Shelf Cloud...

This shelf cloud rolled in ahead of a weak thunderstorm early in the morning on Easter Sunday. (16th April.) It is quite mesmerising to watch the power of the weather. There are likely going to be a lot of weather-related posts since it is severe weather season in Indiana. :)

 The shelf cloud approaches from the north-west.

 It stretched all the way across the northern sky.

 View looking south-west.

View looking south-east once the leading edge had passed over.

Passover Meal...

We shared a lovely Passover/seder meal with close friends a few days before Easter. It was awesome to learn more about the Jewish culture and the context of this meal - along with how it all points to Jesus. :) And the food was yummy, too!

 The long table.

 My place at the table.

 Unleavened bread - also known as matzah.

 Some of our delicious spread.

 Good friends at the table.

Easter Egg Hunts...

We enjoyed taking Riaan to a number of Easter egg hunts this Easter. He was much too small last year, but this year he enjoyed walking around and picking up Easter eggs scattered in the grass. :) Candace and I also had fun helping him find the eggs!

 His lovely new Easter egg bucket.

 He initially preferred putting little rocks in it. :)

 Cousins photo.

 Mommy helping him find his eggs.

 Sitting around the bonfire after the egg hunt.

 Community Easter egg hunt at the Plainville Park.

 Little cutie with his eggs.

He loved playing on the jungle gym!

Shakamak in the Spring...

We visited Shakamak State Park with Candace's family on Saturday, 8th April. We went to an interesting presentation on invasive plant species at one of the shelter houses and then had a lovely walk through the state park. :)

 Diesel locomotives on our way to Shakamak.

 Riaan enjoying reading his book on the journey.

 The shelter house which played host to the invasive species presentation.

 Children's area at the presentation.

 Walking along the causeway between the two lakes.

 Lake Shakamak.

 Couldn't quite identify this turtle sunning itself.

 This is a midland painted turtle, though.

 Walking along a tree-lined avenue.

 Interesting carving on a tree.

 Looking up at the trees.

 Paper-like bark of the birch tree.

 Eastern redbud.

 Playing in the play ground.

 Family photo.

 Candace with her boy.

 Hiking another trail.

 Pretty scene.

 Fungi growing on a tree.

 A closer view of the fungi.

The vine has been removed but you can see how it has shaped this tree.

Trees growing in a pretty glade.

Stormy Skies...

It's no coincidence that as I type this blog post there are severe thunderstorms in the vicinity. It is that time of the year, after all. Spring definitely arrived early in southern Indiana and we have already experienced some typical stormy weather. Here are a few photos of stormy skies in the area.

 Threatening skies to the north.

 Scattered clouds to the west.

 Rainbow after a large storm had passed through the area.

This weather system actually spawned a tornado south of us.

McCormick's Creek on a Stormy Evening...

On Thursday, 30th March, we darted some severe weather and headed north-east to McCormick's Creek State Park for a couple of hours. We did a short hike and rested by the river, downstream of the waterfall. Candace's mom and nephew met us there and we had a lovely hike along the riverbank. We left McCormick's Creek around supper time and drove through some torrential rain on our drive back home. It was a lovely spontaneous trip to another state park! :)

 Lovely purple flowers in a field along the Interstate.

 Threatening storm clouds moving in near McCormick's Creek.

 Canyon Inn at McCormick's Creek State Park.

 Pretty trees in the parking lot.

 Hiking down to the waterfall and river.

 The waterfall at McCormick's Creek.

 The river flowing in the small valley.

 Steep hills on either side of the river.

 Rusty enjoying the walk.

 Riaan sitting on his rock by the river's edge.

 Relaxing downstream of the waterfall.

 Hiking along the riverbank.

 A small shelter on the hike back to the parking lot.

 Interesting little plant.

 Fungi growing on an old log.

 Tall trees growing in the forest.

 Torrential rain on the drive home.

Driving under a thick cloud bank.