One day at the end of July, I witnessed quite a drama in our peaceful nature reserve. A thunder storm approached from the ocean and severe lightning followed, but no rain. Suddenly the lightning hit very close. An explosion I could feel in my feet. Lights flickered and the ground shook. The storm was over in a few minutes, as it usually is, but then I heard emergency vehicles. I went onto the terrace to see what had happened.
I could see fire trucks at the north parking lot, and an ambulance was just leaving. It seemed to me that the lightning strike had hit the northern end of the park, somewhere close to the beach. Apparently someone had been injured and there was a fire.
After such a drama in our usually tranquil environment, I decided to go out and check on the birds in the salt marsh and see what damage the lightning strike had done. I was happy to learn from the firemen that the injured beachgoer was going to be fine. And to find that the bush fire had been put out very quickly. It had only burned a very small area of grass and damaged two palm trees. It had spared this huge old tree nearby!
People were back to their normal activities of beach fun and fishing. And the birds were too. In the salt marsh, on my way back, I spotted a rare visitor, a wood stork.
The Great White Egret was enjoying peaceful fishing too.
And the duck family was already on the move.
The drama was over. Life had returned to normal. And that’s how we prefer it.
Have a wonderful, peaceful weekend, everyone!
TINY LESSONS BLOG 
Gracious, that was an exciting outing!
Thank you! I’m happy it all ended quite well!
Nature… I believe she reminds us in her own ways and on a timeline we’re not intended to understand, She creates beauty and she taketh away. Good to learn that all ended reasonably well. Good weekend wishes returned!
I fully agree. I’m happy the man did not get life threatening injuries and all the other people nearby survived off with a fright. The learning here is that nobody should stay on the beach when they hear a thunderstorm approaching. I wish you all the best with what you’re dealing with right now. Warm regards
We can learn from nature. Have a wonderful weekend my friend. hugs!
Yes we can learn so much from the nature – and also need to respect its power and act accordingly. Warm regards and hugs to you my friend!
Something I’ve never thought of before: I wonder if birds have the sense to get out of the water during a lightening storm?
I thought about that too and now I am almost sure they do. I can see a small part of the marsh with binoculars from my terrace and one time when the storm started I observed that the birds moved out of the water and onto the grass or into the bushes.
How very sensible!
We don’t need that sort of drama too often. Let’s hope that’s the quota for a long while.
Yes, I’m hoping that too. That man was lucky and so were the others little further down on the beach who were thrown onto the sand by the sheer power of that strike. And all the birds were ok 🙂
You have a peaceful Sunday, Tiny. Really enjoyed your post. Thank you. Love, Amy
Thanks Amy! Today is sunny and peaceful…I’m just planning another run outdoors to see some of my friends, the birds in the salt marsh 🙂 Have a wonderful day, hugs!
Love the opening shot with the white caps…beautiful Helen.
That’s the view to the northwest from our terrace on a stormy day, a bit zoomed out, of course.
Tranquility on every face and even nature after it’s fury dies down is quintessential…
Thanks Arjun for your beautiful comment. Today everything is peaceful, little white hats on the blue sky…
Wow. So glad everyone was okay. I love your photos. Thanks for sharing them!
I’m happy too that everything turned out well at the end. Happy you like my photos!
Nature always finds a way to trump our greatest efforts. I guess this time it was just something of a reminder…
I know. We got away with a small reminder…
Normal in your peaceful reserve is simply awesome! And the quick response to the unplanned natural drama is impressive. Overall, it’s a wonderful commentary for your home environment.
Thanks Cyndi! We are very lucky to have our fire station just outside that park, between the park and the bay. Their response was immediate.
Just as night follows day…there’s always the calm after the storm…so far…
I know…so far…
Iam glad it ended well. Have a great weekend!
It was a scare for sure, but all ended well. Hugs!!
What part of the country is this?
This is on central Florida Gulf coast.
I kinda thought so. I am in Aventura in very NE of Miami Dade County.