Thunder and Lightning ... OH MY!!

I have to say one thing for the desert ... it sure can put on a show!  One minute the skies are bright blue and the sun is shining.  The next minute, I get a storm warning.  Can't be, there's not a cloud in the sky.  Five minutes later, the heavens let loose.

That's when the thunder starts, so you KNOW there was lightning.  Ever since I updated my phone, I've been having trouble capturing this amazing power.  Many times it strikes in the clouds instead of hitting the ground.

So yesterday I sat outside in my camp chair just waiting and waiting.  I'd point right, it would strike left.  I'd point left, it would strike right.  FINALLY ... a good shot as the thunder roared and the rain came down in torrents.  The good thing is I don't need my sprinklers!  Yup ... that's another train in the foreground.

Flash flood warnings are everywhere, but luckily I sit on the side of a hill way above the riverbed below.  In spite of the rain, critters were out.  These baby gamble quail are so darn cute.  They come around every day for a drink from the saucer filled with rocks at the bottom left.  That way they don't fall in because quail don't swim very well.

In spite of all the thunder, lightning and rain, Mrs. Dove has been sitting tight on her nest.  

With all the clouds passing over, the sunsets have been amazing.  I haven't even had to move from the back patio.  It looks like this may come to an end for awhile however.  The forecast is for 90-95 degree days all this week, with just a few clouds.

That's too bad because I was looking forward to capturing more lightning.  I did have one tiny thought about being outside sitting in a chair holding up a metal instrument ..........

I'm in love with this Acacia tree.  It makes me feel like I'm in Africa.  I'm not all that hot on the bugs that come out at night and die by the hundreds on my patio.  Today I'll be buying a broom.

In the meantime, I found some reflectix for the rig insulation (had to buy 50 feet of it) and stopped by a local nursery for some gardening help.  

By the way ... did you notice I just completely ignored Friday the 13th??  I figured if I pretended it was Friday the 10th, that nothing would happen.  And it worked!!!!!!