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.”
Stunning photos, Celi! I’m glad you guys were ok… xxx
all good here darling!.. c
Good morning, Celi. 🙂 I hope you have a lovely day too.
Wow, those clouds! In the UK we just don’t get storms like that…well, not very often. I suppose I should be thankful for that (I am!) but there is something about the vastness and the wildness of midwest America that awes me.
We don’t get these is NZ either, this is why i am drawn to them I think!.. Good morning grace.. c
Those wide horizons give drama to every shot, Celi, especially the puny little farm buildings standing their ground against those rushing clouds. Hope the crostini and cheeses were attended to somehow! 🙂
The crostini was a little crunchy but all was well. c
Girl were you trieing to fry yourself?? Those clouds look low enough for you to reach up and touch them! Kim’s Koop looks great and has got me to thinking where I could put one like it in my garden. Is it also a tractor? Yay, for the shortest day (here) … that means we are on the way back to summer 🙂 Laura
Morning Laura, this one does not have wheels yet, but I am contemplating it. They said it was too heavy to pull around but I am a big strong girl!.. it has the sweetest laying boxes and roosts in the top part, though soon it will be only for laying, as they will be too big for the roosts.. c
My exact question!!!
And to finish, since I was so excited I replies first . . .
When you hear thunder, you should not be on a M.E.T.A.L. tractor with B.A.R.E. feet! and heading toward the storm!
he he! c
OMG girl, are you trying to tempt fate? Mind you I love to watch a good storm, but not so out in the open as you. My Dad an I used to love watching the storms at sea when ever we were on holiday down at Westgate (near Margate). Must admit the storms in the US are more extreme. Had a few ourselves past couple of days, but seem to go round me (I swear there is a glass dome over my little garden) and only getting small amounts of rain.
Have a great day.
Where i grew up on the beach we used to watch the weather coming in across the sea.. wonderful..c
Absolutely brilliants shots C! Magnificent!
Glad you are all okay.
🙂 Mandy xoxo
Fabulous shots, taken at quite insane risk! I have visions of you struck by lightning, your hair standing out from your head and the camera sizzling gently…
John was at work, or i would not have gotton away with it. he has a horror or lightening.. but i figured i was standing on the plastic seat of the tractor.. c c
The taller you are, the more attractive you are to lightning!!!
I know, but it was exhilarating!.. don’t worry darling.. i promise to be good!
Quite so, making yourself the tallest thing around in that flat, flat landscape. I’m very glad you’re safe!
I would love to be able to see flat land like that.I live in steep hilly area of wv.
I love a good storm. as long as there is no damage
WOW!!!
I’m with Jean. WOW!!! Those are some bodacious storm clouds. And the photos, even if they don’t amaze you, amaze me down to my toenails. I love how green the green is and how white the white is. Perfectly painted blocks of color with clean light, black shadows and bracing definition sizzling in between. Like a Charles Sheeler painting.
I am tempted to take these and work with them in PS, maybe create something for the wall.. c
Part 2: Stay safe.
What glorious storm clouds. Oh my! I can hear the wind blowing and feel the electricity in the air. Thank you and hopefully the kitchen “stuff” waited patiently for your return!
I’ve been watching those clouds roll and puff themselves, too!
I kinda’ miss that Big Sky, much as I love my trees…watching a storm sweep over like that brings back memories.
Awesome photos. 🙂
Those last three are really fantastic! I almost expected an alien space ship to land through the middle of the cloud.
I have to confess that I’ve been storm chasing in America myself – it’s probably not sensible, but seeing a twister in the distance is quite amazing 😉