Sometimes nature shows us something truly extraordinary.
A woman from Minnesota captured a moment that left people mesmerized after spotting an unusual stormy sky that resembled an ocean. The photograph has continued to spark fascination, with many saying it stirs an eerie feeling even years later.
Theresa Birgin Lucas, who lives in Bemidji, was driving back home after visiting her family at a hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. It was during this journey that she came across the surreal sight on Highway 64. Rolling clouds ahead looked so much like waves in a turbulent sea that many viewers later likened the scene to a stormy seascape. Ironically, Theresa herself didn’t notice anything remarkable about the view at the time.
Facebook / Theresa Birgin Lucas)
In a Facebook post, Theresa shared that the now-famous photo came about for a simple reason: her daughter was anxious and wanted to know when she’d be home.
Theresa wrote: “She was freaking out and wanted to know how much longer it was before I got home, so I seriously snapped that photo and said ‘I’m close to Akeley’.”
She admitted that she didn’t pay much attention to the picture until her daughter pointed out how unique it looked once she was back at home.
Reflecting on the photo, Theresa described the bizarre cloud formation to KVRR, saying: “It seriously looks like the sky is going to unzip.”
After uploading the picture to social media, it quickly gained traction and went viral. People from all corners of the world reached out, captivated by the remarkable and surreal image.
The widespread attention left Theresa both amused and a little stunned by how much the photo resonated with so many.
Joking about the situation, Theresa quipped: “I should be giving credit to my fraidy cat daughter.”
When some people questioned whether the image had been digitally altered or created with AI, Theresa clarified to PetaPixel that the photo was entirely real. She explained: “It truly was just a quick picture taken off my iPhone 8, which cracks me up.”
She also added: “It is a Live Photo — it’s funny to watch it, music playing and bug splats on my windshield!”
Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Theresa expressed her personal admiration for the image, saying: “I really like the beauty in the photo knowing that nothing has been touched.”
The photo, often referred to as “seascape in the sky,” has continued to resonate with viewers. Its timeless quality keeps drawing people back, evoking both awe and unease.
Reddit users have shared their reactions to the photo, with many saying they can’t help but feel drawn into it.
One user commented that they couldn’t shake the impression that “the waves are gonna crash on the road.”
Another shared their thoughts: “It actually makes me feel uneasy. I can’t unsee a giant deadly wave. I don’t like looking at it.”
Explaining the science behind the rare phenomenon, KVRR meteorologist Mariah Bush noted the image was highly unusual.
She explained: “My initial thought was maybe some basic clouds, cumulus nimbus clouds, or even a shelf cloud, but then after further looking there are some clouds I have never even seen before myself.”
She added: “So, pretty unique, actually.”
Looking back at the moment, Theresa told FOX 35 News: “I was just lucky to be in the right time at the right place. Not sure why but I was!”
She later entered the photograph, which she titled “Ocean in the Sky,” into the Minnesota State Fair competition in 2022, further cementing its iconic status.