Funnel clouds: Five captured on camera over Wicklow Harbour

Although more used to capturing an array of wildlife, photographer David De Courcy told BBC News NI he could not pass up an opportunity to capture the five funnel clouds.

“It was completely on the fly,” Mr De Courcy said.

“I saw the lovely sunrise and thought, I’ll take a photo.

“I had an idea that they were some sort of vortex. They are a cool weather phenomenon.”

Funnel clouds become tornados when they touch the ground and water spouts when they make contact with a body of water.

When they touch the ground, funnel clouds are classed as tornadoes.

They form when the atmosphere is unstable.

Although delighted with his photo, Mr De Courcy is not planning on making the switch from wildlife to weather photography.

“Photographing the weather is more hit and miss,” he explained.

“Birds and wildlife are more my thing.”