Queensland man snaps spectacular photo of storm out at sea

Storm clouds, the setting sun and a lightning strike have conspired to create an otherworldly spectacle that’s left Facebook users in awe.

Moreton Bay resident Timothy Baxter captured the photo of the uniquely lit cloud formation at about 6.30pm on February 1 at the seaside suburb of Sandgate.

He said he had just returned from work when he spotted storm clouds.

“I’ve never seen a big cloud formation like that during the day,” Mr Baxter told 9news.com.au.

“This one came out of nowhere.

“I thought it was going to be something special as soon as the sun went down.”

Eager to capture the magic moment, Mr Baxter packed his kit and headed down to a cliff overlooking the bay.

His winning snap of cumulonimbus clouds set aglow by the setting sun and lightning has since received more than 1950 likes on Facebook.

Mr Baxter says he’s “pretty stoked” with the outcome and thinks the photo was a stroke of luck.

“I don’t expect to every take a photo like that again,” he said.