Nature is so wonderful. There is no end to the incredible and one-of-a-kind things that you will see if you just walk outside and explore the great outdoors a bit. However, sometimes these things are so rare that it's hard for the average person to ever get a glimpse of them. Just so that you don't miss out on any of the extraordinary sights, plants, and animals that our planet has to offer, here is a list of mother nature's finest, rarest moments ever caught on camera.
When Lightning Struck the Tree
This looks like something directly out of a fairytale where the villain has decided to destroy everything in their sight. Suddenly, the trees are filled with fire and the entire forest is about to disappear. However, this is a completely real photo of a tree that was struck by lightning. Although most trees wouild just break or bend if struck by lightning, this species is hollow and so the result was this!
You can see that parts of the tree have been completely burnt while other parts seem to be thriving as the fire like substance streams through it.
Just a Tiger Stretching
Have you ever seen a tiger stretch before? This tiger looks pretty ferocious in his morning yoga and perhaps he could use a little help in the breathing exercise and meditation areas of yoga. After all, what happened that made him start his day off in such a rage? Whatever happened, you don't want to cross a Siberian tiger. They are the largest species in the whole world and they are nothing to mess with.
This isn't an animal you want to mess with even when it is having a good day, let alone when it is having a bad day. Steer clear when he looks like this!
The Human Like Eagle
The eagle is a pretty impressive creature in and of itself. It has an enormous wingspan, is incredibly powerful, and is a symbol of courage and bravery. When you think of an eagle, the bald eagle is most likely the first type that comes to mind, however, there is one even more incredible than that. Take a look at the world's largest eagle, known as the harpy eagle. It's wingspan is about six feet wide!
In addition to their formidable size, these eagles also have human like expressions on their faces. They are usually found in South America and in the Amazon, however, they look more like a person with a mask on.
The Waves Were Overtaking the Lighthouse
To join the list of items that look like they are directly out of a horror film, this photo of a massive wave overtaking a lighthouse is among the scariest on the list. Obviously, it is just a photo, but somehow the man who is stuck in this lighthouse appears pretty calm considering the circumstances. There was a man in a helicopter who captured this photo as he hovered in the airs of Northern France.
Théodore Malgorn was the lighthouse keeper who was stuck in this incredibly terrifying situation and you can only hope that he made it out alive and well!
The Angler Fish Exposed
Most people will never have the pleasure of seeing an angler fish in any capacity, other than photographs. They usually live so far in the depths of the ocean that it is nearly impossible to ever spot one, Unless you are from Finding Nemo, you are unlikely to see one of these creatures naturally! They are deep in the ocean at around 3000 feet, They are most famous for their protruding dorsal fin.
The protrudcing dorsal fin also has bioluminescence that attracts prey. This helps them to get food when they are living so much deeper than most fish dare to dive.
Getting a Ride With Mommy
There is no better feeling in the world than being a little kid and having your parents take you with you everywhere you go. They carry you and help you each and every step of the way. This little bat seems to be enjoying and making the best of those moments, by hitching a ride with his mother as they fly through the air. It looks like a lot of fun to fly that way!
Most baby bats cannot fly for the first few months of their lives and so they are forced to be transported everywhere by their parents. (Seems like a nice excuse to get a ride everywhere).
The Opposite Ends of the Alligator Spectrum
Most people are familiar with the term Albinism, which refers to creatures with extremely light pigmentation on their skin. However, most people are not as familiar with the term Melanism, which is essentially the opposite and results in a very dark pigmentation of the skin. Who knew that there were alligators that were albino and had melanism? You can see the remarkable comparison between these two alligators and amazing creatures.
Both of these alligators are extremely rare and difficult to spot. The likelihood of seeing either of them in the wild is pretty slim, and the likelihood of seeing them together at the same time is even slimmer.
Have You Ever Seen a Baby Swordfish?
Could you ever have imagined that a baby swordfish would be so cute and little? This is almost imperceivable to the bare eye and it would take an expert to find this little guy in a body of water. Full grown swordfish can actually get to a pretty large size so you wouldn't think that the babies would be so very tiny. However, they are really just the size of a fingertip!
A full grown swordfish can get to around 1000 pounds, which is not what you would expect when you see this tiny, almost unseeable little baby of a swordfish.
The Kangaroo Is Giving the Finger
Kangaroos are some pretty fierce creatures, even just looking at them makes it quite clear that they are a force not to be reckoned with. However, most people do not know that this is what their toe (or finger) looks like. That is one very formidable foot that is giving the finger to everyone each and every day. Kangaroos actually have four or five toes, however, there is only one toe that you really see here.
