Picture of the day - September 9, 2007

Lightning bolts lighting up the night sky

Photo courtesy of Ante Vekic. Ok, I'll admit it: I absolutely love a good thunderstorm! I don't always like the damage they leave behind, but for me there is nothing more exciting than watching a magnificent lightning bolt turn night into day, followed by the inevitable boom of the thunderclap a few seconds later. A powerful thunderstorm offers all of God's creatures a rare glimpse at just a tiny fraction of His awesome power. In today's picture, photographer Ante Vekic has managed to capture an image that vividly illustrates just how magnificent a thunderstorm really is. The boisterous clouds and multiple strokes of lightning are sure indicators that mother earth was in the process of releasing an unfathomable amount of pent-up energy in the instant that the photo was taken, and with an average of three million lightning flashes around the globe each and every day, that's a lot of energy! Just think, if we could harness all of the energy released during each day's thunderstorms we could kiss our nuclear reactors and coal-fired power plants goodbye! If you're like me, you love sitting in an easy chair and peering out a window while a passing thunderstorm puts on an amazing show. Just remember to always do your viewing from inside an adequate shelter! And here's a little tip for all of you golfers: When you hear the first sound of distant thunder, pick up your gear and get off the course!   Visit the POTD Archives for previous "Pictures Of The Day"!     Submit a photo of your own!            Why I publish the "Picture of the Day"