Years ago when I was little, I happened to look up in the clouds and saw rainbow colors within those clouds. The most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.

I said, “Look, there’s rainbows in the clouds!”

My sister laughed and said that was impossible. I’m sure she envisioned a bunch of tiny little rainbows floating amongst the clouds, so yeah, that does sound a bit silly.

I then explained by saying, “Rainbow colors, not rainbows.”

My mom then said, “You have artist eyes. That means you can see what other’s don’t.”

My eyes aren’t special (as my ophthalmologist can attest). It’s not about literal vision, but about taking notice.

Nor did I become an artist. Or at least I don’t consider myself good enough with any artistic craft to call myself one. More of a hobbyist.

My chosen artistic hobby is photography. I’m fascinated by the natural world, the shear beauty of it. Especially the sky whether it be stars, sunsets, or clouds. Mostly sunsets and clouds, because I don’t often drive out in the middle of the night to areas with few lights to interfere with the stars.

You can imagine my joy when I again saw rainbows in the clouds during a trip to Colorado decades later. They were so pronounced, I wasn’t the only one to see them. Along with everyone I was with, my camera did, too.

They’re called iridescent or fire rainbow clouds and are actually quite common. All one has to do is look up and take notice.