Summer Storm

A few months ago while I was at work, this storm was going by:



A friend and I went out for a smoke break -- I don't smoke, I just go for the break part. This was the view to the West:



More of the view to the West:



Then the temperature dropped about 15 degrees, and it looked like this directly over our heads:



Then the clouds started swirling and we went inside:

At the Japanese Festival

These banners depict carp, which swim upstream and therefore symbolize strength and perseverance. I'm going to need some of that on my first day back after the long holiday weekend.

As they say in Nihongo: Ganbatte, ne!

Michigan vs. Illinois: Round One

I've developed a thoroughly unscientific, completely biased theory that Michigan skies are the prettiest. Thus I present the first of several rounds of photo throwdowns.

Illinois:

Michigan:

Getting fancy with the camera

When you're on a road trip, you're not driving, and the sky is super-pretty, having a camera is a great boon.

Peace

East, West, North, South

Here in the Midwest, storms come on dramatically. This morning, I found myself racing one to work.

In front of me, to the east, were clouds and sun:

To the south, the clouds were advancing on blue skies.

Behind me, to the west, these clouds:

To the north, diagonal lines indicating the front:

Once I got to work, the scene to the west was this:

And to the east:

Once inside, I headed for the roof; this is to the east again:

These last two are to the south:

Sunday Morning, 6ish

A sky this nice makes being up this early a lot more tolerable.

What Friday Feels Like

Mountainous Clouds

Sometimes I wonder what it's like to live near the hulking presence of mountains. Today I found out -- it's a little intimidating, and very beautiful.

What the weekend will feel like

The forecast is for a high of 97 both days, with heat indices around 105. Ah, August.

Full moon, 9:30 last night and 5:30 this morning

Thanks to my sudden urge to photograph the full moon, I learned how to use the long shutter setting on my trusty digital Elph.

Granted, the shots are grainy and the moon did not come out as pretty as it really is, but still, it's the full moon, and now I know how to make darkness look like daytime.

This morning, 8ish

It was supposed to rain, but never did.

This morning, 6ish

Heat and humidity got together with the sun this morning to make some pretty clouds.