A Cloud!

Gallery: LandscapePosted August 2, 2011225 views17 comments

Probably the best cloud I've had the priveledge of seeing. From a couple of years back up on Carson Pass during fall. There's a funny story with this shot. my wife was with me, and it was getting cold, and dark. She wasn't too happy about standing and waiting for what ever was going/not going to happen to happen. She was on the trail, I was off trail about 50 meters below her. As I was finished and starting back up toward her, we heard a strange noise. kind of that chuffing sound a bear can make!!! I fully expected to see one come from somewhere, as the noise was pretty loud. She heard it too! As she turned to face the direction it was coming from, an older man, maybe 65-70ish came jogging around the bend huffing and puffing away!!!! My wife gave him quite an ear full, as she was pretty startled. We were probably two miles out, and he was coming from further out! Out for a 3-4Plus mile jog in kakis and a t-shirt at 8500 feet!

Ayway, larger version included, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Chris

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on August 2, 2011 at 10:43 PM

That's quite a sight, Chris. Wonderfully balanced light here to let the colors really come out. Just amazing what Nature can conjure. I'm glad I live on Earth.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on August 2, 2011 at 10:51 PM

Thanks Tony,

Yeah me too! The sun was below the horizon for a while by the time of this capture. it's wierd, but this cloud seemed to stay illuminated for a long time. It was a bright white mass above us as we hiked out to the cars in the dark.

Chris

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on August 2, 2011 at 11:03 PM

That is a fantastic cloud Chris with a fantastic landscape to go along with it, Great story too. I was most afraid of encountering bears when my family and I visited the Canadian Rockies...... especially when I was out there alone at sunrise (since no one was crazy enough to get up and out except me). Just could not miss the opportunity.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Anderson on August 2, 2011 at 11:20 PM

Wow, that's one hell of a cloud. Honestly, I've never seen a lenticular (in person) that well formed.
It's a show stealer!

Registered on September 6, 2007, 346 Posts, 2696 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Duval on August 2, 2011 at 11:22 PM

Chris,

Beautiful Lenticular wave cloud and a nice scene to go with it. Plus a pretty good tale.. Why these clouds hold their color so well imagine if Mt. Whitney was 30,000 feet tall plus. Then just visualize when alpenglow would start and how long it would last! My favorite weather phenomena.

Paul

Registered on June 30, 2009, 508 Posts, 1907 Comments

Comment posted by Rudy Ruberti on August 2, 2011 at 11:33 PM

Love the way those high altitude clouds catch the last light of the day. Beautiful Sierra sunset Chris.

Registered on October 28, 2008, 179 Posts, 1875 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on August 3, 2011 at 12:40 AM

Sweet! Nice lenticulars...

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on August 3, 2011 at 1:17 AM

Well with that cloud hangin there it makes this image very special! It is framed and processed very nice.

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on August 3, 2011 at 7:09 AM

Very cool cloud and story, Chris.

Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments

Comment posted by Svein-Frode on August 3, 2011 at 7:52 AM

Nice and simple image. Spectacular cloud indeed!

Registered on November 13, 2003, 9 Posts, 277 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on August 3, 2011 at 9:32 AM

That cloud is wonderful. Looks to me like you captured this just right Chris. It made for a great looking scene. The large version is even nicer! Well worth the look.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on August 3, 2011 at 10:08 AM

It is a lovely cloud, with the soft edges and soft pink evening light. The balance between the sky and the ground is terrific. Great shot!

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on August 3, 2011 at 11:04 AM

A very nice complement to the landscape. Needs to be seen in the larger version to appreciate the foreground elements.

Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments

Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on August 3, 2011 at 12:32 PM

Kind of funny, I've had at least one of those "thought it was a bear, turned out to be a hiker" experiences before as well. Mine came during a backpacking trip in Yosemite toward the end of a day on which we'd seen four bears while hiking. It furnished a good reminder of what absolute relief feels like.

On your image, it's really quite beautiful. Fantastic cloud, as you are well aware, and the way you composed and processed the landscape works very well. I enjoy every element of the scene.

Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on August 3, 2011 at 3:25 PM

Great cloud, well processed. The cloud imakes the image.

Registered on January 29, 2010, 285 Posts, 4281 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on August 4, 2011 at 9:07 PM

Sweet light and color.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Nicolaus Wegner on August 4, 2011 at 11:22 PM

Better to encounter that kind of old bear than the grumpier kind. ;]

That is indeed a cool cloud...nice comp to boot.

Registered on February 21, 2010, 133 Posts, 1509 Comments