A color enhanced version of a photo of a cirrocumulus standing iridescent lenticular that formed over Baker City on Tuesday evening, Sept. 12, 2023, illustrates the iridescent effect it creates.

A cloud phenomenon both uncommon and tricky to photograph appeared over Baker City Tuesday evening, Sept. 12.

Clouds, like animals, come in classifications of genus and species, this one being an cirrocumulus standing iridescent lenticular cloud, which grew larger after sunset into the evening. For those observing through polarized glasses or camera filters it was remarkably colorful to behold.

In some instances, when sheared by wind, such clouds can create a “mother of pearl” effect visible to the plain eye, and unlike common rainbows, these can be observed from the International Space Station.

The phenomenon has been misreported as flying saucers to weather services for decades.

Other types of lenticular clouds typically form directly over the summits of mountains, such as Mount Rainier in the Washington Cascades.

Cirrocumulus lenticular clouds can form downwind from a mountain range.