It's Not Rainbow, It's Sundog, a photo from Nevada, West

Photographer's Note

A sundog is a rainbow-like spot in a cirrus cloud. Cirrus clouds are mostly tiny particles of ice, shaped like hex bathroom tiles or stubby pencils each no bigger than the tiniest grains of sand. When the crystals line up like tiles on a table, they bend the light 22 degrees as the light enters and exits the crystal. Light colours fan out from the bending and display as a sun-dog. They usually appear in pairs two hand-breadths on either side of the sun when it rises or sets behind a very thin veil of high cirrus clouds.

Sun-dogs are among the most commonly seen sky phenomena, appearing most prominently when the sun is low. They are reddish on the side facing the sun and often have bluish-white tails stretching horizontally away from them.

PecoBud, abmdsudi has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

williewhistler (7257) 2012-04-26 7:07

Hello Eleu, you have done well to capture this unusual phenomenon as they usually only appear very briefly.
The clouds also have an interesting appearance.
Les.

Miguel82 (7717) 2012-04-26 7:15

Hi Eleu
A great view on the sky
nice shot
regards

PecoBud (3778) 2012-04-26 7:51

I love the look of the mountains and the sky Eleu. You've captured this landscape perfectly and with great care to detail, and came upon this sundog in the clouds. Wonderful job Eleu!!

TFS................Your Friend..............Buddy

rychem (9177) 2012-04-26 11:14

Beautiful phenomenon of the nature, nice contrast between dark mountains and bright clouds
regards
Ryszard

Sonata11 (28273) 2012-04-26 12:57

Hi Eleu,
Very interesting note about the clouds. Franky Eleu, I did not even know about sundog. Very interesting and beautiful the sky can be. Impressiveely spectacular. I love it. Fabulous job. Thanks for sharing and informative note.
Best reagards,
Barbara

abmdsudi (26151) 2012-04-27 8:10

Hi Eleu
Intriguing, dramatic and timely shot, you made a really good composition here too. This got to be pretty rare atmospheric event! and you have a good balance between the mountains and the wonderful sky. This wierd rainbow-like thing in the sky is well reflected, the effect is visible and you just make out the colored blob sundog above between the peaks nicely with a perfect exposure with varying light, some areas sunlit, others in deep shadow. beautiful colours and nice detailing. Not heard of this phenomenon before Elue, I have learned something from your description and your picture depicts the event very well!! Quality shot my friend.
Cheers! Have a great weekend.
Warm regards