Last night, occasional photographer Phil McGrew snapped this amazing photo of eight bolts of lightning striking the Bay Bridge in San Francisco.

Mr. McGrew says he took the photo through the window of his apartment. Talk about being at the right place at the right time!

Via Laughing Squid

 
Known as Lichtenberg figures or lightning flowers, “they are thought to be caused by the rupture of small capillaries under the skin due to the passage of the lightning current or the shock wave from the lightning discharge as it flashes over the skin.”

Apparently, the Lichtenberg figure’s fern-like patterns can last for a few hours or up to a couple days.

I like what Redditor sleepyworm has to say about ‘em:

girl: “I like your tattoo.”
guy: “Actually that’s a scar from when I was hit by lightning.”
girl: removes clothes

Via reddit

 
Stunning video of a timestamp lightning storm slowed down 300x. This definitely gives a new meaning to “don’t mess with Mother Nature.” Don’t.
 
Update: Video was removed. Please enjoy this crappy lightning storm instead.

 
(via Interweb3000)