Sunday, June 27, 2010

06/27/10 Chase...

Yup! Went on another storm chase. Big surprise, huh? I chased several pulse thunderstorms today. I started from Wichita Falls and ended up in Jacksboro. These storms were never severe warned and nontornadic, but I still managed to get some great photos and I had a blast chasing them.

Thanks for the support!

-Ben


The SPC Thunderstorm Outlook for 06-27-10. A "see text" indicates a less than 5% probability of severe weather occurring.


SPC Tornado graphic. Nothing around our area.

SPC Hail Graphic. Our thunderstorms were only forecast to have marginally severe hail and gusty winds.


Satellite at 4:55pm. Thunderstorms are starting to develop in front of an advancing cold front. A moderate unstable air mass was in place and an upper level disturbance was moving through our area as well.


I leave Wichita Falls around 5:15 and I head for Henrietta, TX. The storm to my NE looks pretty good. You can see an inflow notch and a strong core.

Velocity scan shows a nice area of rotation.

Echo Tops show these storms are reaching 52.5 kft (52,500) that is almost 10miles high!

The storm starts to look very good now and what appears to be a hook echo is developing.

Shot this out my window while driving. You can see the core of this storm in the center of the image.

I get into position and try to head north, but the cold front catches up to the storms and the cells start to merge.


For some reason the cells break apart again and I have a storm I can chase. The storm takes a southerly path and I need to move south.

On FM 2332 west.

This storm starts to put on a lightning show for me.



I drive a few more miles west and I find this old shed sitting in a field. I thought to myself, "Sure would be nice if some lighting would strike over there."


This storm was pulling in some pretty good inflow and structure wise its not too bad.

The core is catching up to me and I don't want to be in it. I had back east on 2332 and come up to this scene. A dilapidated windmill and the storms' mammatus clouds.

My storm starts to die out and I shift my target farther south. I am heading for Newport.

Velocity scan. This storm is exhibiting some rotation.

I have to pull over and shoot what I see.

Beautiful! I love the triangle shape formed by the hay and the bowing of the shelf/scud/roll cloud--not really sure what that is.


Vertical orientation now. I could have shot this scene all day.

Foiled once again by the cold front!

That cool roll/shelf/scud cloud decays into nothing.

I keep heading south past Newport. Here is another structure shot of the approaching gust front.

Under the ragged base.

I shift my target further south now. Jacksboro is where I would like to be. But the fastest way to get there is to drive through the storm.

Updraft base from the storm north of Jacksboro.

Rain/Hail core of the cell.

I punch through some heavy rain and possibly some pea size hail and the storm dies out.

But at least the show wasn't over. The storm forms a roll cloud. This was taken through the windshield while driving.

While these are perfectly harmless there is still an ominous look to them.
Texas delivers photogenic storms once again! It even looks like there could be some tomorrow and tomorrow night. Unfortunately I will be working, but if I might chase after work.

NWS Graphicast for tomorrow 06/28/10.

Monday, June 21, 2010

RRPC Field Trip: Medicine Mound Community...

Sunday, I went with the Red River Photography Club on a field trip to the Medicine Mound Community in Hardeman county. In 1854 area land was deeded to a railroad company, settlers arrived in the 1870'. The town did later relocate 2.5 miles north in 1908 when the Kansas City, Mexico, and Orient railway was built. Medicine Mound was fully established in 1911. At its peak the town had 22 businesses and a population of 500. Unfortunately, the Great Depression and a devastating fire in 1933 contributed to the demise of Medicine Mound. The fire destroyed almost all of the town site and the last business closed in 1966. Medicine Mound is now a museum and a historic Texas landmark.

I hope you enjoy.

-Ben




The Medicine Mound gas station.




This building was a photographer's treat!

Gas pump

Closer up to reveal some of the parts.

The historical "Hicks and Cobb General Merchandise Store". Originally opened in 1927. The 1933 fire destroyed the store and they rebuilt using granite cobble stones from Oklahoma.

This sign marks the location of the Medicine Mound Drug Store. All that is left is a slab of concrete.

Blue Mailbox...

This really was an incredible place. I love the vibrant blue mailbox up against the red of the cobblestone.

Buildings aren't the only thing to shoot around here. An abundance of these colorful grasshoppers live around this area.

I was fortunate to get a cooperative subject. Just wish I had a macro lens.

Ghosts?! In the Medicine Mound ghost town?! Nope. Just me playing with long exposure.

Can you see the "ghost" in this image? Look in the window and then towards the far right side of the photo.

More long exposure...

I had to do some long exposure with this.


Not sure what this structure was, but I did like how it aligned with the cacti in the foreground.

Sunset over the Medicine Mounds. The Medicine Mounds were settled by Kiowa and Comanche Indians. Legend has it they have magical healing powers.

What a wonderful place! I am already planning another trip, now I have just got to remember how to get back there!

About Me

My photo
I am 25 years old and I have been a photographer for 11 years now. I love nothing more than taking my camera out on a photo shoot with me. I mainly focus on nature photography.That is where my passion is. I love looking at all of God's wonderful creations and capturing them in the photographic medium. I have won awards and have received special recognition for my photography. It is my calling and my passion!