A Volcano, a Rainbow, and a Spirit in the Clouds

Photographer

Melissa N. Robertson

Category

Fine Art Photography - Nature

Company

Melissa N. Robertson

Submission Group

Professional

Year

2026

Country / Region:

United States

"What an event I got to witness on June 1, 2026! The record-breaking 48th eruption of the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii (USA). I drove two hours with my young son to see the lava sputtering from the ground before sunrise, but when we arrived at 4:45 a.m., to our happy surprise, the volcano was erupting! We glued our eyes on this magnificent wonder of nature. The volcano would send out roaring rushes and grow higher. As the sun broke the horizon, it was beginning to rain. The sky behind the smoke and volcano became another point of interest as a rainbow began forming. It was a brilliant sight! In this image, taken at 6:29 a.m. Hawaiian time, I also notice what looks like maybe a spirit in the clouds, almost as if the angels themselves wanted to see this once-in-a-lifetime event. The figure only lasted a few seconds in the clouds, but long enough to keep my mind wandering - just who from Heaven came to sneak a peek at nature’s glorious morning event? Do you see it, too?"

Credits

Melissa N. Robertson Photography
Melissa N. Robertson
More Gold Winner Winners
Amateur
2026

Photographer / Company

LAIMUTE KURIENE

Category

Editorial Photography - Travel

Country / Region

Netherlands

Professional
2026

Photographer / Company

Marcel van Beek

Category

Minimalist Photography - Black and White

Country / Region

Germany

Amateur
2026

Photographer / Company

Satheesh Nair

Category

Fine Art Photography - Abstract

Country / Region

India

Professional
2026

Photographer / Company

Julian Elliott

Category

Nature Photography - Panaroma

Country / Region

United Kingdom