Nature & Environment

A picture that captures, with all its phenomena, the air, water, minerals, and life (flora and fauna) - an appreciation of the world.

"A BOLT FROM THE GRAY" A lone cloud-to-ground lightning bolt strikes beneath a supercell thunderstorm in south-central Kansas on June 5, 2004. Shortly before this photograph was taken, the severe storm dropped hailstones the size of baseballs. Though crops were damaged, no one was injured.

1st

Jim Reed, Freelance

"A BOLT FROM THE GRAY" A lone cloud-to-ground ...

2nd

Dylan Slagle, The Times-Picayune

A yellow-crowned night heron carries a small crab ...

3rd

Christine Prichard, BIRMINGHAM POST-HERALD

RED RAIN-- A single raindrop clings to the ...

HM

Spencer Ainsley, Poughkeepsie Journal

These three-week-old peregrine falcons, photographed Friday (5/21/04) on ...

HM

Paul Beaty, Daily Herald

Staff Photographer

HM

Ed Hille, The Philadelphia Inquirer

A lone cicada, a member of Brood X, ...