While you need a storm to shoot lightning, one of the obvious side effects of a storm, the rain, is a real hindrance to lightning photography. And when the severe storms came to the Space Coast tonight …

Severe storm approaches Rockledge June 18, 2011

Severe storm approaches Rockledge, Florida, on June 18, 2011. Photo by Chris Kridler, chriskridler.com

… they had a fair amount of lightning, but it was all embedded in precip. In other words, a mess. So after the evening’s social obligations, I attempted to get a little shelter under a pavilion in Cocoa Village to catch a few lightning crawlers. Still, the rain was spitting on my lens, and the one awesome crawler happened to fire in the split second between exposures. Ack! Anyway, here’s one, despite everything.
Lightning crawler over Indian River Lagoon

Lightning crawler, as seen from Cocoa, Florida, over the Indian River Lagoon. Photo by Chris Kridler, chriskridler.com