Friday, August 21, 2009

I'll Huff And I'll Puff

And I'll (Almost) Blow Your House Down

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON



These shots were taken just after 7am last Sunday, during the storm that lashed Victoria, bringing down trees and taking roof tiles off houses. The state had been buffeted by gale-force winds for more than twelve hours and even after daylight arrived, there was no sign of conditions abating.

I had just realised that the tarpaulin cover for our backyard barbecue had been blown off, so I went out into the garden to try and replace it. But the storm made a mockery of my efforts. Even as I tried to replace the cover, the storm continued to lift it, so I just gave up, put the cover away and decided to come back to it later.

No big deal, you're thinking. Maybe not. But before Mrs Authorblog bought me this new barbecue, our old one had a heavy steel cover that snugly embraced the appliance. And during some storms, we'd find that the wind had picked up the cover and flung it around the back yard.

Storms that were nowhere near as savage as this one!


For other participants in Dot’s concept, go to Sky Watch HQ.

36 comments:

Saz said...

FAB skes, dont know why it reminds me of Oskar Kokotchka's blue...

Mojo said...

I bet that tarp did a lot less damage to itself and others whipping around the yard.

We get storms like that several times a year here -- more often on the coast than this far inland, but when they happen... it can get veeerrrry interesting. One of the local weather anchors created a "Trash Can Relocation Chart" after one particularly violent blow a few years ago. (Well I though it was funny... guess you had to be there.)

Anonymous said...

It takes skies that angry to remind us of the force of nature.

Tess Kincaid said...

Love the drama of that sky. Take care of flying barbecue lids!

Rosaria Williams said...

Oh my, I was just reminiscing about storms; you were having a live one. Are they stronger than usual?

Robynn's Ravings said...

Hi David - Skies are among my favorite photographs. Beautiful.

Would you mind stopping by my "place" today and checking out the post? You might deem it worthy for a POTD. I thank you kindly.

Craver Vii said...

It appears as though that very same storm passed through this neck of the woods yesterday.

Erin said...

always enjoy a moody sky...beautiful captures david.
have a most wonderful weekend.

Gaelyn said...

That sure is a very dramatic sky. Hope you didn't loose the entire BBQ.

James said...

Beautiful shots. They remind me of a creepy mystery.

Brian Miller said...

ominous skies...was just reading another blogger about the vicious weather they were having...thankfully clear skies here today.

Janie said...

Great photos of a stormy sky. Hope the BBQ grill made it through the wind without damage.

Regina said...

Great captures of the storm clouds.

Nessa said...

The first picture looks angry, the second one looks sleepy.

SaraG said...

Beautiful skies!!
Happy SWF

NitWit1 said...

Love the beautiful but dangerous "sky shots." Isn't interesting nature, even when threatening, can also be beautiful?

Gemma Wiseman said...

That storm was so violent! Mainly the wind was of greatest concern because it was ongoing, but the heavy rain seemed to tumble in shifts! Not a day to venture far! Great sky shots!

annalarssonphotography said...

Forces of the nature - great shots David!

Have a nice weekend!
Anna

Pearl said...

Your sky looks like the one that's been over Minneapolis for four days now. What a strange summer we've had!

Pearl

Photo Cache said...

storms like that are the ones i miss since moving to california.

happy weekend.

Deborah Godin said...

Wow, that's a sky that commands respect!

Vodka Mom said...

it's an amazing shot- I love it.

Texas Travelers said...

Great photo. Looks fierce.
Terrific for sky watch.

I hope the damage was not too bad.

Come visit,
Troy

Rudee said...

Mother Nature gives great face--and you do a great job in capturing her rather fickle behavior. Hope you fared well in that storm.

imac said...

Nice and stormy sky David.

Come take a trip with me on the London Eye.

Pearl Maple said...

Wild weather do bring interesting skies to photograph. Thanks for adding to the Sky Watch Friday party.

Jim said...

Dramatic skies out your way. Nothing but blue, here at the moment.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

Sylvia K said...

Fantastic stormy shots, David! The skies do know how to express themselves so dramatically and beautifully at the same time!

Have a great weekend!

Sylvia

Unknown said...

Oh this all sounds so familiar David, we have similar issues in Okieland no surprise.

Do come and see me this week, I'm like a proud mama, my shot got on TV here today twice!!

Eric said...

Some nice dramatic skies here, love them, well done!!

Have a nice SWF

Shadow said...

storms around the globe at the moment is seems. hold on to your bbq, the weekend's a-coming!

Quilly Unshuttered said...

Glorious stormy skies. We currently have the wind blowing here and it seems to be trying to make up for the horribly hot and still week we just endured.

Deb said...

Because of SkyWatch Friday I have found that I now watch the sky more closely and with new eyes - much more observant. Glad you caught this shot.

ellen abbott said...

A lot of power in that sky David.

Tammie Lee said...

Your photos have wonderful sky drama in them. http://miztlee.blogspot.com/

DeniseinVA said...

Wonderful images.