During the day on Thursday, I was watching the weather report to see what was in store for the evening. It was predicted over the past few days that severe storms were heading for Chicago, but that often happens with nothing materializing.

On the bus ride home the weather was starting to shift and the clouds were doing interesting things. Sunset would be happening soon and it was beginning to rain.

It was a little after 6pm when I got home and onto the roof. I started shooting the clouds and sunbeams when the weather got darker in the west. Soon a lightning storm was starting to form, but it was still way too light out for me to make long exposures.

Still, I set my tripod up and I went with the lowest shutter speed I could manage… and I actually caught a lightning bolt!

I continued to shoot the sunset a bit longer, then went out to grab some food. Shortly after the sun completely set, I went back to the roof and tried to capture some more lightning.

There were a few shots that I got, but nothing magical. After trying a different angle, I finally got a shot that made me happy.

Another hour went by and nothing super amazing was photographed on my end, so I called it a day and finally got some sleep.

All-in-all, not a bad way to spend the evening.