Clouds-that-look-like-things Volume III

[Hans Stocker]

That was a nice Tail End for Volume II Keelin. I wonder what kind of creature was attached to that tail. It must have been awesome.

Happy days to all to start with and and I look forward to the nice and silly Clouds-that-look-like-things  on this Volume III.

I’ve Put My Glasses Up For What Comes Next

[Patricia L Keelin]

Danke je, Hans, for a clever launch to Volume III. Love your stylish, pareidolic specs! With those in place, I imagine you can even see what isn’t there, as in the case below.

A wanderer arrives without its rider (which may be why you don’t hear much about him in the traditional yuletide stories).

The Fourth Camel of the Magi

[Patricia L Keelin]

Found this little critter in a garden of cloud branches where it had just…Earned Its Wings Of Subtle Iridescence

 

[Hans Stocker]

Haha Keelin, I can’t help to see an anteater with a straw hat and on his snout this iridescent winged grasshopper. No I am alright, it is not the alcohol but just an attack of pareidolic madness.  It sometimes happens and it is not serious (I hope).

Here is a line of spectators watching me taken away to the emergency room. I will try to convince the nice young men that accompany me to check this thread and then we will see what happens.

Love your fourth Magi by the way.

 

[Patricia L Keelin]

Don’t know how I missed the anteater, Hans! Especially when I have such a true fondness (born in an amusing dream) for Myrmecophaga Tridactyla.

Be that as it may, I do see the rather formidable line of spectators with their eyes on you. But worry not! Here to the rescue (or at least to move them aside) comes…

Rhinoceros Lacunosus

[Hans Stocker]

Ha, I really enjoyed the Myrmecophaga Tridactyla with grasshopper. Now this great Rhino saved me from captivity, Keelin. Very convincing and a beautiful lacunosus as well.

Worried Bear Stretching His Paw To Be Sure About The Rain To Come

[Patricia L Keelin]

Danke je, Hans! And your wonderful (but Worried!) Bear must rest easy now as there is news from “KC”, their adventurous mutual friend, who is known to keep a keen eye on the rivers…

He assures them they are rushing and ready for fun…

Kayak Coyote Running The Rapids

[Patricia L Keelin]

Sailing in on a golden tide, another friend arrives. Seems there’s always room for a dragon.

[Patricia L Keelin]

And here comes another one ready to join the party.

[Patricia L Keelin]

Hans, your Clouds That Look Like Nothing At All (recently appearing in the Contrail topic) gave me a giggle. Whatever appears to be leaping out of water in the image below might be Nothing At All As Well. But as you have a markedly keen skill at pareidolia, perhaps you have an idea as to what it might be, or an explanation for its behavior? You don’t suppose something could be after it, do you?

[Hans Stocker]

You captured a host of unique characters in your last posts Keelin. “Always room for a dragon” is very funny and made me giggle too.

As to your little creature jumping out of the water: might it be a little salamander on the run jump for some predator that is behind him, still under the surface?

I did not encounter much look-alikes lately but I will keep my eye open to spot our mutual friends.

Without A Blink

[Patricia L Keelin]

Good to keep that steady, clear-eyed vigilance, Hans! For indeed, what is in pursuit might very well be below, and that tiny bite just ahead won’t prove very filling.

A Little Taste of Moon

[Hans Stocker]

My goodness, what kind of gluttonous creature is after the moon Keelin?

I love the picture with its white details.

Happy Bear Taking A Joy Ride On His Favorite Dragon

[Patricia L Keelin]

Not exactly sure about that gluttonous creature, Hans. Looked a bit like a sleek dolphin (sans definitive dorsal fin) before he swallow the moon and was then swept away by a wave of wind.

A much nicer scenario can be imagined about your Happy Bear. Is this him (below) taking a closer look at something? I do wonder what he’s found.

[Patricia L Keelin]

Could it be this (maybe tasty) critter practicing a bit of cloud camouflage?

[Patricia L Keelin]

It has been said: You see what you want to see…

Dark Chocolate Cloud Bunny (zero calories!)

