Late December. A clear morning, and -34°C. Frost on... everything. Real cold; real winter. A sun pillar completed the scene. Sun pillars can form when ice crystals hang in the atmosphere. These hexagonal crystals fall with their larger axis positioned horizontally so that each acts as a tiny mirror. I don't see them often... but then, it isn't often that I make it out when the weather is ultra-cold. I'm not as tough as I used to be.

That said, it's a spectacular morning - today - mostly clear, not too cold, with thick hoarfrost, so I will be out as soon as I finish my coffee. Will try to get back on Flickr later this afternoon.

The sun pillar was photographed near Drumheller, Alberta (Canada). Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission ©2017 James R. Page - all rights reserved.

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Make:	NIKON CORPORATION
Model:	NIKON D800
Exposure:	1/2500 sec
Aperture:	f/8.0
ISO Speed:	250
Focal Length:	200 mm
Lens:	70.0-200.0 mm f/2.8