Condensation trails, shortened to contrails, are artificial clouds of condensed water vapor made by aircraft engine exhaust. In Greensboro, frequently, contrails are seen in the western end of the county around the airport. We took this photo earlier in the week between 6-7 pm when air traffic seems to be at its peak. Atmospheric conditions determine the amount of time a vapor trail persists and when they begin to dissipate (as in the photo above), they are said to be decaying. These contrails arc over the spring sky adding texture to the view. Perhaps they are actually vapor from the collective sigh of relief of taxpayers who met the April 15th deadline.
The opposite of a contrail is a distrail-- when the moisture gets absorbed from a cloud. If you are still reading this post, likely you are interested in these phenomena and should read more here! We are sharing this photo with our Skywatch Friday friends.
crisscrossing contrails
like long white animal tails
swishing in the sky
Posted by: Magical Mystical Teacher | Friday, April 16, 2010 at 06:38 AM
Oh so cool! I didn't know that they're called contrails! I have learned something today...thanks, and I love the rainbow colored trees on the background.
Posted by: AL | Friday, April 16, 2010 at 06:54 AM
The sky is so beautiful and lovely trees with the flowers. I also love the shot below this post with the fence covered in bank roses. Happy weekend.
Posted by: Carver | Friday, April 16, 2010 at 09:57 AM
This reminds me of a painting. It's very beautiful.
Posted by: James | Friday, April 16, 2010 at 12:24 PM
I always love the way Contrails look. They are the evidence that we can go anywhere at all!
Posted by: Janis | Friday, April 16, 2010 at 05:30 PM
The brightly coloured trees are a bonus.
Actually the contrail are a bonus shot too, for the Europeans who will be missing them!
Posted by: VioletSky | Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 07:35 AM
Gorgeous colors. And I'm glad for you that tax season is over! :)
Posted by: mia | Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 08:33 AM
Such lovely color on the trees. All in all a beautiful picture, and I learned something, too!
Posted by: Tracy | Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 10:42 PM