[Hans Stocker]

Ha Keelin, you spotted some very nice thingy clouds. First there is this pond switching Bear as happy as possible. Then the critter with its thin legs and ending with a mouthwatering tasteful Chocolate Cloud Bunny. I love them all. It is an art to have found them.

Unfortunately I have nothing in return to post. For some reason the clouds here have not been thingy enough for a nice capture in this thread. I need to be patient as we also have to be patient with the virus that’s holding the world in its grip. I hope you are OK in California?

[Patricia L Keelin]

It would seem those “thingy” clouds have a propensity for showing up here, Hans! A common subcategory is what I like to call Cumulus creatura. Below, yet another one that could have come from ‘neath the sofa.

And thank you… Okay so far in California, and I hope you are as well in Holland, along with everyone everywhere we hold dear. Cloud-A-Day, CAS’s Gallery, and this Forum with the kind and encouraging exchanges we’ve come to know here, are highlights in each day. Many thanks to all for sharing visions and comments that continue to inspire.

Dust Mousie

[Hans Stocker]

That is good to hear Keelin. And yes a Forum with an occasional Dust Mousie from ‘neath the sofa is a real joy these days. Nice to see you come up with the official Latin name according to the ICA for the cumulus species that looks like a creature. This triggered me to find next one in my archive for Cirrocumulus (I think) with keyword ‘aquarium’.

Cirrocumulus creatura, subsp. pescis

[Don Hatfield]

Just so people don’t think that only animals inhabit the sky. Greeks float around too, like Icarus who is still trying to reach the sun.

 

[Patricia L Keelin]

Love your colorful creatura, Hans, the “pescis” subspecies label is perfect!

And indeed, Don, the sky is a magnet for all cloudy characters. In the image below, I must say someone’s wax wings are looking a bit on the soft side…

Nervous Icarus

[Hans Stocker]

Don and Keelin you both have striking captures of Icarus’s last flight! Love them both.

Cockatoo Or Melting Wing?

[Hans Stocker]

Nestling Waiting To Be Fed

[Ruth Quist]

Using some imagination I thought this might be two dogs playing. Those clouds change so fast.

[Ruth Quist]

[Patricia L Keelin]

Hans, I’m thinking your Cockatoo Or Melting Wing? could be either or both — a perfect cloud rorschach! As for your sweet little Nestling there, I hope some juicy lenticularis floats by soon.

And welcome, Ruth, to the ever playful pareidolic zone! Love those frisky pups! They inspired me to fetch this image below from the archives. Do tell us, Hans, if there’s any bit of likeness here to your photo companion. I’m not familiar with the breed you have, but I love that shaggy look.

Shaggy Doggy

[Hans Stocker]

First two nice playful dogs by Ruth and then a Shaggy Dog. You can imagine I love your Shaggy Doggy very much Keelin. The breed you see on my avatar is a “hollandse schapendoes” or Dutch shepherd dog. While I take pictures of clouds above the sea she is trying to gather as much sand as possible to take home. She is quite a character and it is great fun you found her cloud equal. Ruth might have captured her too while playing with a fellow dog.

They must be careful when this playful dragon wants to join the play.

Beware Of The Puppy Dragon

[Patricia L Keelin]

That is one friendly looking dragon, Hans. That wiggliness just about spells out its readiness for play. Can’t imagine why the pup below appears so startled.

Panicked Poodle

[Ruth Quist]

This appears to be a floating, flying or even a dancing bear. Living where I do, we are always watching out for bears.

[Ruth Quist]

[Patricia L Keelin]

An absolutely adorable bear you’ve spotted, Ruth! I must say he looks very happy. Perhaps he’s been invited to share a fresh baked dessert? I remember being amused when I first saw caught the cloud bear below reaching for a sweet treat.* As they say, you are what you eat. ;)

Cloud Pie!

*originally posted to B&W topic in 2018, he’s back for a second serving.

[Ruth Quist]

Keelin, your bear looks very big and focused. I am thinking this cloud is a rabbit.

[Patricia L Keelin]

It seems a peaceable kingdom up there, Ruth. And I’m sure your rabbit would be warmly welcomed by the Bird and Bear below. They seem content to share this patch of deep blue sky with other bits and bobs of cloud-creatures-in-the-making.

