Black Kite and Iridescent Cloud
Black Kite (Milvus migrans) and Iridescent Cloud. Composite montaged image of two photos.
Black Kite and Iridescent Cloud belongs to the following groups:
All the Colors of the Rainbow and Atmospheric OpticsAvailable for sale as Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters

Leeo, about 1 year ago
I love that iridescent cloud! I’d never heard about it until I saw your website & since then I have been looking & have seen it a couple of times, but not nearly as pronounced as this. Thanks for making me aware : )
Ern Mainka, about 1 year ago
Thanks Leanne. I saw a little bit of iridescence today and last week while driving. But it was typically short lived and only minor. It usually requires a 300mm lens to fill the frame like the one above. It’s just a few degrees off the sun and mostly goes unnoticed by most as it is so bright. I accidently aimed my camera (with 300mm lens on) at the edge of the sun a few years ago and got a bad stinging pain zap on the back of my right retina while shooting this stuff. My sight was affected for a long time but fortunately seems to have mostly recovered. I’ve developed an alternative method for aiming the camera more safely. Really good displays are pretty rare in my book.
See Celia Coulter’s Blog entry;
Unexpected Beauty
hillsrain, about 1 year ago
Extraordinary capture Ern. I know that pain, maybe not quite that intensity, but am rather careful these days, even with shooting sunsets into the sun. Only get one chance with eyes. Some beautiful irridescence around of late with so much high cloud.
richiedean, about 1 year ago
Nice one Ern,
Christine Beswick, 11 months ago
Superb Image Ern.
avocet, 6 months ago
great image.
CassieGannon, 5 months ago
Wonderful colours Ern.
mcrowleyphoto, 5 months ago
great title for a fantastic photo!!
dinghysailor1, 4 months ago
wonderful capture!!
DoreenPhillips, 17 days ago
Stunning work of Art