Pictures of a Rainbow

Pictures of a Rainbow

Walk on a rainbow trail; walk on a trail of song, and all about you will be beauty. There is a way out of every dark mist, over a rainbow trail. Robert Motherwell

• Rainbow End
• Some Were Over the Rainbow
• Picture of a Rainbow at Dusk
• More Pictures of Rainbow Magic
• Rare Inverted, Refracted Rainbow
• How Sunlight Creates a Rainbow
• Picture of Rainbows and Lightning
• A Mellow Ending - Pub at the End of the Rainbow

Some were over the rainbow

Some were, over the rainbow, way up high.
There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere, over the rainbow, skies are blue.
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.
Someday I'll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far Behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops, Away above the chimney tops.
That's where you'll find me.
Somewhere, over the rainbow, bluebirds fly. Birds fly over the rainbow,
Why then - oh, why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow,
Why, oh, why can't I?

From the film "The Wizard Of Oz" and sung by Judy Garland. Songwriters: Arlen, Harold; Harburg, E.Y.

Will and Guy suspect that the central character in this photo [dressed in red] is singing, "Over the Rainbow".

Rainbow End

This incredibly rare photograph of the "end of a rainbow" was taken by Jason Erdkamp from Lake Forest, California, USA. He spotted it on the 241 Toll road in Orange County, California. Some have suggested that the picture has been photo shopped; but experienced photographers, meteorologists and a graphic designer are certain it is the real thing.

Irish folklore has it that Leprechauns believe that buried treasure can be found at the end of a rainbow. Leprechauns have even been known to bury their own treasure in such places. Will and Guy are considering popping over to California to take a look, with their picks and shovels, of course. 

Picture of a Rainbow at Dusk

An acronym, or a sentence from an acronym helps, to remember the seven rainbow colours and their sequence.  ROYGBIV, 'Richard of York goes galloping in vain'.  Red Orange, Yellow, Blue, Green, Indigo and Violet.

Two More Pictures of Rainbow Magic - or is that 2,3,4 or 6 Rainbows?

How Sunlight Creates a Rainbow

What causes a rainbow is reflection of light in the water drops.  As water droplets are suspended in the atmosphere and the sun is shining, so the rays are distorted producing a beautiful rainbow.  Actually, the light is reflected against the back of each drop, not once but twice.  (On the way in and on the way out of the drop).

Another way of looking at a rainbow is a brief study of light dispersion.  Think of light diffraction producing a cone of the rainbow colours.  Perhaps the only way to truly understand the rainbow phenomenon is to get a prism and play with rays of sunlight.

See diagram right for the idea.

Photo of a Rare Inverted, Refracted Rainbow

Exceptional atmospheric conditions created a rare and stunning display in the skies above Cambridge, England. Local astronomer, Jacqueline Mitton, photographed the fabulous sight, caused by sunlight being refracted through ice crystals high in the atmosphere.

This phenomenon is rarely seen outside the polar regions.

A Meteorological Office spokeswoman informed Will and Guy, 'They are fairly rare. It is convex to the sun and is formed by refraction in suitably-oriented ice crystals and may show vivid rainbow colouring, as in this case.'

More Photos of Rainbows

Picture of Rainbows and Lightning

If I travelled to the end of the rainbow as Dame Fortune did intend, Murphy would be there to tell me the pot's at the other end. Edward Koch

Rainbow Bird

I have heard of gold at the end of a rainbow, but never a beautiful bird.

A Mellow Ending - Pub at the End of the Rainbow

Let no one who loves be unhappy, even love unreturned has its rainbow. James M. Barrie 

• Please send us your pictures of a rainbow
• Meanwhile, see more pictures of a rainbow

See more interesting photographs, stunning pictures, and PowerPoint slides:

● Interesting photography   ● Picture of sunrise   ● Sunsets   ● Lightning   ● Sunshine rainbows   ● Home

● Stunning photographs   ● Hubble images   ● Pretty planet   ● View from space   ● Amazing staircases

● Clever photography   ● Funny pictures of the sun   ● Funny photography   ● Skywalk Grand Canyon

● China   ● Siberian mine   ● Merrimac bridge   ● NBC Photos   ● Fountains of the world   ● Autumn