Our world is full of amazing things to capture on camera. These pictures make us think about what it is like to live in a beautiful, wildlife-filled place. Some show how dangerous nature can be and how helpless we are against it, whether it’s a tornado, a storm, or an animal. These photos will make you think about the world around you. 

Massive Wave Hits the Lighthouse in France

In 1989, a huge wave hit a lighthouse in France. Jean Guichard filmed the event. The man is tiny compared to the enormous wave that topples the lighthouse. This shows that nature can be both destructive and beautiful.

 

Wolf Spider and Its Babies

Spiders leave their eggs in sacks. Once the eggs hatch, the baby spiders are on their own and vulnerable to predators. The wolf spider is different. It carries its babies on its back to keep them safe. The young stay with their mother until they can hunt for themselves.

Beluga Whales Look Like Mermaids

People often see mermaids in the Arctic. This photo shows a beluga whale’s lower body, which looks like human legs wrapped in its tail. Perhaps these animals are being mistaken for sirens in the deep sea.

Megalodon vs. great white.

This photo compares the ancient megalodon to the modern great white shark. The megalodon is considered 60 feet long and weighs 40,000 pounds or more. Scientists say it was the most significant predator ever. The species died out after the Pliocene.

Oklahoma City’s 1898 Tornado

The first storm chaser was the 1898 Oklahoma City tornado, David Hoadley. He was born 40 years later. He started the magazine Storm Track. The men who took this picture were like Hoadley. They also took a dangerous photo of a significant tornado heading their way and survived to tell the tale.

Mammatus clouds in Nebraska after a tornado.

This photo looks like a famous painting. Mammatus clouds look like udders, so they are called mammary clouds. Cold air meets warm air and forms these clouds. These clouds are dangerous for planes because they create downdrafts.

Catatumbo Lightning in Venezuela

Catatumbo lightning occurs only 140 to 160 times a year over the Catatumbo River in Venezuela. Storms pick up energy from wind blowing across Maracaibo Lake and the surrounding bogs. This region has the most lightning in the world.

A diver squeezes through a narrow cave.

If you have claustrophobia, this may be distressing. Imagine going through a regular cave on land. Now imagine doing that underwater, worrying about your oxygen and getting stuck in a place where you can’t breathe!

What walls?

No matter how strong or how much we build, nature is always more potent. This image shows how strong the water is. It broke through everything in its way. It’s everywhere. It’s inspiring but also scary.

Not made up

This isn’t a cartoon of a grumpy animal wearing make-up. It’s a red-lipped batfish. This deep-water creature lives around the Galápagos Islands. It looks like a customer at the local mall’s Sephora or Ulta store.