Lightning at Sunset

Our family took a trip recently to Texas. My in-laws took their RV and since we were only going part way to Texas, we rented a car. On this particular evening we were staying at the Santa Rosa Campground & RV Park in New Mexico. We were eating dinner and occasionally we could see lightning. Since we don’t get to see lightning very often in Central California, I decided to stop eating (my second helping anyway) and grab my camera stuff and hopefully get some lightning shots.

I didn’t own any lightning triggers, so I had to anticipate the strikes. I missed some big strikes, but managed to get a few shots. It was getting windy and felt a few raindrops, so I decided to pack up. Just then all “heck” broke loose. Rain started poring and I couldn’t figure out where the RV was. Thankfully the campground host was in his truck telling people to get in their vehicles/RV. I was only thinking “save the camera” so I gave him my camera/tripod. My legs couldn’t fit in the truck so I climbed in to the bed and he took me to the RV. I thanked him and got inside and dried off.

Not a smart move, but when people ask what was the most dangerous thing you’ve done to “get the shot”…this would be it. Hope you like them as much as I liked taking them!

---

Mike is a Central Valley California landscape and nature photographer whose subjects include scenes from Merced County, Yosemite, SeKi, and the eastern Sierra. He is currently living in Atwater, CA.

The text and photographs are © Copyright Mike Matenkosky (or others when indicated) and are not in the public domain and may not be used on websites, blogs, or in other media without advance permission from Mike Matenkosky.

---