Iridescent Cloud

This colorful cloud is called an iridescent cloud. When you see a cloud like this, you know there are tiny ice crystals or water droplets in the air. Larger ice crystals produce solar or lunar halos, but tiny ice crystals or water droplets cause light to be diffracted spread out creating this rainbow like effect in the clouds. We photographed these clouds when we were at the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge, Maryland.

Category: Blackwater NWR, Cambridge MD, Blog, Favorite Locations, Nature Still Lifes, Skies and Clouds, Skyscapes & Clouds Tagged: blackwater National Wildlife refuge, clouds, Iridescent cloud

4 Comments on “Iridescent Cloud”

bayphotosbydonna
February 7, 2019

Nice shot with the surrounding clouds, Reed! I grew up calling these “sundogs”, not sure why! 🙂

Reply
- Reed Andariese
  February 7, 2019
  
  Yes! I also heard them named that! But my wife gave me the correct name. But I think sundogs sounded better!
  
  Reply
montucky
February 8, 2019

Very pretty! I’ve seen that here too, but not this time of year.

Reply
Reed Andariese
February 9, 2019

Thanks! It is fun to see them! This one is not as intense as some others I have seen, but still fun to see and photograph! Sort of “Happy Clouds” and brings a smile to your face!

Reply