Aquabumps.com - where the waves live

A friend called me at 4:40pm and said there are some interesting cloud formations above Bondi at the moment. I peered out the gallery front door and yep, big black puff of cloud hovered over Bondi threatening rain and thunderstorms. I heard on the radio earlier that there is also a possibility of hail (Just bought a new car dammit!). Anyway, I rolled down to shoot a few shots thinking it would just be a black rain cloud…not that exciting really. At 5pm a strong beam of light blanketed the area as the sun was setting over the city. The colour of the light was AMAZING. I nearly wet my pants as I shot 30 – 40 shots  before it went back to bland greys. Hands down, the best light I’ve seen in Bondi. The pinks and reds where just insanely vivid.

Here is a more scientific explanation from Sydney Morning Herald:

“The meteorologist Brett Dutschke from Weatherzone said the sky’s unusual tinge had been produced by cumulonimbus clouds off the coast being illuminated by sunlight that had passed through high cirrus clouds. Water vapour and ice crystals in the cirrus clouds had acted like a camera filter…filtering out some of the sun’s white light”. Such sights he said ” are more typical for this time of year than in summer”. Sydney Morning Herald 17th July

If you like this shot please view this video posted on the Sydney Morning Herald website July 2010 – see this video