Just after sunrise on Saturday morning (9/28) I walked out on the deck to look at the crepuscular rays. My brother-in-law Gary, who was visiting from Kauai with his wife Lynne, came out to see. We watched the light change and thought we could make out just the faintest hint of a 22 degree halo in the rays. Such a nice sight. I told him and Lynne that the sky looked like it might produce some iridescent clouds. We were pretty happy about that. I've been wanting someone in the family to see this beautiful phenomenon.
And then it happened. We had to go out in the front of the house and stand in the shadows to see the hints of color at the apex of the roof line, where the sun was completely blocked. The colors were changing so fast, going to pinks and greens, blues and lavender. It was wonderful.
Roger took this pic of us watching the sky. It made me so happy to share this with them.
A short while later Roger called me outside to see this. So lovely, like a portal into another world, we all agreed. It was a "beam me up, scotty" moment.
And then, the piece de resistance-- this iridescent cloud was as beautiful as I could have wished for. The really cool and interesting thing (to me, of course) is that this stunning display of deep hued colors comes almost three years to the day of this, the first iridescent cloud I ever photographed.
I photographed these clouds on September 29, 2010. I called them sundogs, of course!
Those are absolutely gorgeous, amazing skies, Robin!! And your captures are terrific! The next best thing to being there!! Thank you so much for sharing the beauty! Hope you have a great week!!
ReplyDeleteExcellent! I envy your inlaws for having been there to see such sights! I love the portal to another world...I know I'd go into that world if the opportunity presented itself!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful skies and getting to share it adds to it, I'm sure. Our sky has been totally stormy with one storm after another passing through.
ReplyDeleteThat look of wonder on your Bro-law's face was delightful From now on we will think of you as Nut, the sky goddess! :-)
ReplyDeleteSylvia-- Thank you so much. I always think the sky looks so much better than the photographs. I'm glad that some of its stunning magnificence comes through.
ReplyDeleteJohn-- That other world gets more inviting everyday. I know it would be so much better than this nutty place we call home. I know for certain, there would be no republicans. It's a proven fact LOL!
Rain-- I've been following the rain storms up in your neck of the woods. It's been pretty fierce. I hope your skies clear soon and you get to see the splendid blue.
karmanot-- I am truly Nut, the sky goddess. Thank you for that. It's an obsession I can't seem to shake, even though it kills my stupid arthritic neck to look up.
Great photos of some very cool cloud formations. Love the cloud portal!
ReplyDeleteYou must be living right!! Those are phenomenal and that they performed on cue is even better!
ReplyDeleteBev-- I'm always so happy to see an interesting sky. It changes so quickly. So glad you liked the pics.
ReplyDeletekenju-- You made me laugh out loud. Thank you for that. Yes, the performed on cue!
So delightful to see these photos! Our skies look like we have a gargantuan old soggy horse blanket draped over us...
ReplyDeleteisabelita-- We have seriously been considering moving to the northern coast of California, knowing we'll be giving up these incredibly beautiful skies. It is a hard choice between unbelievably hot and relentlessly dry summers and cool foggy skies. What to do... what to do...
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of us Alaskan watching the Northern Lights. The clouds sure put on a show for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteDave-- I know I'll never see the northern lights, so just knowing that these skies remind you of that makes me glad. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLovely post. I share your ardor for iridescent clouds, all clouds. I have a book for you...The Cloud Collector's handbook. Just get it. I keep mine in my car! xoxo jz
ReplyDeletea great post and photos, Robin. No need for fancy expensive drugs up in your neck of the woods! The splendor is there, naturally, for you to see. Trippin' on the sky.
ReplyDeletethis makes me feel similar to those days when i thought we'd have to travel to pt townsend to see an american eagle! they seemed to flock around you daily, yet we'd NEVER seen one near us in WA! if you'll just blow some of your magic dust this way you could save us a trip! hahaha i'm so glad you were able to share these beautiful clouds and skies with loved ones.
