Isn't that fun? If you look closely at a rainbow, you can actually see the whole spectrum of the colors, and then if there's a second one, it's fun to see how they are a mirror image. :)
What a perfect description of last night's storm, which I experienced as well not too many miles from you. I loved re-living all the details! As I'm writing, Friday night's storm is now raining down with more thunderbolts. Last night we had the added benefit of the power going out for about 7 hours, a wonderful time to enjoy the darkness and the sounds of nature, unimpeded by anything else.
Thanks! It looked like you got more rain up north than we did south of Santa Fe, and I guess it's not surprising that the power went out given how intense the storms were. I live where there are no streetlights and no traffic, so I'm used to darkness and the sounds of the high desert around me. It's true though that when the power is out, there's no human noise inside the house either (no fridge running, no modem hum and that kind of thing). Glad you're getting more rain tonight too. We have a regular Friday-evening trail ride and this evening we had to sneak out between storms!
Beautiful, Susan. I so resonate with your message of love and gratitude for rain in the desert. The deliciousness and exquisite beauty and yes, petrichor- I have spoken about in it my work, too. Living in a desert brings opportunities for gratitude, rainbows and words not always spoken. 🏜💕
Thanks, Robin. Petrichor is one of those fragrances that until you smell it, you can't imagine how evocative it is. Also, the word itself is just so fun to use! Living in the desert is definitely an education appreciating the resilience and magic of life at the edge, as you know!
I learned a ton about rainbows! And a new word for a smell I know well and love: petrichor. Can't wait to use it! I've always marveled at how quickly plant life greens up and reinvigorates after sufficient rain.
I'm always glad to introduce a new word. I love the meaning (that fragrance!) and the sound of it. There's a moss growing on the soil in shady places here in the high desert that looks black and dead most of the time, but it greens up and revives within minutes of rain (or water being poured on it from a water bottle). I love to show it to groups when I'm leading naturalist hikes, because you can watch the moss green up, and what you can't see are all the microscopic inhabitants of that moss "forest" also reviving. It's like a miracle. :)
When I first moved to New Mexico, I was a consultant at the New Mexico School for the Deaf. I had only been working there for a few days when I heard someone calling out to everyone to come outside of the building quickly. The kids and the staff alike all rushed outdoors to see the double rainbow. I was astonished and pleased to learn that in New Mexico work could stop long enough to appreciate something so lovely.
That is a truly sweet story, and I'm delighted to know that the NM School for the Deaf offers that kind of environment for students and staff. It also makes me wonder what the sign is for rainbow in ASL. :)
Oh, Sue, I wish I could send some of our scattered monsoon rains your way (without the lightning)! I have several friends who are wildland firefighters and/or fire lookouts, and they all report that this is starting to feel like an endless fire season, and it's got a long way to go before it's over. May cooler weather and rain arrive soon!
This is a wonderful explanation of the beautiful gift that physics gives us. Educational and lovely to contemplate the refreshment of the desert. Thanks, Susan!
It's lovely to hear your voice here, Susan S! And thank you for your comment. I enjoy delving into how the phenomena around us work and the often simple explanations for what seem like miraculous occurrences. I have to admit to being fascinated that rainbows can stand still when the raindrops are falling. I remind myself that it's the beams of light that keep the "bows" from moving, but I am still amazed. ;)
The sign for rainbow is to hold one hand up, palm facing you, and to move the other hand over up to forehead in an arc until it meets the other hand. You can enter this into your search engine and get a picture of the sign if my description isn't clear!
I continue to be astonished at the idea that each rain drop is an individual prism, and that collectively, they cast a rainbow in the air. Also that they are moving but the rainbow holds still. Yes, physics explains it, but it still feels like magic to me! Blessings and a hug to you.
I had never realized the colors are reversed in a second rainbow! I love learning new things!
Isn't that fun? If you look closely at a rainbow, you can actually see the whole spectrum of the colors, and then if there's a second one, it's fun to see how they are a mirror image. :)
The smell of rain in the desert
The rise of the wind before the storm
And then the clatter of drops falling on the rocks
Water washing the landscape
Thunder coming closer, attending the flash of lightning
The storm ending with running water in the canyons
The rainbow after the storm
Lovely poem, Dave!
Not a poet! The words just came.
