Thursday, January 22, 2009

Skywatch Friday - Wave Clouds

This picture was taken from Sabino Canyon on Tuesday, January 20, 2009. Kelvin Helmholtz instability clouds form between two layers of air which have different densities and travel at different speeds. They are also called billow clouds or shear-gravity waves. Perhaps swirly clouds such as these inspired Vincent Van Gogh to paint his Starry Night.

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27 comments:

lizzie said...

A great shot!

EG CameraGirl said...

This looks like a beautiful time to be in the dessert. I bet some of the cacti are in flower!

•°°• IcyBC •°°• said...

Beautiful shot! I like the formation of the cloud!

Teri said...

What an interesting cloud structure!
From another Tucsonan.

Carole said...

What an unusual cloud pattern! I love the Tucson area.

Gill - That British Woman said...

that is so different, I have never seen that before. Thank you for taking the photograph,

Gill inCanada

Eve said...

What a unique cloud! It looks like a child's drawing of ocean waves. I agree, it really does have a 'Van Gogh inspiration' look!

Pearl Maple said...

Great photo for sky watch friday, we do enjoy seeing the horizon from different view points. Thanks for sharing with us all.

vincibene said...

WOW! What an interesting cloud! Like a big ship at the sky.

Ana said...

Nice post and pic. Happy swf.

Susie of Arabia said...

Those clouds are really cool. I don't think I've ever seen any like that.
I lived in Tucson for many years and I am enjoying your Sabino Canyon photos. Do you ever post any of Madera Canyon too? Or Mt. Lemmon?

Diane AZ said...

Hi Susie of Arabia - Thanks for your comment and question. I rarely leave home, so most of my photos are of the Sabino Canyon area.

Anonymous said...

Great photo. Thanks for the explanation of the clouds, which makes it all even more interesting.

Unknown said...

Great shot, I bet that cloud was fun to watch in person, especially from up in the canyon. I hiked a many trip up Ventana Canyon in my days out there.

Gaelyn said...

Too cool! Like white-water waves in the sky. I've never seen this cloud formation, other than VanGogh.

Anonymous said...

Oh WoW! That's a neat cloud formation! Very cool!

Guy D said...

Great shot, thanks for sharing. I added your great blog to my followers list so I can be reminded to return often to see more of your work. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers!
Regina In Pictures

Arija said...

Looks like a practic run for icing a wedding cake!

Tom said...

There sure are different from any I've seen before.. :O)

Tom Tom's Sky Watch Pictures

Dewdrop said...

Awesome capture! I have never seen Kelvin Helmholtz instability clouds. They are neat and interesting. Thank you for sharing that information.

Cheryl Ann said...

Very pretty! I don't believe I've ever seen clouds like those before! Great shot! Thanks for coming to visit my blog!

Kathie Brown said...

Hey Diane, I was just at Sabino this morning. It was raining then. I guess your litle cloud grew up and invited all its kin!

Anonymous said...

I have heard about these clouds but never seen them. I love this photo and also the skywatch photo below with the grand wisps of radiant clouds. Beautiful.

Anonymous said...

You have a fun Nature Blog. We are coming to the desert to visit this beautiful scenic country some time soon.

Glynis Peters said...

Wow, that is a lovely shot!

Vickie said...

That truely is an interesting cloud formation. Love the mountains1

abc said...

Peculiar shaped clouds and interesting phenomenon. I enjoyed your other posts too.