Lenticular Cloud, Valla Beach
As a child I loved seeing the outlines of animals in clouds, a sweet form of play. Now I still enjoy clouds, but for what they are.
Lenticular clouds are in dynamic movement, yet appear stationary and formed above hills or mountains can hover for many hours. When moist air reaches the crest of a hill or mountain, it condenses to form a cloud and in this type of cloud the air flow creates a wave pattern. A flow of moist air up one side of the mountain replenishes cloud on the windward side while dry air flows down the other leeward side.
They involve vertical air movements often very smooth and strong which glider pilots seek out. The current gliding world records for both distance (over 3,000km) and altitude (14,938m) used such lift.
