Reindeer lookalike photographed in New
Zealand © Alan Blacklock/NIWA

A seasonal cloud-lookalike has made the headlines in a New Zealand newspaper.

This picture of a cloud in the shape of a reindeer had readers of The Dominion Post wondering whether the photographer was having a laugh.

But Alan Blacklock, who took the shot in early December while sitting in the backyard of his home in Wellington, insisted it was genuine.

“I am sure some people will be a bit sceptical about this because of the time of year, but it is absolutely 100 per cent authentic,” said Mr Blacklock, who photographs clouds for the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research.

Our thanks to Jill Towers from Australia (member 4193), who sent us a cutting of the news story.