Maybe now that you see their toes, you can understand why their kicks are so incredibly dangerous. It is not only the sheer force of their kick and the power of it, but also the terror of this toe.
If You Thought a Great White Shark Was Big
As the name "Great White Shark" may be a little deceiving when it comes to the size and immensity of this animal, you may be led to believe that they are actually the greatest and largest shark or animal out there. However, they are tiny when compared to the ancient megalodon. The megalodon is now extinct (and thankfully so). If people are terrified of great white sharks then they should be 50 times more terrified of these ancient creatures.
If you're already scared to get into the water, you should be happy that the great white shark is the worst of your fears. You could have to deal with a megalodon.
When the Baby Gorilla and Baby Chimp Play
It's funny because, if you don't understand much about the differences between chimpanzees and gorillas, you might be led to believe that this is a pretty common capture. However, the likelihood of a gorilla and a chimp playing together naturally in the wild is extremely low. Gorillas are much too aggressive and territorial by nature and they do not usually tolerate the more docile chimpanzees. However, as with most babies, things are different.
It's also funny to see the two animals in such similar sizes. Gorillas, once they are fully grown, can reach to almost 500 pounds and almost 6 feet tall. You could never tell from just this picture!
Like Mother Like Children
This is perhaps one of the most beautiful images from nature that you will ever see. There is little more pure than looking at a mother teaching her babies how to live and enjoy their lives. This photo captured the exact moment of her babies copying her as she howls, maybe she is teaching them what each and every howl means and how to utilize them differently. They are good students!
Besides being beautiful, it's hard to deny how adorable these little cubs are as they attempt to howl like their mother. If only you could hear their little voices as well!
The Most Beautiful Icy Whiskers
It's hard not to be entranced by these stunning eyes and these delicate and beautiful icy whiskers. Seals are beautiful and loveable creatures and its hard to not fall in love when you look into their adorable eyes. Who can resist when you now have incredibly cute ice whiskers to top it off? Just look at the elegance and the grace! They are beyond incredibly and it is such a beautiful moment to capture.
The seal in the back also has some icy whiskers to show off to everyone around. However, they are not quite as impressive as the whiskers of the seal in the front.
The Mouth of a Humpback Whale
Unless you have seen Finding Nemo or are Jonah from the Bible, there is a very small chance that you have seen the inside of a whale's mouth. It's not that often that you can get a glimpse of this massive and majestic creature's impressive mouth. However, now is your chance to take a look. Instead of regular teeth, they have bristly plates that can help them eat and catch the small fish and krill that make up the majority of their diet.
Considering they are such massive creatures and need a lot to maintain their food needs, they eat countless amounts of fish and krill each day.
The Lion's Tooth
You wouldn't think that it would be possible for a lion to lose its tooth. However, as this picture proves, it is very much possible. This lion lost its canine tooth when a giraffe kicked him in self-defense. The giraffe kick is actually quite powerful and can even kill a lion if executed properly. However, in this case, the lion made it out with only "light" injuries...one lost tooth.
Giraffes are actually not the normal prey choice for lions as they are aware of the danger surrounding their kicks and size. This lion made the mistake of underestimating their power.
Meet the Ocean Sunfish
No, this is not a whale. This is a type of fish called Mola Mola, also known as the Ocean Sunfish. They can grow to be the size of a human (around 5 ft 9 inches) and weigh over 2,000 pounds. They are usually found in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and are actually pretty docile and friendly (as can be seen by this diver saying hello peacefully and calmy).
Like some whales, they eat large portions of tiny fish to make up their diet. Despite their size, they actually have a lot of predators in the wild, so they always need to be on the lookout.
What Is This Mysterious Bird
Who ever thought it would be so difficult to identify a bird? After all, there aren't too many birds who would be brave enough to take on a massive snake like this one. However, it seems like the identity of this creature is still to be discovered. Some people think that it is a magpie while others claim it is a currawong. It has qualities and features from both of them.
Whichever bird this ends up being, it is quite an impressive photo and is almost unbelievable when you look at it. It is bird versus snake.
The Fierce Wolf Eel
The name Wold Eel gives off a certain feeling and vibe of being something ferocious and dangerous. And this picture makes it seem even more like the case. He looks like he is ready to eat and attach this person in a matter of moments. However, the name and the picture are quite deceiving. The Wolf Eel is not even technically an eel (but rather a fish) and they are actually quite gentle.
Maybe he felt threatened (rightfully so) by this fisherman and was trying to make a show of strength so that his life would be saved.
The Beluga Whale Has Elegant Legs
Who would have thought that you could say that a whale would have nice legs? Besides being massive creature that lives in the water and has no need for legs, it just does not seem natural. However, unlike most other sea mammals, the beluga whale does have legs..and some good looking ones at that. Although they are not legs in the technical sense, they do appear to be legs by any standard.
