Leap Year Storms

Tragic events unfolding since midnight would fall within the technical start of meteorological spring were this not a leap year with an extra calendar day that otherwise does not exist. Between the first observed February tornado in Nebraska's recorded history as well as damaging storms in KS, MO and IL, yesterday along with today will not be forgotten anytime soon. Awaking at 2AM, I took off with the intent of shooting lightning or structure on a squall line that was screaming in at an estimated 60MPH. Rather than try to get in the path of the worst which extended from Vandalia south, I stopped just N of Pana and set up at a familiar location to get a non severe portion of the squall line as it went over the city for there was absolutely no lightning to work with. Were it not for the available light of Pana to the S as well as distant Assumption to the N, there would be nothing to see. Winds howling out of the SW at 30MPH in near total darkness despite being in a relatively safe area was unsettling. Southern Illinois was particularly hard hit this morning which is not surprising given the intense returns and warnings that were ongoing while I shot. One can only imagine how terrifying the experience was and my hope at the time of this post is that loss of life is minimal. Thoughts are with those affected including some friends who were down that way and are a little shook up from this event.







Brief animation sequence

Weldon Springs / More Galleries

Monday afternoon I took a quick drive around the lake at Weldon Springs. Not expecting to see much let alone come home with anything interesting, a lone gull would change that. On the hunt for fish, it made a noble but ultimately unsuccessful catch attempt from within range. Towards the end I spotted a swimming beaver that upon each surface would raise its tail out of the water. I have no idea why it did this but believe it may have been to help keep it steady against the stiff headwind of the time.

Retreating Boundary

Early Thursday morning we had a line of showers lift from the SW along an advancing warm front. This boundary stalled in the I-72 vicinity and then by midday, began to slowly transition and retreat to the S as a cold front. The apex of this boundary or in other words the pivotal center axis where the warm front to the E lifts N while the cold front to the W wants to drop S was basically overhead. This is not unusual as it is found with every low pressure system and most people pay little to no attention. Normally I would not be concerned however, I couldn't sleep Thursday so upon waking and poking my head outside, I noted interesting cloud textures and decided to step out. Heading S into Christian and then Shelby counties so to place myself ahead of this boundary, the turbulent base was very photogenic. This was not a storm nor was there any significant weather associated other than a wind shift and temperature drop. Between strong SE winds backing into the distant parent low to the SW and in turn colliding with this feature however, the trip was still worthwhile. Temperatures in the middle to upper 50's were reason enough to get out since this would be the last mild day for awhile.





After allowing the above to move on but still along the same boundary, my attention turned to a new area of disturbed weather on the approach from the NW between Assumption and Pana. A true wide angle lens would have done the scene better justice but at least the most dramatic aspects are shown.










and finally, from Friday morning, it is still Winter of course but fortunately not much longer.

Tuesday's Frost

The older I get is the harder it becomes to stay focused yet I persist even though I am unsure why for nothing seems to change while most everyone just falls away. 2012 is becoming the year of awakening including that of unfortunate realizations both within myself and of others. Total isolation is appealing as my enemies both near and far would also like for me to just disappear but I haven't exactly figured how to make that happen. Definitely at a crossroad in life, unsure which direction to go, think I'll just step out and see what's along the side of the road.









other frozen oddities.

Giant Ice Spikes / Freezing Fog

Although everything that happens in the world however complex or simple can be scientifically explained as cause and effect, every time I encounter something significant, I like to believe a higher order is behind the timing and purpose. This past weekend has been especially difficult for many with the unexpected passage of a well respected individual in the weather community named Andy Gabrielson. Though I did not know this man personally, his work was truly inspiring and my thoughts have been with those acquaintances who were in his company. That being said, when I stepped out on Monday morning, I discovered the largest ice spikes I have ever encountered growing from a frozen puddle on a dumpster lid. This phenomena is of course nothing new for my blog however, I did not know they could become so massive. I suppose anything is possible with semi-distilled undisturbed water that had been sheltered from direct sunlight in 30 degree temperatures. The comfort is in knowing that besides the rarity of this unusual find, the timing for discovery could not have been more perfect. I sincerely hope that those most affected by loss are able to find peace and comfort in their own well timed introspective occurrences.

Edited phone pic as it was too big for my macro lens!


Secondary one that had multiple tiers.


Third and smallest yet still large.




Eventually his buddy arrived.


Afterwards I headed home through the country to check out the freezing fog.




Frozen spider web that probably wouldn't be unique were it not February.

Dense Freezing Fog

Thursday morning found the region blanketed in a shallow layer of dense freezing fog so I dipped out into the country for a better look. The session would have been more productive had my damaged cable release from a previous incident not start to act up. This would not be a problem however, my 300D shutter button quit last year so I have had to utilize a cable release since that time. It makes for a steady shot but is a hassle sometimes and has had me cussing on more than one occasion. I have already burned out one release and it looks like I will be buying another before long. Anyways, when it did want to work, the end result including the first image of high altitude snow geese through the fog was a relief. I did however miss a hawk, a kestrel and an entire herd of deer leaping one by one over a tall fence within close range. Words cannot describe my disgust for blowing that one...













I would end up at a small park in Logan County.




Hoping for a fogbow, it never happened.




As for the release, I broke it open so to examine the wires and contacts. I tore apart the last one to know how the inside appears so I did not fear that I would damage anything any further than it may have already been. Jiggling the wires around inside, it seemed to respond so I put it back together the best I could with what was the only thing available. Yet another jury rig added to the list of fail, we'll see how long this lasts?