The sun was just coming up over the trees and with the odd shaped cloud above it, I thought it looked so different.
Sun dog or sundog (scientific name parhelion, plural parhelia, from "beside the sun"; also called a mock sun) is an atmospheric phenomenon that creates bright spots of light in the sky, often on a luminous ring or halo on either side of the sun.
Sundogs may appear as a colored patch of light to the left or right of the sun, 22° (or more) distant and at the same distance above the horizon as the sun, and in ice halos. They can be seen anywhere in the world during any season. In Europe and North America, they might be seen as often as twice a week but they are not always obvious or bright. They are best seen and at their most conspicuous when the sun is low. They are caused by the sun passing through ice crystals in a cloud, similar to a rainbow caused by the sun passing through water drops in a cloud.
To see more great skies around the world or to participate go to www.skyley.blogspot.com
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22 comments:
Interesting -- I've never heard the term sundogs. Never too old to learn. Your pictures are beautiful -- learning something new is an added bonus
You are totally amazing. How you constantly find new and interesting subjects to post! I eagerly for your blog every day.
fondly, Lee
Cool, cool, cool! I'm glad you posted them all. The shape of the cloud in the first one is amazing. This time of year it is just a tad too dark on the way to work to shoot pics. Come on Winter Solstice so we can start reversing these long winter days!
Tough choice, comma over the sunrise, or sundogs. Glad you shared them all MB.
Hey! Stop using all those big words. I confuse easily! Actually, thanks for the cool info. That really is interesting.
A very unusual cloud, to say the least.
Melbourne Daily Photo
A most informative Sky Watch and STUNNING photos! I want to see a sundog but don't want to suffer the cold! Might not have a choice this weekend!
I particularly love that first shot with the punctuated cloud, but I also loved your illustration and explanation of sundogs.
I really like the first shot. There is something very hypnotic about it.
I have seen a few sundogs but never been able to get a mgood photo. I'm really impressed you have actually stayed in a firetower. I didn't even know it was possible until I did some research for my post
Learning something new again and in such a brilliant way!
Love the sundogs. Long time since I heard that word!
How neat, Mary Beth. I've heard of Sun Dogs but never knew what they were...
And that is a funny looking cloud!
All of these were taken from your deck, I suppose?
Very very cool! I really like how smooth your photos are, they look incredible!
Fantastic shots and very interesting information! I've never heard of this before.
Fantastic that first shot!
Interesting. I´ve seen something similar. Great capture of these phenomenon.
very cool! i'd never heard of these before either! the strange shaped cloud is weird looking, cool pic!
I love that first pic. The cloud is like an accent mark over the sun, stressing that, yes, in fact, even on this cold winter day, I am making my usual appearence.
Beautiful Mary Beth... I had never heard the term, sundog, before. That is so interesting... Thanks for sharing such beauty with us.
Hugs,
Betsy
Beautiful! And thanks for the explanation. ;-)
I enjoyed your pictures of the sundogs and the information about them which you provided. Of course, that first picture is wonderful as well.
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