The aftermath and smallness
There was a terrible storm here this week. Lighting filled the sky, seemingly tearing the very fabric of the atmosphere as it lanced downward, lighting the skies with bright flashes of white. Thunder claps roared, a cacophony of sharp cracks and explosive booms that rolled away into the distance only to be replaced by another ear-splitting crack of sound seconds later.
My windows rattled, the house itself at times, and my poor little cat Cleo was frightened...she came up to where my head lay on the pillow and burrowed into the covers and snuggled there for the night. I didn't mind.
It was primal, raw and powerful, a battle of elemental forces overhead, the winner always in question. The wind, the pelting rain, lightning or thunder...which would prevail...Or did those elements combine wanting to beat the earth into submission, or to obliterate the infestation that is humanity from the surface of the planet?
Aftermath
I took these shots the next day, brooding clouds, less fearsome than the ferocity of the night before; not angry, but surly. There was a stiff breeze too but not enough to make my walk unpleasant.
The Bureau of Meteorology reported over 65,000 lighting strikes and the State Emergency Service were called out to hundreds of damaged homes, fallen trees, downed power lines and flash flooding, the aftermath of natures wrath, and as the city licked its wounds I walked on the deserted beach revelling in the aftermath of that storm.
Smallness
I find beauty in storms despite their destructive nature. I like that nature continues to do what it does oblivious to humankind and without care for them. It just is. Unapologetic.
I have been fortunate enough to be in isolated wilderness places in storms such as the one I mention, it's exciting, and despite making me feel a little nervous, flooding can ruin a person's day pretty quickly, I like the feeling of smallness. Ferocious storms have a way of making a person feel insignificant in comparison to the forces at play and that nature calls up so easily. It brings perspective to one's life.
Human beings, in their hubris, generally feel like the owners of this planet and all it encompasses but the truth is we are just temporary inhabitants, just like the dinosaurs were before us. Like them, we'll be gone long before the planet is and that's how it should be; it's the nature of things...the nature of nature. All things end.
I enjoyed my walk, despite the too-strong-breeze, and am glad I took the time to be there in that time and place. My photos aren't great, I'm yet to figure out how to make blue-grey days look interesting, but that's ok, the value was in the walk.
Have you ever been in the middle of a ferocious or destructive storm? I've been in a couple cyclones that weren't any fun, have you? Do you like thunder and lightning or do you fear it? How about the wind and rain? I believe there's beauty to be found in it, nature just being herself, do you? Feel free to make some comments below, your engagement is welcome and I always reply.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default; tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind - galenkp
[All original and proudly AI free.]
Any images in this post are my own - Samsung S22 Ultra
My favorite element is the wind, I like its sound, how it shakes the trees, its strength is incredible, when it rains with wind, people fear it and they must, especially since most houses suffer if they have a zing or acerolic roof. . My mother gets scared when it rains with a lot of wind, however, I find a certain pleasure in watching how the wind moves everything and enters from all sides, I may be a little crazy, I should be scared because my roof can blow away with the wind
Wind is my least favourite of the elements although I guess I refer more to strong wind...light breezes and how it makes plants dance, or blows wisps of hair over a pretty pretty lady's face is always welcome. Nature, whilst beautiful, can be very destructive and the wind and rain combination have caused a lot of suffering. It's just nature doing what it has to though...what makes me sad is how human beings have influenced it negatively and messed things up.
It has a very destructive power, you are absolutely right, although a large part of the disaster is due to what you mention, the impact that human activity has caused on the ecosystem.
You made me remember how good the wind feels on my face
Human beings have a lot to answer for and the blame for much of the planets' problems can be laid at their feet. None of us are exempt.
sometimes nature reminds us how fragile we can be when it manifests itself through its phenomena, on a certain occasion I heard a phrase that said no calm sea made a sailor alert and I think he is quite right because it is in times of crisis where truly We know our potential and what we are capable of, these photographs are fantastic, it is a natural spectacle
It sure does, and can be quite brutal in the process. Humans try to mitigate the effects, but nature will always win.
I have a book called, The world with us by Alan Weisman. It scientifically investigates how (and how quickly) the planet would recover if human beings disappeared between one second and the next. It's fascinating. You might be interested.
http://worldwithoutus.com/about_book.html
It sounds quite interesting, as soon as I can, I'll take a look at it, thank you very much
You're welcome.
The composition over your photographs, that's perfection. Colours, deep lines-into the horizon. Magic, dude!
