Thursday, October 1, 2009

Sun Dog


Sun Dog near Lovettsville, Virginia, USA, 25 September 2009
Click on photo to enlarge.

On my way home from work last Friday, as I drove through Virginia’s horse and wine country, I spotted a Sun Dog low in the sky. Quickly, I pulled onto a side road and took this photo. In my neck of the woods I usually see most Sun Dogs during the winter months because they are formed by ice crystal (diamond dust) in the air at low levels. In truth, they can be seen all through the year but I don’t think to look for them during the warmer months. During that time they seem to be higher in the sky where the colder air is found.

The scientific name is “parhelion” meaning “beside the sun” and they can be either on the right, left or both sides of the sun. Sometimes when I have seen two of them, one will be brighter than the other. They are always at the same level in the horizon as the sun.

In the photo you can see the typical colored patch of light with the reddish side closest to the sun and the other side fading into blue or as picked up on my camera, white. They are a type of ice halo. I neglected to take a photo of the sun and the Sun Dog in one shot because I was in a hurry to continue toward home to feed my own dog.


Go and check out more Skywatch images at the Skywatch Site!
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23 comments:

  1. http://graceolsson.com/blogOctober 1, 2009 at 2:43 PM

    I see too a veil....to the left...do u see it?

    great
    havea nice evening
    http://graceolsson.com/blog/2009/10/lago-bohinj-slovenija-lake-bohinj-slovenia/

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  2. DellaOctober 1, 2009 at 2:44 PM

    Great to see. Wow!

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  3. Regina October 1, 2009 at 2:53 PM

    Awesome capture!

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  4. CarolOctober 1, 2009 at 3:14 PM

    Beautiful sky...I love to see the Sun Dog, I have only seen this a few times...great capture...

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  5. TR RyanOctober 1, 2009 at 3:18 PM

    Not only an incredible picture. But a new phrase and a new word: sun dog and parhelion. I love them both!

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  6. Deborah GodinOctober 1, 2009 at 3:23 PM

    Lovely shot. I always stop for a look when I see them, too. I think we need to make up bumper stickers that say, Caution: I brake for sundogs!

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  7. Maia TOctober 1, 2009 at 3:45 PM

    Beautiful sky photo and an interesting description.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  8. earthtohollyOctober 1, 2009 at 3:56 PM

    An excellent sky shot. Good info, too. Maybe I can now find my own Sun Dog! Happy SWF!

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  9. ErinOctober 1, 2009 at 4:33 PM

    lovely capture of the sun dog...
    have a good weekend.

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  10. JamesOctober 1, 2009 at 4:37 PM

    Wow! That is a really cool.

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  11. Rune A Karlsen (Bildebloggen)October 1, 2009 at 4:56 PM

    Beautiful sky shot :)

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  12. AprilOctober 1, 2009 at 6:28 PM

    Beautiful sight!

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  13. eileeninmdOctober 1, 2009 at 8:28 PM

    Great capture and a wonderful photo! Thanks for sharing your sky.

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  14. Bill S.October 1, 2009 at 9:51 PM

    Beautiful pictures of the sun dog. Fantastic.

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  15. TeriOctober 1, 2009 at 9:57 PM

    Such an interesting occurence and thanks for the information too. I'm not sure I ever saw one or perhaps recognized for what it was.

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  16. Wanda.....October 1, 2009 at 10:57 PM

    I know of them, but I have never seen one personally...

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  17. ~CherylOctober 1, 2009 at 11:51 PM

    I didn't know about Sun Dogs! I will be looking for one around these parts, now. Have a super weekend!

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  18. CarlettaOctober 2, 2009 at 2:08 AM

    I love seeing them. Here it is usually late afternoon and traffic when we do and it isn't always easy to pull over.
    Nice framing with the tree!

    Carletta’s Captures.

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  19. Powell River BooksOctober 2, 2009 at 10:34 PM

    We get sundogs here in BC. I had never noticed, but you are right they are usually in the winter months. I just took a flying trip to Los Angeles. I invite you to come see some of my sky shots. - Margy

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  20. Adrienne ZwartOctober 3, 2009 at 10:52 AM

    These are such fascinating phenomena. You did a great job capturing it.

    I like Deborah's suggestion for a bumper sticker, too.

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  21. Happily Retired GalOctober 3, 2009 at 1:28 PM

    I've only seen them a couple of times. Kewl capture and interesting post ;--)
    Hugs and blessings,

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  22. Angels in my lifeOctober 3, 2009 at 11:22 PM

    The combination is fabulous...great photo...loved it..thanks for sharing...

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  23. SupernovaOctober 3, 2009 at 11:23 PM

    love the photos...keep sharing

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