Monday Thunder

Another overnight complex with brilliant lightning and very heavy rain. The CG's out ahead of the main precipitation core were among some of the most intense I have seen in quite some time. You would have thought the windows were going to shatter with the associated thunder! It's bad enough to be Monday but I suspect there are quite a few who are even less thrilled for having been so rudely awakened lol.

On the backside

Recent Stuff

Unlike just about everyone I follow on the list at right, I don't have much coolness to share in the way of tornadoes, ideal Lyrid meteors or recent solar activity. On the overnight of the 23rd I did point the camera towards the east and managed to capture a pair of leftover Lyrids which I suppose is a decent addition to the meteor event collection. On the night of the 24th when the big aurora event went down, I was stuck around light pollution and though distant greens could be seen from where I was, there was no point in trying to image them so I didn't. This year isn't quite panning out in the way of successful photographic opportunity like last but then again, I don't think any year ever will anyways.

In other news, I have recently begun work on a detailed five person montage for a good friend. This is kind of significant in that our project has been in the works for a long time and the last drawing I did was two years ago. I'm finding that my eyesight has deteriorated somewhat since then and it is not coming to me as easily as it once did. Other than a kneaded eraser that isn't shown, the tools depicted are all I use. My pencil palette is simply a standard HB and a Design Ebony. As a matter of preference I have found that less is more and have no use for the range of leads that are available.

4/19 and The Missing Q

Originally I had planned to write about a personal life checking event from this time last year. After revisiting the location last month (ironically on 3/19) and having talked to those who were directly affected, I have decided to respectfully let it go. Instead, I'll just share some shots from the past two days...

Wednesday morning I was tipped off to a regional scavenger hunt being hosted by Local Radio Station 95Q. With a few clues along with some optimistic ideas, I set out to try my hand in locating the hidden prize. My effort would be in vain though I cannot rule out the possibility that I was spot on and just not looking in the proper location. Time will tell if I was right or wrong but while out, I happened to notice a red eared slider hatchling on the roadway and stopped to get it. Appearing dehydrated and very much lethargic as though it was being cooked by the hot pavement, it was in bad shape. I carry a jug of water at all times so I poured some in a cup and plopped it in at which point it took a huge drink. Upon coming back to life, it became the prize of the day for being an unexpected macro opportunity.

On Thursday we set out again to look for the missing Q at a few locations but came up empty. While in Piatt county and heading home, I noticed counterclockwise "holes" in the cirrus canopy. I figured it was simply due to thermal updrafts occurring as result of midday heat ascending through the cloud and carving out a column shaped disturbance. Others may argue that it was aliens or a government conspiracy but regardless, it was an interesting phenomena to witness.

Soft shell turtles basking in the distance at another Q-less location.

and finally, turbulent cloud textures at sunset.

Outbreak Remnants

It would only be fitting that after having sat out yet another historic weather event that I would catch the remnants from at home. Such was the case Sunday evening as the squall line in advance of a strong cold front presently sliding across the nation kicked off enough sparks to warrant placing a camera on my neighbors balcony. Something is better than nothing I suppose but to continually come up short and be unable to experience this activity after all this time the way I would prefer has given me pause to think. With respect to this latest system which has pretty much checked me, on the bright side, it has brought sorely needed beneficial rain to the region.

Individual bands lifting from the SW caught my attention as I figured they might have linear structure.

Structure wasn't really noticeable once it was basically overhead unless you had a true wide angle which as you know I do not. A cameo by Spongebob made the session highly rewarding lol.

Look at all that good rain! In other news, I decided to shut down my Facebook for a few days so to focus on getting some work done including a new portrait assignment. More on that later...

ISS in April

For much of this month the US Midwest will be in line for daily passes of the International Space Station. This orbiting spacecraft is so large and reflective that it can be seen with the naked eye from earth. The pass I captured for Saturday April 7th was during the morning however, beginning Monday, the passes will mostly be in the evening. The scene below is comprised of 13 images spanning over a brief 5 minute period and shows the departing spacecraft as it disappears over the SE horizon (locals might recognize the steam plumes as coming from ADM/Staley's of Decatur IL). To have this aeronautical marvel of science and engineering slice across a night sky scene is an inspiring example of our space program. Appearing like a star canvassing the heavens that is the magnitude of Venus, for this coming week in particular, a number of long passes up to six minutes in length are expected. You can track local flyby times, length, and direction of travel for your area by visiting NASA's Human Space Flight page found HERE.

To learn more about the International Space Station including current missions as well as history and images, click HERE.

April First Storms

In the predawn hours of this past Sunday, a boundary lifting NE as a warm front sparked off a line of strong storms to the NW. Though activity was forecast to be no further S than along I-74 which runs N of my location, a rouge cell would develop at Lincoln and drop into my lap. Stuck at work unfortunately and unable to be in a more suitable location out in the country, I put a camera out to see what it would capture. Despite no awesome nocturnal structure for being washed out by city light, the event was a fitting entrance to a month when thunderstorm activity increases dramatically.

I'm the dot (c/o Spotter Network)

Once this cell passed, that was it for my location but my attention would be drawn to other regional storms further upstream. In the grab below (c/o Radarscope), a return indicative of strong downburst winds at Pekin captured my interest. The green would go white for the next scan thus signifying very intense winds. The warning at this time was for winds up to 70 MPH and it wouldn't have surprised me to have verified.

Both cells were reportedly producing hail up to the size of golfballs. Friends in that area were seeing and photographing intense lightning.