Parvati Valley (Indian Himalayas) - The Clearing

The Clearing.....

After spending a better part of the year chasing storms and lightning I was now looking forward for a shoot under fair weather and deep blue skies.Oct is normally associated with such weather as the monsoons have retreated from the Sub continent. Saturated blue skies , interspersed with some puffy clouds are the flavor of the month and have their own charm.

So I decided to trek up to this vantage, with fair weather in mind. It was past noon when I arrived here. And a good time, to grab some homemade, packed lunch. My eyes were occasionally checking out the skies for any signs of a drama. And then I thought I heard a faint sound. Was not sure , but it sounded like thunder. A thunder ….during Oct..? I must be hallucinating..! Lunch over, I decided to hike up for a better view of the vale down below. Another one…and a big loud roar it was. A little confusion besetting my mind now.Things were changing way too rapidly. Was it really Oct…?

An unmistakable storm front had formed over north of Kullu. Cold, intense winds threatening to knock out my tripod were raging across the high ground. Unable to bear the cold, I pulled out my jacket and cap Balaklava. So here I was ….caught in the midst of a thunderstorm…it was absolutely incredible. ..! Instinctively I was in a storm chasing mode. Conditions so familiar, that it was like my own turf.

Iam pleased to share the last stage of a raging thunderstorm….” The Clearing”. Those of you who have read so far…can you spot a faint rainbow in the left ,central part of the frame..?

Done