Storm Over the Desert

West of Lake Pleasant, Arizona, July 21, 2000

This evening I have tried my best to outrace the clouds. I am trying to see tiny, faint Comet LINEAR, and for that I will need clear skies to the northwest. I find a suitable spot among the lonely saguaros west of Lake Pleasant, and as the sky grows dark I observe the comet with my binoculars and telescope. But all the while I am aware of flashes of light from behind me. Far to the east, back towards Phoenix, a lightning storm rages.

Date: July 21, 2000, 9:49pm
Camera: Olympus OM-1 35mm SLR, on tripod
Film: Fuji Provia 100 slide
Lens: 100mm at f/5.6, 4 minutes
Scanner: Nikon Coolscan LS-10E