Today, I am sharing a few images of an incredible shelf cloud over Bear River MBR that I was thrilled to see and photograph yesterday morning.
Eastern view of a shelf cloud over Bear River MBR on October 23, 2023 – Nikon D810, f8, handheld, 1/80, ISO 400, Nikkor 18-200mm at 18mm, natural light
When I am going to Bear River MBR, I leave home about an hour before sunrise. My drive north yesterday was punctuated by lightning flashing ahead of me in the black velvet sky. I knew I might be driving into stormy weather, but I was committed to going to the refuge, so I kept driving north.
As the sky began to brighten, I could barely make out the shape of a towering cloud. The lighter it became, the more evident it was that I was heading into some rain. In fact, it started pouring before I reached the Forest Street exit on I-15.
As I headed west, I was mesmerized by the low-hanging, gorgeous cloud formation in front of me. I was looking at the eastern side of a shelf cloud. Of course, I had to jump out and take photos!
Shelf cloud over Bear River MBR looking towards the north on October 23, 2023 – Composite – Nikon D810, f8, handheld, 1/250, ISO 400, Nikkor 18-200mm at 18mm, natural light
Immediately I knew that in order for me to show this shelf cloud formation I would have to get south of it. I jumped back into my Jeep and headed south on Forest street then west once I got past the cattle gate. As soon as I reached the first pull over spot I jumped out and took a series of images of the shelf cloud.
I didn’t have a wide enough angle lens to get most of the shelf cloud in one frame but I knew I could do that later in Adobe PhotoShop.
My primary goal was to photograph as much of the cloud as possible before the vibrant colors dissipated.
The image above is a composite of three photos showcasing the breathtaking shelf cloud that loomed over Bear River MBR yesterday. The colors in my cellphone snapshots weren’t as vivid as they appeared in real-time.
Single frame of the amazing shelf cloud over Bear River MBR on October 23, 2023 – Nikon D810, f8, handheld, 1/250, ISO 400, Nikkor 18-200mm at 18mm, natural light
The shelf cloud stretched from just east of the Promontory Mountains all the way over the peaks of the Wasatch Mountains, approximately 30 miles or so.
I was in awe of this cloud, and I knew that even if I didn’t photograph a single bird or animal, my hour-long drive in the dark and falling rain was so very much worth it.
Shelf cloud from West to East at Bear River MBR on October 23, 2023 – Composite – Nikon D810, f8, handheld, 1/500, ISO 400, Nikkor 18-200mm at 18mm, natural light
What is a Shelf Cloud?
A shelf cloud is a type of cloud that is usually seen during thunderstorms. It looks like a wedge or a shelf hanging low in the air and is attached to the base of a thunderstorm cloud. Shelf clouds form when a gust front pushes warm, moist air upwards, causing the air to cool and condense into a cloud. They are often associated with squall lines, which are lines of thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain.
My last image is a composite of five photos. The images I used for this panorama were taken just nine minutes after the first, more colorful composite image above. Timing matters. By then, I was getting close to the beginning of the auto tour route, but I jumped out of my Jeep to photograph the cloud one more time.
I love what I do. I love what I get to see with my eyes and through my viewfinder. This shelf cloud? It was an awesome early morning gift bestowed on me by Mother Nature. She freaking rocks!
Life is good.
Mia
Click the composite images to view them larger.
P.S., next time I see a cloud this amazing I need to remember to capture it on video. I kicked my own bottom yesterday when I realized I should have done that and didn’t.
Click here to see more of my Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge landscape photos plus information about the refuge.
Another WOW! I can imagine how excited you were to see this and can make a guess about how much your heart rate increased. Thanks to you and the rocking Mother Nature for sharing.
To echo your other contributors…there’s only one word that aptly describes this incredible group of shots…WOW! Thanks Mia.
Stun-ning! Wowzers! And thank you.
Amazing! Thanks so much for all your effort. It truly is great you share it so freely.
I agree with what every one said. Clouds are always very pretty to watch, even if they are bad storm ones, or pretty puffy white ones. Thanks for the share.
And another WOW from here. Thank you. I hope I am never too old and jaded to be blown away by clouds.
It turned out wonderful, worth the effort to make the challenging composit.
Beautiful shots Mia, I love clouds and these are spectacular!
Terrific photos !! And thanks for the education. I had seen fronts come through New England. But never a Shelf Cloud.
Beautiful. Clouds are such a wonder. And these photos of those clouds are spectacular. Thanks.
Very cool – thank you Mia. I really appreciate your sharing of all the gifts nature offers, especially when you get up hours before I could possibly function and drive for hours in difficult conditions, and then freely distribute the rewards of your hard work. knowledge and skill.
I agree with Mary…. WOW!
WOW!