Clouded

Helen Bascom, 8 months ago

Gorgeous! Those rings are caused by ice crystals high up in the atmosphere. Beautiful isn’t it?

DonnaM, 8 months ago

Thanks for the info Helen, I’ve always wondered what did that and yes it is quite beautiful :)

termite, 7 months ago

very beautiful

DonnaM, 7 months ago

Thank you Termite… I was told the rings are caused by ice crystals that form above the clouds at very high altitudes :)

DonnaM, 7 months ago

Termite, Thank you for favoriting my work…i am very honored :)

Peter Hill, 7 months ago

The Atmospheric Optics Group would love to see this.

DonnaM, 7 months ago

Didn’t know there was such a group, Thanks Peter :)

paigesmom, 7 months ago

after many years of watching sesame street, i think i see the face of “grover” smiling through the clouds. maybe a message from the late jim henson?

kjgordon, 7 months ago

looks like cotton candy

DonnaM, 7 months ago

mmm sweet…thanks for favoriting Splash :)

Megishere, 7 months ago

This is gorgeous! It really looks magical….Beautiful Shot!

Adam Preljevic, 7 months ago

Beautiful capture…well done Donna : )
Yep, I definitly second the grover sighting..or maybe Lou Zeeland..the fishjuggler from the muppets?

DonnaM, 7 months ago

lol…thanks adam…who would of thought…grover in the clouds :)

DonnaM, 7 months ago

Thanks Meg…the true artist is nature…just luckly to get the shot :)

4sure, 7 months ago

I was going to tell u also to add this to Atmospheric Optic Group as already suggested but I see you havent done it yet, naughty girl! lol This is a beautiful image. Ern (head honcho of AOptic group) would love this.

DonnaM, 7 months ago

okay, alright already, I get it…I’ll add it now, lol! oh yeah how did you know that was my name (naughty girl) lol…Thanks 4sure for the great critique and the push :)

Ern Mainka, 7 months ago

I’m not head honcho of AO group, Dave is, but I accepted into the group on his behalf.
Donna. A glory (seen in the antisolar direction) can sometimes be seen with an aeroplanes shadow projected on to clouds below and looks similar to this, but with a shadow in the centre. However I’m thinking you took this from the ground and you are looking toward the sun (centre) in which case it is known as a Corona (and/or Iridescent Cloud). It is caused by ice crystals (or water droplets) of even size which form the cloud.
Great shot.

dinghysailor1, 7 months ago

wonderful capture – amazing!!! well done you!

DonnaM, 7 months ago

Actually Ern it was taken from above on a commercial flight, I just posted another shot taken at the same time where you can see the ground. Thanks for the info and for accepting my work into your group. It is greatly appreciated :)

DonnaM, 7 months ago

Thanks for the great critique, glad you like :)

Ern Mainka, 7 months ago

Ah huh, your above the clouds. So then it’s a ‘Glory’. Had me fooled and a bit perplexed. It’s strange as a shodow of the plane should be seen in the centre. It’s still a ‘Corona’ / ‘Iridescent cloud’ too.

DonnaM, 7 months ago

Okay…it’s a “Glory” but yet it’s still a “Corona”/”Iridescent Cloud” too. I’m glad you know…because I’m confused! It’s cool looking…lol…Thanks for accepting into the group Ern :)

Ern Mainka, 7 months ago

The missing (or very small) shadow is due to the aircraft being very high above the cloud.
More photos at Les Cowley’s ‘Atmospheric Optics’ web site
More about Glories

DonnaM, 7 months ago

Thank you Ern, I will check this out :)

Ern Mainka, 7 months ago

“Okay…it’s a “Glory” but yet it’s still a “Corona”/”Iridescent Cloud” too. I’m glad you know…because I’m confused!” DonnaM

Yes, it’s still irisation or iridescence and both have coronal rings. But rather than being called a Corona, this anti-solar AO is specifically called a Glory.
The effects of different size / distribution of droplets varies slightly with each one.
Corona – Effects of droplet size
Glory – Effects of droplet size

Initially NO, 7 months ago

With a smiley face.

DonnaM in reply to Initially NO’s comment, 7 months ago

absolutely, lol :)

Roddy Atkinson, 7 months ago

Great capture, your plane must have had very clean windows!

DonnaM in reply to Roddy Atkinson’s comment, 7 months ago

The plane was fairly new (lucky for me) & it was very clear day…
Thank You Rod for stopping by & leaving feedback, it is always appreciated :)

Tammy F, 3 months ago

Wow this is a beautiful find for sure!! I never saw anything this cool when I flew! Great job!