I have known this woman over half a century. Half of that, I thought she was fearless. She just about is. You've seen her Normaphotos of wild creatures who allow her to take extreme close-up portraits without sensing any harm in her.
There is no harm in her.
There is however a fear in her. So, when she went out to film a clip of glowering clouds, I stood at the back door and waited, waited to fling it open in a hurry. Please crank up the audio and view this 27-second clip. It's long been one of my favorites.
Thunderation, Normastampede
Thunderation! It is, so far as I've determined, her only fear.
That is extraordinary. I noticed the flash and then immediately you hear the rip of thunder. By our old midwest calculations, that strike was very, very close. No mystery about the run and dash. Survival.
ReplyDeleteAgreed Tom, I'd put that discharge at less than a mile up. Time to run.
DeleteWhat a courageous woman. If I was that afraid of thunder (and I am not a fan) I would not be out there taking photos.
ReplyDeleteNorma feels a strong pull from nature. She was raised in the wild by a herd of deer. She was attracted to me by my indifference to thunder and lack of antlers.
DeleteWhat can one say? There's a limit one would wish to suffer for one's art.
ReplyDeleteNorma's art is her stabilizer, Tom. She does not suffer so long as I am there to aid in her retreat.
DeleteThunderstorms are wonderful to watch when you are safely indoors. Those loud cracks can frighten the bravest of us. We have been treated to these the past few nights and I have had to sit in the closet with Daisy the scaredy-cat to calm her down.
ReplyDeleteWhen I gardened at a high school, a storm struck with lightning at our copper-roofed gym. 2 large football players ran to me and I held them until they could stop screaming. We agreed I would never mention names. Daisy might be small, but both bravery and fear come in all sizes.
DeleteAnd with good reason.
ReplyDeleteFear and good sense do indeed overlap in many areas, Delores. It's why I lock my car doors as I leave parking lots.
DeleteNorma may be one courageous mom, but she's also smart enough to know not to mess with Mother Nature when she's putting on an aerial show. Great video!
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan. Yes, Norma has enough courage to get us through troubled times. That used to be my job until I realized she'd been doing it all along.
Delete"Crank up the audio" you say :D You rascal!
ReplyDeleteI would have run, too. But I would have screamed while running. I'm so impressed that Norma didn't do that!
I heard Norma scream once, 1969, when she fell off her bicycle. Then she was done.
DeleteYowzer!
ReplyDeleteYowzer indeed, Bruce. Norma is the backbone of this family. Without her I'd have to be hauled around in a pillow case.
DeleteI've always feared lightning - mainly because it only strikes the wicked.
ReplyDeleteI seriously doubt that Norma has anything to worry about....
(I remember this video and enjoyed seeing it again)
So far, so good, Jon. You have an excellent memory: the clip appeared 3 years ago in a post titled, "
DeleteFright'ning Lightning! Stormin' Norma Stampedes!"
I have no audio! It prevents too much distraction but also limits experiences like this - the visual tells a good tale though! I love storms. My common sense fear is heights. My brother has twice narrowly missed being struck by lightening, so he is a little wary.
ReplyDeleteAudio not required; just imagine Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" with only the cannon bits. Having gardened public places for 35 years, I am in favor of your brother's caution --and your prudent respect for heights. I believe even Oak Dragon hightailed it to a gentler storm that day. He waved.
Delete