This is the first of a three night run of thunderstorms in the area. I photographed the storm from Bush's Service station high on a ridge overlooking the Grand River Valley to the west (East Fork). The arrival of the storm in our area was perfectly timed with the setting sun producing some interesting plays of light, shadow and clouds. I wish that I could have gotten to a location that didn't have power lines and telephone poles but I had no other vantage point. I did manage to move around enough to keep the lines and poles out of the field of view in a couple of shots. This storm was a very slow-mover providing ample time to use a variety of camera gear including fisheye and telephoto lens adaptors.
Watch
a radar loop of this day This may take a while to load.
Radar loop courtesy of National Severe
Storms Laboratory.
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B I R D ' S
E Y E V I E W A bird sits on a wire probably pondering this monster rain shaft on the western horizon. Nikon CoolPix 4500, 1/60 Second at f/5. 8:21 pm |
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The Sun Peeks Out
The sun came out from behind the clouds as it neared the horizon preparing
to set. This illuminated the underside of the storm for a brief time producing
some very neat effects. Nikon CoolPix 995, 1/60 Second Exposure, ISO 100
8:30 pm
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The bright sun illuminates the valley. Notice how the closest
line of trees appears darker than the farther lines.
8:41 pm
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S U N S E T The energy source that drives such storms as I witnessed on this evening sets behind the distant horizon. Nikon CoolPix 995, 1/30 Second Exposure, ISO 100 8:46 pm |
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D A R K N E S S
With the sun gone the skies take on an ominous look. The rain shafts filled in to almost all rain. Nikon CoolPix 995, 1/60 Second Exposure, ISO 100 8:55 pm |
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S H E L F C L O U D
A fisheye lens was used to record the entire extent of the shelf cloud as it moved toward us. The storm takes on a whole new look when seen in its full extent. Notice my camera gear case on the hood of the truck ready for another lens change. Nikon CoolPix 995, FishEye Lens Attachment, 1/4 Second Exposure, ISO 100 9:00 pm |
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A R R I V A L
The storm finally arrives. The cemetary can be seen on the other side of the field with Albany just beyond that. This storm produced no damage but did produce some rain and vivid lightning.. Nikon CoolPix 995, 4 Second Exposure, ISO 100 9:02 pm |
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A brief break in the distant rains allows light from the setting sun
to reach us one last time. Nikon CoolPix 995, 2 Second Exposure,
ISO 100
9:06 pm |
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Cloud to Cloud lightning was prevalent with a few cloud to ground strikes.
Never was able to catch a good cloud to ground strike. Nikon CoolPix
995, 4 Second Exposure, ISO 100
9:13 pm |
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Another lightning bolt adds to an already remarkble scene. Nikon CoolPix
995, 4 Second Exposure, ISO 100
9:15 pm |
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Radar
This is a weather radar image of the storm as it appeared at 9:07 pm. |