May 17: Southwest Kansas Tornado
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Storm develops along the dryline in the Oklahoma Panhandle.
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With strong directional wind shear, this young storm soon puts down a tornado.
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Front-row seat for tornado-watching, a rarity for me.
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Ultra-wide-angle lens as the tornado crosses into Kansas.
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The tornado slowly moves across the pasture in front of me.
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Telephoto lens.
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Shape is constantly changing.
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Another wide-angle view shows the rain-free base south of the storm's rain core.
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Tornado is moving left to right in front of me.
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Classic tornado of the Great Plains.
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Closer view.
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Very "Wizard of Oz."
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Just before dissipation.
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Last stage of main funnel, although a thin rope tornado lasts another minute or so.
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I stay behind to get a sunset photo. The storm produced large tornadoes after dark as it moved across southern Kansas.
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Last photo of the day.