Oh my gosh that would have been so terrifying! I bet that was ear-peircing! And I'm so glad you didn't go outside at that time. And I hope the chickens were all okay, they mainly just got an extra good bath

And I can't get over the pics of that tree, its amazing what one strike of lightening can do, can't imagine what it would ever feel like to get hit by one.As much as I loooove thunder storms I would not want to be close to a bolt that's for sure.