Peggy Berryhill was up in the town of Mendocino when she saw this circle around the sun, which is called a Halo.

Marion Patterson took this photo at her home in Anchor Bay. The sun was behind the tree, but you can see most of the Halo. Notice that Marion's photo shows some color in the Halo.

The following is from the National Weather Service and explains the different between Halos, Sundogs and Sun Pillars.

"A Halo is a ring or light that forms around the sun or moon as the son or moon light refracts off ice crystals present in a thin veil of cirrus clouds. The Halo is usually seen as a bright, white ring although sometimes it can have color.

Sundogs are colored spots of light that develop due to the refraction of light through Ice crystals. They are located approximately 22 degrees either left, right, or both, from the sun, depending on where the ice crystals are present. The colors usually go from red closest to the sun, out to blue on the outside of the Sundog. Sundogs are also known as mock sun or parhelia, which means "within the sun."

Sun Pillars appear as a shaft of light extending vertically above the sun, most often at sunrise or sundown. They develop as a result of ice crystals slowly falling through the air, reflecting the sun's rays off of them. Look for Sun Pillars when the sun is low on the horizon, and cirrus clouds are present."

Thanks to Peggy and Marion for allowing me to share their photos with you here. And thanks to the National Weather Service for a great explanation on the differences between these phenomena.

Clouds are pouring in this afternoon after a sunny morning. Temps are around 60 degrees. A storm is headed our way for tonight. Bring it, Mother Nature!