When the sun speaks

We've been having a lot of overcast, drizzly, or simply darkish and misty days. Periodically, the sun comes through and creates a spectacle like this one from the top of Coxcomb Hill where the (currently headless) Astoria Column overlooks two rivers, a bay, the mouth of the Columbia River, a couple of bridges, and the town of Astoria. You really should click on the photo and dive into the scene to get the effect of the sun's rays. The bridge spans just over four miles from Astoria, Oregon, to the state of Washington. It's actually at a narrow part of the river! I've shown two earlier views from the column, but the lighting and clouds give this one its own ethereal look for Scenic Sunday. Here are views over the southwest side of the Astoria hill and the northwest side on earlier days this year.

"Ancient Mariner" commented below, "The old local mariners call those descending beams of sunlight "Sundogs."

Cool, and thanks! What a great term. I hadn't heard that before. I love learning things like this and being able to pass them along via the blog.