This afternoon, our area was put under Tornado Watch, Severe Thunderstorm Warning, and Tornado Warning. They weren't kidding... I took all of these storm photos between 5:15pm - 5:30pm this evening. They are posted in order of how they were taken.
This is looking northwest from our farm. You can just barely see the neighbor's place on the right side of the photo. Their house is less than 3/4 mile from ours. This is the field that I photograph the longhorn cattle in.
Then I went to the other side of the house to our back pasture and took this photo looking southeast towards town. I'm not sure which sky is more menacing. You can barely see the water tower in our small town, about 2 miles from our farm.
After locking up the chicken coop, I went back to the front of the house to watch the clouds. We knew that rotation had been seen in our area, so we were on the lookout.
We could actually see the large sweeping circle of the storm, with the rain coming down right out of the center.
There was a slight breeze, but I certainly wouldn't say it was "windy".
We could see the rain coming closer.
Closer still... at this point I decided I'd better lock up the goats...they don't like to get wet.
I took this photo on my way back to the house from the barn...Whoa...
Thankfully, it dissipated... at 5:30 the rain started and I was under cover. It rained for about 45 minutes or so, and then I returned outside to see what I could see...
Amazingly enough, we were given a beautiful sunset while the storm moved southwest of us. The clouds from another storm move west of us.
Yikes! Were you wringing your hands with concern? Glad it went away, and you got some rain instead of a tornado!
Posted by: Shellie Daniel | May 25, 2010 at 01:16 PM
Auntie Em! Auntie Em! Whoa is right! Great photos though Anna. That day here at good old Red Dog Ranch we woke up to a dusting of snow on the Coburg Hills. What season is this????
Posted by: Lisa Kaye | May 22, 2010 at 01:19 AM
Pretty scary stuff! I HATE tornado warnings! I am always the first one to the basement. LOL Then I remember the kids - just kidding! I only have one still at home and she will be right down those stairs with me! Glad the funnel cloud dissipated. You were so lucky. Glad you got the chickens and goats all locked up in time, too. Whew-
Posted by: Janet Sisk | May 21, 2010 at 12:46 PM
WOW! Great photos! Happy to see that all are safe and sound after the storm.
Posted by: Priscilla | May 21, 2010 at 12:08 PM
Whoah! For a minute there I thought I'd landed at Storm Chasers R Us. Glad you battened down all the hatches and that ya'll cmae through unscathed. You had me worried there for a moment or three. Don't let it happen again.
Posted by: Gabi With An Eye | May 21, 2010 at 09:45 AM
Way too close for comfort..... thank goodness those one cloudy didn't make a tornado.... So glad you and all your critters are safe and sound...
Posted by: Harriet Hensley | May 21, 2010 at 09:22 AM
Oh my gosh Anna, those photo's are amazing and (a bit scary) We've had weird weather here lately but nothing like that. Glad you are all safe.
Posted by: Ida | May 21, 2010 at 07:53 AM
Good ol' Texas weather. It's amazing how quickly it can change. We had a HUGE storm roll through Monday. When we left the house it was gorgeous outside and by the time we got to the restaurant for dinner (10 min away), it was crazy dark, extremely windy and the smell of rain was in the air. By the time we sat down, the rain had started and the lights blew out. They came back on after about 10 minutes and we enjoyed our meal. On the way home we witnessed an amazing lightning show.
Posted by: Kimberly O'Rosky | May 21, 2010 at 07:21 AM
WOW...thanks for sharing...glad it didn't come closer. What town/state do you live it?
Posted by: Jackie | May 21, 2010 at 07:20 AM
Wow, some very exciting photos. Glad the worst of the storm missed you (although I'm sure you'd welcome a little rain). Here in Michigan the scary sight is the greenish yeelow sky that comes before a tornado. Head for the basement!
Posted by: Kathy Archer | May 21, 2010 at 07:02 AM
I would be shaking too bad to take pictures, Anna! Yipes! Living in Eastern PA, it has gotten more common to be under warning, the past few years. I have had straight line winds shear the tops off a row of 65 foot pine trees, house was hit by lightning, and one Memorial Day, we had hail the size of softballs. Sorry but you can keep the tornados! Glad you are safe.
Posted by: Mary Anne K. | May 21, 2010 at 05:20 AM
Thank God!
Posted by: Kathyc on SCS | May 21, 2010 at 04:57 AM
Oh so scary! I don't think I could ever live somewhere that has the frequent possibility of tornados...must be scarred for life from the Wizard of Oz! I am so glad everyone is OK! And you are a brave girl to be out taking pictures...I woulda been in the cellar at "Tornado watch"!
Posted by: Kelly Schirmer | May 21, 2010 at 04:39 AM
WOW, storms can be so strong and pass quickly. Thank goodness all is well on the farm. Last summer while visiting friends in CO we watch a tornado form over the front yard, move towards the back acres and touch down not 1or2 miles to the east.Did we take cover? NO, we stood around and took photos!!! Mother Nature is Amazing. Have a fantastic Friday. Hugs...
Posted by: Carol Dee | May 21, 2010 at 04:31 AM
Amazing pictures, Anna! Wow, how scary to see it coming at you like that. I'm glad that you didnt get a tornado. And you are a good person to think of your animals like that - lol @ the goats not liking being wet. Too cute.
Posted by: Debby Watkins | May 21, 2010 at 04:14 AM
Pack up the stock trailer and get the H--- outa Dodge! Love for real! Dad
Posted by: DK Wight | May 20, 2010 at 11:00 PM
Lovely sunset.. I would had been shaking in my gumboots!! EEk
Posted by: Sarah | May 20, 2010 at 10:30 PM
Wow! Sure am glad you didn't get a tornado. The pictures are fantastic. Mother Nature has a lot of power! :D I'm sure the goats are glad you put them in a dry place! You are a wonderful Momma. Thanks for sharing the photos!
Posted by: diane mcvey | May 20, 2010 at 09:50 PM
Wow! Those are amazing pictures. I'm glad all is well.
Posted by: Jacque | May 20, 2010 at 09:13 PM