Montreal

Lightning bolt strike over St-Joseph's Oratory caught on camera

When Lori Bellerdine got word of a thunderstorm warning last night, she knew she had a chance to capture the photograph she'd envisioned for years.

'I was waiting and praying, and basically that's how it happened,' says photographer Lori Bellerdine

Montrealer Lori Bellerdine says she's been hoping to capture a photograph like this one for years. (Submitted by Lori Bellerdine)

When Lori Bellerdine got word of a thunderstorm warning Sunday night, she knew she had a chance to capture the kind of photograph she'd envisioned for years. 

Her Montreal apartment has a perfect view of the St-Joseph's Oratory, so she set up her camera, equipped with a lightning trigger, and pointed it toward the historic city landmark.

"I was waiting and praying, and basically that's how it happened," said Bellerdine, explaining that she's not a professional photographer, but considers the hobby one of her "passions."

"When I saw it on my camera after I thought it looked fake, it looked like it was Photoshopped."

Environment Canada issued a weather warning after thunderstorms rolled into the area yesterday evening. The storms triggered flight delays at Montreal's Trudeau Airport.