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Cirrus vertebratus is a distinctive variety of the high ice-crystal cloud Cirrus with fibrous branches fanning out from a central spine. Though named for its resemblance to the vertebrae of a skeleton, these same characteristics mean the vertebratus cloud sometimes resembles a giant white feather. This perfect plume, spotted by Clare Sutton over Hammersmith, London, England, was presumably dropped by a passing mighty eagle of the high atmosphere.