It's Better Than Fireworks During the Monsoons

Fireworks, though legal in New Mexico, are often banned on the 4th of July because of the danger of inadvertent fires during the pre-monsoon dry conditions.  But mother natures displays are always legal and frequently much more spectacular and interesting.  The local lore holds that the monsoon season begins on the 4th of July and this year was no different.  PPR has received about 1.5" of rain since the 4th and last nights monsoon brought an exceptional lightning display over the Peloncillo mountains bringing 0.42" of rain to the Painted Pony Resort.  Guests were out on the patio watching nature's display and the oohs and aahs were audible across the estate with each new lightening strike.  Although the estate, as well as the surrounding valley lost power for several hours, the lightning display was a worth while event to witness.  Several lightning photos were captured before the rain arrived at PPR and are shown below.  Of course all the really great lightning strikes occurred while the camera was cycling after each photograph, but out of about 75 images 3 caught some of the action.

A looping lightning bolt, coming down but going back up

A double hit in Antelope Pass

A single lightning bolt over the Peloncillo mountains