2. Weather

North American Monsoon

Spectacular lightning, dust storms, monsoons, flash flooding...Arizona has it all. At the end of July in 2008 I headed off to the scorching deserts of Arizona for the Extreme Heat project. I witnessed the unique and massive movement of moisture flowing into the desert landscape, the North American Monsoon, resulting in intense flash flooding, huge electrical thunderstorms, incredible haboobs (fast moving dust storms) combined with extreme temperatures. With the Grand Canyon and Death Valley a stone’s throw distance away I was within one of the hottest spots on earth. So hot you can make instant sun tea and hot water comes out of both taps! I captured every minute of this incredible cyclic phenomenon. However, all did no go to plan. After a few days moisture flow was cut off from an early season hurricane and I had to adopt plan B. This took me to Florida in search of waterspouts and thunderstorms. I returned to Arizona for the last few days of the project for some stunning lightning displays too. A true adventure.
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  • Monsoon downpours were intense, unleashing one foot of rain in an hour. The Arizona landscape was a perfect backdrop for images. The nature of the land was also conducive to major flash flooding. Timing and positioning were crucial to get shots like this. The intensity and crispness of the precip shaft is what I was after here. Minutes later flash floods would have stranded us, if we had stayed put. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F5.6, 1/250s

    Monsoon downpours were intense, unleashing one foot of rain in an hour. The Arizona landscape was a perfect backdrop for images. The nature of the land was also conducive to major flash flooding. Timing and positioning were crucial to get shots like this. The intensity and crispness of the precip shaft is what I was after here. Minutes later flash floods would have stranded us, if we had stayed put. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F5.6, 1/250s

  • Incredible monsoon storm captured in panoramic format. Four images stitched to give a sense of scale to these epic monsoon storms. Olympus E3, 12-60mm SWD - F5.6, 1/400s

    Incredible monsoon storm captured in panoramic format. Four images stitched to give a sense of scale to these epic monsoon storms. Olympus E3, 12-60mm SWD - F5.6, 1/400s

  • Stormchasers and TV crews galore following this monsoon thunderstorm north of Phoenix, Arizona. It also unleashed very impressive cloud to ground lightning. Olympus E3, 12-60mm SWD - F4.5, 1/250s

    Stormchasers and TV crews galore following this monsoon thunderstorm north of Phoenix, Arizona. It also unleashed very impressive cloud to ground lightning. Olympus E3, 12-60mm SWD - F4.5, 1/250s

  • A beautiful and photogenic place to visit during monsoon season. This shot saw me located east of Tucson in the Sierra Vista hills in search of monsoon storms. I was drawn to the colour from the yellow bush and sign, located in the middle of the desert landscape. The track or 'Private Drive' went on for ever straight into the storm. "Sue me" I thought. Olympus E3, 12-60mm SWD - F5.6, 1/60s

    A beautiful and photogenic place to visit during monsoon season. This shot saw me located east of Tucson in the Sierra Vista hills in search of monsoon storms. I was drawn to the colour from the yellow bush and sign, located in the middle of the desert landscape. The track or 'Private Drive' went on for ever straight into the storm. "Sue me" I thought. Olympus E3, 12-60mm SWD - F5.6, 1/60s

  • Temperatures pushing 120F were not the only thing pushing body and camera to the limits. Amidst the Arizona desert landscape reside a whole host of little critters. Flip flops or sandals were not recommended. On one shoot, near Phoenix, the area was covered with tarantula holes. I didn't realise what they were until someone cautiously advised me where not to put my feet. Olympus E3, 12-60mm SWD - F4.5, 1/250s

    Temperatures pushing 120F were not the only thing pushing body and camera to the limits. Amidst the Arizona desert landscape reside a whole host of little critters. Flip flops or sandals were not recommended. On one shoot, near Phoenix, the area was covered with tarantula holes. I didn't realise what they were until someone cautiously advised me where not to put my feet. Olympus E3, 12-60mm SWD - F4.5, 1/250s

  • The Longhorn bar and grill, Arivaca, Tucson, Arizona. It's not every day you get to see a place like this. The iconic horns are visible for miles and it's an irresistible stop. The food is as good as the entrance. Olympus E3, 7-14mm - F5, 1/1000s

