When in need of a title for a group of similarly-themed photos, I occasionally do an online search for “international day” of such and such. In the case of today’s blog post, I was excited to learn of the existence of the International Cloud Appreciation Day.
This special day is the brainchild of the Cloud Appreciation Society, founded in the UK in 2005 by writer Gavin Pretor-Pinney. In September 2022, the organization celebrated the first International Cloud Appreciation Day and has done so annually since then. This year, it will be commemorated on September 11, today. (I am not sure why they chose a day so laden with heaviness.)
I find it a little sad that the group felt the need to remind us to look at the sky and to appreciate the clouds, but considering that we seem to be spending more and more time staring at screens, it might be a necessary reminder. The idea is to take a break from whatever we are doing, spend some time outside, study the sky and its clouds, and let the mind wander wherever it wants to go. If we feel moved to take photos, we are also invited to share them on the Memory Cloud Atlas (which, apparently, is only possible on the actual Cloud Appreciation Day).
I have enjoyed exploring the website of the Cloud Appreciation Society, where one can find images of the Cloud-a-Day and Cloud of the Month, a free CloudSpotter App, a gallery with cloud photos, cloud videos, cloud art, cloud poetry, and cloud music. Also, a cloud library with photos and explanations of the various cloud formations with fun names, such as stratocumulus, altostratus, and cumulonimbus.
But let’s not spend too much time on the website. Rather, let’s go outside, peer into the sky, and appreciate the ever-changing cloudscape. I haven’t read this anywhere, but I think it’s not far-fetched to claim that, as with snowflakes, no two clouds are alike. And they are constantly changing—growing, diminishing, advancing, retreating, rising, sinking, billowing, curling, wafting, flowing, and drifting. We should let our thoughts drift with them. It’s a healthy thing to do. And we don’t have to limit ourselves to one day in September.
Happy cloudgazing!
Great cloud photos. I had no idea today was cloud appreciation day
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Thank you, Tanja. I think most of us were unaware of this day. But it’s a good reminder to pay attention to the sky and its beautiful creations.
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Beautiful cloudscapes. Love your idea of cloud gazing. I think I will do some of that today. 😊
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Thank you, Pepper. Every day is a good day to gaze at clouds!
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Couldn’t agree more. 😊
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Wundervolle Bilder Tanja.
Leider funktioniert mein Übersetzer nicht, so konnte ich den Text nur so lala lesen.
Einen guten Tag wünsche ich dir.
Meine Erinnerungen kreisen schon den ganzen Morgen um nine eleven.
25 Jahre ist das schon her, aber so gegenwärtig als wäre es gestern gewesen 🙈
Warum nur können Menschen so grausam sein.
Ich werde es nie begreifen.
Liebe Grüße Brigitte
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Vielen Dank, liebe Brigitte.
Das mit dem Übersetzer tut mir leid. Ich bin davon ausgegangen, daß Du fließend Englisch kannst.
Ich war auch etwas überrascht, daß dieser Wolkenwertschätzungstag auf den heutigen Tag fällt, aber eine andere Bloggerin hat gemeint, daß das vielleicht absichtlich war, um etwas von der Traurigkeit zu lindern.
Auch ich kann mich noch genau an die furchtbaren Ereignisse vor 25 Jahren erinnern. Und wie Du auch, finde ich es unfaßbar, was Menschen einander antun können. 😢
Sei herzlich gegrüßt,
Tanja
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I was unaware of International Cloud Day… Thank you for sharing with us.
As always, it’s a joy to read your thoughtful writing while viewing beautiful images.
I too, will do some cloud gazing this Autumn☺️
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Thank you, Takami. Until I learned of the organization and this special day, I was also unaware of their existence.
Enjoy your cloudgazing!
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Love this, Tanja. It does provide a calming counterbalance to the otherwise foremost thought in our minds today. Maybe that is why they chose this day. Look to the heavens!
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Thank you, Eliza.
You are probably right and maybe it was a conscious decision to provide an uplifting alternative to an otherwise very heavy and sad day.
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What a wonderful concept.
You are so right: clouds are like snowflakes, constantly changing and uniquely beautiful.
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Thank you, Luisa. And as with snowflakes, one never grows tired of looking at them.
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Thanks a lot to you, dear Tanja
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You’ve provided a good selection of -ings to go with your pictorial collection of clouds: changing, growing, diminishing, advancing, retreating, rising, sinking, billowing, curling, wafting, flowing, and drifting.
We could say you’ve given them a welkin welcome (using the native English cognate of Wolke in German).
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Thank you for your comment. It sent me down (or up in the sky) where I learned that a Wolke is “a moist thing.” Very descriptive indeed.
An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Wolke – Wikisource, the free online library
On another note, your mention of-ing invariably led me to Monty Python. You might be familiar with the sketch: Monty Python – Man who speaks only the ends of words
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Wonderful pictures of clouds! Because we live on the edge of the woods, it is not easy to see either clouds or the sky. Love those clouds anyway.
