You could see it coming, deep on the horizon. The serendipity. Photographers chase light, and in the summer months that means late evenings followed by super early mornings. On this day, just outside of Taos, the drama would present itself mid-day. Dark clouds developed, storm cells etching themselves onto the sky. Lightning began to dance across the sage laden plains. I pulled over on New Mexico Highway 522 and took in the display.
He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses. Psalm 135:7
nomadruss in words and photos 
I have always loved a good thunderstorm and living in Florida where they are frequent, I have learned to respect their power and danger. Lost a few computers in the process and a house I was working at caught on fire…no lives lost…great, no awesome fire department.
These are beautiful! I especially like the one where you can see the bold from under the cloud. It looks like reflection or heat surrounding it.
Thanks, I was glad to get one with the light coming from the cloud too. If ever you sense the amazing power inherent in the natural world, it’s during a lightning storm…
Oh my… these are fantastic captures.
Thanks Kan!
higher and higher, Russ, you are always taking it to new heights! God Bless you brother!!
Thanks William, appreciate the encouragement, as always!
Spectacular. That is a starkly beautiful part of the world to begin with so I am sure it was extra special with the storm. Great capture.
Out of curiosity, how long of an exposure were you using? I’ve photographed lightning before but usually with 30 second exposure.
I was shooting in bursts. The lightning was frequent enough that I could hand hold and shoot in bursts, 4 to 8 frames at a time. What was interesting was catching the lightning in several frames in a row, some more intense than others. Being in the West, with the broad landscape really helped this time.
Interesting. That would be cool to review and see the different photos you’d get from burst mode.
I am from western Oklahoma originally and have seen many great thunderstorms. That is one of the things I miss about home. Thanks for sharing.
Lightning is tricky to photograph, you have some nice captures here.
It all looks and sounds so fantastical:-), beautiful.
Wonderful shots, the pictures 1and 3 are stunning!
Thanks Andrea, I felt so fortunate to see that storm!
Very nice photos here and all over the blog. I love thunderstorms so I just could love this work of yours.
Thanks, appreciate the kind words!
Reblogged this on Travels with Mary and commented:
Wow! What fabulous pics!
Thanks Mary!
You bet Nomadruss
I’m headed to Taos from the Midwest tomorrow. Can’t wait to get there!
Your photos are beautiful.
Thanks Jack, you’re in for a real treat. Be sure to check out San Francisco de Asis church while you’re out there, and of course the Georgia O’Keefe Museum if you’re down in Santa Fe….
Thanks! I’ll likely stick around Taos. I travel on-foot, bus, train or plane so I’ll probably walk/hike all over the Taos area.
Thanks for the suggestions!
I just found your site. I feel the electricity in the air, the sizzling of the current, the smell of the promise of rain, the power and spirit of a thing that cannot be restrained. I love what you captured! How does one go about purchasing on of your photos?
If you click on a photo, it will take you to my photoshelter website where you can purchase a print. They’re printed on hahnemuhle fine art papers. They’re beautiful prints.
I found my way to the shopping cart after several trys. It’s not easy. Then I was held hostage in black and had to force quit. ?? Are the size of the photos in feet or inches? it doesn’t say. If in feet, what do your recommend for framing and stablilization on an office wall. I am going to purchase but need help to visualize what I am getting. Thanks! Keep the great visuals comming….
Sorry you had trouble. The sizes are in inches. They are printed on hahnemuhle fine art papers. Archival quality, the prints will last beyond you.
It is always soo hard not to miss that very right moment to catch a thunder. You’ve made it 🙂
Thanks, it was such a beautuful storm, i was glad to catch some of it!
I love to see storms, once I was sleeping outside at my terrace and there was noisy storm, it was hard to fall asleep… I still remember that well…
There’s probably a metaphor there, we tend to remember the storms in our lives. They’re challenging, but usually bring something that’s needed.