I started hearing thunder while at work on this evening. As is often the case, dark clouds began to encroach from the west.

Even though the clouds were starting to get thick and dark, I could still see patches of blue sky peaking through.

Blue skies could still be seen in spots above me.

In fact, if you only looked to the east, you would never know what was building above.

The view to the east looked like a normal nice day.

Zooming in to the east where the sky was still mostly blue.

Zooming toward the blue sky off to the east.

The dark clouds were an indication of what was approaching.

Panning the camera from east to west, the clouds began to get darker.

I still had a few spots of blue sky overhead.

But the blue was quickly losing ground to the dark clouds.

The thunder continued.

At this point, it began to sprinkle a few drops of rain.

The dark clouds had completely taken over above me.

The thunder continued and the rain began to increase in intensity.

I hung around to snap pics while trying to stay dry.

Actually, me getting wet doesn't matter. I was hoping the camera lens would stay drop-free.

Not too long after taking these pics, the wind picked up and the sky opened.

The rain was pretty intense for a brief period of time. Once it had passed, I noticed a faint rainbow.

This one was not as intense as others I have seen.

But it was a rainbow, nonetheless.

A faint rainbow off to the east.

A faint rainbow off to the east.

Meanwhile, Mother Nature was poised to put on a nice light show off to the west.

The setting sun out of view usually produces some great colors.

Great colors in the sky off to the west.

I pointed the camera and started shooting.

As is usually the case with thunderstorms around here, skies quickly began to clear after the rain ended.

Great colors over the Automotive Center on campus.

The colors became more intense as the sun continued to set.

This was great ! I always enjoy watching Mother Nature put on a great light show.