Desert Storm on Labor Day, 2009: Hiking in the Tucson Mountains, I followed the progression of a desert thunderstorm from its early stage (right) to its maturity (above.)
The remains of Hurricane Jimena have left significant moisture in the air here in Tucson over the past four days.
Combine that moisture with our summer heat in the desert, and we have the makings of some of the world's most spectacular thunderstorms.
Wide open spaces allow us a front-seat view.
The first photo on the right was taken approximately one hour before sunset, and the one above was set afire by the evening glow of Tucson's rays from that same setting sun.
My vantage point was the southwestern flank of Golden Gate Mountain, the second highest peak in the Tucson Mountains. My hike took me one third the way up the mountain.
The vertical cloud that formed the first part of the storm is perhaps seven miles across in the middle.
By the time the storm was fullblown, as seen in the top photo, there were three separate areas of rain, and the thundercloud was about forty miles wide.
Our secluded community of Tucson Estates II attracts people from all walks of life, from all over the globe.
You can see why that is, can't you?
___________________
I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, AZ Mortgage lender.
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE
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photos copyright Mike in Tucson
Oh Mike you know a photo is good when you feel it....I felt like I was right there in the first one, those hues, those tones ahhh....
Cynthia,
Thanks for being the first to comment. Isn't this a beautiful little corner of the globe?!
Mike in Tucson
Mike, great shots. It really looks so beautiful. Hopefully it didn't cause any damage or flooding.
Ooooh, beautiful clouds! This time of year seems to bring out the best in clouds... at least here in WNC. But we don't have the beautiful colors as often as you are able to enjoy them.
Beautiful pictures, Mike! That second photo almost looks like a mushroom cloud. Your neighbors to the north in Nevada aren't doing any more testing are they???
Good grief! You just never tire of tempting me to visit Arizona, do you? LOL Those are beautiful shots, Mike. Just gorgeous! Thanks for making me add yet another $1.00 to my Arizona Trip fund. :)
Mike,
Vertical clouds touching the horizon scare me! But, I come from tornado country.
Great photo.
Bill
sometimes storms make the best sky eye candy... These are great captures love the color.
Mike - these are both great photos but I really love the gold light in the first one.
Have a great day!
Ann
Mike It makes you want to head for some serious cover :) Karen
Mike - I had my D50 in my hand yesterday when the storm came through Tennessee, but the light didn't cooperate. Great shots.
Mike,
Absolutely awesome. Thanks for posting your photos! They are truly spectacular!
what beautiful colors you captured! it looks like a painting!
tina in virginia
Mike,
It certainy is beautiful where you live and one day I hope to spend my winters down there.....your photos are absolutely breathtaking.
(-;
Jo
Wow - Mike you've got some great shots here. We loved the storm over the weekend here in Phoenix! We live close to mountains so we got dumped on - and loved it all. I posted pics as well. What an amazing state we live in, et!
Hi Mike: Thanks for sharing. The scenery is Arizona is always beautiful!
:)
Absolutely Beautiful! We had a storm last night as well but the storm didn't have a good backdrop (like the mountains) - I immediately thought about taking photos though :) ~Rita
I sure can! Your photos are always beautiful..great job in capturing the storms..I feel like I'm there!!
Mike - Those are some beautiful pictures! Truly an example of God's perfection... thanks.
Mike - Spectacular stuff. We don't get those kind of scenes here in Sacramento. The top photo looks like the clouds are on fire.
Mike
That a great sky and outstanding photo's
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
Hi Mike,
As usual spectacular photos.
Lynda,
Thanks for saying so. See you on your blog.
Lou,
You're always so formal! I sure appreciate your signoff: "Good luck and success." Don't ever change that!
Myrl,
That's what my Darlin' said when she saw the photo. The sky's on fire!
JD,
Let's talk tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by.
Dorie,
Wonderful! That's what I want to accomplish with my photos.
Rita,
I'm sure you did! Thanks for commenting.
Matt,
Any luck with the referral? I may have another.
Anna Banana,
It was great to meet you in person at the AR Meet-up. We do live in one spectacular state in this union.
Jo,
I need to schedule a fishing trip to your neck of the woods!
Tina,
That's what I thought when I first saw the photo fullsize on the computer. Maybe Lenn Harley will paint it.
Mike,
You're welcome!
Larry,
That happened to me today. Big storm, no time to capture it.
Karen,
I was thinking the same thing. I cut my hike short as the storm grew closer.
Ann,
Me too! See you over on your blog.
Caron,
I've loved storms since I was a kid. My dad was the same way.
Bill,
I don't know if we ever have tornados here in Tucson. None that I know of in the past 12 years.
Carol,
I'm going to have to try harder! I would have thought this one would make you dig a little deeper!
Sharon,
It sort of does, doesn't it? We'll have to get Harry Reid to check it out.
Susie,
Thanks for commenting! You'll just have to point the Airstream westward.
Gabe,
Not to worry. We treasure the storms for the water they bring to our desert. We put up with the rest.
Mike in Tucson
The sunset through the storm makes quite a beautiful photo. I can never see so far into the distance in the trees.
Beautiful pictures. Mike. You are in the wrong business.
Mike, those are awsome photos! Thanks for sharing them with us!
I was hoping Hurricane Jimena would come straight up the Baja peninsula and bring us some interesting clouds, lightning, rain, and sunsets. But noooooooooooooo....
Great pictures.
Just can't beat nature's beauty. How wonderful that you captured it in photos.
Sky pictures speak to how great this universe is! Wonderful pics, Mike. Hope the new position is working out well for you!
Judi,
Thanks for the well-wishes. I love Sunstreet! Regarding the storm photo, isn't God's creation beautiful!
Donna,
It always makes me smile when I get a good photo.
Russel,
It took a hike east of you, didn't it? Next time...
Tony & Darcy,
You're most welcome!
Mike in Tucson
I love stopping by here for your pictures. The heat of summer produces some spectacular thunderclouds here in Austin before sundown. I just wish it would produce a little more rain!
Russell,
I'm glad to have you stop by! Thanks for being a subscriber. Looks like you're getting some rain today, from what I see on the Weather Channel!
Mike in Tucson
wow - how do you catch all this nature? Amazing stuff.
Kate,
It starts with being outside as often as possible, and ALWAYS having a camera.
Mike in Tucson
Mike - These photographs are breath-taking and I have featured this post at two of my favorite groups, here is one and I also plugged this post because it is wonderful!
Featured at ......... CLOUDS AT ACTIVERAIN (clouds attached)
Mike - I have also featured this post at ......... EXPRESS WITH PHOTOGRAPHS AT ACTIVERAIN and I think the AR Gods missed this post!
VB ;o)
Both of these are incredible photos Mike. The color in the first is almost surreal and the defined cloud structure in the second is very unique. You certainly have an eye for recognizing ideal images.
Outstanding pics, Mike. Always wanted to go to Arizona -- Maybe some day.....
Mike, Thank you for sharing those two amazing photos. I really enjoyed them.
Beautiful photos, Mike! I am a big fan of clouds, sunsets, and sky photos in general. Keep up the good work!
Cheers,
Robin
Robin,
Cheers back at ya!
Gary,
You're most welcome!
Barbara,
Before you die. Put it on the bucket list.
Erik,
Both pictures are the same storm, one hour apart.
Vegas Bob,
Thanks for the features!
Mike in Tucson
You are very welcome and keep them coming!
VB ;o)
Mike , these are great shots. Clouds and weather are such great subjects. They leave me in awe as do these photos
Wow, that is a remarkable site! You did a fabulous job capturing the view, as wel as describing it to us! Thank you so much for sharing!