confusing sun dog

[Nicholas_Scherber]

today around 4 o'clock as i was getting ready for farm work, I happened to notice a little sun dog out the window. I went outside to get a better look and snapped this picture with my phone.

As i stood there wishing i had a better camera, i happened to glance up and saw this

This was almost directly over my head arching away from the sun. I don't know much about sun dogs but this seamed strange. For all i know this is actually pretty common. Does anybody know what causes this?

 

[Nick Nolte]

That would be a Circumzenithal Arc. Refraction through ice crystals creates the upside down rainbow overhead.

 

[Greg Campbell]

Cool picture!

There are MANY other atmospheric optical effects to look for!
See the excellent site: http://www.atoptics.co.uk/
Specifically http://www.atoptics.co.uk/halosim.htm