Strange Lights & Clouds Around These Parts Lately

[jacrob]

What is the sky like when you see these flashes, Daydreamin? Is it cloudy? I've noticed that if there is heavy cloud cover the light can often be diffused through the clouds and appear as one big flash. Is there any thunder? I'm not doubting what you saw, I'm just curious.

I can say for my pictures at least that they are the genuine article, taken by my amateur hand, mostly while on my evening walks. I cropped them up and messed with the contrast a bit because my phone has the tendency to suck the color out of images, but the actual images haven't been tampered with in any way.

Here are a few lightning images I managed to catch:




I don't know what's up with the weird line in this one. I'm thinking it may actually be a camera glitch, because it just looks odd.

I've seen this line in our Sydney sky many times so it's not your camera. Half the sky will be light with a much defined dark line.

I've also noticed another amazing phenomenon. Coming home in the evening I can see the sun set in the West, however the crepuscular rays are in the East. Amazing.

Interesting lightening too. At least 1 night per month there will be bright, soundless lightening sparking for 3 seconds, then nothing for 2 minutes, then sparking again, then nothing for 2 minutes. It will go like this whole night until morning and be in the same spot.