The Wednesday Weekly Photo Challenge gave a prompt of Transient and I immediately remembered the wonderful sight we had seen in Romsey, Hampshire, last December. I shared one of the photos on 1st January, but this gives me a chance to show the rest. Attention was drawn to it by then 5-year-old J, to whom I am eternally grateful, and I lost no time in deploying my phone camera. This was as well, for the sight was transient indeed. Here one minute and gone the next.
The cloud iridescence or irisation phenomenon is described as ‘rarely seen and seldom photographed’ by some sources, and a ‘fairly common phenomenon’ by others. I must admit that in my 76 years it is the first time I have noted it. Apparently this rainbow effect is caused by an accumulation of frozen water particles of uniform size gathered together in an optically thin cloud.
Colonialist's Blog 
Now that is awesome in the truest sense of the word.
Rainbow flash frozen it seem.
Totally wonderful
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I had to come back to this post – I actually caught a glimpse of such a cloud here last week – it was not as dramatic as yours – small and fuzzy pale. Possibly the result of many days of storms, the remnants of the saharan dust cloud that came by, and a very weak and unusual cool front. Couldn’t get a picture – but so remarkable. Wouldn’t have even given it a double take and seen it except for this post
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I wonder how many people actually see them without registering. I wonder if very fine dust does contribute to the uniformity of frozen particles needed to produce the phenomenon.
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LOVE it! It’s like a unicorn carriage left a trail!
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That would have taken my breath clean away that is magnificent, I always enjoy watching cloud formations but I’ve never experienced anything so mighty as that
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This type of cloud appeared all across the UK late last year, Col… although I was looking the other way and missed them completely. A lot of people who saw them simply referred to them as ‘those weird clouds’ but they are stunning to me. I would love to see one in person! Right time, right place! 😀
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We didn’t come across anyone else who had noticed it over there. Here, I doubt it is likely to happen. Certainly glad we saw it.
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Well done, J. (And Grandpa)
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J in particular. I wonder if it would have been visible from your area at any stage?
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I imagine so. It was close enough
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Well captured, Col, and well spotted, J! And you don’t have to be religious to find awesomeness here.
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She is an observant little soul, thank heavens (literally!).
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Wow, that is absolutely beautiful.
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Seeing the actual thing was amazingly impressive.
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That’s beautiful Col. Not something I’ve ever seen.
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The ‘common phenomenon’ is something I have yet to find anyone who has seen, so join the club. Stunning to behold.
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