Sunday, July 26, 2009

Fire In The Sky

Last night we had a strange thunderstorm over Vancouver, after weeks of hot, dry weather. The rain was a cool, welcome relief, but unfortunately the Munchkins and I were not able to attend the fireworks because of the lightning, thunder, rain, hail... We were very disappointed -- to say the least -- because the competitor was South Africa, and I had been looking forward to seeing them. But we were treated to our own fireworks, and the most brilliant red sky, which I thought I would share with you. I'm not a photographer, and I wasn't sure if the photo would turn out when I snapped it, et voila! here it is. I once watched an episode of The Twilight Zone where a whole neighborhood had been scooped up and deposited on another planet. Looking at the red sky made me think ... perhaps that had happened to us. I have never seen a blood red sky before, and it was a bit disconcerting at first, but unusually beautiful as it reflected on all the buildings around us. In some ways, I think our fireworks may have been just as beautiful -- and much more interesting -- as the ones we missed.

17 comments:

JeannetteLS said...

I saw a sky like that just once, in New Hampshire. A tornado was involved that night, but the sky was hypnotic and beautiful... and scary. Thank you for the picture. Bet you're right about what light show was more extraordinary. And yet, too bad you couldn't have had both! (I am greedy.)

Sunny said...

I think if I saw the sky that red, I'd be under the bed! It's really quite a picture.
Sunny :)

Leslie: said...

it was quite exciting out my way, too. Even though the patio is covered, the lightning lit it up with its brilliant yellow colour. And the roaring thunder was so loud. We were right under the storm for quite a while. Sorry you missed the SA fireworks, but don't forget we're having a beach day this week. That's going to be fun!

Susan English Mason said...

I felt the exact same way on the 4th of July here in AZ. The sun, clouds, and moon were putting on quite the show at around 7 PM. I was snapping pictures so fast and couldn't keep up. I kept thinking, "Who needs fireworks?" I posted the best ones.

Alissa Grosso said...

I've never seen a sky quite like that before, but it is beautiful in a strange and haunting way.

Land of shimp said...

Gosh, I think I'd be frightened by a sky that color, since I've never seen a bright red sky before. Amazing picture, thank you for sharing it!

Charles Gramlich said...

Red sky at night, sailor's delight.

But it sure does look rather foreboding.

Leilani Tresise said...

WOW I have never seen anything like that ! We get red moons here, but the whole sky? WOW!

DUTA said...

Red sky, although beautiful, many see it as a bad omen which predicts war or some other form of disaster.

Marguerite said...

Wow, that sky is incredible! I've never seen anything like it. I think I know which episode of the Twilight Zone you're talking about. lol Have a great week, Jo!

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

I don't know if I have mentioned before, but I have friends who went to school with me who now live in Vancouver. They went to the firewworks show and told me about it on Facebook. They also mentioned the thunder storm you had. They were at a baseball game which was stopped because of it. They said everybody just sat in the rain enjoying it.

Carl said...

JO- That's quite a sight to see. Thanks for sharing the picture.

The Bug said...

We've had a really weird looking YELLOW sky, but not a red one. You captured it quite well, between the trees. I agree with some of the others who've posted - it's a bit scary looking!

Pat said...

How funny! Just a few weeks ago a bad storm blew through and the aftermath was an eerie red sky. I took a photo, too. It looked like maybe we lived on Mars or something.
See the photo here.
http://pat-aviewfromtheedge.blogspot.com/2009/06/lightening-and-thunder-and-rain-oh-my.html

amourissima said...

A few years ago I remember forest fires ripping through the Kootneys like nothing I've ever seen before. The smoke made the sky a hot orange color and the sunsets were intense as it snowed white ash for 3 days straight.

Kathy's Klothesline said...

Beautiful......and a little scary!

Mariana Soffer said...

Many times I feel like I am living in a twilight zone episode in a weird space and time, it feels interesting mostly fine, this happens always that I am traveling in an unknown place