Thunderstorms giving way to a golden sunset outside Peoria, IL
Earlier this month, we transitioned from summer to fall over just a couple of weeks and this transition produced the last strong thunderstorms potentially of the year in Peoria, IL. A strong cold front moved through during the late-afternoon and evening on this day ending the "summer-feel" to the air. I shot a few photos as the thunderstorms (below severe-criteria) moved through during the evening hours. I was planning to stay inside on this evening and get some rest, but upon quickly looking out my window around 7:00pm I quickly changed my mind. A setting sun behind departing convection can really give you some photogenic scenes and this just so happened was one of those kind of evenings. It was quite a colorful show at sunset! I've added a few photos of the storms and of course the amazing sunset as well below:
"Fire in the sky"
A solid thunderstorm looking east toward the Illinois River...
Closer-view...
A storm is rolling-in along this recently harvested corn field!
The last time potentially you'll see
decent CAPE in this area for a few months...
A rainbow across the parking lot!
A good shot, but lets make this one better below...
Another rainbow portrait-shot!
Yep, it was just one of those perfect evenings!
The apartment complex beneath heavenly skies!
Mother Nature simply showing-off!
Wide-angle shot of the departing storms and picturesque colors!
"Earth, wind, and fire"
"Feel that fire"
"Magic with a wide-angle"
(Canon 10-22mm wide-angle lens)
If only these type of displays from Mother Nature were more
often, but it makes you appreciate them much more!
"A ray of hope"
"An Autumn sunset"
"Rays of reflection"
That wraps up this rather lengthy post. A day like this makes you appreciate Mother Nature and the show she can put on from time to time. As a photographer these type of evenings are what you live for and forces you to think quick on your feet. You typically end up with a very limited amount of time to capture some stunning images before darkness falls. Anyhow, it was quite a productive evening which got me in the mood for fall and eager to capture some fall foliage during the next few weeks...
