Yesterday we had another of our larger Vancouver Strobist meets -- one that almost ended as soon as it began because of an uncharacteristically heavy downpour that began just before people were scheduled to gather in the meeting spot.

Vancouver isn't known as Raincouver for nothing but this came in the middle of a nice two week stretch of beautiful, even scorching hot weather. So it was with disbelief that a number of us woke up to read the weather forecast predicting showers. Showers -- okay -- nothing an umbrella or two won't deflect, right? No. The downpour that opened up almost right as we were about to unpack our vehicles was something more akin to a monsoon. To those of us who come from tropical countries it really was no light comparison.

The amount of water that came down created almost an instant lake in the parking lot. Meanwhile, our models had begun to arrive, some of them coming by bus. After sequestering them in our cars we sent out scouts to the alternative location while we stayed out in the lot underneath umbrellas gazing hopefully at the only patch of blue on the horizon. Our primary location was supposed to be a lovely park with a lake in the background. It's commonly used by wedding parties for their formals. Indeed, there were a couple depressed parties running to cover as we waited. Our secondary location was really not in keeping with our theme of using the outdoors. It looked extremely doubtful.

But if there is anything a Vancouverrite learns about the rain is that even as one never goes unprepared for its appearance, eventually it will pass. Even as our scouts reported back on the availability of the secondary location, the downpour suddenly lifted and became a light drizzle. We ventured out to take a look at the location, gauged our ability to operate in the damp, and decided we would stick it out.

The results -- which I will post later this week -- turned our very well. If there is anything good about a summer shower it's that the weather after the storm's passing is dramatic.