Sundogs/Cold Weather Optics

[kevin-palmer]

Does anybody have any photos to share of sundogs, ice pillars or other rare winter optics? I would also love to hear any tips or advice for observing them. A couple weeks ago I saw a very large and colorful sundog while driving one morning. It was the best I had ever seen, but I couldn't stop and I didn't have my camera. A couple days ago I went out to photograph the sunrise with the temperature below zero. I thought I chose an ideal location west of the Illinois River and hoped any steam would turn into ice crystals. But I saw nothing, just an ordinary sunrise. Quite a few times I've gone out when I thought conditions were great but then nothing happens. It's extra disappointing because it takes so much effort to get out on the coldest days of winter.

This is the only good sundog display I've photographed a couple years back at Starved Rock State Park:


Colorful Sundog by Kevin Palmer, on Flickr

 

[Ethan Schisler]

I've seen these occur several times over the past few winters here, especially on mornings that feature extremely cold temperatures. One of the most impressive examples I saw was a couple winters ago here. I wish I had taken more time to get a better composition, however the event kind of surprised me. Not featured in this shot, is a fairly incredible circumzenithal arc above the actual halo itself around the sun. I got a few shots of it, however didn't really like how they turned out compared to this one. I haven't seen much of these this winter, however our temperatures have not nearly been as cold as the past few years.

 

[Paul Hadfield]

This past Saturday January 23rd during a remarkable and unexpected freezing fog event, we were treated to the attached fogbow. A local on the Jc Fultz facebook page posted an incredible halo as result of the same conditions but I missed it. The colder the better IMO for producing ideal crystal or droplet structures though I have noticed some sweet dawgs in fresh, dry, blowing snow behind clipper systems that clear out quickly without much subsidence to impede light. Ideally wish I had a polarizing filter for my wide as I have used a 58mm one with great success in pulling out color from these situations. A look at our recent fog adventure can be seen HERE.

 

[kevin-palmer]

This past Saturday January 23rd during a remarkable and unexpected freezing fog event, we were treated to the attached fogbow. A local on the Jc Fultz facebook page posted an incredible halo as result of the same conditions but I missed it. The colder the better IMO for producing ideal crystal or droplet structures though I have noticed some sweet dawgs in fresh, dry, blowing snow behind clipper systems that clear out quickly without much subsidence to impede light. Ideally wish I had a polarizing filter for my wide as I have used a 58mm one with great success in pulling out color from these situations. A look at our recent fog adventure can be seen HERE.

View attachment 11542

Nice pictures, I've never seen a fogbow before. Hopefully Illinois gets some more snow and cold weather soon.

 

[kevin-palmer]

Yesterday I photographed a circumzenithal arc above the sun near Fisher, IL. I learned that the CZA is at it's brightest when the sun is 22° above the horizon, and that's exactly what it was when I saw this. It wasn't even very cold yesterday, at least on the ground. I don't know what the temperature was at 20,000 feet.


Circumzenithal Arc Halo by Kevin Palmer, on Flickr


Upside Down Rainbow by Kevin Palmer, on Flickr

 

[Greg Campbell]

Be sure to visit this fantastic site...
http://www.atoptics.co.uk/

 

[James Hammett]

I caught this sun pillar in my back yard a few years ago (click to embiggen):