I saw this storm coming yesterday afternoon and was casting about for something to stand on so Camera House and I could get a better view – then I saw the tractor. Aha, I thought. Forgetting that I had crostini in the oven and cheese straining and milk dishes in the sink I climbed aboard started her up and off we went. The dogs were all hiding because of the thunder and lightening and gathering winds, so alone, I drove the tractor down to the end of the track, turned North, parked in the middle of our little country road and waited for the storm.
I stood straddling the tractor seat in my short skirt and T shirt with my bare feet braced against the winds and waited. There was no traffic anywhere that I could see. Standing on a tractor seat in the middle of a road with my camera aimed at the sky did not strike me as unusual.
The storm thundered along.
Fast.
But not that exciting.
Hmm, I thought that’s not much of a storm shot. Interesting in a big country kind of a way, but we have been watching clouds like these for days.
Then I turned my head with Camera House following suit and looked to the North. I wondered whether this might not be a good time to skedaddle back home.
But of course I didn’t.
The storm was out to eat me. Bare feet and all. By now the winds had risen and the air was loud.
The storm clouds were changing fast, the temperature dropped significantly and the lightening began to flash with its friend the thunder getting louder by the minute, my hair was being blown across the lens, as the storm barreled down the road towards me so I decided to turn the tractor around and get on home.
In the end all we got were high winds and a bit of rain. Some of the towns close by were more badly hit, with big rains, damaging hail and dangerous winds. But we were OK.
The little layer flock were safe and dry in the new coop that Kim built. It is Part One of large complex and is perfect for the baby hens. They are off to a good start.
Not bad for the longest day of the year. Have a lovely day.
Your friend on the farmy,
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
65 responses to “Wild Storm Photos.”
The storm. We saw the storm coming and I worried about my meat chicken charges. The wind was from the south, so I put the protective board up on the south side, held with cinder blocks. Then, as C was taking her wonderful pictures, the wind shifted to the north! The rain was starting, but I ran out there to move the board to the north side. Note to self, don’t carry a light weight board upright into the wind, it will flatten you to the ground and the board will fly away. No worries, just get up and drag it low to the ground to the north wall and prop it up. I got my second drenching of my stay and the chickens were safe. If only there had been a wet t-shirt contest at the local bar. 🙂
I love storms and your shots were gorgeous. In a slightly different life (or maybe just a bit later in this one), I would be a storm chaser.
same! oh yes.. c
I have so say I love a storm…wind, rain, dark clouds and all. I grew up in flat West Tennessee and we would have these kinds of roiling storm clouds in the summer that you could watch coming in for miles away. I loved them as a girl and I love them still. Great shots Cecilia and happy all the peeps are alright.
Wow! Such good shots. We thought we were going to see the start of a tornado. Thank goodness it wasn’t. Could hear the wind howling just looking at the shots!
Wow! Stunning photos, Celi. Glad the storm didn’t result in anything serious on your farmy.
Oh my, that was a suspenseful post! I think of you often and tornadoes. I’ve been through hurricanes and they weren’t fun. Stay safe, Celi! I don’t want an amazing photo to be the last I ever see of you. Ach! But yes, those photos truly capture the splendid intensity of a passing storm and I’m glad you shared them. You’re a great photographer, and spunky too. 😉
Gosh, all I could think of (besides how beautiful your photos are) is that you were just asking to get hit by lightning.
not to worry.. I have angels.. c
Just as well it takes all kinds of people to make up the world! I am honest and admit I would have been in the storm cellar with about three pillows to mute out the sound 🙂 ! I admit the photos are mighty dramatic!!!!!!
Those were some impressive storm clouds. I’m not as brave as you, Miss C.
I would have run for the hills…which is why I live in the mountains rather than the wide open spaces!! 🙂 Beautiful shots!!
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Summer storms are some of my favorite days. I love the shots.
Such stunning photos. Those will stay with me for a long time. Glad it looked worse than it was!
OOh, That’s such wild weather. I was out on the west coast celebrating winter solstice. Wish I could have seen you there perched on top of the tractor!
“The storm was out to eat me. Bare feet and all.” This is a glorious line – from one who revels in watching storms. If I can’t be in the mountains, I’d like to be where I can see the winter storms roll in across the water.