“Quick, Curt. Grab your camera; the clouds are amazing!” our daughter Tasha urged. I did. This one featured a halo, but it was hiding its true nature: Flashing lightning, rolling thunder, roaring winds and pounding rain.
Nature is capable of putting on fantastic shows that can both awe and frighten. A thunder and lighting storm with its accompanying wind and rain is a prime example. Our grandson, Ethan, had spotted the towering clouds. They were looming over her and Clay’s home in northern Virginia. It’s also what I call our basecamp, a small attached apartment that we are using during breaks from wandering.
One look and I decided that the clouds were worthy of a post. (I admit my decision was aided by the fact that my Bryce Canyon post wasn’t ready.) Anyway, here is what we saw. Enjoy.
This cloud bares a striking resemblance to a friendly pooch, but what is that strange, round cloud peeking out behind? Apparently it also included rainbow colors. Peggy saw them but I didn’t. Another person did and sent a photo to a local TV station. Known as “iridescent clouds with a silver lining,” they are rare and sometimes include rainbow colors. And, in conclusion, a black and white rendering. Next Friday, we will be back to the the Bryce series.
Curt, as I recall, you have spent time with a son in Florida. Also, look for the clouds the next time you visit. They were one of the unexpected joys when we moved there in 1996. Once, a bright red setting sun over the Gulf was reflected in tall clouds in the east. It appeared like we were seeing a sunset in the east!
We’ve enjoyed some of those massive clouds and beautiful sunsets down there, Ray. And it seems to me that there is always something magical about the sun setting over the ocean in the west, whether it’s over the Gulf or the Pacific. Sunset time is time to stroll or sit on the beach. Hard to get much more romantic. Thanks.
My gosh! Lucky you! In your first photo, you captured an image of a pileus over cumulus, with a little iridescence thrown in. Do you know about the Cloud Appreciation Society? This was unusual enough I thought there might be a photo of the same cloud, and there might be. It’s on this page, and it was taken in Leesburg, Virginia, on August 11. If the gallery is changed by the time you get there, and the photo’s been replaced, you can find it by search for pileus, or for the photographer, Michael Chamberlin.
How fun is this! People connecting through an actual cloud, rather than a virtual one!
That is hilarious! ❤
Linda’s sense of humor…
Laughing, Linda. One is real but ephemera, the other is ephemeral but real. My son-in-law, Clay, works with companies that store the seemingly endless computers of the cloud that exist in vast, highly controlled warehouse spaces. You drive down the road into Washington from here and you can see the large buildings lined up one after another with always more being built.
I’m pretty sure it was Crystal. He lives not too far from here and the timing was the same.
It’s fun that there is a Cloud Appreciation Society, Linda. There seems to be one for everything else. I wonder if there is an International Cloud Appreciation Day? 🙂 We will be in Leesburg in a couple of hours. It’s one of our major shopping areas about 15 minutes away. Not surprising that they would see the same clouds.
I must say, we have appreciated being able to shop without having to devote 45 minutes to getting their and a 60 mile round trip every time we did! –Curt
Curt, these are wonderful shots and absolutely worth interrupting your blog path. That is one of the brilliant things about our blogs, I think, that they are reflections of us. Not always careful and planned, but of a current snapshot of our lives sometimes. As Cindy said, this one reflects your joy and appreciation of life. As a former meteorologist, I share your deep enthusiasm with clouds (and the thunder, lightning, wind, and rain that photographs have a harder time showing). ❤
I suspect, Crystal, you could have given an in-depth analysis of what we were seeing given your former career. 🙂 Yeah, life has a way of moving on when we are still blogging about something that happened a few weeks or months ago. One thing that I’ve never had to worry about, is having plenty of blog material. I still need to do one on our “basecamp.” Cindy was sweet; life is pretty darned good. Thanks. –Curt
I’m so glad to hear that life is pretty darned good. I think you two are half the reason it is so, because of your combined outlook on life.
Thanks, Crystal. Outlook is critical. It isn’t the same as ignoring the bad stuff, which we don’t, but in emphasizing the positive, and actively looking for it. Not easy given the challenges the world is facing, or not facing.
I’d be willing to bet you have no idea how much I adore clouds!!!
I’ve been meaning to send you some news from your old neighborhood, but distractions seem to be piling on of late. 🤔
Well, consider them a gift then, Gunta. 🙂 Most of the news we’ve been hearing hasn’t been good. Extreme heat and fire danger, and my guess, heavy smoke given the fire across the border in Siskiyou County. I’m surprised that there is anything left to burn over there. Also saw a few weeks ago that they had to pull hikers off the PCT and take them out via Applegate Lake.
Wow. No kidding that those clouds were worth a post. They’re gorgeous, ominous, magical. What an amazing sky show, Curt. Mother Nature is a creator beyond my wildest imagination.
When I was little, I would lie on the grass with my sisters, and we’d try to figure out what the clouds resembled. Sometimes we’d see animals or people or just objects we made up. But I never saw one with a halo! Great capture.
No damage here in NB but Parts of Cape Breton got walloped
Glad for you, Kelly. Sorry for Cape Breton. Our son and his family live in the Tampa/St. Pete area which seems to be in the path of Ian this week. Scary stuff. –Curt
Oh. I will send good vibes that your son doesn’t endure any hardship from Ian.
