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Being a pilot, you get to see a bunch of beautiful sights from above. Being a pilot for a South American airline, you also get to witness the stunning phenomena of storms as your job requires flying over regions that experience them.

Meet Santiago Borja Lopez - a Quito, Ecuador-based pilot who works for Ecuador Airlines. Whenever the pilot is off-duty, he pulls out his camera to capture the magnificent sights he witnesses in air. From incredible storms to even lightning bolts - the photos he captures are truly magnificent. Keep on scrolling to take a look and follow Santiago's journey on Instagram. You can read more about one of Santiago's shots in our previous article.

More info: santiagoborja.com | Instagram

#1

‘A Colossal Cumulonimbus Flashes Over The Pacific Ocean As We Circle Around It At 37000 Feet En Route To South America’

‘A Colossal Cumulonimbus Flashes Over The Pacific Ocean As We Circle Around It At 37000 Feet En Route To South America’

Santiago Borja Lopez Report

#2

‘I’ve Never Seen Lightning Like This One’

‘I’ve Never Seen Lightning Like This One’

Santiago Borja Lopez Report

#4

An Ominous Storm Over Panama City

An Ominous Storm Over Panama City

Santiago Borja Lopez Report

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M O'Connell
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, the slight blur of the exposure makes the city look like lava.

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#6

Magic

Magic

Santiago Borja Lopez Report

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Chuck Larson
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How does he know when and where a flash will occur and still fly a plane.

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Stefan Jhagroo
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He's not flying. He takes it when he's off duty. On his Instagram he admits most of it is trial and error and luck (as with all lightning photography). Point the camera at an area of activity, set the shutter for 1 or more seconds and hope that something flashes while it's open.

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Sunzilla
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds of Michaelangelo's creation painting in the Cistene Chapel

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lemontzz aide
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lots of great shapes & lines here. Creation by 'atmospheric conditions!

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#7

Tormenta, Coast Of Venezuela, South America

Tormenta, Coast Of Venezuela, South America

Santiago Borja Lopez Report

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Charlotte Ayers
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tormenta is an apt name: it looks as if we are peering into the underworld.

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#8

Flying Over The Colombian Amazonia About To Enter Ecuadorian Airspace To Descend Over The Andes Into Guayaquil

Flying Over The Colombian Amazonia About To Enter Ecuadorian Airspace To Descend Over The Andes Into Guayaquil

Santiago Borja Lopez Report

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#9

A Magnificent Storm Developing Over The Atlantic Ocean, A Few Miles South Of Jamaica

A Magnificent Storm Developing Over The Atlantic Ocean, A Few Miles South Of Jamaica

Santiago Borja Lopez Report

#10

Mooning Around, Super Moon, At 2,900m In Quito, Ecuador

Mooning Around, Super Moon, At 2,900m In Quito, Ecuador

Santiago Borja Lopez Report

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#11

‘Looking Like A Nuclear Explosion, This Great Cumulonimbus Is Discharging Its Power Over Colombian Rainforest’

‘Looking Like A Nuclear Explosion, This Great Cumulonimbus Is Discharging Its Power Over Colombian Rainforest’

Santiago Borja Lopez Report

#12

Fugaz, Atlantic Ocean, North Of Panama City

Fugaz, Atlantic Ocean, North Of Panama City

Santiago Borja Lopez Report

#14

Soaring, Guayaquil, Ecuador

Soaring, Guayaquil, Ecuador

Santiago Borja Lopez Report

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#16

A Storm Over Colombian Amazonia

A Storm Over Colombian Amazonia

Santiago Borja Lopez Report

#17

Sunset, Quito, Ecuador

Sunset, Quito, Ecuador

Santiago Borja Lopez Report

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#18

Cloud City, Quito, Ecuador

Cloud City, Quito, Ecuador

Santiago Borja Lopez Report

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Victoria Jolley
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

looks like the earth had a major volcanic eruption across the earth and dust covered the earth.....creepy but beautiful

#20

The Orbit In An Atmosphere Unknown, Ecuador

The Orbit In An Atmosphere Unknown, Ecuador

Santiago Borja Lopez Report

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#22

One Of Those Clear Days Over Miami

One Of Those Clear Days Over Miami

Santiago Borja Lopez Report

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#23

Fierce, Guayaquil, Ecuador

Fierce, Guayaquil, Ecuador

Santiago Borja Lopez Report

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#24

Storm Hour, Amazonia, South America

Storm Hour, Amazonia, South America

Santiago Borja Lopez Report