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Friday 15 October 2010

Skywatch - Mackerel sky


The striking chimney of Saltaire's New Mill (see also yesterday's photo) and one of the old lamp-posts (once gas, now electric) outlined against a 'mackerel sky'.  These clouds, properly termed altocumulus or cirrocumulus, are known as a mackerel sky as they resemble the scales of the fish. There is much folklore attached to them, rooted in fact, as they often herald a bout of wet weather on the way in 6 or 8 hours.  I have a particular fondness for them.  My old geography teacher - an inspirational man - once enthusiastically dragged me outside on the way out of the school morning assembly to show me just such a sky and teach me about it.  I've never forgotten that special little lesson.

"Mackerel sky - never long wet, never long dry."

This is a Skywatch Friday entry - for more please click the link.

18 comments:

  1. WoW! Oh how pretty!

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  2. Hiya,
    Did you get the font to your satisfaction?
    We have one of those old lamp-posts in our garden and I always get dizzy trying to photograph the sky behind it :-)
    Mackerel, of course.

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  3. Great shot and interesting info. I have never heard the term Mackerel Sky.

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  4. What a terrific thing for your teacher to do! And I love your photos, they're really superb! I've heard of Mackerel Sky, but didn't know what they really looked like before! Great post for the day, Jenny! Have a wonderful weekend!

    Sylvia

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  5. There must have been something special about you that the teacher wanted you to know about mackerel skies!

    Neat photo with the lamp post and tower in the foreground.

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  6. Some teachers are better than others. I didn't know this was called a mackerel sky but yes, it is perfectly appropriate. Are you sending us clouds? ;-)

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  7. It is a beautiful sight. The sky is gorgeous and the foreground dueling towers are wonderful.

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  8. What a lovely post! I've always loved skies like this, but never knew they were known as "mackerel skies." Now I don't think I'll ever forget it, thanks to you and your geography teacher!

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  9. How interesting, I didn't know that. And a beautiful shot too!
    My SkyWatch

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  10. Just up my street! Very nice composition.

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  11. The picture, with that victorian streetlamp, makes me think of a Christmas greetings card!

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  12. Teachers can influence well beyond their years in the classroom. I will have to remember mackerel skies as the term for these cloud formations. Lovely photo!

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  13. Cool teacher. I agree with EG, you must be a special one, Jenny. And I'm glad you remember the lesson to pass it on so now I know too. That's a very neat photo of the chimney and lamp-post against the mackerel sky.

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  14. A fascinating sky. The whole photo has the feeling of a watercolor. Nice!

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  15. I agree. Almost watercolor-ish. I just love photographing the sky. Always changing. Always beautiful.

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  16. A lovely composition to set off your mackerel sky.

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  17. Lord knows I love me a mackerel sky too. Very nice capture! ~Lili

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