Tonight was the first storm of the season, a late night filled with rolling thunder, dazzling lightning and, much to my dismay, tornado watches. I hate tornados, but oh, how I love photographing storm clouds.

I grew up on the East Coast and am more comfortable with hurricanes. Sure they pack a fury, but you know they’re coming. I like this about hurricanes. Tornados are unpredictable; this scares me.

This photo was taken in a field across from my parents’ house during my first spring in West Tennessee. It shows the beauty of a thunderhead and pretty awesome rays of sun behind it, but masks the power a storm can bring, the power to take away life.

Thankfully, tonight’s storm did not result in any tornadic activity. Here’s to hoping for a quiet, safe spring.