While I’ve certainly shot closer and less rain-shrouded lightning in my storm-observing decades, this was a unique setting: a gap in rugged desert hills, looking down into the Colorado River Valley, and the lights of both Bullhead City, AZ, and Laughlin, NV. The storm was over the Dead Mountains of southeastern California, just past Nevada’s southern tip. You’re looking across landscapes of three states to see the lightning here. This is another scenario I may never repeat. The Bullhead adventures this day began with late-afternoon photogenic downbursts and continued through a pretty sunset, with some twilight electricity as a bonus.
9 NE Bullhead City AZ (2 Aug 17) Looking SW
35.1981, -114.4206Bullhead City Booms
While I’ve certainly shot closer and less rain-shrouded lightning in my storm-observing decades, this was a unique setting: a gap in rugged desert hills, looking down into the Colorado River Valley, and the lights of both Bullhead City, AZ, and Laughlin, NV. The storm was over the Dead Mountains of southeastern California, just past Nevada’s southern tip. You’re looking across landscapes of three states to see the lightning here. This is another scenario I may never repeat. The Bullhead adventures this day began with late-afternoon photogenic downbursts and continued through a pretty sunset, with some twilight electricity as a bonus.
9 NE Bullhead City AZ (2 Aug 17) Looking SW
35.1981, -114.4206