 

 

[Ruth Quist]

I am wondering did someone have a question????

[Patricia L Keelin]

A perfectly reasonable question, Ruth, as posed by a unquestionable anteater! Come to think of it, I’ve been wondering the same thing…

Pondering The Possibilities

PS: On the other hand, there is no question as to why your photo of clouds reflected in the Missouri River appeared on the CAS Gallery yesterday. It’s a beauty! Congratulations!

[Ruth Quist]

Keelin, you are so kind to say something about my Missouri River. I have been so lucky to have had some of my photos chosen for the CAS Gallery. I have seen yours also recently, always fantastic. For me to send in a picture it just has to have a certain WOW feel to it. I just know when a shot has potential to share. Maybe we all have a sense of our shot.

[Don Hatfield]

Ruth – Sometimes  people come up to me and say “Don.” “Hatfield.” “Is there a way that I, too,  can be a cloudspotter”

[Ruth Quist]

Don, we all can be cloud spotters by grabbing a camera and heading outside for sky adventure. Just the best way to have simple but rewarding fun. I love your photos by the way. Your sunsets scream.

[Patricia L Keelin]

Wonderfully whimsical image, Don! I love the fuzzy question mark above that character’s head. To my eye, it looks like she or he, with outstretched arm, is saying, What?! Just look up, my friend! to the character who appears to be gazing at the ground.

And I agree with you, Ruth! There is simple, amazing, amusing fun in spotting clouds — even without a camera.

Is There Any Doubt?

[Pushing the contrast helped the image above somewhat. Unfortunately, it’s still a very grainy photo, due to the distance factor.]

[Don Hatfield]

I was just trying to be silly. People don’t come up to me very much, except when I have my tripod, long lenses, etc all set up and pointed toward the sky. When I use my phone for a photo, they don’t seem to notice.

Too bad!! They don’t know what thry’re missing.

On a slightly different note, Keelin, Topaz Denoise (AI version) will hep remove grain in the photo – mostl of the time without losing material detail.  Naturally it depends very much on the photo. For comparison, I played with your “Is there any Doubt” and got very good results. You might want to give it a try.

[Ruth Quist]

Looking poodle.

[Don Hatfield]

Perhaps your poodle is looking for this turkey wishbone (I hope he doesn’t find it),

[Don Hatfield]

I’ve often wondered why clouds look like things. Is it our imagination(s)? Is it hard wired into our collective genetic makeup? I think it’s actually because it’s hardwired into the clouds’ DNA.

[Hans Stocker]

I love all the recent question marks in the sky. Ruth started the series followed by Don and Keelin. I won’t question this. It just leaves me puzzled what the question is.

The last thoughts from Don (with great spiral DNA!) made me check Wikipedia about pareidolia and to my surprise there is quite a difference in the explanation of the subject between the English version and the Dutch version. In the Dutch version I found next explanation which I had to translate because I could not find it in the Enhglish version. Correct me when I am wrong.

“The reason for the existence of the phenomenon of pareidolia is that the brains need to make connections between different elements despite they might not really be there. Especially connections that can alert situations of danger, like the silhouette of a predator. The cost of seeing too much danger (fault-positive) is relatively low in regard to not seeing danger at all. So pareidolia is the result of fault-positives of the human recognizing of patterns. Pareidolia is a an everyday phenomenon and is not to be confused with hallucinations.”

I am still puzzled. I don’t see any danger in question marks. Nor do I see any danger in next one.

Prancing Pony

[Patricia L Keelin]

Sounds similar to how I’ve often heard it explained, Hans. It does indeed have to do with the brain and how it processes visual information. In order to identify and determine the significance of what we see, we search our memories, making comparisons to shapes we’re familiar with through past experience. As you’ve pointed out, this process is beneficial to our survival. Imagine seeing a vague shape in the distance that could be a bush… but might be a bear?! Pareidolia can be a handy asset.

That said, some people tend to have a looser leash than others on the ability to see things in anomalous shapes. An additional benefit, for those of us who do, is an endless zoo, a rich cast of characters, or fantasy garden of delights awaiting us whenever we cloud gaze. Still, a question remains: Do We Always See What We Want To See?

