Since quite some time I enjoy bad weather photography, not caring too much for my equipment - the Sony A700 is not really sealed but quite rainproof - and since IS and acceptable High-ISO allow to photograph in lower light, I have got some really good examples, like this one:
"The Golden Leaf" on spring2life
Yes - bad weather is definitely no reason to sit at home an pet the cat
And that last shot of yours, the acer japonica with the raindrops, is just gorgeous!
Markus