December 21st - Given that the sunrise had been so spectacular, I kept my eyes on the sky most of that day. At around 15:30 I wandered outside to see what was occurring ....
15:28 - First sight in the evening
There was a pretty big and bright cloud just showing through passing darker clouds so, camera ready, I started recording as much as I might see. WE get huge flocks of 'gulls passing overhead at around the same time every evening and they happened by as I was watching.
15:29 - The first of many flocks of gulls
It was pretty chilly out there so I was wandering in and out checking progress, the sun was already setting behind the hills but the clouds were colouring up
15:31 - Sunset and nacreous clouds
As the sun went down I started to see crepuscular rays appearing through the nacreous clouds!! Whaaaaaat??????
15:32 - Nacreous clouds & crepuscular rays
I needed to get past the outbuildings for a clearer horizon so I wandered over the farmyard, in my slippers to a better view.
15:33 - Nacreous clouds & crepuscular rays
As the light faded the clouds got brighter, obviously the angle of the sun, below my horizon was hitting the clouds / ice particles just right.
15:36 - Clouds and rays panorama
15:36 - Subtle clouds and rays over the Iron Age hill fort
As the evening light faded, so did the clouds, no spectacular display like the morning but still great to see at all.
15:39 - Down the lane
It was now pretty bloomin' cold and the colours were fading fast so I headed back towards the house and spotted the rising moon
15:41 - Rising waxing moon
So that was that, a pretty spectacular couple of days, especially considering I don't ever remember seeing this before? What will tomorrow bring?
