Bolt from the blue (w-449-07)

In gallery: Photos of the month (2002)
Related photos: Lightning Lightning (2002) August 15, 2002

A bolt-from-the-blue, as it is called, is a cloud to ground lightning discharge which does not emerge from under the storm's base, but jumps out at the top of the storm. This type of lightning is very dangerous, since people are usually not prepared to take cover when a storm is not above their heads.

Photo was taken in New Orleans (Lake Pontchartrain), USA, on August 15. Nikon FE, 50mm f/3.5, Fuji Sensia 100.