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#2932 "On Golden Pond" 14 X 18 (inches) smooth panel. Started 11:00 am Sunday, March 2nd, 2025 |
Sunset colours can be breathtaking. Sunrises are typically not as stunning. Wind, daytime heating and instability will mix dust and aerosols from the ground into a deeper layer of the atmosphere during the day. These constituents will scatter more light to the sunset eye. Such was the case on August 7th, 2024, at 8:26 pm.
A summer storm was approaching. High-level cirrus trailed behind the deformation zone, which was already to the east of the Luther Marsh. Altocumulus "dumplings" indicated that the warm air mass was on the unstable and convective side of average. The typical warm frontal pattern pictured in the accompanying graphic is more stable than the sunset I painted.The strong winds aloft with the jet stream were shaking the warm frontal surface like a bed sheet. Thicker cloud was concentrated in gravity bands associated with the upward shake of the sheet. The cloud was thinner, and the altocumulus was less numerous in the troughs of the gravity wave swells.

The backlit clouds sparkled in the sunset light. Cirrus clouds, comprised of ice crystals, are not optically thick to the sunlight. Backlit altocumulus comprised of more opaque particles is optically thick enough to be slightly dark in its centre. The altocumulus "dumplings" are brighter on their edges where fewer cloud particles are located. The relatively small size of the altocumulus elements indicates that the cloud was on the high side for that class of cloud, perhaps around 15 thousand feet above ground level. A laser ceilometer would provide a definitive answer.
This photo was taken by my good friend Cam Lindsey whom I have known since 1985 when we moved to Schomberg, Ontario - right after the Barrie Tornado. Cameron had moved from Western Avenue in Schomberg to Windy Acres Farm south of the Luther Marsh.This is the idyllic view across his farm pond at sunset. Everyone needs to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures of nature and the weather.
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Three palettes were being used to keep the oils clean. Winter weather prevailed outside. |
For this and much more art, click on Pixels or go straight to the Collections. Here is the new Wet Paint 2024 Collection. Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2025.
Warmest regards and keep your paddle in the water,