Stormy, Stormy Night

It's the July 4th Weekend and it was a scorcher down here. We had some things to do and met Kenze, Drew and Norah for some shopping and a DQ. When we got home it was a beautiful evening, the pool was too tempting so wandered over for a dip. Out to the South East was a billowing mass of clouds that were pulsating with light.

Quite a light show for the 4th.

This was a very lucky shot. I just pointed the camera and started shooting every few seconds hoping for this. And I got it. In the light area in the upper left hand corner there is a lightning swirl.

Here it is in a cropped close-up. Who knew bolts went in circles?

Now I suppose you thought sane normal people would get OUT of the pool with lightening and thunder all about. But my devotion to my readers overwhelmed my good sense and so I kept shooting. Some of these look different because it was nighttime shooting and I don't know an aperture from an f-stop. I was putting the camera into all sorts of programs so forgive the unevenness of the pictures.

For instance this was on some sort of Night Scene fireworks setting...

While this was on some sort of "burst" mode, whatever that means.

It was a dazzling display and something you might see in a sci-fi movie; one of those where the alien spaceships use clouds to mask their arrival.

While that front was to the west of us, to the north we had this nice little cell coming in.

Another circular bolt. I always thought bolts went to the closest conductive object.

This is my lame attempt to electrify you with some astounding shots. I am standing at the doorway of the back porch looking up and by chance caught these two bolts overhead.

DID YOU KNOW?

Afternoon thunderstorms, usually generated by the interaction of the Gulf and Atlantic sea breezes, are such a regular occurrence during the summer that the Tampa Bay area is recognized as the "Lightning Capital of North America". Every year, Florida averages 10 deaths and 30 injuries from lightning strikes, with several of these usually occurring in or around Tampa. Wikipedia

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