Paul M Smith
@paulmsmithphoto.bsky.social
Photographer. Citizen science. Nature lover. Night sky and storm chaser.
Last week I caught some of the most phenomenal events in the sky.
These sprites were so strong and so close that their colors reached maximum intensity from my vantage point.
The pink, purple, and blue colors at the lower 40-50km altitude are where the air is denser, meaning where molecules
These sprites were so strong and so close that their colors reached maximum intensity from my vantage point.
The pink, purple, and blue colors at the lower 40-50km altitude are where the air is denser, meaning where molecules
June 14, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Last week I caught some of the most phenomenal events in the sky.
These sprites were so strong and so close that their colors reached maximum intensity from my vantage point.
The pink, purple, and blue colors at the lower 40-50km altitude are where the air is denser, meaning where molecules
These sprites were so strong and so close that their colors reached maximum intensity from my vantage point.
The pink, purple, and blue colors at the lower 40-50km altitude are where the air is denser, meaning where molecules
I've been accused of AI quite a bit lately.
I get it, the current social media trends do not foster an environment of trust.
But with real photography, we have the human touch and true imagery of nature that can uncover secrets about our world that an AI eye simply cannot.
I get it, the current social media trends do not foster an environment of trust.
But with real photography, we have the human touch and true imagery of nature that can uncover secrets about our world that an AI eye simply cannot.
June 2, 2025 at 4:16 PM
I've been accused of AI quite a bit lately.
I get it, the current social media trends do not foster an environment of trust.
But with real photography, we have the human touch and true imagery of nature that can uncover secrets about our world that an AI eye simply cannot.
I get it, the current social media trends do not foster an environment of trust.
But with real photography, we have the human touch and true imagery of nature that can uncover secrets about our world that an AI eye simply cannot.
This old house in Oklahoma overlooks yet another storm passing by in the night.
The inhabitants are long gone, but I often wonder about the sights they saw- their experiences that were never shared before the time of social media and photography.
The inhabitants are long gone, but I often wonder about the sights they saw- their experiences that were never shared before the time of social media and photography.
April 6, 2025 at 6:15 PM
This old house in Oklahoma overlooks yet another storm passing by in the night.
The inhabitants are long gone, but I often wonder about the sights they saw- their experiences that were never shared before the time of social media and photography.
The inhabitants are long gone, but I often wonder about the sights they saw- their experiences that were never shared before the time of social media and photography.
Springtime scenes early this morning in Oklahoma
March 26, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Springtime scenes early this morning in Oklahoma
Sometimes it is hard to believe that red sprites are nature.
This finer details in this second jellyfish sprite from Feb 2024 shows some exciting features. Like the linear waves in the sprite halo - likely atmospheric gravity wave patterns like we see in airglow-
This finer details in this second jellyfish sprite from Feb 2024 shows some exciting features. Like the linear waves in the sprite halo - likely atmospheric gravity wave patterns like we see in airglow-
March 15, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Sometimes it is hard to believe that red sprites are nature.
This finer details in this second jellyfish sprite from Feb 2024 shows some exciting features. Like the linear waves in the sprite halo - likely atmospheric gravity wave patterns like we see in airglow-
This finer details in this second jellyfish sprite from Feb 2024 shows some exciting features. Like the linear waves in the sprite halo - likely atmospheric gravity wave patterns like we see in airglow-
Once upon a lunar eclipse, I got the alignment of a lifetime
March 14, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Once upon a lunar eclipse, I got the alignment of a lifetime
New video of an amazing series of TLE's. youtu.be/OmqqHcN58EQ
March 12, 2025 at 1:42 AM
New video of an amazing series of TLE's. youtu.be/OmqqHcN58EQ
Happy battery charging day to all those on the plains who celebrate Sunday storms 🌩️
March 1, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Happy battery charging day to all those on the plains who celebrate Sunday storms 🌩️
I opted against bird feeders for years because the resulting weeds in the flower beds were a pain. Now, I’m not giving up these moments for anything
March 1, 2025 at 7:31 PM
I opted against bird feeders for years because the resulting weeds in the flower beds were a pain. Now, I’m not giving up these moments for anything
This photograph wouldn’t be possible without the forecasts, radar, and data provided by NOAA and NWS. I’m not a wealthy man. If these weren’t public products, I couldn’t do what I do.
March 1, 2025 at 5:44 PM
This photograph wouldn’t be possible without the forecasts, radar, and data provided by NOAA and NWS. I’m not a wealthy man. If these weren’t public products, I couldn’t do what I do.
Red Sprites from Beavers Bend, Oklahoma. This was one of my favorite nights from this picturesque spot in southern Oklahoma - surrounded by the quiet of nature with a distant display of epic proportions.
February 11, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Red Sprites from Beavers Bend, Oklahoma. This was one of my favorite nights from this picturesque spot in southern Oklahoma - surrounded by the quiet of nature with a distant display of epic proportions.
Red sprites are the perfect blend of science and nature, fleeting moments of beauty in our own atmosphere.
Each red spear is an excited ion channel, several miles long and triggering 50 miles above some massive charge change in the clouds below.
Our very own electric zoo, right above our heads.
Each red spear is an excited ion channel, several miles long and triggering 50 miles above some massive charge change in the clouds below.
Our very own electric zoo, right above our heads.
February 5, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Red sprites are the perfect blend of science and nature, fleeting moments of beauty in our own atmosphere.
