Folks, I have an announcement: It's time for me to take a week off to recharge my blogging batteries. I'm flying off to the great beyond to find some extraordinary photo inspiration. I shall document it all with my Pentax 67 (or Mamiya 7II, I can't decide) and share my enlightenment when I return.

In the meantime, you are going to have a very special blog week with guest blogger Allen Murabayashi. THE CEO. This dude's in charge and is ready to roll as your blog steward. He, like me, will fluff your pillows and provide you peanuts if you need them. We're taking this change-over very seriously; I even forced a blog-baton hand off ceremony:

Be nice to Allen next week; he knows more about Nikon DSLRs than I ever will in a lifetime, so use his knowledge to your benefit.


Here are some rare clouds to look at over the weekend. I'll see you back here on Monday, July 7th.


Mammatus are pouch-like cloud structures and a rare example of clouds in sinking air.

A roll cloud is a low, horizontal tube-shaped arcus cloud associated with a thunderstorm gust front, or sometimes a cold front. Roll clouds can also be a sign of possible microburst activity.

A shelf cloud is a low, horizontal wedge-shaped arcus cloud, associated with a thunderstorm gust front (or occasionally with a cold front, even in the absence of thunderstorms).



Nacreous clouds shine brightly in high altitude sunlight up to two hours after ground level sunset or before dawn. Their unbelievably bright iridescent colors and slow movement relative to any lower clouds make them an unmistakable and unforgettable sight.


Noctilucent clouds appear to be luminous yet they reflect the sunlight from the other side of the earth at night, giving them a glowing appearance.


See more rare clouds here.



Arrivederci, i miei amici!