Beach

The glory of the random word comes into play today.  This photograph shows Gentoo Penguins on the beach in the Falkland Islands proving that the dynamic of beachbum and joyful swimming/surfing is not confined to human beings.  Yes, they were largely congregated to deal with the shopping for fish business of the daily routine, but the sun was shining and the wind was calm.  Those coming back in from the sea would wait back in the water for several minutes for the right wave and then surf onto the beach, often landing on their feet with a flamboyant 'Taddah!' with flippers out and a little run up the beach to those studiously NOT watching!  This was Gentoo behaviour.  The Magellanics also on the beach tended to come out less dramatically and lever themselves up from their tummies.  Watching this scene the concept of the film 'Surf's Up!' seemed so much less daft!

Thunder

Strictly speaking thunder is the noise created by the travel of a flash of lightening, but in order for this to happen a thunder cloud is required.  Getting the atmosphere of a thunderstorm as it lowers above land or water is an interesting study.  This photograph was taken in the docks of St Petersburg, Russia as a thunderstorm progressed.  There were breaks in the cumulonimbus clouds that allowed glimmers of sunshine through, reflecting on the water and throwing the dock landscape into silhouette.