nature, Photography

Prairie Cloud Beauty

24 Comments

I have always loved the beauty of prairie cloud formations. Although they can grow into very damaging storms, most of the time they drop their wind and rain load and then dissipate.

The triangular cloud on the left is what is known as a “cloud with vertical development.” These are the ones that can cause storms, especially thunderstorms.

Its lower half was dropping a lot of rain near the Calgary area.

Although this one was showing a lot of vertical development, it was also on its own, not interacting with other clouds.

Southern Alberta seems to have recently received a lot of rain – courtesy of these thunderheads – a good thing considering that there were lingering drought conditions from last year.

Happy Tuesday.

24 thoughts on “Prairie Cloud Beauty”

  2. Lynette, such beauty in the unusual cloud and good about the rain! Although I used to like flying the last few years with increasing turbulence means I don’t have a chance to take many photos from a plane, I’m hanging on on my husband’s hand for dear life! 😀😀 Annika

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I am a commercial pilot (retired), so I understand about the turbulence. It has become worse since I first started flying, for sure. Most people find turbulence – especially if it’s very bumpy – quite unnerving, and recent aircraft turbulence events haven’t helped mitigate people’s disquiet. Pilots can usually minimise or avoid it, but not always and now it’s more common, too.

      Yes, I very much enjoyed following that cloud as we climbed out of Calgary International. Cheers.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Lynette, kudos to you and your flying career! I am in awe of anyone in the industry! 😀 I have friends who came into commercial flying through the RAF and trust pilots and their skill implicitly. Yet, an anxiety over flying that I never had as young took over once my son grew up – I wonder that once I didn’t need to comfort him my own worries took over! Lucky you with such wondrous views on a daily basis – stunning!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Thank you very much! 😊 Yes, you were probably other-directed by your son’s needs. It’s so interesting (but not surprising) how we get can get completely distracted when we have to focus on someone whose needs come before ours.

          Liked by 1 person

  5. That’s super interesting – I’m going to have to pay better attention to the clouds next time I’m on a flight. Great pictures – that cloud with vertical development looks a little ominous!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you very much, Barbara. 😊 Yes, that one was quite large and dropping lots of rain. Those types of clouds can produce hail and can mix with others and develop into huge thunderstorms or even tornados. Definitely to be respected.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Well, in this post, I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now, from up and down, and still somehow, it’s cloud illusions I recall. I really don’t know clouds at all. But we have Lynette to explain to us how the lower part can be dumping rain on Calgary while the top part is looking for trouble.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hahaha. 😊 I didn’t think of that song when I organised this post, but it applies well, Anneli. Those clouds always remind me of teenagers; one part dumping, one part trouble, mostly illusion! 😉I was that way myself.

      Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.