Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Lightning Across the Horizon

Arizona is known for its lightning and monsoon storms. One night as I was driving home, I saw an extremely active lightning storm. I ran home grabbed my camera and tripod and went back to a side street where I could pull over and capture a photo where the lightning was most active. There were cars passing by as I took the photo so that is what those streaks of light are at the bottom of the photo but I believe they add an interesting aspect to the photo.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2023
Date Uploaded: 10.2023
Photo Location: San Tan Valley, Arizona, United States of America
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Copyright: © Kaeti Mertz