Thanks mate, I would have liked them to feel more dramatic but they work ok as is; phone cameras can do a great job these days.
iPhone ones does. Haha. Mine is far, far away from that image quality. Beside that, great work!
Mine is a Samsung S22 Ultra, I hate iPhones and will never own another one. Overrated and overpriced.
Well, your phone is a direct competitor to iPhone. A very nice one, friend.
What a wonderful quotes from Vincent Van Gogh ? Yess Cyclone isn't that fun, I heard about that terrible new all the time when other countries around the world face it. I think it was a natural disasters that we should be aware and find the possibly prevention or some way to protect yourself.
It's difficult to protect oneself against natural disasters, one never knows where they'll occur, how fierce they will be or what further repercussions they will create. But we can try I guess.
If I was at your location throughout everything you narrated, I would probably have my heart in my hand.
I think I have only experienced something close to this but not as much as this when I was younger, it went on for about 15 mins and in the morning, the damage was massive.
I agree with the fact that sometimes, nature reminds us of our place in the world. We can do whatever we want as much as we like but when it's nature's time to flex its prowess, even humans can't dare to hinder it.
Great shot sir...
Nature be like, *humans, I don't give a fuck.
Storms can be very frightening, so uncontrollable. Nature is a life taker, no doubt.
Ferocious storms can be stopped or damaged lessen by planting tree in front of the house or in the wind direction. It was a common thing to see when I was growing up, every city & street is now modernised and trees are removed. Hence, storms damage are now visible.
I know what you're trying to allude to, but I can't help but disagree. Watch the video...you think a few trees would have helped?
Oh my, sorry about that, tress can't stop this.
This is a tornado 🌪, not just a windy storm.
Sorry about your loss over there in Australia
All good, I know what you meant, I was just going for dramatic effect. Mother nature can be a brutal bitch, but I still love her.
I've never been in real danger, due to storms and I'd like to keep it that way. Mother nature is powerful though.
However, these photos are beautiful.
Yeah, mother nature knows how to put on a show and sometimes we don't like it. That's how it goes though. I've had some hairy moments to be honest, cyclones in the tropical north of Australia, and if I never see one again I'll be ok with it.
These are wonderful photos. And no one thinks I'm right in the head for loving storms. But I can't help it. There's this peace I get with thunders overhead and winds that can blow rooftops. It's really lovely.
Thank you, I appreciate you saying it. I'd love to have a shot of a massive lightning bolt hitting the ground, but knowing my luck it would have hit me on the head and I'd be dead. (Not really, I'm hard to kill.) 😆
That cracked me up.😂
Well you may not be so hard to kill. I've not tried yet, have I? Lol
Hmm, many have tried and the g-dog still stands.
Many have tried?
Lol, Are you really that disliked?
Dang, that was a pretty significant storm based on those stats. Quite impressive. We haven't had a proper storm in my area in quite some time. We will see what this summer brings. Any rain would be great right now, the wild fires are out of control. I remember as a kid storms used to scare me quite a bit, but now I enjoy their beauty and the power they hold.
Wildfires? I didn't know that. It's funny, as Australians we understand what they can do here, we live with them annually but it's easy to forget that they happen in other places. We see all the news from the US (the world actually) live, but I tend not to watch the news, there's little there that will make me have a more positive and productive day.
Hopefully you're not effected by the fires and it rains like buggery to put them out.
EDIT: I just flicked the news on and saw the NY thing, the smoke haze. Also, I see that there's a bunch of Aussie firefighters up in Canada helping, returning the favour as those Canuck's came down here to help us. A nice story.
Yeah, there are fires in Canada right now that are pushing smoke and haze down in the the Northern US. It is pretty intense. Some of the photos from NYC the other day are just creepy. We had a fire just a bit north of me in Michigan. Took out 4400 acres or something like that last I heard.
It can be devastating.
The fires we had for months over 2019-2020 caused widespread damage and some houses (many actually) have still not been rebuilt thanks to slow insurance companies.
That's too bad. ☹️
Indeed...I just edited one of my previous comments with some new intel. Take a look if/when you have time. About the NY smoke.
Okay, will do!
Very cool. I like when places help each other out like that!
It surely is. The assistance those chaps give us makes a difference and Aussies are good at rolling up their sleeves and pitching in.
My dog Bailey gets scared during storms too, She wants to jump up in my recliner or in the bed with me. Otherwise she finds a corner of the house to lay down in.
