If you have never listened to the wind, you should. It can really have a lot to say. This last week, it screamed, violently, through the midwestern United States, leaving a terrible path of destruction in its wake.
Some areas are known for their wind. Medicine Bow, Wyoming (home of the Virginian Hotel, made famous by Owen Wister), for instance is one of the windiest places in the United States. When I lived in Wyoming, a rancher once told me that the wind doesn’t blow 24 hours out of the whole year in Medicine Bow. I’m not sure how true that is, but I do know that a still day is difficult to come across. The wind’s constant howling through the rafters and windows of homes has driven people mad in Wyoming. Although it can’t be stopped, it can be used. Wind farms are becoming more and more common in the windy areas of the West as an alternative to coal-powered energy.
However, just as easily as it can destroy, wind can also be gentle, almost loving. The wind is a vital component of the weather, moving storms the feed plants and animals alike. The wind is a pollinator, and in polluted areas, it helps to clear the air.
Recently, on a quick trip out to Joshua Tree National Park, the wind blew all afternoon, and it must have been really blowing in the upper atmosphere, because a breath-taking lenticular cloud formed over the park. It dissipated before sunset, but these Parry’s Nolina (Nolina parryi) almost looked like they were dancing, sexily swaying their hips, in the late afternoon light. You can see the tail end of the lenticular in the sky.
- Wind Song, May 2011
The wind is definitely talking. What do you hear?
Very good post and photo Greg.
The wind definitely speaks, but much like art and music it speaks a language that words can’t convey. At least my limited vocabulary can’t…
Wonderful, wonderful image.
Really like this image. Wind…you want wind. Come to the Owens Valley. You will get your fill of it here lately.
Last year was extremely windy all through the winter and spring. This year is even worse.
I can’t hear you because of all the wind… 😉
I’m glad to see this again Greg…it’s such a mystical and pleasing image.
Your wind in the wide open west is very different from the wind I experience when in the woods here in the Northeast.
Thanks for the comments, guys!
Wind is a pretty amazing and powerful force. I have lots of my own and have heard some odd stories that revolve around wind. A friend once had a rattlesnake strike right between her legs; she couldn’t hear its rattle because of the wind.
Annie Proulx has a couple of books about Wyoming (Close Range and Bad Dirt), that both have short stories about the wind in the West. They’re worth reading for sure…
Sorry, I missed this one, although I saw the image in NSN… Brilliant image, such incongruous plants. great light and an intriguing captivating composition.. A really fine image Greg… congrats…
Oh, oh…what a gorgeous photograph. This is awesome! You could say that it blew me away. 🙂
The wind here is incredible – the rain often blows sideways.
Sharon
What a wonderfully unique image Greg. Love the backlighting against the clouds. J-tree is always full of surprises!
Russ, you’re right…J-Tree is always full of surprises. That said, though, it took me quite a while to warm up to photographically. I’m glad I have my feet under me finally.
The FG tree are beautiful, with such cloud as BG, make a really stunning image.
Hi Greg – this is a really beautiful image. The lighting and composition are very unique and add so much interest to this image. Very nice work. Also, thanks for your recent comment on my blog. I appreciate it.
Thank you for the comments! I stumbled upon this and thought there might be something special about it–I’m glad you agree. I guess sometimes the best parts of the day are the ones that surprise you, or that you’re not expecting. Certainly true here.
This photograph is now a new favorite of yours for me, Greg. I love the movement in it and the unique forms, lighting, colors. It is so refreshingly different.
Thank you David! I really appreciate your take on this image–I think it’ll definitely end up in my portfolio…
When I was out in JTNP same weekend that you were there, I was struck by how photogenic the Parry’s Nolina were. I spent a lot of time on them. I did not get such an interesting image as yours, though. Great work Greg!
Thanks, Phil!