Something Tells Me It’s All Happening At The Zoo

[Ruth Quist]

My animal farm of a dog and elephant, ” Sharing Space”

[Patricia L Keelin]

Ah, how I wish we could all get along together as well as your farm dog and elephant, Ruth. Now that we’re in that setting, who left the barn door open?

Cow In The Cornfield

PS: Enjoyed your photo on the gallery last week, Ruth. So beautiful how the river reflected the soft colors of your Montana sunset.

[Ruth Quist]

Keelin, thanks for your kind comment on my Montana sunset. I chased the sunset for some time.

Maybe my eyes are crossed but I think this is : Tony the Tiger- remember the cereal

[Hans Stocker]

In this thread it is indeed all happening in the Zoo Keelin. I am not sure about the Cow in the Cornfield, for I see this cute little head of a doggy with flapping ears that reminds me of Tommy from sesame street. Tony the Tiger is unmistakable.

Another doggy here with an itchy back.

Ahhh, good good, now scratch a bit lower please

[Patricia L Keelin]

Tony is grrrreat, Ruth! And how can I have missed that adorable little puppy, Hans? A splendid illustration of how we might see only one thing until another is pointed out! So now, I say danke je for the indelible double vision which I share with you (and all) below.

Cow & Puppy! In The Cornfield

[Patricia L Keelin]

And since we’re on a canine roll, here’s another pup who’s just itching to play…

Poodle Puddle Jumper

[Hans Stocker]

Ha, thanks Keelin. How could I miss the cow? Funny to experience puppy and cow can’t be unseen anymore. As well as the corn of course.

Great Poodle Puppy Jumper. It is being watched by a cloudspotter looking through the blinds.

Watching The Puppy Play Through The Blinds

[Patricia L Keelin]

A clever and funny follow-up, Hans. Your puppy watcher really looks as if he’s pressing down on the blinds to get a good view. Maybe this is what he sees…?

Moon Catcher

[Hans Stocker]

He is certainly puzzled by this view on your Moon Catcher Keelin and he fears for the moon. He fantasizes he sees Treebeard, the ent (the moon being his gentle eye).

Two Playing Sea Dragons Chasing Each Other

[Patricia L Keelin]

Wow, Hans, what a fantastic sighting! Love to see that playful pair chasing each other across the heavenly seas. But who would have thought fun-loving dragons could create such a skyful of celestial dust? Had to get out that special vacuum tool and chase after them.

Sky Duster Vacuum Attachment

Note: the original photo (below) from which the image above was cropped had a different story to tell—more like a swan landing. But sometimes it’s just fun to see what other tales might be told, given a twist and a boost of contrast.

[Hans Stocker]

I am so happy you found a Sky Duster Vacuum Attachment to clean up the mess these untamable dragons made, Keelin. Ingenious and hilarious! There will be more cleaning to do I fear because this little puppy will awake a seemingly very large dragon when he is not careful enough with its tail.

The Start Of A Tale About The end Of A Dragon’s Tail

[Patricia L Keelin]

So funny, Hans, and cleverly spotted! Let us hope this short tale about a long tail ends with a dragon pup who is just as playful as that little pooch. Otherwise, he could indeed be playing with fire!

Playful Long Tailed Dragon Pup

[Ruth Quist]

Can a Buffalo team up with Dragons and Vacuum Parts? Hope so.

[Patricia L Keelin]

Beautiful Buffalo, Ruth! I believe there’s room up there for all creatures, from…

Dragon, to…

Dragonfly, to…

Elephant and Starry-Eyed Stork…

and more—including the Mythical Unicorn that appeared on the CAS Gallery July 14th! A rare and lucky sighting, Hans!

[Hans Stocker]

Thanks Keelin and what about lucky sightings? You managed to capture a wonderful threesome. The starry eyed Stork really finishes it!

Here is something less mythical.

A Girly Cloud With Botox Lips

[Hans Stocker]

Billy?

[Patricia L Keelin]

So delighted to see our old friend, Hans! I figured it was only a matter of time before that frisky kid crossed the pond again.

