Mother Nature sure has a way of making New York a beautiful and unique place to live.

You could spend forever naming the many places to visit all over the state, but some of them come when you least expect it. That's when Mother Nature takes over and leaves you speechless. For the good and for the bad.

Lightening Strikes Tree

DEC Forest rangers were recently sent to a fire around Lonesome Bay, in Lower Saranac Lake. The fire started after a tree was struck by lightening during a storm. It hit the tree, both splitting it and frying the ground surrounding it's base.

Credit - NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Credit - NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
loading...

Rangers determined the fire was a "single-tree torch", causing the ground to be burned 10 feet surrounding the tree. The fire was declared out the following day at 2:30pm.

Napanoch Point Forest Fire

That isn't the only forest fire in New York recently. There is currently an active fire near Minnewaska State Park in Ulster County. First reported on Saturday, August 27th, the Napanoch Point fire now spans over 270 acres.

Credit - NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Credit - NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
loading...

Multiple fire crews, State Police and Forest Rangers have been working endlessly to control the blaze. It is currently unknown whether or not the fire is contained because of the unpredictable weather and nature of the fire.

Beauty Of Lightening Storms

Credit - Amy Strangnowski via Facebook
Credit - Amy Strangnowski via Facebook
loading...

Though lightening can be dangerous and lead to fires, there is beauty to watching it cross the sky.

Credit - Amy Strangnowski via Facebook
Credit - Amy Strangnowski via Facebook
loading...

Amy Strangnowski was recently enjoying a picturesque storm on the dock at Oneida Shores in Cicero. She said it was an incredible storm to watch and couldn't help but take pictures.

A Picture Perfect Night Sky In New York

There's also nothing like seeing the beautiful northern lights when they stretch across the sky. Or just looking up at the night's sky in the Adirondack's. You could really look at these all day.

Photographer Captures Stunning Northern Lights Show in Adirondacks

Shane Muckey captured stunning pictures of the Northern Lights in the Adirondacks.

What about this incredible photographer who captured the Milky Way in the Adirondacks? Take a look at his other fantastic photos as well!

Bronx Photographer Captures Magnificent Milky Way in Adirondacks

A photographer from the Bronx who often makes it up to the Adirondacks, captured a magnificent photo of the Milky Way that has gone viral.

Photographer Captures Stunning Northern Lights In Old Forge

It's not really common to see northern lights in Central New York, but photographer Kurt Gardner captured the beautiful conformation of them near Old Forge.

Six Spots in Central New York Serving Up The Best Apple Cider Donuts

Yum! Good, fresh apple cider donuts can be hard to find. Have you ever wondered: Where you can get the best, most fresh apple cider donuts in Central New York?
Well, alas, we found out that information. We reached out to the 315 Menus Facebook community to ask the question, and they came in clutch providing allllll the spots. Which ones have you tried - and which ones are on your to-go-buy list?

10 Awesome Day Spas in Upstate New York That Will Take Your Cares Away

Everyone likes a visit to a day spa or salon. Well, almost all women do. But why wait for that special birthday or anniversary gift to come around to treat the ladies to a day at a spa? And Mother's Day? It is too far away. So go now, relax, and enjoy. And guys, most of these Upstate spas also offer couples specials. Check it out!

More From Big Frog 104