The different moods of nature are always fascinating to watch, particularly if there is an element of danger involved. A severe storm front always has a potential of damaging lightning, winds and hail, or the possibility of a tornado forming. Even a heavy rain will produced discomfort and problems.

Typical colors of clouds in this front will be dark blue-gray or blackish, sometimes dark enough to make it look like night. Toward the ground the cloud will turn greenish which denotes high winds, hail and rain.

The pintails are hurrying past in this scene, the front flying drake slowing and turning to coast into the marsh. The two pintails on the water (drake and hen) are swimming toward the marsh grass still bathed in sunlight. A leopard frog is quietly surveying the scene from his perch on a lotus pad which has survived the summer but will soon die and disappear.

The marsh looks tranquil, but the approaching storm will soon erupt the scene into a violent combinaton of lightning, thunder, wind, hail and rain.

- Maynard Reece