When I lived in Washington on the wet/west side I grew to dislike the rain. Gray almost nine months of the year got depressing. And after about 12 days of gray I get kind of cranky. But now that I live in the desert, I relish the rain. So thought I’d share some recent stormy skies.
Headed east on I40 towards Flagstaff I soon experienced a heavy and angry rain so hard I pulled over to let it pass.
These unusual mammary clouds hung over Sunset Crater area north of Flagstaff threatening heavy rain.
Sure looks like rain over Echo Cliffs beyond the Painted Desert.
The clouds seem to mimic the shape of the Vermilion Cliffs.
Although it may be raining over the Kaibab Plateau in the distance the nearer fall streaks, or virga, means no rain hits the ground.
The sun does its best to break through over the Vermilion Cliffs.
And sends shaft of light in all directions.
Looking back where I just drove at the Vermilion and Echo Cliffs.
Do you love the rain?
All photos taken from recent drives to the North Rim Grand Canyon from Yarnell in Arizona.
I know what you mean about Washington weather, at least the eastern part of the state. It gets to me too when I am there. I guess the ‘grass is always greener’…a place too dry makes you want rain and vice-versa.
I found the wet/west side of the Cascades to be the most rainy and depressing Bibi. Yet in the desert the rain is relished.
I love the rain. I love to hear it on the roof of the coach. I love the powerful thunder and the cracks of lighning. I love to see it come over the mountains and race down the valley toward me. I love to walk or running in a gentle rain on a warm day. It seems so life giving to me. But I never seem to be able to get pictures like these of how beautiful it is.
Sherry
http://www.directionofourdreams.blogspot.com
I too love to hear and feel the rain Sherry plus there’s some powerful energy in the thunder.
Clouds and storms always look so much better in “big sky” areas than over cities.
We really enjoyed our rain last weekend here in San Antonio but that is because we haven’t had any in so long. Florida and Louisiana are sick of it because they have gotten so much. All in your perspective.
Love all these photos but I think I like the second one best. Diane
Thanks Diane. Those mammary clouds were spectacular.
Spectacular skies! I love the rain – I can’t get enough of it.
Susie, if you’re still in the PNW I’m sure you’re getting at least a little rain.
Well I can’t say I love the rain but I do miss it when it hasn’t been around for a month or so. I like it to rain at night so the world is fresh looking when I wake up. I do not like endless gray days. But being a native of W.Wa I need rain so the webs between my toes don’t get too dry. LOL MB
MB, you are too funny. I’ll bet you rust instead of tan too. I do love the smell of rain and the earth after.
Desert storms can be great for photography. It’s actually my favorite time to visit the desert. Lovely photos!
Thanks Christy. There is something very special about rain in the desert.
Kudos to the photographer – great sky shots! I love the rain here in Co. I love the forest smells after the rain, too.
Thanks Barb. Rain just seems to wash away any bad smells, forest or desert.
Stunning cloud and rain photos. Totally agree with you about weather in the northwest, which is why we pick August to see this area….Then move on! Lynda
Lynda, wise choice as August is usually rain free in the PNW. Of course that’s what makes it such a lush green.
Your photographs are wonderful! We hit the outer limits of several big rain storms while on 180 from Springerville to Silver City. We were lucky enough to miss the full force of the storms, just getting mostly sprinkled on a few times and one hard rain for about 1 minute! Clear sailng! Did you use a circular polarizer filter for the clouds???
Thanks Geri. Glad most of the rain missed you. It’s not really fun towing in the rain. Most of those photos were taken with the Fuji, no polarizer, while driving. My usual routine.
So fun that you and i are sharing road images at this time!
yours are QUITE gorgeous!!
i love those stormy sky images, beautiful
thank you ~
Barely anything better than a good road trip Tammie.
Right now in Tucson, it is raining. In fact, it has been raining everyday. I’m in love. Tomorrow more rain…and Friday? MORE! Pretty exciting stuff. Hope it keeps coming as we need it. Hope you had a nice day:)
I had a delightfully soggy day Chris and am so happy we are all getting the much needed rain.
This cool weather is awesome. I got an hour walk in today along the wash which is now a river…and was it cooooool.
Nice for you to get and walk in cooler weather Chris. We got heavy rain this afternoon and more due tomorrow.
Beautiful captures, Gaelyn. Living on the dry side now, I am coming to appreciate the infrequent rains myself.
Living on the “dry” side made me appreciate All the seasons Sally.
Great photos of the stormy skies over the desert and I love the ones of the sun peeking through. I agree, we tend to love what’s rare where we live. I like rain and stormy skies a lot more because I don’t see them often.
Janie, it’s hard to believe you don’t get some of this monsoon rain further north. Everything is so green here because of the abundant rains.