Wandering through Time and Place 
Your joy & appreciation of life is so moving.
Thanks, Cindy. Likewise with you. 🙂 Every day is a gift. –Curt
Curt, as I recall, you have spent time with a son in Florida. Also, look for the clouds the next time you visit. They were one of the unexpected joys when we moved there in 1996. Once, a bright red setting sun over the Gulf was reflected in tall clouds in the east. It appeared like we were seeing a sunset in the east!
We’ve enjoyed some of those massive clouds and beautiful sunsets down there, Ray. And it seems to me that there is always something magical about the sun setting over the ocean in the west, whether it’s over the Gulf or the Pacific. Sunset time is time to stroll or sit on the beach. Hard to get much more romantic. Thanks.
My gosh! Lucky you! In your first photo, you captured an image of a pileus over cumulus, with a little iridescence thrown in. Do you know about the Cloud Appreciation Society? This was unusual enough I thought there might be a photo of the same cloud, and there might be. It’s on this page, and it was taken in Leesburg, Virginia, on August 11. If the gallery is changed by the time you get there, and the photo’s been replaced, you can find it by search for pileus, or for the photographer, Michael Chamberlin.
I followed your link and I agree that it may be the same cloud. Michael Chamberlin’s photo captures the iridescence so well.
How fun is this! People connecting through an actual cloud, rather than a virtual one!
That is hilarious! ❤
Linda’s sense of humor…
Laughing, Linda. One is real but ephemera, the other is ephemeral but real. My son-in-law, Clay, works with companies that store the seemingly endless computers of the cloud that exist in vast, highly controlled warehouse spaces. You drive down the road into Washington from here and you can see the large buildings lined up one after another with always more being built.
I’m pretty sure it was Crystal. He lives not too far from here and the timing was the same.
It’s fun that there is a Cloud Appreciation Society, Linda. There seems to be one for everything else. I wonder if there is an International Cloud Appreciation Day? 🙂 We will be in Leesburg in a couple of hours. It’s one of our major shopping areas about 15 minutes away. Not surprising that they would see the same clouds.
I must say, we have appreciated being able to shop without having to devote 45 minutes to getting their and a 60 mile round trip every time we did! –Curt
Curt, these are wonderful shots and absolutely worth interrupting your blog path. That is one of the brilliant things about our blogs, I think, that they are reflections of us. Not always careful and planned, but of a current snapshot of our lives sometimes. As Cindy said, this one reflects your joy and appreciation of life. As a former meteorologist, I share your deep enthusiasm with clouds (and the thunder, lightning, wind, and rain that photographs have a harder time showing). ❤
I suspect, Crystal, you could have given an in-depth analysis of what we were seeing given your former career. 🙂 Yeah, life has a way of moving on when we are still blogging about something that happened a few weeks or months ago. One thing that I’ve never had to worry about, is having plenty of blog material. I still need to do one on our “basecamp.” Cindy was sweet; life is pretty darned good. Thanks. –Curt
I’m so glad to hear that life is pretty darned good. I think you two are half the reason it is so, because of your combined outlook on life.
Thanks, Crystal. Outlook is critical. It isn’t the same as ignoring the bad stuff, which we don’t, but in emphasizing the positive, and actively looking for it. Not easy given the challenges the world is facing, or not facing.
I’d be willing to bet you have no idea how much I adore clouds!!!
I’ve been meaning to send you some news from your old neighborhood, but distractions seem to be piling on of late. 🤔
Well, consider them a gift then, Gunta. 🙂 Most of the news we’ve been hearing hasn’t been good. Extreme heat and fire danger, and my guess, heavy smoke given the fire across the border in Siskiyou County. I’m surprised that there is anything left to burn over there. Also saw a few weeks ago that they had to pull hikers off the PCT and take them out via Applegate Lake.
Mother Nature has been doing amazing cloud shows this week in Arizona and New Mexico.
I’ll bet, given the weather:) So you are back in the Southwest, Peggy?
These clouds are so magical
Indeed. 🙂
Wow. No kidding that those clouds were worth a post. They’re gorgeous, ominous, magical. What an amazing sky show, Curt. Mother Nature is a creator beyond my wildest imagination.
And mine, D. She never ceases to amaze me…
I love a good thunderstorm
Me too, as long as the lightning isn’t striking too close. 🙂 Prime entertainment.
Yes.
When I was little, I would lie on the grass with my sisters, and we’d try to figure out what the clouds resembled. Sometimes we’d see animals or people or just objects we made up. But I never saw one with a halo! Great capture.
Beautiful description as always. There is a hurricane barreling towards Nova Scotia, I love a good storm but this one looks scary.
Yes it does, Kelly. Be safe. And welcome to the world of global warming. –Curt
No damage here in NB but Parts of Cape Breton got walloped
Glad for you, Kelly. Sorry for Cape Breton. Our son and his family live in the Tampa/St. Pete area which seems to be in the path of Ian this week. Scary stuff. –Curt
Oh. I will send good vibes that your son doesn’t endure any hardship from Ian.