Meanwhile, it looks like love is in the air for your Girlie Cloud With Botox Lips!

An Admirer

[Ruth Quist]

Two Bird in Flight

[Patricia L Keelin]

What a fun—and inspiring—sighting, Ruth!

Fellow Flyer

[Hans Stocker]

Keelin, I am an admirer of the Admirer. He seems to have some alien features but he looks very friendly.

Great bird spotting Ruth with the bird of prey mirrored in the clouds. Unfortunately I have no Fellow Flyer like Keelin.

A Lizard In The Rain

[Ruth Quist]

All creatures great and small.  Birds, lizards, and a

Giraffe

 

 

 

[Michael Lerch]

At the waterfall

[Patricia L Keelin]

Indeed, room for all, Ruth, including your gently hued Giraffe and Hans’s Lizard, who looks to be enjoying a good shower.  And speaking of such wonders, who is that mysterious maiden at the waterfall, Michael? Her image appears as if from a dream. How refreshing ‘twould be to stand ‘neath Nature’s cascade. Well, I suppose one can still imagine…

Shower Head

[Hans Stocker]

Great Giraffe Ruth.

I had not noticed yet the mysterious maiden at the waterfall Michael spotted, but it must be Keelin who did and I must admit the lady is there for sure. Head up and taking a big gulp of the falling water. Wonderful.

Seeing this I’d love to take a shower myself under the Shower Head that Keelin posted.

All kinds of wellness are suddenly here after a lot of creatures were presented. Next fellow is taking a sunbath at the end of the day.

Sunbather

[Patricia L Keelin]

Love your redheaded sunbather, Hans, though, to my eye, he looks a bit startled at that approaching shark-shape. And, thanks to your vivid description, I now see two very different maidens at Michael’s Waterfall. Do you see the long-haired blond figure in the upper, left corner, arms below her shoulders obscured lost in shadow? More amusing is your vision which gave me a good giggle. How could I have missed her?!

Here’s someone else having fun in the water…

Doin’ The Dog Paddle

[Dave Lochhaas]

I hear voices in the sky! I don’t think these are angels.

(Infrared Photography)

[Ruth Quist]

Dave, I think you may have a ghost.  One exciting image.  I am going to throw in:

One Boot

 

 

[Hans Stocker]

Two maidens in a waterfall indeed Keelin. A different view is always surprising. Then a Dog Paddle, infrared Angels in the sky and a Boot. All marvelous cloudy things in my opinion. I am happy as a ..

Cheerful Bird

 

[Patricia L Keelin]

Surf’s up for your ghost, Dave, with a spirited wild ride! And Ruth, can I order a pair of cloud boots like the one you posted? They’d have me singing a new tune like Hans’s Cheerful Bird. I suppose I could add them to my Wish List for Santa, but it might be too late to start behaving. For some of us, it’s a challenge! Like the wee dragon below who appears to be getting a fiery parental lecture and…

A Little Time Out

[Ruth Quist]

With Dragons and Birds about, is there room for a cute little:

Schnauzer who doesn’t bite?

[Patricia L Keelin]

Always, Ruth, especially for your very cute Schnauzer! And there’s room for even more. Apparently, the heavens have provided an escape route and safe haven for the two lucky creatures below.

Neither Escargot Nor Cooked Goose

[Ruth Quist]

Keelin, this particular forum can be so entertaining because it goes so many directions, plus humorous.

Presenting A Gargoyle

[Patricia L Keelin]

Indeed, Ruth! And not only are some of the images humorous on this looks-like topic, they often spark little stories that take delightful turns in the telling…

I think your Gargoyle may have so frightened the cloud fellow below that he took off at a run and… oopsie! He’s taken a tumble (stepped on a bit slippery cirrus perhaps). But entering the scene (upper stage left) is a compassionate bear who looks ready to lend a hand (or a paw in his case).

Oopsie!

[Ruth Quist]

Keelin,  the blues in Oopies are so deep and lovely.  Here is a:

Boot Print

[Patricia L Keelin]

Nice boot print, Ruth. Perhaps the two figures below are discussing how it might have gotten there. The fellow on the left looks a bit stone-faced but still interested to hear what the more gregarious character on the right has to say.

