Beautiful Stormy Skies

We've had a super wet and cool spring and early summer here in Chicagoland.  Super duper wet and cool until just the last week or so.  Lots of rain and sometimes fog.  My ferns have been outright joyous!  Interesting mushrooms have sprouted.  

Sometimes, the rains have come as heavy but short bursts, moving on eastward, out over Lake Michigan.  The cloud formations have been gorgeous. 

When this happens in late afternoon and early evening, the sun peeks through the clearing skies to the west and lights up the view to the east in a most wonderful way.  The greenery shines against the slate blue storm clouds.  Such a great color combo!  It grabs my attention every single time!  Thanks, Mother Earth, I never would have thought to put those two colors together.

And a short while later, storm clouds are long gone, and it's a clear blue and white sky again.

Then, a few days ago, we saw the same situation looking towards the west.  We were driving home to Chicago after spending a couple of days in Ohio.  The storm clouds were spectacular to begin with.  Having them lit from behind by the setting sun was simply amazing.

Lovely clouds at the leading edge of the storm system.

Driving towards grey rainclouds on the horizon.

And here's the rain, dead ahead.

The rain slows down, and we're approaching, and then under, clear skies.

Approaching the next line of storm clouds.

And it's raining dead ahead of us again.

Just before the rain started, we pulled over for a rest stop and some food.  By the time we were done eating, the rain had stopped again.  We were treated to a colorful, near solstice sunset to the far northwest, under clearing skies.  A magnificent trip home, indeed!  My camera and I were very busy!