A beautiful series of photos (and some knowledge) of the most furious and arguably the most incredible of natural phenomena - The power of the lightning bolt. This awesome display of released electricity has created thousands of myth and related gods around the world. In Ancient Greek, Zeus used lightning bolts as his personal weapon. Other gods related to lightning are the Aztec god Tlaloc, the Mayas' God K, Thor in Norse mythology, Ukko in Finnish mythology, the Hindu god Indra, and the Shinto god Raijin. |
Lightning is a massive electrostatic discharge between electrically charged regions within clouds, or between a cloud and the Earth's surface. |
The charged regions within the atmosphere temporarily equalize themselves through a lightning flash, commonly referred to as a strike if it hits an object on the ground. |
There are three primary types; from a cloud to itself (intra-cloud or IC); from one cloud to another cloud (CC) and finally between a cloud and the ground (CG). |
Although lightning is always accompanied by the sound of thunder, distant lightning may be seen but be too far away for the thunder to be heard. |
Lightning occurs approximately 40–50 times a second worldwide, resulting in nearly 1.4 billionflashes per year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Scotland Is One of the Most Beautiful Places on Earth
Scotland, as these 16 photos will prove, truly is a place of remarkable beauty.
A Skilled Photographer Can Turn Our Planet into Paradise!
What an incredible world we live in! This breathtaking photos capture nature at its finest!
Can You Find the Women in These Landscape Photos?
At a glimpse, these photographs look like beautiful shots of nature, but if you look closer you will spot beautiful women blended into the scenery.
These Photos Prove New Zealand Is the Most Beautiful Place
New Zealand has to be one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and these photos are clear evidence of that. Here are 25 amazing photos.
Have You Seen The 9 Best Drone Photographs of 2016 Yet?
Drone photography has taken the art of the camera to lofty heights never seen before. Every year photographers get even better, and these are the best of 2016.
These Photos Appear To Have Been Taken In Another World...
Planet Earth is an incredible place - so incredible that we sometimes don't even recognise it. These locations could easily double up as alien planets.
These Hidden Heroes Need To Be Recognized
Here are some of the most unappreciated heroes you'll see, showing rare moments of bravery when things get tough.
These Beautiful Animal Stories Will Touch Your Heart
Animals are an infinite source of inspiration for all of us, and these touching stories will give you renewed hope in life and maybe even make you shed a tear.
Starlings Are Master Sound Imitators - Fascinating!
Did you know that the European starling is capable of mimicking practically any sound it hears with uncanny precision? That includes human voices.
Hilarious! Nobody Tells Mother Nature What to Do!
Here are 18 ironic photos that prove that nature doesn't care about what people want!
These Photographs Beautifully Capture Stunning Sunsets
Enjoy this stunning series of orange, red and golden sunsets, and share with those who have beauty in their heart.
15 of Bhutan's Most Riveting Animals Revealed!
From the clouded leopard to the Himalayan monal, discover the wonders of Bhutan's wildlife kingdom with us.
These Horses Are Absolutely Gorgeous!
These eight beautiful horse breeds will canter their way straight into your heart.
Ever Wondered How Sperm Whales Sleep? Wonder No More!
Have you ever wondered how sperm whales sleep before? Wonder no more, because the phenomenon has finally been captured on camera. Take a look.
Nature inFocus Photography Awards: 17 Incredible Winners
Check out the incredible winners of the 2023 Nature inFocus Photography Awards.
These 17 Animals Could Definitely Model Hair Products
These animals have prettier hair than most people you know, and it's all natural!
How and Why Did Dolphins and Whales Return to the Ocean?
Like all mammals, whales were once a terrestrial animal with four legs. How and why did they become marine animals?
16 Perfect Examples of How Beautiful Earth Is
16 beautiful examples of why Earth is such a wonderful and gorgeous place to live.
Jaw-Dropping Photos: The Wonderful Lives of Ladybugs
Here are some wonderful photos of ladybugs in their natural habitats. I always feel a childish wonder and thrill when can coax one onto my hand.
