Tag: cinder cone

Lightning in Sunset Crater National Monument

A late afternoon storm developed near the San Francisco peaks the other day and I hoped that I would be able to get some lightning images as the sun set and twilight developed. Unfortunately, the initial lighting strikes were too close and I had to retreat to the car for safety. By the time I was able to reset the storm had drifted north and the best lightning was striking behind the cinder hills. Still, the light of the setting sun was making the rain glow.

Lightning behind one of the many cinder hills in Sunset Crater National Monument.
Lightning behind one of the many cinder hills in Sunset Crater National Monument.

As the sun set the colors faded into blue twilight and the storm moved between two cinder hills for a brief time allowing the lightning to appear in the gap.

Lightning behind the cinder hills in Sunset Crater National Monument.
Lightning behind the cinder hills in Sunset Crater National Monument.

Lightning at twilight over the Painted Desert

The North American Monsoon is in full swing with daily thunderstorms — all presenting opportunities for photography. I finally got a chance to photograph some twilight lightning while looking out over the Painted Desert from — where else — the Painted Desert Overlook between Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and Wupatki National Monument.

Double flash of lightning over the Painted Desert of northern Arizona.
Double flash of lightning over the Painted Desert of northern Arizona.
Lightning flash behind a volcanic cinder cone.
Lightning flash behind a volcanic cinder cone.

Shortly after these images were taken rain began to fall and I called it an evening. The drive back home was slow and difficult in the torrential downpour that was constantly interrupted by brilliant flashes of lightning. It was one of the most active nights of lightning in the Flagstaff area of the season. And it did rain hard! One automated raingage reported over 4 ½ inches in two hours.