Cloud Watcher

       The showers have finally arrived as predicted.   Just before 8:30p tonight, what had been off and on sprinkles mixed with late afternoon sunshine turned into heavy rain.   Yesterday I captured some cloud formations as the sun was setting behind the mountains.  I've started cloud watching in anticipation of meteorology class next quarter.

Stratocumulus

       Pictured on the left are what appear to be stratocumulus clouds.  These clouds bear less vertical development than cumulus clouds.  They appear at low levels in the troposphere and are identifiable by their rounded base.
       These formations are regular at this time of evening spreading, as the sun sets, from much larger cumulus formations.  Off camera to the east was a steady stream of violet stratocumulus, exemplary of coming sprinkles.

      
       Downwind from a mountain range are commonly found, flat, oval cloud formations known as lenticular clouds.  These clouds usually stay in one place as winds gust through them.  The separation of stratocumulus clouds from the western lenticulars were, likely, signs of the off and on sprinkles we were to experience throughout the day today, in San Jose.  Pictured below are lenticular clouds I caught, just as the sun was going down, stationed over the western range.

Lenticular Clouds

       Not pictured, visible out the window, currently dropping steady rain are nimbostratus clouds.  These clouds are dark in color and can block out the moons light.  Nimbostratus are difficult to identify and can be easily mistaken for altostratus clouds.  Altostratus occur higher in the troposphere.  These are the clouds that dim the sunlight, seeming like "high fog" out on the coast at the beach.  I've spent a day on multiple occasions with my dog under these in brisk winds.

 
       This next photo is likely another stratocumulus, however this cloud might be cumulus fractus.  The coloring of this cloud was a sure sign that the weather man had this weekend forecast correct when I checked last Wednesday. 
       The shape of the cloud reflects the way winds, racing over the western mountains, meeting with differing pressure as they sweep over the valley, lift the cloud and develop it vertically.

ARTS-4A, Winter

     Determined to stun, I made a couple of choice moves for my ARTS-4A: Beginning Drawing final. In lieu of experience and steady hand; I felt more comfortable choosing interpretive styles than realism. Pastel on canvas was indeed a smart choice, I felt good about the response and recognition.

      Wanting to display what I had learned about subtractive color mixing, using an RYB color model, I sectioned the left side to reflect the primary colors (Red, Yellow, Blue) into their secondary colors. (Orange, Green and Violet)

Very fun class, I will not forget.