    The Longhorn bar and grill, Arivaca, Tucson, Arizona. It's not every day you get to see a place like this. The iconic horns are visible for miles and it's an irresistible stop. The food is as good as the entrance. Olympus E3, 7-14mm - F5, 1/1000s

  • The towering storm cloud of a cumulonimbus, driven upwards by a combination of convection and the hills surrounding Tucson, Arizona. Storms like this are a common sight during monsoon season as pools of moisture get drawn into the normally dry atmosphere. The 8mm fisheye is used to maximise the composition and thereby giving a different perspective from the norm. Olympus E3, 8mm fisheye - F5.6, 1/2500s

    The towering storm cloud of a cumulonimbus, driven upwards by a combination of convection and the hills surrounding Tucson, Arizona. Storms like this are a common sight during monsoon season as pools of moisture get drawn into the normally dry atmosphere. The 8mm fisheye is used to maximise the composition and thereby giving a different perspective from the norm. Olympus E3, 8mm fisheye - F5.6, 1/2500s

  • The protected giant saguaro cactus captured in the Saguaro National Park just outside of Tucson. The cacti are an amazing spectacle to see in their natural habitat. They are also huge, growing beyond 40ft tall and a great subject matter to fill a frame. Whilst pursuing a monsoon storm we found ourselves amidst the cacti and National Park. This particular frame had so many varieties of cacti and with Al in the frame I couldn't have wrote a better script. Olympus E3, 12-60mm SWD - F5.6, 1/640s

    The protected giant saguaro cactus captured in the Saguaro National Park just outside of Tucson. The cacti are an amazing spectacle to see in their natural habitat. They are also huge, growing beyond 40ft tall and a great subject matter to fill a frame. Whilst pursuing a monsoon storm we found ourselves amidst the cacti and National Park. This particular frame had so many varieties of cacti and with Al in the frame I couldn't have wrote a better script. Olympus E3, 12-60mm SWD - F5.6, 1/640s

  • Another shot from the Saguaro National Park. I cannot rate this place highly enough. An absolute must for anyone passing through or staying in Tucson. This time I shot with the fisheye to give a different angle on a similar subject. A useful tip with strong subjects Olympus E3, 8mm fisheye - F5.6, 1/1000s

    Another shot from the Saguaro National Park. I cannot rate this place highly enough. An absolute must for anyone passing through or staying in Tucson. This time I shot with the fisheye to give a different angle on a similar subject. A useful tip with strong subjects Olympus E3, 8mm fisheye - F5.6, 1/1000s

  • A home grown storm springs into life over downtown Tucson. Storms would fire up in minutes over the Catalina range and end up drifting over the city. It made for great photos. A good vantage point was crucial to capture such a scene. This was taken from 'A' mountain, just across the Interstate west of Tucson, a great place to sit and watch the storm erupting. Olympus E3, 12-60mm SWD - F6.3, 1/250s

    A home grown storm springs into life over downtown Tucson. Storms would fire up in minutes over the Catalina range and end up drifting over the city. It made for great photos. A good vantage point was crucial to capture such a scene. This was taken from 'A' mountain, just across the Interstate west of Tucson, a great place to sit and watch the storm erupting. Olympus E3, 12-60mm SWD - F6.3, 1/250s

  • My main reason for visiting Arizona during monsoon season. Lightning like no other place on earth. Capturing good quality daytime lightning is near on impossible without luck, or a bit of help. My help was a lightning trigger. I still had to impose settings manually but the trigger is definitely the tool for a daytime bolt. Olympus E3, 12-60mm SWD - F6.3, 1/30s

    My main reason for visiting Arizona during monsoon season. Lightning like no other place on earth. Capturing good quality daytime lightning is near on impossible without luck, or a bit of help. My help was a lightning trigger. I still had to impose settings manually but the trigger is definitely the tool for a daytime bolt. Olympus E3, 12-60mm SWD - F6.3, 1/30s

  • Tucson Lightning

    Tucson Lightning

    Stunning lightning striking buildings in downtown Tucson, Arizona. One of my objectives in Arizona was to capture quality lightning exploding over a city landscape. Mission accomplished. I recall leaping in the air screaming with joy after catching this beauty. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F5.6, 40s