We have been through a few hurricanes and typhoons that were destructive. We lived In North Carolina on the East coast of the U.S. and lived through a few hurricanes. A couple in particular pounded us good. Bertha and Floyd in 1995 or 1996 (can't remember the year). Both hit us almost back to back within like a month. Then made it though some decent typhoons living in Okinawa.
I do not mind a steady thunder storm. There is something refreshing about it. It is like you know the rain is coming and the earth is ready to get cleansed. I just don;t like it when there is tons of lighting. I don't mind the occasional bolt, but not constant Zeus is kicking someone's ass shit.
I can say the same about the wind and rain as the thunder and lighting. I like it steady, but not blowing my house down or in a torrential downpour. Just enough to knock the dust off stuff and and clean things off and water earths plants and refresh things.
Yes, I agree, there is beauty in it. But it can be ugly as well. I have seen the ugly side and lost household items in a place we rented during Bertha. We lived near the coast in a single wide trailer we were renting out. It blew the windows and doors in. Destroyed almost everything with water and wind damage inside. Mother nature is beautiful, but she can be very humbling as well.
Poor animals, they probably have no clue what's going on...although I've met animals that have more of a clue than some humans. Lol.
Yeah man, you folks get some doosies! I know that people lose everything sometimes, it happens here too, flooding, fires, cyclones and so on and that is devastating to one's life.
Like you say, nature can be interesting and appealing but sometimes she's like a drill instructor with a headache and in a bad mood.
I see these photographs as perfect, because nature is perfect.
You have already taken pictures of a sunset before and I love these ones where the sky is the master and dominates the situation.
I have to say: What great pictures!!!!!
I admire and respect nature, and I listen to it.
I love rain more than I can describe, it fascinates me! And yes, I have been in complicated storms.
Once I was on the 6th floor of a building giving classes and a storm started that made the lamps move, then I came down and everything was flying, posters, glasses, everything was in chaos, it destroyed a lot in its path.
Then on the road several times I experienced ugly storms with a lot of earth and wind, I saw grain trucks overturn, very dangerous.
But still I love storms, thunder, lightning and rain, for me they are inspiring.
I'm sure you'll call me crazy, but I'd love to see a tornado live.... not too close but to see that wonder of nature... I'm crazy right?
Nature is perfect, maybe the only perfect thing on the planet, meaning she does what she's supposed to do no matter what, she just does it.
Storms can make her seem difficult to get along with but in reality she can't help but do what it is she does and if we get in the way wit our crops and buildings and all...well, too bad.
You're crazy.
I don't blame you as I think to see such power close up would be amazing. I understand those storm chasers. That's passion.
That power of nature, to see it live, would be incredible, a marvel. And yes, I'm crazy and I don't have a solution 🤣
Being crazy is ok, no harm in it unless one allows one's craziness to harm others. Most humans are a little crazy, most won't admit it though, or are honest enough to see it in themselves.
It's true, as long as you respect each other there is no problem... I admit it, it makes me see life differently.
Thanks Galenkp!
No worries, just keep being bonkers...it works for me and it will for you too.
I will, it works for me too 🤣
Honestly, I don't think there will be someone who would not find beauty in storms. Everything you captured here are beautiful
Nature is golden
Thanks, I appreciate you saying so.
A big storm always makes me think of this scene from King Lear:
Great photos, by the way. I have always said that photography after a storm gives some of the best images. When it's early enough for the sun to still be out there will be an amazing sunset from all the water in the air, and even if the clouds don't break for that, there will be amazing clouds. As you capture here.
I've been out after typhoons passed many times. For photography, usually. One I remember passed directly over my city. It caused a lot of damage and a few deaths, but thankfully not too much. I remember looking outside our apartment and it was raining so hard the roads had turned to rivers and the wind was blowing them, giving the illusion of waves. One of the craziest things I've ever seen.
Storms can certainly make for some great photographer. An acquaintance from way back used to do lightning photography and captured some amazing snaps. He ended up getting struck by lightning and and now can't feed himself or put a sentence together. Ok, maybe I made that bit up, but he did, and probably still does, great storm photography.
Wow, these are some amazing views. 😍😍
Thanks for taking a look and commenting.
It gives an adrenaline rush either way. The excitement or the fear of danger, or sometimes, a little bit of both. I lived on the Florida coast for a couple of years and it has a fair share of hurricanes/tornados and sizable thunder bumpers on a regular basis. I am still wondering why people choose to live in a state with such devastating weather. Warm weather can be had in many places.
