Kayaker caught in 20 square mile mega storm captures breathtaking photos of lightning hitting the water around him
People have even been questioning whether the amazing photos are real
WHEN a man was enjoying a spot of kayak fishing in Tampa Bay, Florida, he never expected to be caught up in such a terrifying storm.
Instead of running back to his car, Ronald Kotinsky instinctively reached for his camera and captured some spectacular snaps.
Rushing to take cover from the storm, the IT worker fled into the safety of some mangrove trees, as terrifying forks of lightning began hitting the water around him.
He remembered: "I could see the storm in the distance and my radar said it would be going inland but it got within half a mile of me, the sky began to go dark and the cell moved very close to me.
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"So I decided to head for cover under the mangroves because I didn't want to be the tallest thing around and figured that I would be a hell of a lot safer under there than running to the car in open ground."
Marvelled by the force of nature, Ronald reached for his camera and began snapping photos of the 20 square mile mega storm.
Ronald revealed: "I suppose it was quite dangerous because weather can be really unpredictable and the lightning was really close.
"Luckily, I brought my camera and it was waterproof - I was worried about it being damaged but what is the point in having it and not using it?
“I started snapping away as the lightning struck."
One of the most incredible shots, taken by Ronald’s Canon 6D camera, shows four forks of lightning hitting the ground simultaneously.
Proud Ronald posted the snap, which he believes is the best he’s ever taken, to social media, captioning it Rain of Pain.
Internet users were so taken with the powerful image that it was liked over 500 times in a matter of hours.
A number commenters were so awe-struck by the photo that they couldn’t believe that Ronald had captured it naturally.
Ronald assured: "The pictures are by far the most popular photos I have ever taken and even my wife needed some convincing that they were real but I can prove it.
"The 'Rain of Pain' was a single frame, half second shot and it looks like a composite image of several shots but I assure you that it is a genuine shot.”