On my second urban hike, today I started at Lurie Gardens near the Art Institute, then walked along the parks to get to Buckingham Fountain. It was daytime (obviously) and I decided to take three bracketed shots all the way around the fountain, going counter clockwise (no idea why you need to know that, actually). As I moved around, I spotted this rainbow -- it was so weird as it was in the sky, not in the fountain, and it was only half of one but quite bright. I took my three shots, moved to the next spot and by then it had faded and before the third shot, was gone. Going by the time on my camera, it was there about 2.5 seconds and then disappeared as if it had never existed. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, the sun was bright and it wasn't an optical illusion. The last rainbow I've seen was when we were in Hawaii last December -- we don't usually see them in the city. VERY exciting (as you may have noticed).
It was a great 2 days of walks with remarkably wonderful weather. I'll probably be posting photos from this weekend all week. Thanks for your lovely comments on the fireworks from last night and on my lensbaby practice shots. You are such an encouraging group and I so appreciate it!
Quite a spectacular looking fountain. Especially cool to get the rainbow. During our winter months we get to see quite a few rainbows so we are very lucky. Every single one always seems magical to me.
beautiful, lovely shot of the fountain and capture of the refraction through the droplets - and yes, regularly see rainbows in water sprays, the droplets refract the light into colours the same way that rain does
You must have JUST posted this or you would have been on Fave-Overload! I have a warm spot in my heart fr this fountain as we had some family photos taken there... So many pretty settings in this amazing city!
The light would have been just right to enable a rainbow to be created within the fountain! I've never caught one - but then don't see many fountains - we save water in NZ.
Great shot and story, Taffy. Must have been just the right amount of spray and just the right spot where you have been standing to give the moment of prism-breaking of the light, or perhaps...what did you have to drink before the photo walk...? :)
Wonderful capture. I love the rainbow story. This happened to me a few months ago but I wasn't as lucky as you. By the time I got the camera out, the rainbow had disappeared.
Excellent capture what a great capture, I really liked this fountain when we visited Chicago we stayed in a hotel just across the road. Really liked the way it was lit up at night.
You don't think rainbow was created by the water in the fountain? I once got caught up photographing rainbows on cascading water and water fountains. I had to move my camera around to actually find rainbows.
Love your rainbow! I thought of you and your fireworks shot last night. Just happened to drive by Disneyland as the finale of the fireworks show was in full swing. Was in heavy traffic with fireworks bursting overhead. It was all I could do to keep from getting in an accident. Want to go back one evening and set up in a parking lot to try some photos.
Intriguing, the presence of half of a rainbow. I wonder if the fountain's mist was drifting that direction by chance. As always, you've captured an interesting photo.
Your comment on my son's picture inspired a chuckle — yea, he's a smart one, knowing when to come home for free food. Whatever it takes to get them around the dinner table again, right?
@lyndemc@janiskay@ericdibosco@maggiemae Hi all -- and thanks for the visit and comment. It had to be from the spray, of course, and the sunlight being 'just so' -- it was just so interesting to see how quickly it came and went and how it could only be spotted from that one angle for such a fleeting moment. The time on the camera was fascinating to go back and look at as it truly was seconds. I was just lucky the camera was out and ready as even changing the settings, I would have missed it.
Wow, this is such an amazing shot, Taffy. I love that fountain, the detail and all the water coming out. You captured it so well. Love the rainbow too. Great capture of its short time so well. Talking about being at the right place at the right time. Sure makes for a beautiful shot. Congrats on the Trending page. FAV
My goodness that is a crazy rainbow! But how cool that you got a picture of it! And if the rainbow wasn't so distracting, you'd really see what a lovely fountain is there too!
Your comment on my son's picture inspired a chuckle — yea, he's a smart one, knowing when to come home for free food. Whatever it takes to get them around the dinner table again, right?