Still, one of the places I go to right after or right before the storms is the beaches. Sometimes it is still/just blowing and sometimes, it is eerie and freakishly peaceful.
I was tent camping with the kids and some friends when a huge thunderstorm rolled in. We were up on the Canadian border, close to the beach. The Atlantic storms are always noisy and quite destructive sounding. I think that scared me more than having our house battered by a hurricane.
Yikes.
Mother Nature rules!
I know it gets wild there, like it does across the top end of Australia, Darwin, Cairns, Townsville, Cape York, Cooktown etc. Cyclones, strong winds and massive rainfall. That's where I experienced my cyclones and I could go without experiencing another.
Me too, obviously, there's a strange feel to it, a primordial feeling.
Tent camping in storms is the pits and can be deadly. I've had to do it and there was literally nothing at all I liked about it...except maybe the end of the storm, but then I had to start the clean up and that was no fun either.
Oh, yes!! Those are the worst, aren't they? I think the worst was that I had to pick up a wet tent and bundle it up and dash as there was another storm rolling in off the Atlantic. We moved inland and put the tent up to dry. We still got rain, but it wasn't the devastating blast of fury the other was.
Thankfully, the clean-up wasn't as bad on the other as it could have been. It was late when I got there and not everything was unpacked.
Wet tents are terrible things to deal with, especially in the rain.
I took a couple camping once, their first time. There was some big weather, heavy rain and wind, and it was miserable that first night. Turned out ok over all, but I think those poor bastards will never go camping again. I broke them. Lol. Thanks mother nature.
Ohhhhh! You're that guy. I've heard about you...
Hey, they wanted to come, I didn't force them. They were like, G-dog, can we come camping with you sometime? Who was I to say no?
I should have though, those nutbags were useless.
My thoughts on Hive and how it has devolved, and why I'm quitting after being here from day 1.
We don't get storms here to the level you guys get them. I remember living in Brisbane back in 2007 and some of the storms were amazing to watch. Our lightning tends to be sheet lightning rather than the fork lightning you guys get.
I love the photos in the aftermath, you certainly have an eye for a photo 👌
I didn't know you lived in Brisbane. Nice place, huge city with a town feel, although it's getting bigger now, 5 million people or there abouts, and it's tone is changing.
They get some cracker storms there though. I lived there for a time myself and went through a couple good ones. Well, good to watch, not good from a damage perspective.
Thanks for your comment on my photos, I try my best.
Ya spent a year there living across from Bulimba. Great city, had great times there. Travelled up the coast for around a month too which was a real highlight. Did Melbourne, Sydney and Darwin too and spent three or four months back packing around SE Asia. Unreal memories.
Interesting you say that Brisbane 's tone is changing, I probably picked a good time to be there then.
It's just becoming more populated I guess, and with that (and the nutbaggery of the modern society we live in) things are changing. I was there a year ago and noticed it. Still, way better than Sydney though, that place is out of control.
I think you'd had had a really great adventure, good to hear you've been here and moved about a little.
Ya we travelled a good bit in our twenties before responsibilities like mortgages, kids etc came along and I would recommend it to anyone, spent some summers in Spain and California too in my late teens/early twenties. It helps you grow as a person to meet lots of people with varying opinions and cultures etc. I will encourage my own kids to travel before they settle down, as they were some of the best days of my life too.
I've travelled around the world too, and I agree with you on its benefits. One becomes more worldly through the experiences and that makes a difference later in life. Most of my travel was done after 25 and wasn't back packing but the result is the same. Travel is something I like to do a lot.
Same idea man, it definitely makes you grow and gives you a more worldly and less insular outlook. I love my travel too and we still do some with the kids. When they grow up we'll do more wandering the globe!
You take beautiful pictures. I know the subject matter matters, but I think it also comes from within, a unique way of seeing the world perhaps, or just inner beauty reflected outwardly.
Becca 🌷
Oh thanks, I'm just a knucklehead trying my best...I'm happy to know I fooled someone!
Seriously though, what lovely words you say, thank you.
I enjoyed a brisk, esplanade walk yesterday, too. My daughter has her dance lesson for an hour, so I put a couple of kilometres under my feet.
We both get some exercise without me needing any sense of rhythm.
Yep, that's the way to do it I think, grab some exercise where possible, it does one a world of good.