Just before sunset and the cloud problem

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SimonM
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Just before sunset and the cloud problem

Post by SimonM »

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Hi everyone...

The view off to one side in my back garden looking across to the south west. It's about 30 minutes before the official sunset, here in Hampshire, UK - tonight.

The sun has long since left the garden but the clouds remain illuminated which brings out their 3D qualities. I am reminded that I should cut the ivy at the base of the silver birch (pictured on the RHS) to prevent future issues.

The UK Met Office provides a simple guide to cloud spotting - not very difficult at the moment:

https://youtu.be/JaAz3lp8Keg

I have three problems that limit my ability to get outside and observe:

The sun has risen but it's cloudy;
The sun hasn't risen/has set, but it's now cloud-free;
The sun has risen, it's practically cloud-free but conditions look unstable and rain/clouds are forecast;

Statistically, there are 50+ hours of sunshine in January - I'm just not seeing it, to believe it.

Simon
Last edited by SimonM on Sat Jan 23, 2021 7:00 pm, edited 3 times in total.


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MapleRidge
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Re: Just before sunset and the cloud problem

Post by MapleRidge »

Hi Simon...

Nice pic, despite its limitations to solar work!

Hopefully the weather is more co-operative in the coming weeks.

Brian


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Re: Just before sunset and the cloud problem

Post by Montana »

Beautiful clouds, part of the beauty of sunsets is when the clouds turn a glorious colour :hamster:

Keep the ivy, I vote to leave it alone :) it does no harm on the trunk, what it does do is provide homes for wildlife. There will be a huge diversity of insects living there and hibernating, birds snuggled up to roost, wrens will nest there, bats will roost there. Then there are the flowers, nectar for late bees, berries with the calories of chocolate bars for birds etc. The value to wildlife is like gold.
Alexandra


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Re: Just before sunset and the cloud problem

Post by SimonM »

Montana wrote: Sun Jan 24, 2021 11:44 am Beautiful clouds, part of the beauty of sunsets are when the clouds turn a glorious colour

Keep the ivy, I vote to leave it alone. It does no harm on the trunk, what it does do is provide homes for wildlife. There will be a huge diversity of insects living there and hibernating, birds snuggled up to roost, wrens will nest there, bats will roost there.
There are bats roosting in my neighbour's roof, moles in the field and also a ready supply of rabbits for my Siamese cat to feast upon. A bit more biodiversity can't harm...

If you ever give up on science, then there is the option to become a published author, or failing that an estate agent!

Simon


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