June 25th Storm

This one hit fast and hard. Towards the end when it was just the big hail stones falling, one could hear them hitting the metal roofs over at the fairgrounds.

June Storm

Well we finally got hit by hail, and I didn't have a panic attack. Focusing on taking pictures really helped I think. Chuck said I did a lot better with this storm. I had most of the computers unplugged, my weather radio blaring on the table, my phone had the radar going and camera in hand. I stayed on the porch as long as I could, then the hail started bouncing everywhere. The south porch ended up being too wet and had more hail bouncing on to it, so I went to the east porch for a while.

Found some fasinating clouds to start things off. Right before the storm hit, the vultures were out in force riding the currents.

Then the rain column headed towards town.

Yes I know these would be better with out the trees but that would have meant heading out of town to get the "whole" shot. Given the fact we had the garage cleaned out for both vehicles I wasn't about to take one out. It was a rather nice feeling, as those great big rocky chunks hit to know that the vehicles were safely put away. When the hail started you could hear them hit one at a time a smack here then another one, then they all hit at once.

And the rain, it was like someone dumped a large bucket of water and ice.

Naturally I couldn't find a golf ball to compare these too, so just had to make do with the ruler. There were a lot of very jagged pieces. Lots of marble size pieces as well. Sheldon thought I was nuts when I asked him to go out and pick up hail.

Anyway, enjoy.

Birds

We have discovered at least 3 bird families in the ponderosa's, so I enjoyed some time sitting on the porch with my handy dandy camera. Chuck actually found the blue jay nest and I was off on a picture taking rampage. After taking over 300 pictures it is hard to narrow it down to just a few that I think are neat. So here we go, I give you the "Birds"


Blue Jay Family



Robin Family



Starling Family



Mourning Dove



Finches


Not sure what these are yet, when I find the book will figure it out.

I think this is a Western Kingbird but I am not sure.