Storm ready

It rained hard Thursday night, and the skies were still threatening the next morning during my photo hike. The 2012 Hurricane Season was officially open, even though there have already been two named storms. While unusual, it’s not unprecedented for storms to form before the traditional opening day, and even in recent years, extend past the November 31 closing.

I love watching and photographing storms. I was on the beach in ’08 when the outer bands of Hurricane Gustav rolled in and again last year when Tropical Storm Lee made its way ashore. I still have a healthy respect for these storms and their potential for catastrophic lost of property and lives. I do know when to take shelter, or to simply run.

Preparations continue in case a storm forms in the Gulf, and heads toward our little stretch of beach. We’ve been lucky the last several years. Gustav was the last storm that came close, and did any damage. I think we’re due. With the mild winter, and the early onset of summer temps, I’m worried this might be a bad year for people along the Gulf Coast.

Until then, I’ll keep going on hikes, and keep chasing storms… until I can’t.

(Photos shot with a Nikon D60, using an 18-55mm, 55-200mm, 20mm f/2.8 wide-angle, 50mm f/1.8 prime lens, Nikon CoolPix S205 and/or iPhone4)

For more photos, please visit my Flickr photostream or my 365 Project Page.

To see other city scenes from around the world, check out Unknown Mami’s Sundays in My City. Don’t forget to show the love to Mami and the other City contributors.