cloud formation

[Neilmac50]

Whilst at Bettys Bay enjoying the entertainment laid on by the South African penguin colony a low lying cloud rapidly formed above the sea.This all happened within 10-15 minutes from a few wisps to what you see in this image, after this it expanded outwards into a wide normal cloud. Never having seen such a strange sight does anyone have any idea behind the processes involved?

[Ndukes]

Don't know much about clouds but the picture is superb. Very nicely captured.

[bnnrcn]

Very nice clouds indeed. Although I like the image as it is, cropping from the bottom a bit might help to put the emphasis more on the clouds

[Shadowman]

Nice exposure.

[jcuknz]

I would guess ..... because I do not know, that there is a ground layer of damp warm air meeting a layer of cold which causes the water vapour to condense and hang as the cloud. I struck it once over the open sea and it was there for a few moments for me to catch my 'hills above the sea' and then it was gone next time I looked.

Taken from Waikouiti Beach with Otago Peninsula in distance, the water is relatively shallow and it might have been warm water exiting from Otago Harbour, the near side of the Peninsula, which warmed the lower air which condensed as it struck the cooler air above ... just guessing

[Krawuntzel]

As to the physics I have no idea. It is, however, an impressing cloud formation, that you captured well. As Binnur I would like to see a crop with more emphasis on the clouds.
Erwin

[Neilmac50]

Here is another image taken a few moments later showing more cloud as suggested.

[Stagecoach]

Impressive cloud formation Neil in a pleasant scene. I seem to recall there was a similar type cloud in an image posted a while ago, fascinating.

[Texas Dave]

I have no idea but I've seen similar once before. Not on the coast but in West Texas. I have a feeling with our global climate changes we are will be witnessing some strange things in the sky from now on.

Your photo is somewhat surreal to me. I love witnessing the beautiful photography from such far away places and I think you did a splendid job on the capture. Thanks for sharing!

[Neilmac50]

Thanks for your comments and David it appeared to be surreal to watch especially the speed it formed.

[JohnRostron]

Gavin Pretorr-Pinney, in his book . The Cloudspotter's Guide, describes a formation called a Morning Glory. He suggests that you would only see one over the southern part of the Gulf of Carpanteria in Australia. Your cloud looks a lot like this.

John

[bnnrcn]

WOW! This is great Neil

Here is another image taken a few moments later showing more cloud as suggested.

[John 2]

Loads of drama. Good image.

[Barbara Ponder]

Clueless as to the why but loved the images! Great shots!