Photo proof: Santa brought us a legit green flash!
For the longest time I was the greatest sceptic of the mythical green flash. And I felt for good reason too as it has remained elusive throughout our entire time traveling. Even though science says that it can occur, both Rebecca and I remained unconvinced.
While there has been the odd occasion, but only just recently I might add, that we have been fortunate enough to witness this phenomenon, we have never been able to effectively catch it on film. Not in stills, nor in video. That is, until yesterday. Perhaps the green flash shown in the photo below was Santa’s gift to us, and to the other cruisers in this area?
Green flash photo details:
- Device: Canon EOS 30D
- Lens: Canon 55-200mm
- File type: RAW
- Focal length: 200
- F number: 5.6
- Exposure time: 1/800
The funny thing is, until one of the other cruisers broadcasted over the VHF radio that there was the possibility of a green flash, I hadn’t even gone up on deck to look. When I finally got around to doing so, the sun more than half way down. I quickly popped down below, grabbed the camera, ran back up on deck, and shot the two images that you see above.
Wow, congrats! I always thought it was like a flash across the sky. After looking at your pictures I did some googling and found that it is defined as part of the sun changing color for 1 to 2 seconds. Supposed to be good luck I think.
I don’t know whether is brings good luck or not, but you certainly need to be lucky to see it.
Tweeted this. I have seen it once (in Guam) – always remember it.
Thanks, Don!
Well done!
Thank you, Sir!
Great picture.
Thanks, John!
We also thought it was all BS until we experienced it acouple of months ago sailing Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Great work catching it with the Canon.
Thanks. It only took about 100 attempts. 🙂
Best I’ve ever seen. Our second boat was the “Greene Flash” because we bought it as a charter boat in paradise … Tortola and it always signified the end of a perfect day. Our dinghy was “Flash Lighter”. My husband planned his retirement for when the boat came out of charter…meanwhile we had great vacations down in the BVI and then he sailed it back up to the Chesapeake. Thanks for this great shot.
Thank you!
Nice names. Well suited for a charter boat.
Wow, a once in a lifetime shot. Well done!
Thanks, David. I was fortunate to get some pretty good ones last night too. I posted them on Facebook.
Hi Mike and Rebecca,
I had to stop keeping up daily for several months due to schedule, but saw this post.
Living on the west coast of Florida, I have a formula for green (or blue) flashes:
If there is a mirage (temperature inversion over the surface of the water that reflects the sky)
If the sun changes shape and melts like an ice-cream cone
There will be a green flash.
Basically, the sun sets behind the mirage, and it looks like the limb of the sun is disappearing into thin air.
Happens regularly enough here that I can usually call it when it’s going to happen. I’ve taken a few pics of it, but they’re never as spectacular as the clouds afterwards (if there are any).
– Dave
Hi Dave. Thanks for checking in whenever you can. Clouds do often make for the best sunset photos.
Great shot Mike. I will bookmark this for doubters. I have seen it once in my life and know it to be true
Thanks, Bryan! I got lucky. 🙁