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LewisM
30-12-2013, 09:51 AM
Just a few happy snaps from the storm that swept over the Sunshine Coast last night.

This storm got more than a little friendly to be wangling around for perfectly framed happy snaps - as it was, I experienced one air burst thunder (VERY close by - ear still ringing now. This occurs when the sonic front becomes spherical, rather than the usual cylindrical expansion,and literally "burst" like a bubble), one blinding flash on a dead tree about 500m away - photo 1 below - (that I use to align my finder scopes occasionally), and one I didn't see because (thankfully I think) I was looking down and only saw red through my closed eyelids. I felt the heat though! A grass fire is still smouldering over in the farm land past the dead tree I mentioned.

Not much rain, not much wind, just a LOT of lightning and ominous clouds.

CJ
30-12-2013, 09:56 AM
Yes, it was quite spectacular. Nice shots!

LewisM
30-12-2013, 11:35 AM
Here is photo 1 enhanced to show the extent of the strike. Brightest and largest I have EVER seen, and I have seen a LOT. I cannot edit it further to just show the "bolt" itself.

Must go digging - might find a Martian vehicle at the bottom (shades of War of the Worlds ;) )

CJ
30-12-2013, 12:34 PM
Bet that rattled a few windows! Dangerous stuff though. Someone got struck & killed at Fraser Island recently. Had his son with him too. Tragic.

astronobob
30-12-2013, 02:33 PM
Right in the Action there Lewis :eyepop: Wise hail protection also : )
Nice capturing on all them, good stuff :thumbsup:

LewisM
30-12-2013, 02:50 PM
The CR2 to JPEG converter doesn't do the best job on auto, so converted a few manually

Derek Klepp
30-12-2013, 05:00 PM
A great show