Storms and Sheds

For many years I have used Costco canvas carports for hay storage. It only takes one winter to discover whether I've chosen a protected enough location. My current shed is tucked into a sheltered area and has been there for several years, unaffected by wind storms. 

I bought a new, cheaper shed (carport) this summer, and put it right next to the survivor. It's a safe spot, right?

We've had several days of windstorms. My new shed made a journey with each one.

The first storm took down one side. It's still windy with heavy rain, so I left repair work for later. Fortunately it was empty.

The next storm sent it flying (and yes, I had it tied down. The tie-downs are mostly still in place.) Notice the original shed is undamaged.

The next day it made it over the top of the other shed, and across the road. Ironically, one of the tie downs got caught on the old shed, helping to hold this one from jumping the fence (while not affecting the stability of the original).

This guy is now mostly dismantled. I'm not sure what to do with it. While it's undamaged, I think it is not stable. Or perhaps my faithful Costco shed has melded with the earth.

Sound and Fury

The air has taken on presence. It is loud, boisterous and pushy. It picks things up and throws them around, not caring who or what they hit. You can hear it coming, feel the force - and then it arrives, cold and fierce. What a day. What a night. Hello wind, hello winter.

In the Middle

I woke to rain, which managed to surprise me, although rain is the normal state of weather here in January. A friend who lives 4 miles away and 200 feet higher called to say he had snow. It wasn't even raining here then. When I went out to feed I went up to the top of the hill to see what I could see.

I seemed to be in the eye of the storm. There were clouds all around, as I sat in sunshine.

Whatever direction I looked clouds hovered on the edges.

Dark clouds loomed to the east, the direction snow was reported.

The northern hills already had a coating of snow.

The window of sunshine didn't last, but I enjoyed it while it was here. It is now snowing, and the snow is accumulating. It should be beautiful in the morning, a world of soft white.

Uncertain Skies

Darkness and Light

A dark cloud came out of the south and rapidly covered the sky, bringing the darkness of night and filling the sky with rain, the ground with mud. 

Then a break appeared, the sun shone through.

That special light of sunshine in a world of dark cloud lit the earth. The trees glowed. The colors intensified.

Charlie is not amused. He is choosing to ignore this day, this night in day, this rain, this mud.

I sympathize.

Arrival and Departure

This storm arrowed in from the southeast - right over Mt. St. Helens - and kept moving east and north. It kept it's V shape, like the distant source was moving, continuing to vent clouds.

These pictures were taken over a half-hour period. 

Approaching Storm / SOOC

After a beautiful, mostly sunny morning these clouds approached from the south and rolled overhead, bringing wind, rain and hail. We were only a short stop on it's journey. In less than an hour it had moved off to the north.

For more straight out of the camera shots, visit murrieta365.

Along The Road

It was an interesting journey, getting hay.

The geese challenge all vehicles for the right to drive down their lane.

The clouds were low and ominous when it wasn't actually raining. 

The river is swollen and moving swiftly,  getting close to the top of the bank.

Hail had come and gone when I got to the farm, with remnants collected in the hay.

The lime pile, waiting for the fields to get dry enough to allow spreading.

Stormy Day, Shiny Night

The squall came through in a rush, blowing limbs before it
The rain fell in sheets, mostly sideways
The world went dark and very, very wet
And then it was over
With the land newly washed.
At dusk, a surprise - the clouds had cleared
A perfect half moon filled the center of the sky
The brightest stars glimmered around her
As if the moon were the center of the universe
Set in a deep blue sky.
The wind roared its approval.

Hail, Hail

We don't often get hailstorms here, and when we do they tend to be fleeting and light, with small hail pellets. Today was different. The hail came crashing down, and it didn't stop. Just when the intensity ebbed and I thought it was ending, a new wave of pelting white pellets came through.


Millie did not think the hail was amusing.


By the time the storm blew by the ground was covered in pea-sized hail. It stuck around in the shady areas, looking like piled-up snow.

Sneak Storm

I am pleased as I go out to feed, because the sky is mostly blue and there is a hint of sun. It's cooler than yesterday, but dry. At the end of my rounds, as I walk towards the sheep, I hear a big wind. It is coming from the north, rattling leaves and buffeting air, making it's approach known. I stand and watch, as one tree and then another is tickled and then bent by the approaching wind. Now leaves are flying, and a bird is diving, soaring, playing in the airstream. Gray clouds are seeping steadily south. I stand and watch, which turns out to be a mistake. I'm struck by an ice ball, then two more, and then it is hailing loudly as I head up the hill to the house. The sky is still half blue, then a hint of blue, then gray. Sheep run for their shelter.

The hail stops. The wind stops, then returns to tickle the treetops. A hole opens in the center of the sky and sun sneaks through. The greens are beautiful against the blue-gray sky, intense as colors are only during storms. The wind gusts, recedes, gusts. What will happen next? The chickens run back out to see if the storm brought any food with it. There remains a hole at the top of the sky where the sun shines through.

