Clouds 2020

 

     The great Joni Mitchell wrote the song Both Sides Now, "I've looked at clouds from both sides now. From up and down and still somehow. It's couds illusions I recall. I really don't know clouds at all." Well I do know one thing about clouds they are often doing something amazing! I used to get in trouble for wasting film on "something stupid" like a cloud but in this era we can take pictures of everything. Here are my best cloud pics of 2020.

Nearing the Summer Solstice when the sun sets around 10pm.

Altocumulous? I am no cloud scientist but know that clouds like this are shaped by high winds coming off the mountains in the higher levels of the atmosphere.

A type of Cirrus cloud sets off this summer evening.

Looking at downtown from the Bow River and some scattered cumulous clouds.

One of the many summer storms to pass thru, cumulonimbus I presume?

So many storms!

Just missed us!

And passes to the South

All this needs is some Greek Gods and some flying Putto!

I think I took this just because it looked so pleasant and was not a giant storm for once!

A sunset in Saskatchewan, this is why it is called Land of the Living Skies.

Looks like a texbook case of Cirrus uncinus!

I like how the contrail casts a shadow on this cirrus cloud and note the sparrow in midflight.

This one seems suspiciously pleasant.

Cirrocumulous stratiformis

Stratocumulous castellanus

This was our two day cold spell in September, a little rain and wet snow.

Halleluja comes to mind

3 from the same sunset.

I had to run down the alley to get this shot and orange you glad I did?

Same night in panorama

Also from that same sunset.

Well, if this isn't Altocumulous floccus I'll eat a bug!

Some interesting layers on display here.

Heading into fall we get very nice sunsets!

Many dramatic sunsets in October.

And November!

I woke up to this and bolted out of bed to run down the alley to get this sunrise, yes I am a hero, you're welcome!

Panorama view

And a few moments later

Only me, the dog and this empty school to witness this symphony.

This is more like being in a cloud!

In December if there is a Chinook happening the day will be total cloudy gloom but as the sun sets it will produce a sunset like this!

The same night yet the camera picks up completely different colours.

These almost look like lenticular clouds with their opalescent colouring.

And here too as the sun rounds this Chinook Arch.

The days are so short in the winter but when conditions are right spectacular sunsets fill the winter monochrome.

Moonrise and sunset, goodnight 2020.