SkyWatch Friday: It was electrifying

So a few weeks ago when TG and I went to Aiken, on the way home we stopped to gas up the flivver.
If you don't know what that means, you're probably too young to be on this web site.
Anyhow, as my darling did the heavy lifting I was fiddling with my camera and maybe looking at myself in the mirror (flaming narcissist that I be) and I even took a Objects In Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear picture of TG, just, you know, for posterity.
And as I thus amused myself I became aware of what appeared to be a flash going off behind me.
Several times, sort of creepy-like because I could tell without even looking nobody but me was taking pictures at the filling station.
And if you've never heard it called a filling station, you are definitely too young to be on this web site but stick around anyway. You may learn something.
Anyway, when my beloved got back behind the wheel I mentioned the flashing to him and he looked bewildered.
But then as we turned out of the parking lot, the flash flashed again and I saw it: a massive thundercloud built up in the distance.
My camera's not exactly set up to do justice to this kind of shot and even if it were I wouldn't know how to operate it in such a sophisticated manner, so you'll have to believe me when I say it looked amazing.
>+<>+<>+<>+<>+<
The red lights mark the tail-end of a tractor-trailer full of lowing cattle that was idling in the vacant lot TG found. That yellow light on the left is a street light. The big white light to the right of the cloud is the MOON and it was waxing, nearly full.
The thing you can't get from this picture is the hugeness of that cloud. I am sorry. Some things must be experienced firsthand to be believed.
And then it happened! Lightning flashed in that cloud -- not around it, not near it, but IN IT -- and I got so excited I lost my cool (always a rare commodity) and purt-near dropped my camera.
In all I must've taken eighty-five pictures and a few times I was rewarded with shots of the actual lightning in the cloud.
I know ... I know ... amateurish, yawn. All you pros out there? Step off! Cut me some slack! I did my very best to chronicle the phenomenal awesomeness of nature as it happened before my avid eyes and eager lens.
And not for nothing but I was totally in the moment and where I come from, that counts for something.
Happy Friday! Keep a weather eye on the horizon!


Reader Comments (8)
I'm impressed with those shots - so cool!
That second sky shot is fantastic. You have the best perspective (is that the word?) when taking pictures. The one with your hubby in the side view mirror proves that. I would never think of taking a picture like that. I'm too one-dimensional in my pictures I guess.
Those are fantastic captures. Electrifying.
Oh my God that is wonderful. I love watching lightning. You did great.
....hummmmm....UFO....that's what it was!
FANTASTIC SHOTS!!!
I Love them! Definitely better than a Pro could do!! HEY!! That makes You a Pro!!
Well Done!
hughugs
Mari ... if you are impressed, I am happy!
Debbie ... thank you dear so much for the compliment. I do love to look for the angle not just everyone might see. I'm glad you like it.
Carver ... thank you fellow skywatcher!
Irene ... lightning is a fascinating subject! No two strikes are alike.
Donna ... come to think of it, that cloud DID resemble a UFO! So maybe I really did do something extraordinary there! Oh well ... a girl can dream!
Wowsers - that's amazing! Nice job of capturing the light show! (love the rear-view-mirror shot too :)
Sue McG ... Thanks luv!~ I had fun with that little interlude.