Anyone who’s seen the Wizard of Oz knows the devastating power of tornadoes, huge funnels of wind that can rip houses out of the ground.
Photographer Ana Filipa thought she was capturing a rare photograph of one while travelling in Leziria Grande at Vila Franca de Xira in Portugal. But the sight was stranger than even she expected.
What looked like a funnel cloud was actually composed of millions of mosquitoes, moving in a cone shape. Scarpa moved closer in her car, taking photos of the phenomenon.
The area has a high density of mosquitoes, as there are many branching waterways which provide water for crops, and unfortunately become convenient breeding grounds for the annoying insects.
Scarpa estimates that the massive swarm towered 1,000 feet above the ground.
For more incredible photos, please visit Scarpa’s website.