A graphic designer camped out in freezing cold conditions to snap a shot of an erupting volcano – only for a volcanic lightning bolt to strike the lava spurt and make the image even better.
The photographer took up the perfect vantage point 12km from the centuries-old volcano, which is currently active and surrounded by an 8km exclusion zone.
His stunning series of pictures, taken last week show white-hot lava spouting from the crater 12,500ft above sea level, with the lightning bolt emerging from clouds of black smoke.
Hernando, 34, said: ‘When the volcano erupts, it
sounds like a big bomb. It can be dangerous being so close, but mainly I am excited rather than scared.
In these pictures, Volcán de Colima is erupting with white lava bombs, while at the same time it is being hit by some lightning.
‘I was alone at night when I took them. I like to go alone. Sometimes I get as close as 7km or 5km, but on this occasion I was 12km away.