This fine example of a saucer-shaped cloud was photographed by a Belgian librarian during a visit to the National Parc of Torres del Paine in Chilean Patagonia. The cloud appeared during a walk from Refugio Pehoé to Lago Pehoé. It was seen in the direction of the Valle del Francès (northeast). The Cuernos del Paine, a small but spectacular mountain group of the Paine massif, is just outside the picture frame to the left.

The photo we show here is one of a larger series, taken on December 27, 2007, shortly after 3:30 pm.

Mountain winds in southern Patagonia often produce magnificent cloud shapes. A polaroid filter was used to capture this scene.

[Photo : Joris PEETERS - our special thanks to Marleen VERCAMMEN & Toni VAN UTRECHT for sending us this photo]