Brunch with Battutah
Blowing tents - Saudi Arabia
Posted by Michael Skorulski (Cigel, Slovakia) on 1 February 2008 in Lifestyle & Culture and Portfolio.
When a winter storm comes up over the Red Sea, tents blow and a surprising amount of rain pelts down soaking the parched ground. Children usually run out into the midst of the downpour to rejoice in the unusual phenomena of rain. Certain child-like adults have been known to do the same. In the desert, even a cloud is a noteworthy event.
annora from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
i love this shot!i like the grounds brown tone.
1 Feb 2008 6:16am
@annora: Thank you, Annora.
@badala: Thank you, Badala.
@Thierry: Merci beaucoup, Thierry.
Steven from Montreal, Canada
You've really captured the wind, the tents look like they're just about to blow away. Well done!
1 Feb 2008 10:06am
@Steven: Thanks, Steven. The wind must have been more than 20 knots that day.
@paola veneziani photography: Thank you so much, Paola.
Richard_Irwin from Belper, United Kingdom
Nice one, a very dynamic shot, which has a surprising level of action. Desert rains can be quite dangerous, as I was once caught out by a desert rain storm one night which was happening about 50 miles away - by morning the flash floods took out all the trails leaving me stranded and with a very long walk round.
1 Feb 2008 10:27am
@Richard_Irwin: Great story. I've seen wadi areas so deep that cars couldn't cross and began to float. So I agree with you. Thanks, Richard.
dailyphotosofmalé from malé, Maldives
often child like behavior is the most rejoicing moments of our lives
wonderful colors and composition
1 Feb 2008 10:53am
@dailyphotosofmalé: I agree with you. And thank you.
@Lorraine: Yes. The wind and tents were cooperating that day. Thanks so much, Lorraine.
martie from Okinawa, Japan
This is fantastic! I love the way you captured the "floating" tents. I notice that some of the stakes have been pulled out of the ground -wind must have been terrific! I can well imagine the children dancing in the rain. Thanks for sharing this one - and as always, I enjoy your stories that accompany the image!
1 Feb 2008 11:16am
@martie: That's such a generous comment, Martie. Thanks. Yes, the wind gave a lot of extra labor to the workmen.
Betty from New Jersey, United States
You did a wonderful capturing the wind! Great shot.
1 Feb 2008 11:21am
@Betty: Thanks, Betty. I appreciate that.
Viewfinder from Bradenton, United States
Wow, this is an amazing scene -- looks so Arabian and exotic to my Western eyes.
1 Feb 2008 11:49am
@Viewfinder: These tents are rented to the local people during holidays in the winter. Thanks, VF.
givethemhell from Germany
I would not want to live in one of those tents in stormy times. The photo is interesting, telling a lot about nomads' lives.
1 Feb 2008 1:12pm
@givethemhell: Thank you. The tents weren't really for nomads but for city people who like to sleep on the beach from time to time. They could play nomad.
Craiger from Vacaville, California, United States
Love all the action (wind) going on here! Perfect catch!
1 Feb 2008 1:12pm
@Craiger: Thank you, Craiger. I appreciate that.
Wolfgang Prigge from Canada
Great action shot of mother Nature at work. I have seen rain and once even a fully grown snowstorm in the Arizona desert, it's quite something...
1 Feb 2008 1:20pm
@Wolfgang Prigge: I agree. Rain in deserts often causes flooding but after it begins to bloom. Thanks, Wolfgang.
Steven from Chicagoland, United States
Beautiful picture and great contrast between the ground and tents to see what's happening with the ropes.
1 Feb 2008 1:24pm
@Steven: Thanks, Steven. The ropes were ready to pull the stakes up.
Jen from Alpharetta, United States
Amazing shot of the tents rising in the wind! They look like they are about to take off
1 Feb 2008 2:52pm
@Jen: Thanks, Jen. Yes, it was so windy.
Judy from Brooksville-Florida,, United States
Great capture, Michael.
We crossed the NW tip of Saudi Arabia between Egypt & Israel and know of the desert winds. It was February and very dry - I can only imagine how the Bedouins would have reacted with any rain.
1 Feb 2008 3:17pm
@Judy: Wonderful comment. Thank you, Judy.
Japanalia from Yokohama, Japan
Michael....you've captured the wind!!!! What a wonderful feeling!
1 Feb 2008 3:27pm
@Japanalia: That's an exciting idea. Thank you, Gabriela.
Henri from paris, France
Superbe photo! La pluie montre des couleurs inhabituelles pour le désert ;-)
1 Feb 2008 4:11pm
@Henri: Merci, Henri. Oui, la pluie est si inhabituelle là.
@alla: An elevating comment. Many thanks.
Ina from Krugersdorp, South Africa
This is super amazing! Nice capture and colors!
1 Feb 2008 5:02pm
@Ina: Many thanks, Ina. I appreciate that.
@Earnest: Thank you, Earnest.
@The Oswegan: Thanks, O. Yes, they do look like kites.
@gandz: Yes, it is a good thing to do. Thanks, Gandz.
standley from brou-sur-chantereine, France
Excellent shot Michael. We can feel the wind!
1 Feb 2008 9:01pm
@standley: Yes, it was very cold and forbidding on that day. Thank you, Standley
MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany
Very beautiful shot with great colours, these tents seem to hover :-)
1 Feb 2008 10:27pm
@MadScientist: Thank you, MS. The wind was very high.
Frankie from Boxmeer, Netherlands
Good composition and nice contrast. I like the color of the soil.
1 Feb 2008 10:59pm
@Frankie: Thank you very much, Frankie.
Ondro from Brezno, Slovakia
this is one of the best photos I have seen from you :)
3 Feb 2008 1:25pm
@Ondro: Thank you, Ondro.
Daroru from Amagasaki, Japan
Nice earth tones, and a revealing view of life in Saudi Arabia.
4 Feb 2008 11:28pm
@Daroru: Thank you, Daroru.
@TravBoy: Thank you so much.
@the lightwriter: Thank you for the generous comment.
