Sundog Maui

We hiked into Haleakala Crater last week. At the summit the elevation

is a little over 10,000 feet, but we were a little lower on the trail called

“switchbacks”. The weather the previous week gave us our big storm for

the winter with lots of rain so we were looking for an excuse to get out,

although it was still windy, cloudy, and a little wet.

I used my 17-40mm lens to squeeze in this Sundog, and screwed on a

circular polarizer to make it pop. I posted two shots, variations in

exposure. The clouds changed the appearance.

The name Haleakala translates as “House of the Sun”. From many parts

of the island it appears that the sun rises out of the mountain. After this

Sundog I wondered if the Hawaiians of old spotted something like this at

the top.

beautiful "halo" !

Eye-popping.

wow!

very beautiful!

very interesting!

A rare event.Well captured Dominick

Depending on taste, I think some contrast or level adjustment will make both shots looks very much different. I'v-e tried value like 35 /75 for level or  -35 / 65 for brightness & contrast and like what I see. Again , it's a mater of taste ...I think! - TFS!

A very nice shot as it is, btw!

The nature creates the biggest wonders!You are a brave man my friend, I wouldn't wander around volcano, ha!

Best regards Dominick!

PDE

Wonderful light-effect.......Best Regards, KA

Dynamite parhelion Dominick.  Shaka!

Steve, you're still a great teacher!  Thanks for my word of the day.  Aloha!

Steve's word was also new for me and it sent me scampering;

For the benefit of others;

parhelion, also called Mock Sun, or Sun Dog,  Parhelion on each side of the setting Sun, New Ulm, Minn. [Credit: Erik Axdahl]atmospheric optical phenomenon appearing in the sky as luminous spots 22° on each side of the Sun and at the same elevation as the Sun. Usually, the edges closest to the Sun will appear reddish. Other colours are occasionally visible, but more often the outer portions of each spot appear whitish.

Parhelia occur when the Sun or Moon shines through a thin cloud composed of hexagonal ice crystals falling with their principal axes vertical, as opposed to the halo phenomenon that occurs when the principal axes are randomly arranged in a plane perpendicular to the Sun’s or Moon’s rays. The red end of the spectrum, being bent the least, appears on the inside, with the blue, when visible, appearing on the outside

Dominick,

  Wow....amazing image.  Thanks for sharing.  Take care, Patsy

I've seen sundogs before, but never as dramatic as this or (especially) the other version that you've posted.  I think this is a great capture, especially considering the conditions you had at the time.  You've captured the primary interest here, and I'm not concerned at all about seeing more detail on the land -- what you have shown is fine, it defines the land, and it doesn't compete for attention with the sundog.  On this photo, I'd consider cropping about 40% or so of the sky between the top of the frame and the sundog.

Stephen, thanks for the suggestion.  It works better that way.  I too think the mountains help anchor the composition.  I have others I shot with only the sundog, but they did not appeal as much to me.

An update!  Another member, Mark Zell, let me know this phenomena is not a "sundog", but a "halo".    Nor is it a parhelia.   Thanks Mark!

Wow, this would make a great poster for a science fiction movie!  Excellent... Mike

Very interesting phenomenon.  Well done composition.  Best Regards,

wow, I have never seen or heard of a 'sundog' before but fanatastic image. I agree that it would look great in a poster!!

Tnks for sharing, learned something new today! for sure!

Warm regards, Gail

I am back to visit and I am still fascinated. Thanks again for sharing.

I use www.refdesk.com as my home page and I thought of you when this popped up as "This Date In History" today...  Mike

http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Vädersolstavlan

Mike,  Thanks for increasing my knowledge base.  I'm getting the feeling this phenomena is pretty rare.   Because of the drastic change of elevation in a relatively short distance,  we see unusual atmospheric events fairly often, mostly at the top of the mountain.  In Hawaii, near the equator where the atmosphere is thin anyway, there are 10,000-14,000 foot mountains projecting into space!  When at the top at night there really is a feeling of hurling uncontrolled through the universe.  And who knows what one will see?