There are even some theories that the origins of mermaids started when sailors saw beluga whales. You can see how they would appear to be a mermaid from this angle.
Trying to Help His Friend Until the End
It's not that often that you see certain animals standing in defense of their friends in the wild, but it appears that these two seagulls had quite a special bond. He saw that a bald eagle came in for the attack and is taking his friend away. He jumped to his rescue and went to do everything in his power to save his friend from the predator. Did it work?
Plot twist; the seagull isn't trying to save his friend, he is only upset that he brought his stolen food with him when the eagle picked him up and took him away. It was all for the food.
Her Scars Tell a Story
there is no doubt that impalas are one of the most graceful and beautiful creatures to ever walk the planet. They come across as delicate and gentle and, in the wild, they are perceived that way as well. This impala has accomplished the nearly impossible, they have survived a lion attack, as can be seen by the scars on its body. Maybe she used her jumping abilities to escape the lion in the worst moment.
That looks like a pretty painful wound to tend to. Hopefully, she will be able to recover despite the deep gashes in her body from the lion's claws.
Wild Dogs in a Battle Against a Hyena
Who would you put money on in this scenario? Do you think the wild dogs are going to prevail or will it be the hyena? Is it a battle of force and numbers or of sheer will? This hyena looks pretty angry and ready to fight with every ounce of its power against the wild dogs. However, there are a lot of dogs there so it seems like a difficult battle.
Although the hyena is larger than the wild dogs, he does appear to have a lot of zest in him and won't go out easily, despite the odds that are against him.
The Coyote and the Squirrel Became One
Although this is an incredible photo just for the fact that it captured this moment, it is also pretty sad when you realize that a squirrel is being brutally murdered and consumed in the process. The coyote looks pretty angry and the photographer might want to back away from the pair. No one wants to get in between a hungry coyote and its prey. However, it is the circle of life and its all a part of the food chain at the end of the day.
The photo is pretty remarkable as it catches the tail of a squirrel outside of the coyote's mouth. Due to the similar colors, it looks like it's more a part of the coyote, rather than its meal.
The Waterfall of Lava
Most people love to see a nice, beautiful waterfall. However, not everyone would be too thrilled to see this waterfall of lava. In the jungles of Hawaii, you can find Kilauea, an active volcano that has erupted over fifty times in the past 100 years. There was even an eruption so terrible that it destroyed two towns completely and left them with nothing left. It is quite a beautiful sight to see even if it is incredibly dangerous.
It is pretty rare that you can see a waterfall of lava. It looks like something that is out of a horror film where you fall off your boat into this.
Swallowing a Turtle Whole
Did you ever think that it would be possible for a catfish to swallow a turtle whole? And not a baby turtle, but a full grown turtle? You probably had no idea that a catfish could even grow to such sizes and that they could be as aggressive as this picture is showing. After all, who wants to think that a creature like that is roaming around in the water all day?
Do you think he was successful is swallowing the turtle? It seems like quite a task for any animal, even one smaller than a crocodile.
The Goats Look Like They're Glued to the Wall
Goats are some pretty incredible creatures, They may seem ordinary at first glance, or like silly creatures. However, they are actually pretty remarkable, as they are showing the world in this photo that was stealthily captured of them. They literally appear to be superman style animals that are able to climb sideways up the wall without even flinching. How are they able to defy gravity like that? It is incredibly impressive!
Goats have special hooves that allow them to hold onto surfaces without slipping and falling. Maybe it is because of the split hoof, that enables him.
Jaws Is No Joke
Have you ever watched Jaws and thought to yourself that maybe it was slightly exaggerated and that the imagery was not quite what you expected it to be and was a little too much? If so, think again. Here is a real life photo of a great white shark to leave you horrified for years to come. That film was not joking around with its imagery and actually got things pretty spot on.
Imagine being in a cage and seeing this great white shark just a few inches away from you. Even though you have protection, you must feel like your life is over.
No Match Against an Elephant
If this car thought that it was any match for this elephant, it was gravely mistaken. Although a car seems like a large thing, it is actually quite small when compared to nature's giant. Hopefully, there was no one inside the car when the elephant went into its rage, however, as he looks to be squishing the car any moment and anyone inside will not be able to survive that unharmed.
It seems unlikely that anyone would have enough time to flee the car if there was an angry elephant involved. But you can only hope that they were able to!
