The stunning moment lightning strikes behind a tower of giraffes has been captured in a spectacular image of the African plains.
The bolt from the blue illuminates the sky above the Etosha Park in Namibia - with the exact moment that the lightning strike descends from the clouds captured in Russian photographer Julia Sundukova’s photo.
The giraffes, perfectly lined up along the green and brown plains, are turned towards the camera, unaware of the breathtaking sight just behind them.
Giraffes are the world's tallest mammals and can reach about 6m high. Their legs along can grow up to 1.8m.
The animals can use their height to their advantage, plucking leaves and buds from treetops that other animals can't reach.
Even a giraffe's tongue is long, measuring more than 50cm.
The giraffe's height can also help to keep a lookout for predators.
The dramatic backdrop is framed by the sparse African flora with the giraffes towering above the scraggly shrubs.
Photographer Julia Sundukova, who has been sent to capture images across Africa before, said she was left gobsmacked when she saw a bright bolt of lightning shoot out of the sky, appearing to strike one of the pack.
Julia, 31, said the cloudy sky looming over the giraffes gave her an ominous feeling.
She said: ‘The giraffes weren't scared of the thunderstorm - they stood together in unity, whilst lightning struck behind them.
‘This story is unforgettable for me - not just because of the wonderful animals, but because of the lightning which I caught purely by accident.’
Despite the bright bolt of light far behind the giraffes, who can grow up to 6m tall, the experienced photographer said she was at first scared that it had hit the giraffe.
She said: ‘It really looked like it was hitting the giraffe - at first I thought he was a goner!
‘I'm glad he's OK though.'
