Calamus Lake

Friday morning I was scanning Google maps looking for somewhere to go when I noticed a park S of Niantic IL called Calamus Lake Nature Preserve. Though sizable in terms of acreage, I had never heard of this place. A search revealed that it was maintained by the IL Department of Natural Resources (link) so I decided to check it out. The main entrance with small parking area was completely overgrown. I looped halfway around on a rough service road that would be impassable when wet only to find no legitimate access point. Walking into the dense forest, the lake bleeds into the forest as marsh and viewing any significant open area was impossible. Having spotted several sets of large coyote tracks the size of a man's hand as well as dung around a couple trees, I chose not to venture far. I did spot a distant coyote in an adjoining field while I was approaching the main entry.

Note that it fills the basin of a tire rut.






Around the above sign was a small swarm of Blue Dasher dragonflies.

May 24 Storms

By most accounts this day would have been a non event with the exception of one key factor, storms traversed the state in an unusual E to W fashion. We started by targeting a cell near Vandalia drifting SE to NW (that is correct) to SW of Taylorville along IL 48. Although we didn't get to the best side which would have been W of Springfield, viewing the complex from the backside with W light filtering through the canopy made for an interesting experience. My only regret this day was not saving radar grabs which would've helped better tell the story.

Looking E


Looking W at the main complex.




My nephew loves to make a big noise out in the middle of nowhere.


Facing W, a significant outflow boundary went overhead. You can make out the "wave" as illustrated by the darker rolling area. A small lowering develops as result.




Heading back as we had somewhere to be, looking NE at another cell over towards Atwood that too is drifting back to the W.


Mammatus is typically illuminated directly but again, since the storms orientation this day was juxtaposed, sunset light creates an effect not commonly seen. You are looking SW on 48, at this time storms were on top of Springfield to the W.


Stonington in the foreground.


Remember that storm over Atwood? After dark it finally arrived. Likewise remember the outflow boundary from much earlier? The W to E storm ended up colliding with the S to N moving outflow boundary over top of S Dewitt County. The end result was as said on FB, a completely juxtaposed situation as you are facing N and everything is moving R to L. The lightning with this storm was constant.






After the above show was over, I headed home to get ready for work. Yet another E to W cell developed behind the above so en route, I was able to get a few more lightning snaps. The cell was incredibly small yet the CG rate was intense. Below, creative cropping at 3:1 aspect ratio because it was almost out of frame.




and finally from out back, the cell pretty much died overhead making the end to this day perhaps the most convenient yet. Should be noted that 18-55 kit lens is not kind for lightning photography :(

Severe Thunderstorm SW of Taylorville IL

A series of strong storms developed along I-70 in S IL Thursday evening. The cells I was most interested in were from near Vandalia to Effingham. Unfortunately there was no way I could get down there before they would either dissipate or move towards IN however, a strong storm drifting NE from near St. Louis caught my attention. It would be the only one to earn a warning so I took off towards Assumption and then over to somewhere S of Taylorville. I anticipated that it would die or be near to doing so by the time I arrived which ended up verifying. Just a few minutes after the first snaps, the warning was canceled and all that was left was some brief heavy rain.









Heading back, I noticed the setting sun peeking through so I decided to spend some time on a country road to see what would happen. The last light of day ended up generating colorful opportunity as evident in the rain bands. The distant line is the actual cold front that had been drifting along ever so slowly.


After the above, I was facing E for awhile trying to get distant lightning on storms now over by Charleston/Mattoon which proved unsuccessful. With the showers from above having pressed on, mammatus from under the anvil appeared and was catching the last bit of light.


The only lightning capture way off at lower right. Those crawlers which I missed would fill the lower half of the scene. No complaints as it was just nice to be outside.

Barns n' Buzzards

Yesterday I took my nephew to Weldon Springs State Park in Clinton IL as it has become his favorite place to explore. We were treated to a unique sight in that a flock of turkey buzzards were perched atop the big barn of the old Nixon Farm. Was a bit unsettling having them all watch us with a wary eye.



As we neared, they all took off except for one that was not afraid though it too would eventually join its counterparts.


This barn is located off site towards the NE.


The trail we were on eventually leads back around to the large barn. Take note of the smaller Redwing Blackbirds who were very effective at keeping the buzzards in check. Any time the buzzards would make a move that didn't sit well with them, they would go on the offense. You can see this interaction in the image after this.




Distant convection over Mount Vernon IL as seen through the 300mm.


and finally...

Mother's Day

As those who know me know, this holiday since 2008 has become somewhat of a bittersweet one. There isn't a day that goes by that I do not think about her and when you are an only child with both parents lost to cancer, it has a very significant impact on your outlook towards life. I am by no means a depressed individual because of it though my priorities are markedly different than most people. The path of life is for me, crystal clear and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel hence I try to savor each step along the way, making the best of it while I am able. This is perhaps no more true than out on Facebook where I throw comments and compliments at any chance, often at total strangers who might be uncertain as to whether I am friend or foe. While many place significance on career, family or experience, mine is on opportunity and maximizing on whatever is placed in my path when it happens. You see this with the things I produce which labels my interests as impossible to categorize but not far from the things any given person may enjoy. I'm just like everyone else with bad days and problems but it is my hope that when my time comes and we can look back on the life that was, my path has left as positive of an impression on those I have encountered as did our Mother.

From this morning at Weldon Springs, many thanks to all of you ladies who do so much for our babies.

May 3 Weather

It's been a busy week hence the late entry but one I hope you find worthy nonetheless. After work on Monday, I noticed a blob of shallow convection towards the NW so I decided to have a look. Dismissing at first as simply being fair weather cumulus, I was amazed upon getting out into the country to see an unusual multi-cell entity that I cannot really describe other than being it's own "mini storm". What sold me on this being something more than just cloud was the developing arcus on the SW flank indicative of outflow. Could a cloud this small be capable of generating significant outflow resulting in the formation of an elevated arcus cloud? Apparently it can so I set up the cameras and the rest of the story can be seen in the video following the stills.




VIDEO LINK



In spite of knowing that more significant storms were forecast for later in the day, I went to sleep for having been awake the night before. Setting an alarm for early afternoon when I thought initiation would take place proved useless for I was awoken by the sound of thunder around 12:30PM. The first storm of the day was overhead and to my surprise, had a .50" hail marker coming at us. Moments later, the hail indicator verified and the *ping pang ping* sound snapped me to reality. Upon passage, Ava wanted to go out and pick some up so we did.


Seeing as there was more activity developing to the SW, I geared up and headed E on I-72. Next cell in line was another hailer to go over Decatur and this time more over the S portion on into Mt. Zion. Image below was simply an interesting base on developing convection to the NE as seen from the Argenta exit.


Near Oakley, second Decatur cell to my SW.




Pausing at US36, I allowed the storm to pass overhead an intentionally get "cored". It was here I observed 1.00" hail that can be appreciated in the montage video found below. After the passage, I followed the storm briefly before abandoning for another cell back building down towards Moweaqua.




Heading down into SW Moultrie county, I intercepted the SW flank of this next cell which had some interesting structure.




Allowing the above cell to drift off to the NE, yet another one formed in its place. A small wall cloud could be seen on a separate cell to the SW.


As this third and final cell of the line drifted NE, it too developed an impressive core yet none of the storms ever really met severe criteria. You are looking NE over the town of Sullivan.


Heading back, I paused for a few final opportunities. Much later, a well organized storm developed from near St. Louis and traversed S IL. I did not attempt to go after this storm but Dan Robinson along with several others did. His report can be found HERE.




VIDEO LINK