Too Cool Not to Share

[CNelson]

Yesterday morning as we were heading south from our northern California visit, we saw this amazing cloud at the top of Mount Shasta. The sun was rising behind the mountain and the "cloud" was likely snow or ice crystals being whipped about the summit by strong winds. The swirling winds give the "cloud" a somewhat biomorphic appearance. The angle of the sun relative to the cloud created a rainbow effect. I didn't push saturation or vibrance in the image but I did expose for the cloud which made the mountain a little darker than it was in person. The cloud and rainbow effect was short lived but I've never seen anything quite like it and felt fortunate to be at the right place at the right time with the camera. It's not so much a great photograph as a very interesting phenomenon - had to share it.



Chuck

[Clactonian]

That is surreal and quite beautiful. Well spotted.

[Donald]

Chuck

Now, that is indeed, as you say, what can truly be called - Being in the Right Place at the Right Time. An amazing capture.

The skill surely is:

1. Seeing it in the first place (so many people just wouldn't)
2. Being ready to capture it
3. Knowing what to do to capture the cloud to best effect.

Well done

[CNelson]

Thank you Mike and Donald. I am still amazed by it myself. When we first left our house I could see the clouds were doing something interesting but we didn't get the rainbow effect until we drove a distance and encountered the angle that produced the effect. Fortunately there was a place to pull off the road so I could get the shot.

Chuck

[mythlady]

Wow, that is really interesting. Great capture.

[Radu Dinu Cordeanu]

Beautiful!
Radu Dinu

[Peter Ryan]

Something special Chuck.

[maloufn]

Yes!! Thats what it is all about. Being there at the right time.The difraction of light is beautiful. They say to be a photographer- carry that camera tout le temp.

[CNelson]

Yes!! Thats what it is all about. Being there at the right time.The difraction of light is beautiful. They say to be a photographer- carry that camera tout le temp.

Oui Oui!

[Nihia]

Hi all

I keep up with weather in NZ & elsewhere with the www.metvuw.com website which deals with a lot of these phenomena. I think this is an example of 'circumhorizontal arc is an optical phenomenon - an ice-halo formed by plate shaped ice crystals in high level cirrus clouds.' (quote from wikipedia). Obviously relies on backlighting from the sun, & where seeing it depends on the angle you are at.

Cheers
Nihia

[SCF150]

Great shot, its not something you see everyday. As they say its aii about the light.

TFS, Tom