SUN DOGS, You Really Don't Want To See Them.
These are "Sun Dogs" and you really don't want to see them (in person). What you have here is two pictures with a "sun Dog" on each side of the sun. If I had a panoramic camera we could eliminate one of the suns in the middle. The Sun Dogs almost form a rainbow around the sun.
The key to Sun Dogs is that it needs to be below 0 degrees outside or colder. The colder it is outside the more spectacular the Sun Dogs. When I woke up today it was 8 below zero (that's 40 degrees below freezing) actual air temperature. Then there is this thing called "Wind Chill". The weather service is warning that it will be windy today causing a wind chill of up to 45 degrees below zero.
What do we do when it's 45 degrees below zero? You make sure you have several layers of clothing on and you go out there and attend to business just like any other day. Obviously those who work out of doors need to come in frequently to avoid frostbite. On a day like today a person who is not properly dress may experience hypothermia within a few short minutes.
Wow Bob, I never knew what a sun dog was until now and it makes for a "cool" pardon the pun photo! rarely does it get that cold here in NJ, but once in a while it does and I'll be sure to look for a sun dog! Thanks for sharing.
Nice photos - make sure your camera doesn't freeze!!! We're quite used to those kind of temperatures up here and, if you're dressed appropriately, it is beautiful weather to be out in: crisp, fresh, sunny, clean . . .
But your skin can freeze pretty darn quick!
PS. I was watching Gold Rush with one of the miners being from your town. They were showing more photos of your devestating flood. I hope people are able to recover in some way!
Hi Bob - I stopped one evening to take a photo of the sunset through the old metal span bridge across the Missouri River in Bismarck (this was quite a while ago - don't know if the bridge is even still there). It would have made a great photo, but my camera would work. When I got back to my motel, I found out it was -48. No wonder. Brrrr.
Kristine, thanks for replying! I would imagine that ice crystals form in the air out there but I can see that it would be a much more rare occasion. I wish it were more rare here.
Susan, I've met "Big Boot" as he had me show him a listing here, nice guy. I have not seen "Gold Rush" yet but now I'll have to see if I can find that episode. One of these days I'm going to capture the Northern Lights and post about it. Have you done that yet?
Dick, -48 is cold by any ones standards, that's for sure. I know the old bridge has been replaced but I am less sure that the structure has been removed. I will have to check into that.
Bob - I don't believe I have every heard of, or seen a "sun dog." I know you must love Minot, but with those kinds of temperatures in winter, don't you think you could handle a more temperate climate:-)
Bob - You are right I do not want to see Sun Dogs, not if it has to be below 0.
Hi Bob! I have never heard of sun dogs, but it's interesting to find out about them. We never get that cold in Houston, so the only way we could see them is if we visit a colder climate. That's too cold for me!
Never heard the term 'sun dogs' and we do get some of those super cold days a couple of times a year. Neat photos, thanks for sharing.
Myrl, I would head South in a heart beat but I won't leave without my bride and she ain't budging.
Michelle, if I moved to Florida I don't think I would miss then for a second either. I'd much rather look up and see a coconut.
Rose, It's to darn cold for me too!
Than, thanks for the compliments on the photos. I am happy to report that the Sun Dogs do not appear here all that often... but then again even a half dozen times a year is to many.
GOOD MORNING BOB! And I complained about 36 degree temps yesterday morning - so I'm done! BTW - why is it called Sun Dog?
GOOD MORNING GABRIELLE! 35 degrees sounds pretty good for most of our winter days. That being said it is predicted to reach 48 tomorrow. I can only guess as to the name (or I could look it up) but I assume it's because they "Dog" the Sun???
Bob-You are correct about me not wanting to see a sun dog. I don't like it when the temperature gets below 40 degrees. I'm not weather tough like you North Dakotans.