On Monday, May 10, 2010, around 4:30 p.m. Central time, I witnessed my first tornado as a Kansas resident. This tornado was 1 mile south of where we live. After the storm, we drove south and found the path of destruction right along the KS/OK state line. (See more photos on my regular blog... link to the right in my sidebar.)
This was not a huge tornado, but there were several other tornadoes to the south of us in Oklahoma, one large one near Medford (30 miles) and one with multiple vortices near Wakita (45 miles). There was also a wedge tornado spotted in Hunnewell, KS, only 6 miles away. Both the Medford and Wakita photos/videos were shown on local and national TV stations. I even had the honor of having several of my photos on our local Wichita TV station on Tuesday.
This first photo (above) is straight out of the camera; as you can see, the sky was light, and so was the tornado, so it's difficult to see.
After I adjusted the contrast, and added some post-processing effects, this is the photo I ended up with (below)... my son said it reminded him of the Wizard of Oz! How appropriate, huh?
Next time (IF there's a next time!!) I will try to calm down and get MORE and better photos. Needless to say, being this was my first tornado, I was flitting about like a nervous bird!!! But I learned that a tornado goes by quickly, and you only have a few chances to get a good photo, so you better hurry up and focus and HOLD STILL.
Visit SkyWatch Friday to see amazing and beautiful skies from around the world this week.
Great job, I am glad they skipped you.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I've lived in Kansas for all but a short time in California as a Navy wife and I didn't see my first tornado till I was 35. The radar showed potential tornado weather heading directly toward us yesterday so I took all my external harddrives to the basement. :)
ReplyDeletewow - what an adventure!! Great shot!!
ReplyDeleteOH MY OZ GIRL, Frightening!! I'm glad you are ok and glad you had your camera..great shot
ReplyDeleteWhat?? You were nervous during the storm? What's up with that? ;D Great capture and glad it skipped over you.
ReplyDeleteGreat shot!!
ReplyDeleteI do hope you were within feet of a shelter when you took that photo!!!! What an amazing capture and your post processing is SO good! Glad you are safe and not reporting any problems.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's an amazing photo, especially when contrast adjusted. Yes, I guess you have to take the shot quickly - then head for the storm shelter!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are ok! That's a great photo!
ReplyDeleteI'm already sick of tornado season after Wednesday nights storms!! Of course I'll take it over Winter LOL!! I got some rotating cloud pics during the last storm then had to head in! You got some great shots! Stay safe out there!
ReplyDeleteStorm chasing, ha? You're so brave. Me, I'd found myself a cave to crawl in. Very well done! Happy SWF!
ReplyDeleteWow - fabulous. Love the dark colours of the second shot.
ReplyDeleteGREAT photos. A mile away is just a little too close for comfort!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are okay and I hope it didn't do too much damage.
Take care and enjoy your weekend!
That is what I call a "Frosty" SkyWatch LOL..You may be a bad influence on me. The other day the National Weather Service announced severe weather tornados possible S.E. Ohio. You no where I went
ReplyDeleteAmazing and frightening, but I LOVE to watch the sky during these storms! Welcome to the plains! Great SkyWatch photos! LOVE the OZ effect! ;)
ReplyDeleteHehe!! your blog name and your picture go perfect together! Great capture :)
ReplyDeleteHoodPhoto Blog
Wow! I'm like that for a good thunderstorm!
ReplyDeleteWe had a tornado go over this part of upstate, NY several years ago... it's very eerie and we were huddled in the basement ...
Great shots!
~Happy Weekend~
Maria
Yuo did a pretty good touch up job...really made a difference. We don't have tornados here just a lot of rain and wind!
ReplyDeleteWhoa. Now your name is complete. What an awesome and at the same time scary sight. Given your location, I expect you will get other chances but I think you did a fine job. Most photos never show the vast space in which these tornadoes appear. I like that you did.
ReplyDeleteWizard of Oz was the 1st thing I thought of when I saw that 2nd shot before I even read it! Heheheee
ReplyDeleteI've never had the opportunity to shoot a tornado - You're very brave!!!
great shot!!
ReplyDeleteSo cool!! Nice captures here..you must of been stoked!! I'd love to do something like that, (lol)
ReplyDeleteYikes! Great shots...Must be frightening in real life! Not something I care to experience.
ReplyDeleteAs I was reading this, I SWEAR, we had an earthquake. I went outside and the water was slapping around in our swimming pool...
ReplyDeleteI'll take the EQ's over the tornado...anyday!