Chicago lightning: Mother Nature lights up the night

©Brigette Sullivan/Outer Focus Photos

©Brigette Sullivan/Outer Focus Photos

Chicago has been riddled with a plethora of severe weather lately. We’ve had several days with a humid heat index above one-hundred. We’ve had numerous severe storms–including plenty of thunder, lightning, hail, and heavy downpours. Most of them seem to come later in the day, when I’d really like to be editing photos. Even though I have surge protectors, I unplug all my computers and storage drives (I can never be too safe with my equipment and all your photo files!). Last night I had enough of sitting quietly through another stormy night, frustrated I couldn’t get work done.

I figured I may as well be productive and creative… Somehow. I hopped in the Jeep and headed toward downtown. Perched safely in the backseat, I unzipped a window and snapped these shots. The first was the only good shot I got of lightning over the city before it moved over Lake Michigan. My tripod was not quite ready so there’s a tiny bit of movement blur. The other image is at the Monroe Harbor area, just behind Soldier Field as the lightning danced over the lake. If I can’t beat Mother Nature, I may as well join her and photograph the light show!

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