Conjecturing Characters

PS: Congratulations on your Cloud-of-the-Day character featured a few days ago! Might he have been on the run from that shark fin on the right?

[Patricia L Keelin]

Still searching for who might have left that boot print Ruth spotted. I suppose we could all agree it would not have been this fellow…

Footless And Fancy Free

[Ruth Quist]

It is end of summer, but has anyone lost their bathing suit top?

[Patricia L Keelin]

Very funny, Ruth! Looks like that’s not the only thing that can come loose up there…

Anyone Missing A Molar?

[Patricia L Keelin]

And then there’s this poor fellow who appears to have dropped a coin into a cloud hole and…

Lost His Last Dime

PS: Love your playful pup on the Gallery this morning, Hans. At first, I did not see him clearly, but viewed at a smaller size, he just about jumped off the screen!

[Ruth Quist]

Keelin, hoping the tooth fairy came around with the missed molar.Trout Dinner

[Patricia L Keelin]

Lucky you, Ruth! Sounds delicious.

This One Got Away~~~~~~

[Ruth Quist]

Keelin,  hoping the fires haven’t destroyed all the beautiful vineyards. Goldfish, not for dinner.

[Patricia L Keelin]

Thank you, Ruth, for caring words. Some vineyards were totally destroyed, while others fortunately survived. Still more could use some good luck these days.

Those Goldfish do look tasty!

How To Hang A Horseshoe

[Ruth Quist]

Keelin, wonderful balloonist shot last week. Lone Wolf

[Patricia L Keelin]

Thanks, Ruth. And I love your Lone Wolf. The clouds appear to be getting out of the way as he dashes across the darkening sky. This reminds me that Halloween is approaching. Time to summon the gargoyles, goblins and ghosts!

Gargling Gargoyle

[Hans Stocker]

Fantastic, the wolf is on its return. I summoned The Djinn already summoned in the B&W thread. Wish him to send some clouds and rain to California.

Also creatures from mythology make their entrance on this call.

Resting Minotaur

[Patricia L Keelin]

Flying in to join the party, this winged wonder will have plenty of adventurous tales to share with your Minotaur, Hans.

Pegasus

[Patricia L Keelin]

Flying in to join the party, this winged wonder will have plenty of adventurous tales to share with your Minotaur, Hans.

Pegasus

[Patricia L Keelin]

…and apparently his twin has come along as well! Not sure why the image above posted twice. :?

[Ruth Quist]

Hans and Keelin, what fun you are having in your flying party.  Can I add: Mad Buffalo

[Patricia L Keelin]

Well, if your Mad Buffalo doesn’t get the party moving, I don’t know what will, Ruth. Took me a moment to see him, but then he was nearly upon me! What a great image incorporating the positive clouds and negative sky spaces.

This creature would also like to join in the fun… after she fixes a broken fingernail.

Get The Glue!

 

[Hans Stocker]

Look! It’s Glued Already!

[Patricia L Keelin]

Ha! She’s ready to party now, Hans, but I wouldn’t get too close! Meanwhile, Ms. Hagamuffin is already rockin’ out on the dance floor…

Doin’ the Monster Mash

[Patricia L Keelin]

Looks like there’s plenty of popcorn at the party.

Mr. Monster Gets The Munchies

[Hans Stocker]

this is a party going on Keelin!  Very funny. The nails, a party beast doing the Monster Mesh and then confetti. He will also need a disco ball I think. Will this one do?

Disco Ball

 

[Ruth Quist]

Hans and Keelin,  perfect combination for the dance is the Disco Ball ( great colors ) for Mr. Monster ( he has got rhythm ).  Not to break up your party but my Terrier is looking for his Bone

[Patricia L Keelin]

A perfect party disco ball, Hans! Love it. That should get everyone up and dancing. Well, almost everyone. This fellow looks like he’s not going to move away from the chips and dips just yet.

Maybe once he’s had his fill though, he’ll help your cute little terrier, Ruth. Wouldn’t want him to mistake his lost bone for a bit of skeleton at the party.

Chips And Dips

[Author]

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