p.1 #1 · Thunderstorm with Lightning Strike at the Grand Canyon
I usually pay attention to weather forecasts when out in the field but on this evening I was taken by surprise as a fast-moving thunderstorm came in quickly and dropped rain and hail while standing at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. I huddled underneath a small juniper tree with my tripod and backpack while the tourists scattered to their vehicles, and after the storm passed onto the North Rim I walked back to the edge and made this image, all alone for a few sublime minutes.
p.1 #11 · Thunderstorm with Lightning Strike at the Grand Canyon
Kee Woo Rhee wrote:
Excellent image, Ross.
When did you capture this photograph, if I may ask?
Hi Kee, thank you! I did not have camera GPS on that trip unfortunately so am unable to pinpoint but to the best of my memory I had been wandering the trail between Mather and Yavapai.
p.1 #14 · Thunderstorm with Lightning Strike at the Grand Canyon
dallvr wrote:
Terrific shot, but the lightning looks awfully close!
Thanks @dallvr! I was a little shaken up before shooting this as the storm was passing overhead and I was not prepared with my usual umbrella or raincoat! But when I walked back to the rim to photograph the storm had moved north of me so all was safe.
p.1 #16 · Thunderstorm with Lightning Strike at the Grand Canyon
Kee Woo Rhee wrote:
Excellent image, Ross.
When did you capture this photograph, if I may ask?
Oops, sorry @Kee Woo Rhee, in my first reply to you I read it as “where”, now I see you asked “when.”
It was the evening of October 19, 2015, right around sunset. There is a large opening in the sky on the right (east) side which you can sense from the modeling of the light on the canyon that is coming from the right and this makes it look like it was taken in morning (in evening you normally have the light coming from the west, or left side of this view).