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Last Saturday I was roving out to Bright Angel Point when I looked above and saw….
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I pointed my camera towards the sky and received many odd looks from visitors.
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Until they too looked up and started snapping away as well amidst the question, “what is that?”
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Instead of taking an infinite amount of photos myself I explained how hexagonal ice crystals in the cirrus clouds refract the sunlight like a prism. This is known as a circumhorizontal arc and occurs only when the sun is very high in the sky.
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For more glimpses of skies from around the world, or to share your own, go to Sky Watch Friday by clicking here.
As a side note: Same principle as sundogs which are located lower on the horizon.
That is beautiful!
I've seen a few of those, but never seem to have a camera handy. I had no idea what formed them – thanks for the great info!
WOW!! Love these pics and your explination Gaelyn. Thanks for sharing this with us. Things like this are most unusual for me to see as we do not have them.
i so like those clouds…and what a perfect guide you are to explain to the park visitors but then i wouldn't expect any less from you.
many hugs…
and thanks for letting me know about your distant relative. i have revised the post to include a click through to him and to YOU.
I have some beautiful pictures of 'sun dogs' as we always called them. I hope my rain dancing doesn't cause any flooding in some other part of the country. LOL MB
Oh, WOW, indeed! Gorgeous shots! The colors are exquisite, almost other worldly! Believe it or not, I'm about ready to do some rain dancing myself — it is HOT in Seattle — 103 yesterday!
Have a great weekend, Gaelyn!
Sylvia
Wow, you sure have a great place to view the sky! Those rainbow clouds are unusual and beautiful.
Beautiful capture, Gaelyn! Are these also called "Sun Dogs?" We have them sometimes here in CO – usually in the winter. Is it getting cold there at night?
I've never seen anything like it. That is beyond cool.
I love these. I never saw sun dogs until I moved here to the Sacramento area but have seen them several times since.
I've seen one like that for the first time only recently and it thrilled me to death.
Enjoy the weekend.
Cool how we both saw one within a couple of weeks of each other. They are neat to see for sure!
Once in awhile we will see sun dogs here but nothing quite so pronounced as your beautiful ones. Great job!
Ah, nice–love the sunlight refracting through that high moisture.
Oh wow, That is so cool.
Incredibly awesome capture! Beautiful!!! I don't see many of those, sun dogs, yes, those arcs… nope. Thanks so much for sharing.
What lovely clouds and thanks for the science bit. I've just discovered your blog and enjoyed it.
Exquisite! I can see it's Grand out there when you look up, too!
What a beautiful sight. You got great photos, and I was glad to hear the scientific explanation.
Looks like a magic carpet to me!
Very interesting and spectacular shots of the sky.
Hexagonal crystals and circumhorizontal arc. I think that are making that up! 😉
Very pretty, and thanks for the meteorolygy lesson.
Wow what a capture Gaelyn and wonderful that you knew the explanation too!
Simply superb. Loved the f=different colors in the sky.
Lovely delicate shots, and thank you for the explanation A wonderful posting for Sky Watch.
Stunning! I don't think I've ever seen anything like that before. Great capture!
~Lisa
Beautiful photographs. I have an Aunt and Uncle who have been living in their mobile home, a custom Eagle Bus since the 80's.
Wishing you a scent-sational day!
Patty
These are stunning captures Gaelyn. The closest I have seen to this is sundogs which are caused in a similar manner. I have never seen these before…absolutely beautiful. Have a great weekend.
Smiles
Amazing skies!
What a magical moment for you Gaelyn! It is good when we listen to that nudge that makes us look in a different direction.
These are BEAUTIFUL! I've never seen this before but will know what it is if I see one now! Thanks for the info and for sharing the beautiful images.
Janice.
another great SWF photos here…beautiful!
Great shots. Always nice to have a camera handy. The sky changes so fast. You never know what you are going to see when you look up.
Gaelyn: That is a first for me, thanks for sharing your wonderful capture.
You were at the right place at the right time to capture these great photos. Really are pretty. You have a very interesting job. I appreciate your visit today and comment.
What beautiful shots. I have observed this phenomenon a few times myself. Happy SWF!
That is an amazing photo op , Gaelyn. Its a good thing you were looking up at the time.
Thanks for explaining why and how this happens…
I saw this once but my camera didn't capture the wonderful colors the way yours did. It is a beautiful thing to see a rainbow of colors dancing in the clouds like that and I was definitely in awe when I saw it.
Have a great weekend, Gaelyn and thanks for stopping by 😀
I don't know which is better –the pictures or the explanation!
Cool shots!
As I'm sure shakespeare said: "A circumhoizontal arc by any other name…"
OMG! This is so magical! I have never seen this phenomenon, ever! Thanks for the explanation. Next time, if I will ever be in this area or in any area, I will pay attention. Thank you and I have enjoyed this post.
Awesome rainbow clouds
Beautiful! I have never heard of this phenomena.
beautiful!
beautiful images, the rainbow is full of whimsy amongst those wispy clouds.
Absolutely fascinating, I've never heard of such a phenomena, much less been able to witness it.
You've made my day.
So glad you posted this. I got a shot last month of color in a jet trail in a clear sky, and couldn't figure out where it came from.
Those wispy clouds are my favorite kind, even better with rainbow trim.
The visitors looked at you like you were crazy? This is gorgeous. I don't think I've ever seen this; I only see the sundogs when the sun is rather low in the sky.