This stunning photo won Nat Geo’s Travel Photographer Contest 2017

The National Geographic Travel Photographer Contest 2017 witnessed some spectacular photos taken within the last two years, with entries in three categories: Nature, People, and Cities. But one photograph that won hearts at the contest is of ‘an erupting volcano hit by a bolt of lightning.’ This once-in-a-lifetime shot has earned Sergio Tapiro Velasco, from Mexico, the honorable title of 2017 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year.

How he managed to click this amazing photograph

This photo was shot on a cold December night in 2015. To capture Mexico’s Colima volcano eruption, Velasco dragged his sleeping bag, camera, and tripod outside and lay underneath the cloudless expanse.

I was in the town of Comala when I suddenly saw incandescence above the volcano’s crater and started shooting. Seconds later, a powerful volcanic explosion expelled a cloud of ash particles and a massive lightning bolt illuminated most of the dark scene,” Velasco wrote for National Geographic.

He has focused his lens on the volcano for 15 years, and his dedication is quite apparent in the stunning image. According to him, this picture is nature’s gift to him. Even he couldn’t believe how he managed to click such outstanding image – in which a massive lighting bolt meets volcanic explosion.

This absolutely beautiful image is now the winner of the 2017 Travel Photographer of the Year Contest, as well as bagged first prize in nature category. For winning, he will receive a 10-day trip for two to the Galápagos Archipelago with National Geographic Expeditions, as well as a $2500 prize. This incredible photo was selected from over 15,000 entries from participants in more than 30 countries.

We’ve even rounded up some of the gorgeous shots that were crowned winners in different categories this year. However, you can see all of them here.