“Then came the Cowgirl Chicks, a highlight of the night. They rode in waving American and state flags before showing off incredible tricks. “

“Most boats sit quietly in the harbor, waiting for the day to begin while others make their way into the Gulf, their silhouettes cutting across the golden water.”

“I was on my way to Germany to visit my son. He was in the Air Force, stationed there, and it had been way too long since I’d seen him.”

About the photo:

I photographed this towering cloud as it stretched skyward, building into what could soon become a thunderstorm. Below it, wisps of rain evaporate before reaching the ground, a sign of strong convective activity. If it continues to grow, it may evolve into a full-fledged cumulonimbus cloud, crowned with an anvil top. How spectacular! But for now, it remains a cumulus congestus, a striking, billowing formation and a powerful precursor to the storm to come.

Excerpt:

“With my camera in one hand and my tripod in the other, I made my way toward the dock. I wasn’t sure where I’d get the best angle, so I wandered along the shoreline. Finally, I found it…”