23: Sun dogs, on a cold and crisp winter morning, back in...

Sun dogs, on a cold and crisp winter morning, back in January of 2009.

5 comments so far...

mramshaw January 21, 2017, 01:31 AM

Thank you for these, I doubt more than one person in 50 has ever
heard of sun dogs and that not more than 1 in 300 could tell you
what they are!

It's dang cold where you are, but you do get your photo ops!

David B January 21, 2017, 01:52 AM

You're most welcome! Glad you liked the photo.

Yep, it can get cold, out on the prairies. But, it is beautiful. It does also get pretty warm in the summer, though. So there is a trade-off.

For those who may not be aware, sundogs are very similar to rainbows. But, rather than the sun's light refracting through droplets of rain, it is reflected off of ice crystals suspended in the cold air.

Sometimes, if it's particularly moist (and frosty), you can see an entire rainbow "ring" around the sun. It's amazing to see.

David.

Andy Rodker January 25, 2017, 04:03 PM

Only seen them once. Ogwen Valley North Wales, probably 1977 or thereabouts!

Fizgig February 04, 2017, 06:27 PM

We see them here in NYC now and again.... I've only seen the whole ring-around-the-sun type here, though. I think our proximity to bodies of water that usually don't freeze even in very cold winters provides enough moisture for ice crystals in the atmosphere.

Good eye and capture =) They're tough to photograph!

David B February 07, 2017, 04:58 PM

Thank you, Fizgig! Glad you liked the photo.