Cap'n Bob & the Damsel

A Helicopter-Shaped Cloud

Helicopter-Shaped Cloud

After dinner yesterday, Damsel looked out of the front window and saw a cloud that appeared to look like the silhouette of an aircraft. She grabbed her camera and got this image of the phenomenon before it morphed into a randomly shaped cloud.

I remembered that there is a term to describe seeing objects in nature that one perceives as resembling something else. However, I could not remember the exact term so I did an internet search on “clouds that resemble things” and found a definition on Askville which led me to this definition on Wikipedia:

Pareidolia

Pareidolia (parr-i-DOH-lee-uh) is a psychological phenomenon involving a vague and random stimulus (often an image or sound) being perceived as significant, a form of apophenia. Common examples include seeing images of animals or faces in clouds, the man in the moon or the Moon rabbit, and hearing hidden messages on records when played in reverse.

Interesting. Click on the image to enlarge.

ALSO: Seeing extraterrestrial alien faces in Ice Cream: Alien Frosty Paws.

02 Feb 2014 by Environment Photography

Solar Activity

Sunspots 01FEB2014

Huge sunspot AR 1967 erupted with an M6 class solar flare a couple of days ago. It is not aimed directly at Earth, but scientists predict a 45 percent chance of auroras at high latitudes when the CME glances off the magnetosphere tomorrow. I photographed these two active sunspot regions around noon local time in Arizona. Solar north is up. Click on the image to enlarge.

There was a larger event in late December when the prediction for auroras was such that perhaps they could be seen at lower latitudes, but alas, nothing here at latitude 34. It is possible at this latitude (I have seen auroras in Southern California) so if we live long enough we may see them again here in our Arizona dark skies.

01 Feb 2014 by Astronomy Science

This Week’s Flowers are Tulips

Orange Tulip

On our weekly shopping trip, as usual, we bought some flowers for the house. During the winter season, tulips are generally available. We bought these nice, mostly orange tulips with bright yellow highlights. Most of the dozen stems are in the vase on the dining room table with one in a bud vase in our bathroom. Click on the image to enlarge.

30 Jan 2014 by Flowers Home & Garden Photography

The Beautiful Light of a Red Sunset

Red Sunset

I took this image of our little desert house just after sunset this evening as we were walking the dogs. The light from the fiery sunset in progress at that time gives a wonderful glow over my little dream home.

The temperatures have been mild for the last month, but there is possible rain coming over the weekend, The temperatures are forecast for a little cooler in the wake of the rain than the nice 70 plus degree days we have recently had. Click on the image to enlarge.

29 Jan 2014 by Arizona Home & Garden Photography

Early Spring Cholla Buds

Cholla Buds

For most of January, we have enjoyed warmer daytime temperatures, like in the high 60’s and low 70’s. It is still quite possible for winter to hit here again, but in the meantime, we’re enjoying “faux spring.” Some of the cacti on the lot also seem to be responding to the warm trend.

I was up on the hill behind the RV drive hanging the bird feeders that Damsel refilled yesterday afternoon. I walked over to inspect some of the buckhorn cholla cacti because I saw some cactus wrens and a couple of curve billed thrashers hanging around them. I thought I might see evidence of a nest or two being built, but all I saw was some new buds starting to appear on the cholla. Damsel reminded me later that the cholla on the hill always seem to get flowers sooner than the ones down on the front of the lot. Click on the image to enlarge.

28 Jan 2014 by Arizona Environment Home & Garden

A Rainbow in the Sky

Rainbow in the Sky

When I took the dogs out for their first run on Tuesday of last week, I thought I heard an airplane going over. When I looked up, I didn’t see a plane, but I was astonished at the sight of a rainbow in the clouds overhead. The sun is out of the bottom of the frame in the image above. I can’t remember ever seeing a rainbow arc away from the sun until I saw this. Click on the image to enlarge.

I uploaded the image to SpaceWeather.com and found out that this is a circumzenithal arc:

The circumzenithal arc, CZA, is the most beautiful of all the halos. The first sighting is always a surprise, an ethereal rainbow fled from its watery origins and wrapped improbably about the zenith. It is often described as an “upside down rainbow” by first timers. Someone also charmingly likened it to “a grin in the sky”.

Look straight up near to the zenith when the sun is fairly low and especially if sundogs are visible. The center of the bow always sunwards and red is on the outside.

Fairly rare to see. I feel blessed.

27 Jan 2014 by Arizona Photography Retirement

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