~Virga~

~Above The Tortolita Range~

Virga is rain that doesn't reach the ground.
The precipitation evaporates somewhere
on the journey from clouds toward earth.
Virga can be seen falling away in streaks
from the bottom of those gray clouds.
The air thousands of feet above the ground
is moist enough to produce clouds and rain,
at the same time that the air closer
to the ground is as dry as a bone.
So when rain falls in these conditions
it evaporates on its freefall to earth.

This beautiful sight was replaced
about 2 hours later with a relentless
and severe thunder and lightning storm.
According to my rain guage in the yard,
I got 1.75 inches in about an hour.
Now that is what I call a real gully washer.
As a matter of fact, closer to town,
swift water rescues were taking place.
Dumb people trying to get to the other side
of normally dry river crossings.
We have a law here in Arizona
called the 'Stupid Driver Law'.
That means, if you are brainless enough
to drive down a road that has been
covered with running water and you get swept away,
you have to pay for all the costs and expenses
of dragging your sorry ass out of the river.
You also incur great personal humiliation.
If you live to tell about it! Everyone lived today.

Thanks and
"Don't Drown, Turn Around"

Have a wonderful weekend my friends!

• Canon EOS 40D:
• f/16.0:
• 1/400":
• 55mm:
• ISO 250

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