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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

Anna Brandigi
Community Member
8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know this is cumulonimbus because of Up :D

David Robson
Community Member
8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hi Beck, This used to be my world. I have seen such spectacular sights and we even chased each other around clouds like this in Malaya. It's also amazing to fly through build-ups such as these - which we could do in an aircraft as strong as the Mirage.

Sandy McKinnon
Community Member
8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Once I was flying to Denver and the clouds we could see below us were lighting up with beautiful color while storms brewed. lightening filled the clouds and I had never seen anything like it.The pilot broke the silence and announced that we were flying over a combination of 7 thunder storms, and it was spectacular to see, But soon it was time to land and the storm raged around us. it became a bumpy ride and the lightening continued and we watch it around us with some nervous jumps with each sudden bright flash. It was raining hard when we landed and we were very happy to be on solid ground. I thanked the pilot as we disembarked , He did an awesome job.

Thomas Kowalski
Community Member
8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The tremendous beauty in Nature is truly awesome.

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    #2

    ‘I’ve Never Seen Lightning Like This One’

    ‘I’ve Never Seen Lightning Like This One’

    Santiago Borja Lopez Report

    Anne Umphrey
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lightning can strike at least 10 miles out from a storm which is why when you hear thunder or see lightning even if the storm is still away you should go inside if you can.

    Jean Ridings
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    THESE ARE THE MOST MAGNIFICENT PICTURES OF NATURE I HAVE EVER SEEN.

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    #3

    Night Flashes, Atlantic Ocean

    Night Flashes, Atlantic Ocean

    Santiago Borja Lopez Report

    Heidi De Peidi
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I want to look at this at a regular base

    Karen Loth
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Excellent question. I can't find anything about them either.

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    Daria B
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Reminds me, somehow, of Last Remnant.

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    #4

    An Ominous Storm Over Panama City

    An Ominous Storm Over Panama City

    Santiago Borja Lopez Report

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

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

    Ginny DeMario
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Awesome catching the atmosphere as you're flying above it! Amazing.

    Koko Sempai
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    wow! Look what we are missing! I want to go up on a plane too see this!!

    Venomous Sloth
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same one as the first? (I might just be blind)

    Jesus Wäre
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow it looks like it's from a movie o.O

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    #5

    Night Sky

    Night Sky

    Santiago Borja Lopez Report

    Susan Milam
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲

    Tamicia Baker
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow, I think you even captured a falling star. These are amazing.

    Suzanne Marie Ceira Twohig
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    surely this has got to be one of the best jobs in the world, i am so encouraging my son to become a pilot !! :D

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    #6

    Magic

    Magic

    Santiago Borja Lopez Report

    Chuck Larson
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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.

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

    Reminds of Michaelangelo's creation painting in the Cistene Chapel

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

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

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

    I imagine this is what the surface of Jupiter could look like.

    #7

    Tormenta, Coast Of Venezuela, South America

    Tormenta, Coast Of Venezuela, South America

    Santiago Borja Lopez Report

    Charlotte Ayers
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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.

    Aki Greus
    Community Member
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ufopaedia alien battleship, also known as yellowstone or the Equites Consularis Americani.

    Debra Newell
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What are those winged looking objects in the sky...there is a bunch of them....

    Curious Cat
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Independence day 3... the cloud people of doom

    Sonja Götten
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think he got a Sprite in the top left corner.

    #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

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    #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

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

    Greys & gold - classic. Love that 'lateral-running' chocolate band in the foreground too. Also the 'sitting on the city' clouds in the background. The two 'close' the city in & the 'poofy' clouds contrast with differing ones on the remaining sky. Great pic.

    Šimon Špaček
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not at all. It is unusual, yes, but also it is very real. Or was. Super moon is not that often to be seen and those clouds are unique but still, real. Amazing, beautiful, extraordinary, awesome and breathtaking for sure. BTW, very nice picture. Will there be calendar with those pictures?

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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

    Susan Milam
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    😳😳😳😲😲😲😲😵😵😵😱😱😱😱😍

    Melissa Apple
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This looks like something out of a sci-fi! I love it 😍

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    #14

    Soaring, Guayaquil, Ecuador

    Soaring, Guayaquil, Ecuador

    Santiago Borja Lopez Report

    #15

    The Amazonia Between Ecuador And Colombia

    The Amazonia Between Ecuador And Colombia

    Santiago Borja Lopez Report

    #16

    A Storm Over Colombian Amazonia

    A Storm Over Colombian Amazonia

    Santiago Borja Lopez Report

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    #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

    Victoria Jolley
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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

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    #20

    The Orbit In An Atmosphere Unknown, Ecuador

    The Orbit In An Atmosphere Unknown, Ecuador

    Santiago Borja Lopez Report

    #21

    Vertical Development, Ecuador

    Vertical Development, Ecuador

    Santiago Borja Lopez Report

    Susan Milam
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    N😲😮😳😲😮😳😵😵😵😵😵😱😱😱😱😱😱😍😍😍

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

    I cannot believe how tall the clouds get.

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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

    #24

    Storm Hour, Amazonia, South America

    Storm Hour, Amazonia, South America

    Santiago Borja Lopez Report

    #25

    Cruising Out, Quito, Ecuador

    Cruising Out, Quito, Ecuador

    Santiago Borja Lopez Report

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