What a perfect description of last night's storm, which I experienced as well not too many miles from you. I loved re-living all the details! As I'm writing, Friday night's storm is now raining down with more thunderbolts. Last night we had the added benefit of the power going out for about 7 hours, a wonderful time to enjoy the darkness and the sounds of nature, unimpeded by anything else.
Thanks! It looked like you got more rain up north than we did south of Santa Fe, and I guess it's not surprising that the power went out given how intense the storms were. I live where there are no streetlights and no traffic, so I'm used to darkness and the sounds of the high desert around me. It's true though that when the power is out, there's no human noise inside the house either (no fridge running, no modem hum and that kind of thing). Glad you're getting more rain tonight too. We have a regular Friday-evening trail ride and this evening we had to sneak out between storms!
Delicious. I feel the refreshment of your wonderful rain. And I love the photos!
Thank you, Diane! When rain is not a given, it really is delicious and a source for celebration. :)
Beautiful, Susan. I so resonate with your message of love and gratitude for rain in the desert. The deliciousness and exquisite beauty and yes, petrichor- I have spoken about in it my work, too. Living in a desert brings opportunities for gratitude, rainbows and words not always spoken. 🏜💕
Thanks, Robin. Petrichor is one of those fragrances that until you smell it, you can't imagine how evocative it is. Also, the word itself is just so fun to use! Living in the desert is definitely an education appreciating the resilience and magic of life at the edge, as you know!
I learned a ton about rainbows! And a new word for a smell I know well and love: petrichor. Can't wait to use it! I've always marveled at how quickly plant life greens up and reinvigorates after sufficient rain.
I'm always glad to introduce a new word. I love the meaning (that fragrance!) and the sound of it. There's a moss growing on the soil in shady places here in the high desert that looks black and dead most of the time, but it greens up and revives within minutes of rain (or water being poured on it from a water bottle). I love to show it to groups when I'm leading naturalist hikes, because you can watch the moss green up, and what you can't see are all the microscopic inhabitants of that moss "forest" also reviving. It's like a miracle. :)
When I first moved to New Mexico, I was a consultant at the New Mexico School for the Deaf. I had only been working there for a few days when I heard someone calling out to everyone to come outside of the building quickly. The kids and the staff alike all rushed outdoors to see the double rainbow. I was astonished and pleased to learn that in New Mexico work could stop long enough to appreciate something so lovely.
That is a truly sweet story, and I'm delighted to know that the NM School for the Deaf offers that kind of environment for students and staff. It also makes me wonder what the sign is for rainbow in ASL. :)
A wonderful salute to rain and rainbows. We could use a long storm or five minus the the legs of lightning in the PNW - wildfires everywhere.
Oh, Sue, I wish I could send some of our scattered monsoon rains your way (without the lightning)! I have several friends who are wildland firefighters and/or fire lookouts, and they all report that this is starting to feel like an endless fire season, and it's got a long way to go before it's over. May cooler weather and rain arrive soon!
This is a wonderful explanation of the beautiful gift that physics gives us. Educational and lovely to contemplate the refreshment of the desert. Thanks, Susan!
It's lovely to hear your voice here, Susan S! And thank you for your comment. I enjoy delving into how the phenomena around us work and the often simple explanations for what seem like miraculous occurrences. I have to admit to being fascinated that rainbows can stand still when the raindrops are falling. I remind myself that it's the beams of light that keep the "bows" from moving, but I am still amazed. ;)
The sign for rainbow is to hold one hand up, palm facing you, and to move the other hand over up to forehead in an arc until it meets the other hand. You can enter this into your search engine and get a picture of the sign if my description isn't clear!
What a lovely sign! Two hands make the rainbow. Thank you, Phyllis. I'll remember that. :)
I always know I will learn something from Practicing Terraphilia and you never let me down, dear Susan. Thank you for this! XOXOXO
Thanks, Liz! As you know, I'm all about reconnecting us with awe and wonder through the amazing world of nature around and in us. :)
What a gorgeous post! Rainbows are magical and theres physics! Thank you.
Isn't it fun learning the physics behind rainbows? Such interesting magic. Thanks for reading and commenting. :)
The physics of rainbows ARE cool, thank you for explaining them. That fresh-washed morning feeling after a long hot-dry spell feels so nourishing. xo
I continue to be astonished at the idea that each rain drop is an individual prism, and that collectively, they cast a rainbow in the air. Also that they are moving but the rainbow holds still. Yes, physics explains it, but it still feels like magic to me! Blessings and a hug to you.