Each red spear is an excited ion channel, several miles long and triggering 50 miles above some massive charge change in the clouds below.
Our very own electric zoo, right above our heads.
Each red spear is an excited ion channel, several miles long and triggering 50 miles above some massive charge change in the clouds below.
Our very own electric zoo, right above our heads.
The amazing and elusive beauty of nature on a millisecond timescale.
Red sprites remind us that our planet is incredibly special, and still has some secrets that aren't always easy to find.
Red sprites remind us that our planet is incredibly special, and still has some secrets that aren't always easy to find.
February 4, 2025 at 12:45 AM
The amazing and elusive beauty of nature on a millisecond timescale.
Red sprites remind us that our planet is incredibly special, and still has some secrets that aren't always easy to find.
Red sprites remind us that our planet is incredibly special, and still has some secrets that aren't always easy to find.
My kiddo sent this to me this morning. I love how he thinks of me when he sees a sunrise. I hope that never changes
January 8, 2025 at 4:19 AM
My kiddo sent this to me this morning. I love how he thinks of me when he sees a sunrise. I hope that never changes
There's something about the swamp at night.
It comes alive with the sound of the wild.
The cries and choruses of a thousand creatures that otherwise remain hidden during the daylight.
It is a place of sharp, black shadows and still reflections on moonless nights.
It comes alive with the sound of the wild.
The cries and choruses of a thousand creatures that otherwise remain hidden during the daylight.
It is a place of sharp, black shadows and still reflections on moonless nights.
January 7, 2025 at 3:23 AM
There's something about the swamp at night.
It comes alive with the sound of the wild.
The cries and choruses of a thousand creatures that otherwise remain hidden during the daylight.
It is a place of sharp, black shadows and still reflections on moonless nights.
It comes alive with the sound of the wild.
The cries and choruses of a thousand creatures that otherwise remain hidden during the daylight.
It is a place of sharp, black shadows and still reflections on moonless nights.
I had images in my head of what I wanted to capture on my recent adventure to the southern USA. I wanted storms and sprites with Bayou foregrounds. Man, it is a tough place to chase- dark skies are hard to find as are accessible, treeless areas to get a view.
December 30, 2024 at 7:59 PM
I had images in my head of what I wanted to capture on my recent adventure to the southern USA. I wanted storms and sprites with Bayou foregrounds. Man, it is a tough place to chase- dark skies are hard to find as are accessible, treeless areas to get a view.
Put my Jeep up for sale. Genuinely feels like letting go of a good friend. So many epic adventures together from Northern Canada to Galveston, Texas and everywhere in between. 200k miles of memories. Dang, I'm getting sentimental in my old age
December 18, 2024 at 2:42 AM
Put my Jeep up for sale. Genuinely feels like letting go of a good friend. So many epic adventures together from Northern Canada to Galveston, Texas and everywhere in between. 200k miles of memories. Dang, I'm getting sentimental in my old age
I found myself complaining so much about AI , conspiracies, and anti-scienceness, that it was eating up a lot of my time unproductively.
I decided a better strategy for pushback would be to create real and science-based longer form content. Certainly a better way to spend time.
I decided a better strategy for pushback would be to create real and science-based longer form content. Certainly a better way to spend time.
December 15, 2024 at 7:37 PM
I found myself complaining so much about AI , conspiracies, and anti-scienceness, that it was eating up a lot of my time unproductively.
I decided a better strategy for pushback would be to create real and science-based longer form content. Certainly a better way to spend time.
I decided a better strategy for pushback would be to create real and science-based longer form content. Certainly a better way to spend time.
Red Sprites and Andromeda over Missouri lining up perfectly with a lone tree.
Chaos in our atmosphere paired with cosmic chaos.
Nature is awesome.
Single image
Chaos in our atmosphere paired with cosmic chaos.
Nature is awesome.
Single image
December 15, 2024 at 5:40 PM
Red Sprites and Andromeda over Missouri lining up perfectly with a lone tree.
Chaos in our atmosphere paired with cosmic chaos.
Nature is awesome.
Single image
Chaos in our atmosphere paired with cosmic chaos.
Nature is awesome.
Single image
These two pictures of nature have been licensed for a permanent exhibit display at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. A great honor. Also available in my print store if you'd like your own display :)
November 30, 2024 at 11:52 PM
These two pictures of nature have been licensed for a permanent exhibit display at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. A great honor. Also available in my print store if you'd like your own display :)
Thankful for family, friends, and nature. All the best!
November 28, 2024 at 8:04 PM
Thankful for family, friends, and nature. All the best!
1) I'm working on a new video on the complexities of red sprites. Catching them in slow motion has been eye-opening. I postulate that we could subcategorize them into far more than just jellyfish, carrots, columns etc. Three random examples here with a very complex, channel-rich red sprite grouping
November 24, 2024 at 6:16 PM
1) I'm working on a new video on the complexities of red sprites. Catching them in slow motion has been eye-opening. I postulate that we could subcategorize them into far more than just jellyfish, carrots, columns etc. Three random examples here with a very complex, channel-rich red sprite grouping
This shot over a small Oklahoma homestead last month involved a close sprite grouping. The almost circular pattern can be seen where sprites trigger in the QE field conditions centered around the parent stroke.
November 23, 2024 at 9:29 PM
This shot over a small Oklahoma homestead last month involved a close sprite grouping. The almost circular pattern can be seen where sprites trigger in the QE field conditions centered around the parent stroke.