PlaceBook Scotland: Capture your place in words, pictures, video and music.

Squirrel In The Storm 23.05.11 by Erik Zoha

Grey squirrel scampers in undergrowth,

tree-climbs to avoid hurricane-force

winds bending said tree three-quarters

over. Tornado-type funnel cloud emerges

over the Firth of Tay, oaks/elms/birches

toppled - blocking lanes on Kingsway

dual carriageway. Wheelie bins/litter bins,

road signs, advertising A-boards/hoardings

blown all over to become travel hazards.

Tay Road Bridge closed completely -

94 mile an hour winds sensor-recorded.

Half of a pub roof ripped clean off…

high winds, high anxiety; power outages,

trains cancelled due to line debris, Monday

blues worsened, social plans cancelled,

shopping delayed, big hit to local economy.

In eye of the storm, squirrel stays oblivious.

Comment by Erik Zoha on June 2, 2011 at 2:30: :-) Think the squirrel was fine if a bit nervous of the wild weather.

Comment by Erik Zoha on June 9, 2011 at 12:49: It was very wild weather, seemed to spend half the afternoon chasing after my emptied black wheelie bin.

Comment by Erik Zoha on June 9, 2011 at 12:50: Was glad no large trees uprooted in my neighbourhood although plenty of smaller branches down.

Comment by Sandra Quilty on July 18, 2011 at 21:36: Hi Erik, I've just come to your page to thank you for your encouraging comments on the recent photos I've uploaded :-)

Your little story about the squirrel in the storm brought back memories of that day for me. I had just flown into Edinburgh the previous day (lucky to get in as airport was then closed on the Mon.) I struggled along Princess St. on the Mon. & next day I heard that part of the bus station roof had been ripped away. Later I passed by a huge tree that had been blown down in one of the parks, hopefully any squirrels there were ok.

We do get bad storms in NZ from time to time and just over a week ago a small tornado came in off the sea fortunately passed through farmland about 3kms. north of the town I live in and headed for the hills uprooting trees in it's path & overturning one car on the highway (occupant was unharmed though). We are having some 'wild' weather this winter.

Comment by Erik Zoha on July 22, 2011 at 13:37: Thanks Sandra, guess it's all part of more extreme weather due to climate change.