Falkor! The strangest cloud formation I've ever seen. Zoom in for details.

Just seen and photographed in the morning from my place. This cloud formation has such an amazing Pareidolic value to me. It looks like composed by a myriad of fluffy thin brush strokes, all very tight and displayed horizontally. The iridescent cloud looks like a fantasy dragoon to me, recalling the good white giant flying dragon of the movie " Never ending story ".

There's an air trail crossing it. See previous up-load for a close-up detail of the head part.

Cumulus white clouds floating or a condensation cloud due to the trail of an airplane?

This formation was slightly moving at the wind and modifying it's appearance and colour during the sunrise.

I've taken few more shots of this phenomenon that I might post in the future in my PAREIDOLIA Album .

 

©łwAE . All rights reserved

 

IMG_9101 EDITED ok WM DEF. Slight edit, just contrasted

EXIF: Canon EOS Rebel SL3 - 05 March 2025 at 07:05

F/6,7 shutter speed: 1/3000 - Canon EF 75-300mm 1:4-5.6 is USM Lens - 300mm - ISO 100

 

Explored on April 29 2026 for the Earth Day Takeover # 240 > 231

 

Extract of the explanation, courtesy Dale Kaminsky, thanks!

"Iridescent clouds, also known as iridescent or mother-of-pearl clouds, are rare atmospheric phenomena where thin, high-altitude clouds, typically cirrus or altocumulus, display vibrant, rainbow-like colors. This effect occurs due to the diffraction of sunlight by tiny water droplets or ice crystals within the clouds, which scatters light into delicate, shimmering hues..."

Done