From the Delta...

Just returned from a 800+ mile day trip to the Arkansas delta region to photograph some cotton. I decided to hang around to watch this thunderstorm develop over Memphis during the late afternoon. It was quite a light show after sunset.

Happy Labor Day to everyone!

D800e
24-70mm
2-shot blend in photoshop

That is a LONG day trip. I see it paid off. Was the flooding from the hurricane bad there?

Bill, impressive cotton and clouds. Wow, 800 miles in one day!

I've done 800 + miles in a day several times ... but only when I'm wanting to get home from a business trip to Atlanta. Really nice combination of clouds and cotton Bill. I'll bet the coffee was flowing yesterday!

Awesome clouds! And working for a John Deere dealership, love that cotton!!!!!

Thanks for the nice comments. There really wasn't much flooding where I was at - just a little standing water in some of the lower fields. I suspect the farmers are hoping that the rain will bring the Mississippi River up a notch or two. Rice and cotton are both being harvested right now, with soybeans not far behind. Unfortunately, there will likely be a shortage of places to store it. And from the looks of the backed-up barge situation at the port in Osceola, they're needing some water to float them out.

Yep, Wayne, the coffee was indeed flowing Sunday night. And for those of you that might be traveling I-40 between Little Rock and Memphis, you should believe the flashing signs about expecting long delays due to construction!

Hey Bill, I have traveled I-40 several times between Little Rock and Memphis and I know exactly what you are talking about regarding the delays. I now exit before the construction zone around mile marker 193 and detour using US 70 to Brinkley. I reverse this course when I am west bound. It takes about 15 minutes longer but you are at leasting moving and a side benefit are there are some good swamps to explore.

Thanks for the tip, Tom! This was the first time I had traveled thru the construction zone. I was thinking that work would be light, if at all, at 10:00 on Sunday night of Labor Day weekend. I was right. No work, but still had long delays due to one lane being closed. And not many trees to stand behind to rid myself of massive amounts of coffee...

Beautiful storm light, Bill with a compelling foreground. Nicely composed and shot. Maybe a bit more contrast in the clouds would bring out more of the sweetness.

Excellent composition Bill. Great light on the clouds and still good light on the foreground.

I was in the Air Force at Blytheville, Arkansas.
Most of the time the delta was not this pretty. Dirt and mud.
Nice photo.
the fisch