  • Our very last evening in Tucson produced the best lightning from the trip. I was using two cameras and two different lenses. One to capture the wider picture and the other trained close on the high risers. This image was a combination of 5 wider exposures ranging from between 5s and 20s, layered and flattened in PS. Again, an alternative method to opening the shutter for a long time. Olympus E3, 12-60mm SWD - F7.1, 5s-20s

    Our very last evening in Tucson produced the best lightning from the trip. I was using two cameras and two different lenses. One to capture the wider picture and the other trained close on the high risers. This image was a combination of 5 wider exposures ranging from between 5s and 20s, layered and flattened in PS. Again, an alternative method to opening the shutter for a long time. Olympus E3, 12-60mm SWD - F7.1, 5s-20s

  • A home grown storm springs into life over downtown Tucson. Storms would fire up in minutes over the Catalina range and end up drifting over the city. It made for great photos. A good vantage point was crucial to capture such a scene. This was taken from 'A' mountain, just across the Interstate west of Tucson, a great place to sit and watch the storm erupting.

    A home grown storm springs into life over downtown Tucson. Storms would fire up in minutes over the Catalina range and end up drifting over the city. It made for great photos. A good vantage point was crucial to capture such a scene. This was taken from 'A' mountain, just across the Interstate west of Tucson, a great place to sit and watch the storm erupting.

  • Heavy Rain Shower

    Heavy Rain Shower

    Monsoon downpours were intense, unleashing one foot of rain in an hour. The Arizona landscape was a perfect backdrop for images. The nature of the land was also conducive to major flash flooding. Timing and positioning were crucial to get shots like this. The intensity and crispness of the precip shaft is what I was after here. Minutes later flash floods would have stranded us, if we had stayed put.

  • Monsoon downpours were intense, unleashing one foot of rain in an hour. The Arizona landscape was a perfect backdrop for images. The nature of the land was also conducive to major flash flooding. Timing and positioning were crucial to get shots like this. The intensity and crispness of the precip shaft is what I was after here. Minutes later flash floods would have stranded us, if we had stayed put.

    Monsoon downpours were intense, unleashing one foot of rain in an hour. The Arizona landscape was a perfect backdrop for images. The nature of the land was also conducive to major flash flooding. Timing and positioning were crucial to get shots like this. The intensity and crispness of the precip shaft is what I was after here. Minutes later flash floods would have stranded us, if we had stayed put.

  • Monsoon downpours were intense, unleashing one foot of rain in an hour. The Arizona landscape was a perfect backdrop for images. The nature of the land was also conducive to major flash flooding. Timing and positioning were crucial to get shots like this. The intensity and crispness of the precip shaft is what I was after here. Minutes later flash floods would have stranded us, if we had stayed put.

    Monsoon downpours were intense, unleashing one foot of rain in an hour. The Arizona landscape was a perfect backdrop for images. The nature of the land was also conducive to major flash flooding. Timing and positioning were crucial to get shots like this. The intensity and crispness of the precip shaft is what I was after here. Minutes later flash floods would have stranded us, if we had stayed put.

  • Monsoon downpours were intense, unleashing one foot of rain in an hour. The Arizona landscape was a perfect backdrop for images. The nature of the land was also conducive to major flash flooding. Timing and positioning were crucial to get shots like this. The intensity and crispness of the precip shaft is what I was after here. Minutes later flash floods would have stranded us, if we had stayed put.

    Monsoon downpours were intense, unleashing one foot of rain in an hour. The Arizona landscape was a perfect backdrop for images. The nature of the land was also conducive to major flash flooding. Timing and positioning were crucial to get shots like this. The intensity and crispness of the precip shaft is what I was after here. Minutes later flash floods would have stranded us, if we had stayed put.

  • Monsoon downpours were intense, unleashing one foot of rain in an hour. The Arizona landscape was a perfect backdrop for images. The nature of the land was also conducive to major flash flooding. Timing and positioning were crucial to get shots like this. The intensity and crispness of the precip shaft is what I was after here. Minutes later flash floods would have stranded us, if we had stayed put.

