Friday, June 26, 2009

BIG STORM BLOWS THROUGH


Yesterday, the heat and humidity reached oppressive levels, and all who could hunkered down. Starlings and grackles sat with their beaks open, trying to lose body heat; I flipped the switch on the central air. Later in the afternoon, ominous clouds built up in the west,and thunder announced itself. I took down the umbrellas and cranked up the awning, moved a few small outdoor items that could turn into projectiles, and then waited. First to arrive was the rain, heavy and straight down, then the wind, driving the rain in sheets, grounding the handful of birds that didn't get to shelter soon enough. One robin tumbled by, tried to fly, then hopped to the lee side of the big ash tree to ride it out. A half-hour later when the rain stopped, he was gone, but the rain had been so heavy I couldn't see what happened to him.

The downpour was so solid, it triggered the motion-activated yardlight! Branches came down everywhere, shredded leaves were plastered against the windows, and the spreading red maple that offered so much shade in good weather eerily changed its shape. The best part of the storm (beyond the high drama) was that the temperature quickly dropped over 20 degrees. The sky cleared just in time for a beautiful sunset, so I could turn off the AC, and open the windows for some freshly washed air!

11 comments:

Great Grandma Lin said...

don't you love the fresh air after a storm, fun episode of summer storms...

Carolyn said...

I do like that cool fresh air after those storms but or so quickly the heat returns. Your captures are beautiful and the last photo is simply stunning...almost worth the heat and the storm!
Smiles
P.S. How lovely your little home by the water.

bobbie said...

Love the shot of your red maple in the wind. And that sunset is perfection.
That wonderful air after a storm...!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh I love Summer storms, Deb (as long as there is no damage). When the temperatures drop that much --it feels so wonderful. And the best thing is all of the clean, clear, cooler air that follows...

I grew up between the mountains in VA --and I remember sitting on our side porch listening to the thunder bouncing off of the mountains in the summer when storms were coming. It was NEAT.

Hugs,
Betsy

Quiet Paths said...

Wow, that is some shot of your tree. Can you imagine being out on the lake in something like that? Yikes. I see you did get your cooler temps.

Cloudia said...

Wow! I feel like I was THERE!
and the photos are great, Deborah.
Just WOW! Hawaii rain can be quite dramatic too...

Aloha

Comfort Spiral

Kat Mortensen said...

The last picture is stunning! We didn't get it quite so bad here - a couple of downpours and then a gorgeous rainbow (I caught it on my LG phone, but it's not worth posting).

Kat

Shelley said...

I'm glad you ended up with that beautiful sky at the end of your storm - beautiful shot!!

Sylvia K said...

Marvelous shots! You can really feel the storm and the wind! And what a perfect sunset! You have had some dramatic weather and changes lately! We're enjoying really lovely weather -- at least for a few more days at least! Enjoy your weekend, Deborah!

magiceye said...

loved the last image!

Anonymous said...

We had the same storm here. I was cranky originally, because I got caught in a downpour and ended up at a work meeting dripping water on the floor.

Attitude adjustment the next day, when it was 20 degrees cooler. I love summer storms!