Clearing skies

5/30/2014, 6: 45 pm looking east

Finally clearing skies in the east after a huge Wednesday storm followed by an overcast, misty day. The cool drippy Thursday was most unusual for Virginia and felt more like the UK or Washington state.  Here we can see the beginning of clearing skies and fluffy white clouds on Friday evening.

Before the big storm

5/28/2014, 4:40 pm looking east

Here's a light spot in the sky the afternoon of May 28th preceding the sheets of rain, with impressive thunder and lightning.  The storm hit at about 5 pm with a very dark sky, wind and ominous rumblings of thunder. The rain and lightning followed for the next three hours with cooler temperatures afterward. Sounds like a typical summer weather pattern.

Hollywood Cemetery on Memorial Day

5/26/2014, 1:30 pm, facing north

Here are big cumulus clouds in a deep blue sky on the hill above the James River at Hollywood Cemetery. A perfect place to share with friends and give thought to friends and family now gone from our lives. Although a 90˚ F plus day, there was a breeze from the river and shade to be had (all those holly trees, of course!).

Of course there was the rumble of the long, screeching freight train on the other side of the Kanawha canal where young Canada geese were dabbling protected by their parents. A perfect holiday outing amid the crème de la crème of Richmond's dead.

Pink sunset cloud in Amelia County

5/24/2014, 8 pm, looking north

The end of a beautiful day at The Clearing in Amelia County, Virginia was filled with cool breezes and the scent of honeysuckle and peonies. The air at dusk echoed with the calls of wood thrush across the woods. A perfect time and place to just be.

This lovely pink cloud perched above the gathering dark to reflect the last of the sun as it set in Amelia on a lovely day.

Two Year Hiatus

Lovely, diaphanous clouds in the east last evening just before 7 pm. They changed quickly as they were swirled by the southerly breeze forming gauzy stretches and puffy veils.

Decided to resume to posts two years on and complete the year. Expect posts through August!

Crescent moon and clouds

05/17/12, 9 pm, looking up to the southwest

05/18/12, 10 pm, looking up to the southwest

There is something breathtaking about the crescent moon and veils of night clouds. The transparent and illuminated nature of the clouds is so special. How often are we awake and aware enough to look up and enjoy this magical sight?

Cloudy with a hint of blue

05/16/12, 4 pm, looking west

05/19/12, 2 pm, looking northwest

These two mostly overcast days still provided a glimpse of blue sky beyond the cloud curtain. Shown together here, the two skyings are actually three days apart.