Seems I spend a lot of time cloud watching which has expanded my nepholography* beyond still shots to time-lapse and video. Monsoon doesn’t last all year so need to take advantage of it, just like the Aridzona plants.
Rain over night has been common lately so one morning I decided to walk to the nearby driveway wash. I could see water had run and the pond was back but the crossing was drivable. The humidity and mosquitoes quickly chased me back home. Where I spent the day watching clouds while taking time-lapse, using the phone, as I’m entranced with the dance-like motion.
I’m working on a video where I’ll share the time-lapses and talk about the science behind monsoon and safety. Haven’t been using the Nikon for time-lapse because there’s something on the lens that shows as a backwards C when the lens is set wide between 18 and 35 mm. I can usually remove it with Lightroom in stills. I’m bummed about that, but the cloud watching makes me happy.
And if it wasn’t so buggy, I’d dance outside when a rainbow shows.
Instead, I published a SHORT teaser video about RVs.
Then spent the next two days putting together a video about choosing your first RV, making suggestions for things to look for before you buy.
Joann stopped by for a visit and the local Roadrunner came by.
Cloud watching continued throughout the day over the mountains to my east and west along with some rumbles but very little rain.
Until evening when a storm came from the north along with sunset.
The next couple of afternoons, huge storms descended from the north. Hard and loud directly overhead, I could feel the thunder from the tires up.
For a couple hours I was in ambedo** while cloud watching and taking video mostly to record the marvelous sound.
Then back to monsoon missing me pattern with lots of good cloud watching to the east and west over the mountains.
And celebrating the National Park Service 106th birthday, that makes me miss my job. Probably not enough to return to 40 hours a week. No time for that. (Here’s a post about the NPS history.)
I’m too busy paying attention when the Gray squirrel sends out a loud chirping alert. That paid off when I saw the “danger” as a coyote went past.
A new video editing app kept me busy with a rather easy learning curve and I published another SHORT teaser video.
I’m also busy cloud watching and the storms are changing. Coming from north is opposite the summer patterns, so I wonder if monsoon is almost over and Autumn is on it’s way.
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Nephos = Greek for clouds. Nephelococcygia (ne-fee’-lu-koe’-ku-jee’-u) as the scientific terminology for “cloud watching”. A person who photographs clouds is a *nepholographer.
**Ambedo – a kind of melancholic trance in which you become completely absorbed in vivid sensory details – raindrops skittering down a window, tall trees leaning in the wind, clouds of cream swirling in your coffee – briefly soaking in the experience of being alive, an act that is done purely for its own sake.
Love that word, ambedo. Much better than libido which is getting harder and harder to come by. I can really get that ambedo thing. The cloud photos are gorgeous, but as you know, time gets in the way of watching the videos, as does bandwidth. I do hope my “unlimited” with Verizon doesn’t get past the 22 gig mark this month with all the photos I am uploading. Nice to see the monsoon through your eyes. And yes, I get the nostalgia about your old work life. I miss mine too sometimes, especially when returning to places I worked or remembering all the great people I have worked with. As you said, not enough to do it again…no time for that. And digging holes, packing heavy soil samples, hiking rough terrain with shovels and rock bars and sampling equipment into wild places and steep slopes???? Pretty sure those days are as gone as my libido, but ambedo is alive and well.
Monsoon has been a perfect time for my ambedo, but not my libido. If I tether, Verizon will throttle me after 25gig, otherwise on the phone I’m glad for that unlimited data plan. Of course photos is a whole different story. Been fun to see where you are traveling these days.
wow ! Spectacular photo’s of the sky Gaelyn . I am enjoying your videos immensely. Glad you are enjoying your retirement. Take care and have a good week ahead.
Thank you. Between photos, blogging and vlogging I sure am staying busy in retirement.
Always variety and new. What prompted a close-see and admiration was the mini-you ranger, arrowhead plaque, and hat. A whole lotta service and thank you! Two magnificent sunsets doesn’t even look possible. I caught the bird on a wire and the coyote also serves as show for how high the grass! Love the language, keep it coming. I’m going to check out the first-time-RVer. I had a ponder- where do other park rangers retire?:)
Thanks. I had the best job ever, working for you. Most of the Park Rangers I’ve worked with move to small towns after retirement.
WOW, a stunning set of photos. Magic. Take care Diane.
Thanks. Be safe out there.
Beautiful photos. I love seeing the Roadrunner. Coyote too. Even Miss Sierra appreciates the view.
Thanks.
You are like the original sky person. Great shots of your dramatic skies. I love yourr road runner. I hate that the bugs are after you so much. You are turning into quite the techie.
Thanks. I really should link to SkyWatch and always forget.
As glad as I am to miss the Arizona heat I’m bummed we don’t get to see the clouds and rain of the monsoons! Love your variety of cloudy skies. That pic out the window with Sierra is great!
Been one of the best monsoon seasons in many years. Now it’s back to clear and hot. She’s such a poser.
What fabulous cloud and rainbow photos. If I had your skies I would be completely entranced and do little else but watch. What an amazing spot you are in. Except for those irritating bugs.
Thanks. It’s been an exciting monsoon.