Approaching Storm

HERE IT COMES!

Approaching Storm, by Mary Stebbins. 

A note on posting

My Psions (palmtop computers that fit in my pocket) have all been incapitated so I've been unable to write in the field. Plus when I'm walking with Keith, I'm talking to him rather than writing. My life has made some significant changes.

Looking out at the Storm

Looking out at the Storm, photo by Mary Stebbins

This is what it looked like when I crawled all wet and soggy into my car and stipped off the first layer of wet clothes.

The rain, the impending darkness, and the soggy anti-hunter hat on the dashboard are all evident. 

Storm at Three Rivers

Sunday, November 6, 2005, 3:42 PM I am sitting on the ground under my tripod moping because I saw a shot I wanted and the sun was out, but as soon as I got the tripod set up, a big front moved in and covered to sun. I have the circular polarizer on and the clouds are great, but without the sun, no good, and it may not come out again today. At least it’s not raining. It was, earlier.

I am out alone and happy to be, looking to take pictures for my better photo course of color. And rule-of-thirds horizons, but, I may get neither, and I hope I don’t get soaked. I do have gear bags with me.

I need a wide angle lens for the sky but have no circular polarizer for the wide angle. A hunter thwarted my original attempts. I don't have enough hands or containers, so I have my flash and filters stuffed inside my bra.

Very storm black sky approaching! And with it, lots of wind.

4:08 PM It's raining. Not too hard, yet, but the sky is very black and it’s very windy. I am about 22 and a half minutes from the car, and it's thundering! I folded up the tripod and slipped the waterproof gear bag over Eeyore. I thought I had two with me, but I only have one, and ton of gear.

My orange anti-hunter hat just blew away and I had to run after it with all my gear banging around. More thunder.

In an effort to protect my gear, I plan a couple shortcuts and pick up the pace. This will cut my walk short, by a little, but it's raining harder and harder.

WOW! Awesome lightning displays. Massive thunder, and even with shortcuts, its a ways to the car.

4:28 I shorted myself about 5 minutes, walked 40.

I left the car unlocked. DUH!

I climbed in with all my gear still attached then unloaded it and peeled off my literally sopping and dripping blue shirt. My black shirt underneath is soaked too. I'd take that off and put on a dry fleece but there's a man in another car.

I had planned on going over the other part of 3 R, taking more pictures, perhaps walking a little more it the rain let up, but it's gotten dark and is very rainy.

I leave in the wrong direction because there are two men in two cars acting very suspiciously. I am relieved to be away from them.