ReplyDeleteOur clouds looked more like a still version of tornado clouds. They were not moving at all so they were not predicting tornados but the colours were quite strange last night. I am looking up more due to all of your cloud posts.
ReplyDeleteYou have a good eye for a good sky. Thanks for continuing to share your "sun dogs" with us mortals.
ReplyDeleteThat is what I call skywatching, beautiful clouds you were privaliged
ReplyDeleteI would have been tempted to say your were having a flashback...but then I saw photographic proof that you weren't. Great images, especially the "portal." I really don't think we get such interesting formations here in the northern Piedmont on the East Coast.
ReplyDeleteJulie-- I do plan on getting that book. I joined the Cloud Appreciation Society just the other day. Do you see iridescent clouds in Ohio? I know they are there, and I suspect with you looking up for birds you must see some grand sights!
ReplyDeleteTara-- I keep hoping that it'll happen when you're here. It's just such a grand moment of light and air!
Sky-- There must be beautiful skies like this in Seattle. I wish someone would start a Cloud website like the bugguide.net site where people post their photos and a map can be drawn by such sightings. It would be GREAT.
Ontario Wanderer-- These clouds come and go so quickly. It's like hearing a favorite bird song and running outside to see. I keep going out to take a peek. It happens so fast, if I wait five minutes, it's gone.
Pablo-- I love sharing these "sundogs" with you!
Bill-- I keep thinking I should start posting on Skywatch Friday. I am definitely a sky watcher!
Scott-- I wrote Les Cowley of the fantastic website Atmospheric Optics and asked him if our skies were in any way unusual. I thought these amazing sightings had to be particular to our area. He replied that the skies here are not unusual but that I am unusual because I go out to see. I have a hard time believing that's true, but I absolutely trust his knowledge.
Those are extraordinary, especially to see all of those on the same day. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I have to agree with Les. I don't see how those particular kinds of clouds could be unique to your area. I know Scott has mentioned not seeing this type of thing, and I believe him, too. It reason may be that the sky and clouds change so quickly that if you don't happen to be looking in the right place and the right time, you will miss it.
Mark-- I absolutely kill my poor arthritic neck watching this stuff. I can't take my eyes off it. I don't know why, but I am thrilled with the changing skies. Yes, Saturday was especially fantastic. The photos are posted in order of the sightings. It was a three-hour delight.
ReplyDeleteYes, you have to be in the right place at the right time, AND keep on looking. It changes so quickly.
I need to get outside more...for lots of reasons.
DeleteWow! Almost like Northern Lights in blue and white. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteBreathtaking! And way to extend the Aloha to your Kauai visitors, bums.
ReplyDeleteI love my tropical sky watching these days!!
Are you sure we live on the same planet? You really do have the most amazing skies. So glad you are willing to share with us ordinary folks.
ReplyDeleteNCmountainwoman-- I love thinking of them as our version of the Northern LIghts! Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteAnnie-- Your skies are so beautiful. It's like there's a rainbow everyday!
Arkansas Patti-- I'm pretty sure we live on the same planet, although sometimes I wonder if I'm from here or another galaxy. LOL!
Beautiful and amazing sights!
ReplyDeleteI've been to atmospheric Optics a couple of times to check out a couple of things I saw. I still get how to navigate around the site, but it is pretty cool!
Hey Pat- The sky is an amazing source of pleasure for me. What some clouds, ice, sunlight, and water drops can do blows my mind!
ReplyDeleteThis is my favorite of your sky posts so far. Wonderful to see the sky viewers' awe and delight through Roger's camera. September 28th was a memorable day for cloud viewing. Thanks so much for this post!
ReplyDeleteHey am-- So glad you like these photos. The fall skies here in the foothills are quite beautiful. If only it didn't kill my neck to look up so much.
ReplyDeletewhat a fabulous post! sharing beauty and wonder with family--what can be better? your photos are so beautiful and filled with your own wonder. thanks so much, dear Robin, fo sharing beauty with your other family "in the cloud."
ReplyDeleteMaryanne-- My head is in the clouds, literally and figuratively. Glad to share my obsessions.
ReplyDelete