    Monsoon downpours were intense, unleashing one foot of rain in an hour. The Arizona landscape was a perfect backdrop for images. The nature of the land was also conducive to major flash flooding. Timing and positioning were crucial to get shots like this. The intensity and crispness of the precip shaft is what I was after here. Minutes later flash floods would have stranded us, if we had stayed put.

  • Monsoon downpours were intense, unleashing one foot of rain in an hour. The Arizona landscape was a perfect backdrop for images. The nature of the land was also conducive to major flash flooding. Timing and positioning were crucial to get shots like this. The intensity and crispness of the precip shaft is what I was after here. Minutes later flash floods would have stranded us, if we had stayed put.

    Monsoon downpours were intense, unleashing one foot of rain in an hour. The Arizona landscape was a perfect backdrop for images. The nature of the land was also conducive to major flash flooding. Timing and positioning were crucial to get shots like this. The intensity and crispness of the precip shaft is what I was after here. Minutes later flash floods would have stranded us, if we had stayed put.

  • Monsoon downpours were intense, unleashing one foot of rain in an hour. The Arizona landscape was a perfect backdrop for images. The nature of the land was also conducive to major flash flooding. Timing and positioning were crucial to get shots like this. The intensity and crispness of the precip shaft is what I was after here. Minutes later flash floods would have stranded us, if we had stayed put.

    Monsoon downpours were intense, unleashing one foot of rain in an hour. The Arizona landscape was a perfect backdrop for images. The nature of the land was also conducive to major flash flooding. Timing and positioning were crucial to get shots like this. The intensity and crispness of the precip shaft is what I was after here. Minutes later flash floods would have stranded us, if we had stayed put.

  • A home grown storm springs into life over downtown Tucson. Storms would fire up in minutes over the Catalina range and end up drifting over the city. It made for great photos. A good vantage point was crucial to capture such a scene. This was taken from 'A' mountain, just across the Interstate west of Tucson, a great place to sit and watch the storm erupting.

    A home grown storm springs into life over downtown Tucson. Storms would fire up in minutes over the Catalina range and end up drifting over the city. It made for great photos. A good vantage point was crucial to capture such a scene. This was taken from 'A' mountain, just across the Interstate west of Tucson, a great place to sit and watch the storm erupting.

  • Monsoon downpours were intense, unleashing one foot of rain in an hour. The Arizona landscape was a perfect backdrop for images. The nature of the land was also conducive to major flash flooding. Timing and positioning were crucial to get shots like this. The intensity and crispness of the precip shaft is what I was after here. Minutes later flash floods would have stranded us, if we had stayed put.

    Monsoon downpours were intense, unleashing one foot of rain in an hour. The Arizona landscape was a perfect backdrop for images. The nature of the land was also conducive to major flash flooding. Timing and positioning were crucial to get shots like this. The intensity and crispness of the precip shaft is what I was after here. Minutes later flash floods would have stranded us, if we had stayed put.

  • Monsoon downpours were intense, unleashing one foot of rain in an hour. The Arizona landscape was a perfect backdrop for images. The nature of the land was also conducive to major flash flooding. Timing and positioning were crucial to get shots like this. The intensity and crispness of the precip shaft is what I was after here. Minutes later flash floods would have stranded us, if we had stayed put.

    Monsoon downpours were intense, unleashing one foot of rain in an hour. The Arizona landscape was a perfect backdrop for images. The nature of the land was also conducive to major flash flooding. Timing and positioning were crucial to get shots like this. The intensity and crispness of the precip shaft is what I was after here. Minutes later flash floods would have stranded us, if we had stayed put.

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    Heavy Rain Shower
    Monsoon downpours were intense, unleashing one foot of rain in an hour. The Arizona landscape was a perfect backdrop for images. The nature of the land was also conducive to major flash flooding. Timing and positioning were crucial to get shots like this. The intensity and crispness of the precip shaft is what I was after here. Minutes later flash floods would have stranded us, if we had stayed put.
    Monsoon downpours were intense, unleashing one foot of rain in an hour. The Arizona landscape was a perfect backdrop for images. The nature of the land was also conducive to major flash flooding. Timing and positioning were crucial to get shots like this. The intensity and crispness of the precip shaft is what I was after here. Minutes later flash floods would have stranded us, if we had stayed put.