Seasonal Spectacles: Chasing Nature’s Most Captivating Phenomena

The world is full of natural wonders, which is why bucket-lists come in handy. However, there are a few of these mesmerising moments which only happen on specific days of the year (or at least during a limited window). Between astrological displays, animal migrations and record-breaking extravaganza’s, this year’s gripping lineup promises the best of what mother nature has to offer. 

Astrological events are always happening yet it is rare to see with the naked eye so make sure you take advantage when you can (Felipe Helfstein)

Meteor showers happening in 2025

Starting off strong, these annual events result in shocking photography from across the world. Meteor showers are clusters of meteors which radiate from one point in the sky to another, creating a mesmerising celestial event. The Meteor Data Center of the IAU lists over 900 suspected meteor showers of which about 100 are well established. Some of these are easy for us average humans to observe without needing fancy astrological equipment. Here is comprehensive list of meteor showers projected to light up the sky throughout 2025 (with the day in which their activities are expected to peak):

April 17th - 26th: The Lyrid meteor shower (peaks on April 22nd)

April 20th - May 21st: The Eta Aquariid meteor shower (peaks on May 6th)

July 18th - August 12th: Southern delta Aquariids (peaks on July 31st)

July 17th - August 23rd:  Perseids (peaks on August 12th)

October 2nd - November 12th: Orionids (peaks on October 21st)

November 3rd - December 2nd: Leonids (peaks on November 17th)

December 1st - 21st: Geminids (peaks on December 14th)

December 16th - 26th: Ursids (peaks on December 22nd)

The park limits the amount of visitors it wlecomes to maintain the pristine environment (Mario Carvajal under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license)

Rainbow river in Colombia 

The Caño Cristales is a river located in the Colombia’s Sierra de La Macarena National Natural Park. It extends about 100km, weaving in and out of gorges and narrow streams. While the park and serene landscape is a must-see any time of the year, a remarkable phenomenon occurs between June and November. The Macarenia Clavigera is an endemic aquatic plant which resides beneath the rushing waters of the river and contains properties that allows it to change colour depending on sun exposure. Thanks to this, the crystal waters resemble a “liquid rainbow”, a mesmerising view which cannot be missed. 

From crashing waves to still tides, bioluminescence can light up the dark shore lines in outstanding blue hues. This is at Huraa Island in the Maldives (Ahmed Nishaath)

Bioluminescent beaches 

Bioluminescence is one of those natural events which belongs on a bucket list, something which many believe is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that rarely happens. In short, this sparkling sight is created from the production and emission of light by a living organism. According to NOAA, around 90% of living organisms in the ocean have the potential for bioluminescence but those we see on the shores primarily come from algae and plankton. In these occasions, organisms will produce this light (a chemical reaction which is used for a number of reasons ranging from evading predators to communicating with the same species) and create a blue glow within the water. Whilst luck does play a small part in witnessing this real-life magic, bioluminescence is not as rare as we think. In fact, there are a number of beaches around the world which showcases bioluminescence:

1) Manialtepec Lagoon, Mexico

2) Mudhdhoo Island, Maldives

3) Matakatia Bay, New Zealand

4) Koh Rong, Cambodia

5) Mosquito Bay, Puerto Rico

A group of Atlantic Puffins settling into their new home for the season (Ben Jessop)

Puffin migration in Scotland 

Known as ‘clowns of the sea’, puffins are one of Scotland’s most loved seabirds. Their distinctive features and awkward personalities is why so many people admire them. Whilst they spend most of their time out at sea, there are certain annual windows which increase your chance of catching a glimpse of these funny little creatures. Between the months of April and August, Scotland experiences an influx of puffin sightings as they return to Scotland's islands and coastlines to nest in burrows. According to the Scottish Seabird Centre, these are the best places to go to in Scotland to spot puffins during their migratory routes: St Kilda, Shiant Isles, Handa Island Wildlife Reserve, Dunnet Head, Hermaness, the Treshnish Isles, and the Isle of May.

When the Monarch butterflies create clusters, they look like dead leaves populating the trees (Alex Guillaume)

Watching the skies fill with Monarch butterflies 

The migration of the Monarch butterflies is considered one of earth’s most extraordinary natural spectacles. Millions of these black and orange insects (Danaus plexippus) travel thousands of miles from Canada and the US down to Mexico where they rest and reproduce. It is a journey which takes eight months to complete, in which five generations of this species pass back-to-back. Monarch butterflies arrive in the thousands to a different locations around Mexico, one of them being the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (a UNESCO Heritage Site) in Angangueo. As these butterflies arrive, the sky flashes of orange, black and white specs. In an astonishing turn of events, whole tree branches will sway back and forth due to the sheer weight of this population. The best time to witness one of the world’s most colourful natural migrations is between December and March.

The Catatumbo lightning storm phenomenon broke the world record for the highest concentration of lightning in the world (Fernando Flores under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license)

Catatumbo Lightning Storm 

Called the Relámpago de Catatumbo in Spanish, this meteorological spectacle makes this remote part of Venezuela known as the electrical storm capital of the world. Over the mouth of the Catatumbo River, a lightning storm rages between 140 to 160 nights of the year. As a natural phenomenon, it is therefore a much more reliable marvel to witness. Of course, the intensity of the storm varies each night, but with an impressive 250 lightning bolts per square kilometre every year (totalling 1.6 million bolts annually), you are just about guaranteed to watch the sky light up in an unbelievable way. The best time to go is between July and November, during the wet season in Venezuela.

The Jindo Miracle Sea Road Festival sees almost a million local and international tourists (wiki commons)

South Korea's parting seas

High-tide and low-tide happen all around the world thanks to the moon’s cycle and other geographical factors. Whilst watching the sea during low-tide isn’t exactly a riveting spectacle, watching the sea part to connect the mainland to an island two miles away is not something you see everyday. Jindo County is an archipelago in South Korea which annually sees the parting of the Yellow Sea, giving way to a wide path between Jindo and its neighbouring island, Modo. It stays like this long enough for people to walk between the two land masses by foot. About half a million people flock to watch this natural phenomenon and partake in the locally organised Jindo Miracle Sea Road Festival. The celebration includes traditional music, authentic food and cultural shows (of which one includes Korea’s infamous Jindo dog breed perform tricks). This rare event happens between two and three times a year from March to June. The festivals usually takes place in spring (March/April).