Spring storm from the north sneaks in and plays.

More April Storms

New snow in the mountains. The latest storm hasn't arrived there yet.

The storm billowing in.

Dark clouds set off by the new leaves.

The leading edge of the latest storm. Shortly after this picture was taken the wind came up and it started to rain.

More clouds on their way from the east.

Passing Storm

And the Winds Blow On

After a windy week, the winds got together for a big blow. 50-60 mph winds roared up valleys, climbed hills, and pushed against every obstacle they encountered. This was a very loud storm.

This tree was snapped off a foot above the ground. There were branches and small trees littering the lane as well.

Charlie's shelter bowed in submission. It's interesting that the tarps stayed attached, but the frame gave way.

My new carport was relocated across the lane, climbing the trees. It may be recoverable, if I can get it down without further damage.

The tarp over my chicken shelter is in tatters. Yesterday the winds were still strong, coming mostly from the east, so I couldn't make any repairs. I didn't want to attach myself to a sail, even in 20-30 mph winds. I was a bit wary walking through the woods to the lower pasture, past newly downed trees and some leaning precariously, and winds coming another direction.

It was fascinating to experience these two storms back to back. They spoke in different voices, sang different songs. Winds from the east tend to get caught in the ridges and circle around. I was looking north, toward the roar of the wind, watching the trees bow to the west, and feeling the wind on my back.

After the big storm, morning dawned with clear sky and sunshine in view. Today dawned mostly clear and bright and still. A welcome change from clouds, rain and wind.

December Freeze

The air is crisp and clear the way it is only when the temperature is below freezing. The stars are shining brightly, blinking in and out of the black sky. It is still and quiet as I stand in the woods, and then I hear a gust of wind in the trees on the other side of the hill. A chilly breeze slips inside my hood and caresses my cheek. I continue walking. Quiet resumes, then I hear another gust, this time to the north. Each gust seems to come from a different direction, heard first, then felt, as the wind travels through and leaves us behind.

My bantams, trying to stay warm and out of the wind. The chickens are not happy with the cold weather.

Wind

Wind sings its way up the hill.

Raven flies across the slope, turns away from the wind, then into it,

Playing in the sky, flying joy into the air.

Trees catch the wind for a moment and learn it's song,

Then join in with a bass note.

Wind moves on.

Air is filled with song.

Autumn Blows In

We're late! We're late!

It's November, and still sunny in Cascadia!

Come clouds,

Come rain,

We'll fly.

Wind knows the way.

Wind is swift,

Wind is sure.

Wind will carry us,

move us,

and let us settle.

We know we've been missed.

Welcome wind. Welcome clouds. Welcome rain.

Winter has begun.

Rivers in the Sky #2

Driving to Renton yesterday was very interesting, and very beautiful. Hawaii has come to visit the past few days, bringing relatively warm weather and lots of water. Some of that water cascades down from the sky in tropical-weight showers, and some of it is flowing north in sky rivers.

Land rivers - at least wild ones - change their paths in the rainy season, carving new tracks through the earth on their way to the sea. Sky rivers, it seems, change their paths too, but vertically as well as horizontally.

The major rivers moving from the southwest - the center of the Pacific Ocean - to somewhere in the arctic seem to have dipped down a few thousand feet, flowing perilously close to the ground.

I followed these rivers all the way to Renton, where they seemed to flow eastward into the mountains, spread out, and cover Bellevue.

The textures and colors were endlessly changing, like water flowing down a river - always changing, and always the same.

Autumn Oddness

In the rear view mirror dark, threatening clouds loom. Thunder can be heard rumbling around the hills. Ahead is blue sky and bright sun shining off of yellow autumn leaves and fluffy white clouds, as I drive out of the foothills into the valley.

June Storm

Late May and June this year have been most unusual. Generally June in the NW is a winter month squeezed in between spring and summer just to remind  us how far north we really live, and that we should appreciate summer. This year it's been warm to hot and mostly sunny. Like summer.

This day was hot, I even had the air conditioner on driving home. Then I turned off the freeway, towards the mountains. Almost instantly storm clouds appeared.

The light was wonderful, making the trees glow.

My favorite barn and silos against the darkening sky. Notice the white flowers in the field.

Lightening appeared as warm air met cold and clouds collided, although it must have been distant as I never heard any thunder. And, of course, never caught the lightening on camera. These pictures are all taken from the car as I was driving into the storm.

Almost home, and the rains started. This storm ended about 2 hours later, leaving the land and sky washed and almost cloud free. Again, notice these lovely white flowers. They are everywhere, in every field I pass. These are a wild daisy, absolutely beautiful.

Everywhere, that is, except in my fields. My property is sadly daisy free, except for one plant I moved into an area I keep sheep free. Flowers, it seems are very tasty and very nutritious. Especially lovely white daisies. Just ask any sheep.