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Thank you, Laurie. As much as I love being in the forest, I think I would miss seeing the sky if I were surrounded by trees all the time. You can do your cloudgazing when you visit other, more open spaces.
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So true! Love living by the woods, but I do miss seeing the sky.
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Lovely cloud photography – I especially like the image with the pinkish clouds above the golden field. Your title made me smile, because I’m sure that clouds (and rain even more) have been well-appreciated after our hot summer)
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Thank you, Ann. That photo is one one my favorites too.
I didn’t think about clouds during a drought, but I think you are absolutely right. When we see them gather in the sky, we always hope that they will leave us a watery present. 🌧️🌧️
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Hi, Mrs. Tanja-
What a special day! I had no idea that today was International Cloud Appreciation Day! Thank you for sharing!
Unfortunately, I have been sick all week long, and my sister pointed out today that I have not been outside since Monday due to my illness. Thankfully, I am recovering, and I was able to go on a walk this evening. Even so, I recall that I did not even think to look at the clouds. I always find it funny that things so large (such as clouds, trees, even architectural structures) are often the easiest to overlook, due to the familiarity. At least, this is something I have noticed with myself!
All that to say, when I go out tomorrow, I will definitely take a moment to admire the marshmallows of the sky! 🙂
Blessings,
Gavin Broom
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Hi Gavin,
Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Sorry to hear about your illness, I hope you will be fully recovered very soon! Talking a walk after being confined to the house must have felt good.
It’s so true what you say about not noticing things that we are familiar with. Ever since I started paying attention to birds, I have also noticed so many other details: landscapes, plants, other animals. And feel bad about having missed them all along.
Now when I take walks, I try to have all my senses engaged, and to appreciate all the natural beauty that surrounds me.
Including clouds! I like your “marshmallows of the sky” analogy (even though it makes me hungry).
BTW, why don’t we drop the “Mrs.” bit. Otherwise, I will have to start calling you Mr. Gavin! 😊
Tanja
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Your selection is beautiful, but it occurred to me that, on Cloud Appreciation Day, our entirely gray and cloud-covered sky deserved some appreciation, too. While it certainly doesn’t rival these in terms of drama or color, it provided a blessed relief from the heat of the sun, and everyone I know appreciated that!
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Thank you, Linda.
You are absolutely right about clouds bringing relief from the heat of the sun, even if they don’t drop any rain. But, as Ann stated, that promise of rain also heightens our appreciation of clouds.
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International Cloud Appreciation Day – nanu was für eine gute Idee. Wolken sehen immer anders aus, sie können bedrohlich wirken oder gar verspielt am blauen Himmel im Wind tanzen. Vielen Fotos geben sie den letzten tollen Kick. Ich finde Deinen Artikel sehr spannend.
LG MAren
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Vielen Dank, liebe Maren. Die Idee fand ich auch toll, besonders da ich einen Titel für meine Wolkenbilder brauchte, die schon eine Weile lang in einer Akte vor sich herschlummerten. 😊
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What a great idea, cloud appreciation day! It can serve as a reminder to look up and enjoy, other days of the year too. These photos are lovely. Tanya. I especially like the one with the dark Pine (?) type trees and the pink/gold lining.
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Thank you, Julie, I also think dedicating a day to remind people to look at the always-changing cloudscape was a good idea.
From now on, we can collect our future cloud photos in a folder and share them with our blogging friends next year on (Sept. 16, 2027). 😊
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I love a good cloud, especially when it’s nice and colorful during sunrise or sunset. What a great excuse to share some wonderful cloud photos!
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Thank you, Diana. Sunrise and sunset can beautify any cloud. Another reason to pay attention to those special times of day!
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I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now….Such a wonderfully diverse and beautiful set pf photographs! Thanks so much for sharing them, Tanja. I live in a very woodsy place, so I have to travel to viewing places in the area. And even so, the views are never so wide as what you’ve posted!
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Thank you, Julie. Seeing clouds from above while flying in an airplane is an entirely different experience than seeing them from the ground, isn’t it? Seeing them from that perspective is one of the reasons I love window seats.
I guess you will have to come out west in order to enjoy some of those wide views. 🙂
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😉 ❤️😁
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Wow I had no idea such day existed. But your message on the reminder to stare at the sky and clouds and let the mind wander is a great one, Tanja 😊 Lovely selection of photos.
Some cloud shapes have a name? I learned something new today!
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Thank you, Pooja. I also learned a lot when I found out about this.
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Nothing captures the “mood” of the sky or weather like clouds. There’s “angry” clouds, “happy” clouds, wispy clouds, etc. In the part of the world where you live you get to see a wide variety influenced by the terrain. Nicely done.
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Well said, Brad. The sky always lets us know its mood!
I appreciate your visit and comment.
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