photo #8149469

Anabel von Hein shared this pearly sky of Altocumulus stratiformis perlucidus clouds over the river Elbe in Hamburg, Germany, in honour of her father, Thomas (Member 61,417), whose birthday it is today.‘For as long as I can remember,’ Anabel told us, ‘my father has been fascinated by the weather, particularly by the clouds and the wind.’ Throughout her childhood, Anabel and her father went on walks and bike rides along this river. He always pointed out clouds that he found interesting or beautiful, perhaps trying to predict if rain was coming or just delighting in the way the formations appeared and changed.‘Now that he’s retired,’ Anabel said, ‘he still goes on regular walks along the Elbe – though most of these “walks” now involve sitting on one of his favourite benches and looking up at the sky.’ When he’s out in nature like this, he tells her, he has almost no thoughts because he’s so relaxed and in the moment.So, Happy Cloudspotting Birthday, Thomas! Anabel also said to us, ‘As I grow up, I understand my father’s sentiment and love for clouds more and more. Now, whenever I spot a special cloud, I think of him.’