I Never Knew Bosnia Could Be So Breathtaking!
An incredible video of Bosnia & Herzegovina filmed for six months, displaying the natural beauty of this gorgeous country.
10 of the Largest Living Birds in the World
Check out this list of the largest and heaviest birds that inhabit our planet today.
A Most Beautiful Exploration of the Ocean Floor
Dive far below the ocean, all the way to its bottom below the great frozen continent of Antarctica.
15 Charming Close-Ups of Cold-Blooded Creatures
You've never seen lizards, snakes, or frogs like this before.
This Woman Takes Incredible Wildlife Pics With Hidden Cams
A woman has set up a secret camera in her backyard bird feeder and ends up capturing the most interesting wildlife photos.
Dr. Hodges - The Vet That Cures Exotic Cute Pets
In this video, we meet Monty, the pet axolotl. It's his first visit to the Vet!
Photographer Captures Myriad Moods of Stunning Big Cats
Observing big cats from up close is rare. Here are some brilliant big cat portraits that take you real close to these magnificent animals.
This Video Proves That Pigs Are Both Cute and Hilarious!
These pigs have the ability to melt your heart, but they often end up making you scream with laughter in the process!
New From Nature: 11 New Animal Species Discovered in 2022
Today, we will acquaint you with 2022's 11 newly discovered species of animals and delve into the reasoning behind their distinctive names.
Animal Leanring: How Cats Apologize to Humans
Many people think cats don't know how to apologize or feel regret. However, cats harbor a depth of emotions that might surprise you.
These Serpents are Stunning, but Have a Deadly Bite...
In all the fear, there is always beauty, especially for these 20 species of venomous snakes, that add both venom and color to the world.
Graceful Margay: The Elusive Feline of the Rainforest
Meet the Margay, the most arboreal cat in the world.
Experience Pinnacles National Park in Crisp 4K Resolution
Check out this incredible time lapse video of California's Pinnacles National Park, which was filmed in crisp 4K resolution.
22 Award-Winning Photos That Capture the Power of Nature
The International Photography Awards has many categories, but today, we will focus on nature, with 22 stunning highlights from the 2020 competition.
Watch 1 Little Seed Become a Tree With NO Soil
From seed to fruit in 1 minute - watch this process unfold in a particularly satisfying time lapse.
These Have Got to Be Some of the World Strangest Plants
In this world there are pretty plants and then there are talented and bizarre plants. These 12 plants definitely fall into the latter category.
These Orchids Look Like Anything Else Other Than Flowers
Orchids are some of the most unusual flowers in nature. As you'll see in this next post, there's a lot of them that don't actually look like flowers at all...
This Photographer Captured the Majesty of Maine Coon Cats
Photographer Robert Sijka is a cat aficionado, and he also happens to be an excellent photographer. Take a look at his work with Maine Coon cats.
Admire the Never Ending Beauty of the Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most beautiful and awe-striking natural wonders of the USA - take a tour through this must-see location in this video.
Life in the Treetops: A Look at Tree-Dwelling Animals!
Let’s take a deep dive into the secret lives of arboreal animals and the challenges they face in their natural habitat.
Find Out More About North American Butterflies Here
Mankind has always been fascinated by butterflies and that fascination hasn't died down today. Take a look at these informative images.
Have You Ever Seen Animals As Odd As These?
These animals will shatter any stereotypical notion of what, say, a pig, or a turtle, should look like. Here are 15 animals you've probably never seen before.
The World Is Full of Beauty, but These Rivers Top It All
These are 15 of the world's most spectacular rivers. Their beauty will mesmerize you!
Best of Animal Photography: 17 Stunning Images
Check out the most amazing shots of animals caught on camera from “The Decisive Moments Magazine”.
20 Beautiful and Exotic Dog Breeds I'd Love to Get to Know!
Here you can enjoy our collection of 20 beautiful photos of exotic and very rare dogs you won't find at your local park.
18 Breathtaking Photos Depict Nature as Heaven on Earth
These photos enable us to appreciate the beauty in mother nature and all that she has to offer.