Just Enough Crystal Drift

 

Though the morning at this moment (7:14 am CST, Sunday, February 22, 2026) was not particularly frigid (8 degrees F) there were enough ice crystals drifting downward in the upper atmosphere to create a brief sundog and sun pillar as shown here from parking lot at Noelridge Christian Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Ice crystals act as prisms and when they form horizontally they create the distinct parhelia phenomenon known as sundogs and sun pillars. This horizon display did not persist for long after its capture. Image is a 1/400 second exposure at f/11, ISO 100, 26mm focal length. Nikon Z6ii camera.