Blowing in the Wind

I'm not entirely convinced that this (heavily cropped) photo gives any idea of the strength of the winds we had all through last night and this morning. 

I set up with the tripod this morning on the verandah and initially was taking photographs on a fast shutter speed to show how the trees were bending with the wind. The results didn't really reflect what the conditions were really like so instead I just scrolled through various shutter speeds and then, looking on the computer, found the top corner of this photo just picked up the buffeting movement of the gusts on the topmost branches and  leaves. 

It's not a great photo, but I'm using it for today anyway. I could tell when a really strong gust was about to hit as I could hear it roaring in from the valley and I had to hold on very firmly to the tripod so it didn't get knocked over. My street is renowned for being extremely windy and the house had to have extra bracing and tie-downs when I built it. Just as well!!!