A Bolt from the Blue
A lightning strike takes an unusual path toward from a large thunder cell during the blue hour, Nambé, New Mexico
Blue Hour Lighting Bolt
A late summer thunderstorm formed in the most beautiful way over the Sangre de Cristo mountains by my home in Nambé, New Mexico. Thunderstorms are a regular thing here in the summer, however, there was something special about this one.
What first caught my eye was an enormous thunderhead, isolated with an intricate fine structure as it rose way up into the heavens. I am glad it got my attention initially and gave me pause to stop what I was doing and set up my photography equipment.
The Story Behind the Photograph
Summer afternoons and evenings in Northern New Mexico are a gift to those that look up. The skies light up with stunning colors around sunset. Each afternoon is different from the previous, and yet there is a dramatic theme you will eventually notice. A palette of reds, oranges, blues, and even purples will paint the underside of clouds.
Read MoreThe Science Behind the Photograph
What strikes me the most about this photograph is the deep indigo blue color to the sky. It helps to accentuate the warmer colors on the top of the thunderhead and of course the bright lightning bolt.
Read MoreLimited Edition Prints
A Bolt from the Blue
(30 x 45 inch print shown here for scale)
“A Bolt from the Blue” (c) Ed MacKerrow / In Light of Nature. ( 5120:3840, 20180826__D3_3514_2 )