The Eternal and Strong Tree
Maybe there was a storm or maybe there was a strange and freak accident, but either way, somehow a shipping container got entangled with a tree. although you might think that the shipping container would easily win this battle and take the tree down, the opposite seems to be the case. The tree has a strong set of roots and not even a large shipping container can move it from its place.
The shipping container did not stand a chance against this sturdy tree. It hit the tree and the tree did not budge, but rather misshaped the shipping container permanently.
The Skeleton of a Pufferfish
Many people are familiar with the pufferfish due to its interesting and unique capabilities of extending itself to an enlarged and puffed out size when it is in danger. However, most people do not get to see the skeleton of a pufferfish, as it is a pretty rare sight to see. Did you also know that the poisonous compound that the pufferfish excretes is over one thousand times more poisonous than cyanide?
This looks like a painful and pointy and sharp skeleton, leaving all the poison aside. This is not the kind of fish that you want to run into?
The Most Muscular Kangaroo
You have already seen on this list some of the frightening body parts that kangaroos have. WIth a middle toe like theirs, who needs muscles like these? However, kangaroos actually have both. Are you starting to understand why you should actually be scared of kangaroos and not want to jump up with them to cuddle and play? These animals are not as harmless as Hollywood has made them out to seem.
This kangaroo looks like the golden calf of kangaroos. Is he the leader? It looks like he expects everyone to bow down and worship him.
Hi There Little Buddy
Have you ever heard of the Irrawaddy Dolphin? Just by hearing the name you might think that this is some sort of a joke. And then that thought would be confirmed when you look at the picture of this cute and funky dolphin. However, this dolphin is very much real, although there aren't many of them left in existence. There are only about 92 of these cute dolphins left in the world.
If you ever want to spot an Irrawaddy Dolphin in real life you'd have to head over to Southeast Asia and the Bay of Bengal. They swim in the water there and rumor has it that they swim pretty slowly if you are trying to catch a glimpse!
Is a Bird or a Dinosaur?
Some people are convinced that dinosaurs went extinct many billions of years ago, however, that may not actually be the case, from the looks of this bird. There is a high theory that this bird evolved from Theropods which were a group of vicious dinosaurs and related to the tyrannosaurus rex. Obviously, these birds are much smaller than their ancestors, but you can see the resemblance just from this one picture.
This guy is pretty cute if you take a look at him and it's hard to picture him as a ferocious and flesh eating dinosaur. He seems much too friendly and cute to do that.
The Perfect Place for a Nest
Although this might seem like a pretty scary place to build a nest, maybe this mother actually has the right idea at the end of the day. Build a nest for your babies in the skull of a fearsome predator and it will keep everyone away. Predators will think that this is the enemy and won't risk their lives for a few baby chicks. No one wants to mess with a pike (an aggressive freshwater fish).
The bird momma took quite a risk when she approached the skull of this fish. It's hard to tell from afar that the fish is no longer alive and she could have risked her life in the process.
The Evil Eye of the Moray Eel
Ok, you can't blame this guy too much for just trying to survive and get a meal. However, his eyes make him out to look a lot more evil than any animal should. It doesn't help that his mouth is full of a pufferfish. That can't be helping his look of plea as there are probably lots of painful thorns going into his mouth as the pufferfish has expanded to its full threatened size.
The Moray eel actually has two jaws, which is helping him to get a better grip on his prey here. Either way, the pufferfish was a challenging choice of a meal.
The Four Footed Duck
Have you ever seen a duck with four feet? Unless you have seen this picture, the answer is most likely no. Ducks with four feet are not commonly found in the wild and are actually the result of a genetic defect. Although it might seem cute and harmless, it actually makes this duck's life a little bit more difficult as he does not walk properly and like a duck normally should.
The picture on the left looks a little bit like a duck and a frog combined. The duckling looks like he is about to hop away, bouncing like a frog.
A Muscular (and Hairless) Chimpanzee
Have you ever wondered what a chimpanzee would look like underneath all of that hair? Well, today is the day that you get to find out! Here is a hairless chimp showing off all of its muscles for anyone to see. It might be hard to believe that he is not working out daily at the gym to get such impressive muscles, but that is just his physique...what a lucky guy!
This is not a special type of hairless chimp, he is actually suffering from Alopecia, a condition that also affects people and causes hair loss.
Sparky Survived a Lightning Strike
Surviving a lightning strike is a pretty impressive thing. This bison named Sparky was struck by lightning in 2013 and somehow managed to survive. Although you can see the scars and the effect that the lightning strike had on him, he continued to thrive despite the wounds. He ended up living in a Wildlife Reserve in Iowa for the rest of his life, roaming and enjoying his days to the fullest.
The name Sparky is quite fitting. He was struck by lightning and it does look like he was "sparked" a little bit in the process.