off the hill, and to appreciate the remarkable opportunity that nature had given me.
All the time that the storm was getting closer, and the thunder getting louder, the auctioneers at the fairgrounds could be heard in the distance. I kept expecting them to close up shop, but there was livestock to sell.
Okay folks, it’s your turn. Tell us what is happening in your part of the world. I’m planning to take the day off (after two long days of field work) and will be around to read and respond to the comments.