Sun Pillar Sunset

The Whidbey Island sunset a couple of nights ago offered an unusual view. Sun pillars are often seen at sunrise or sunset and are caused by sunlight reflecting off of hexagonal, plate like ice crystals associated with high clouds. The ice crystals fall in a generally horizontal orientation, rocking from side to side, and the pillar forms as the sunlight is reflected off the ice crystal surfaces.

The pillar was visible well before the sun set over Vancouver Island.

It remained visible for some time after the sun set. These photos were taken at the Joseph Whidbey State Park on the west side of Whidbey Island.                         In the first photo above, the islands to the right are the San Juan Islands.