Pareidolia
is when you have a propensity to see faces or objects in things, like
clouds. I tend to do that when I'm out and about and looking around.
Tuesday morning I looked out and saw this cloud formation. My first
thought was, "Wow, there's a monster's face there. Look at those fiery
eyes!" So I grabbed the camera and photographed it. Do you see it too?
I used to see faces everywhere when I was younger but not so much now, apart from when I just wake up in the morning and I see faces in the patterns on the curtains. I can see the fiery eyes now that you point them out but I wouldn't have been running inside for a camera. I was the key worker for many years to a young man who had Prosopagnosia - the inability to recognise faces. He liked me because I was the only person he knew with a big beard, so he knew who I was.
ReplyDeleteJohn-- I haven't ever heard of Prosopagnosia, and what a sad thing to have. I can't imagine what it would be like to not recognize faces. A world of strangers everyday, always.
DeleteI do see it. Maybe eyedrops would help?
ReplyDeletePaul-- You made me laugh out loud. Thank you for that.
DeleteI had no idea there was an official name to this. I see it too. Pretty wild.
ReplyDeleteSharon-- I'm glad you saw it too!
DeleteGlad you pointed it out, I didn't see it at first, nor knew what the term meant. So now I'm smarter times two.
ReplyDeleteBarbara-- The best part of the internet, learning something new like this!
DeleteMy neighbors put up a new fence. I can see not only faces but other shapes. My intentions are good to take some photos but so far I haven't got to it.
ReplyDeleteRed-- We had one long part of our fence replace a few months ago. I took photos of the faces and critters I saw in the old fence before it was torn down. I looked at those photos the other day, and it made me smile. Yes, take the photos!
DeleteYep I see it and am glad to know there is a name for it. I have fun with clouds.
ReplyDeletePatti-- I'm so glad you see it too. It was quite a face!
DeleteI see it for sure! I often see faces and bodies in floor tiles that are marbled. Sitting there on the commode, I often thought to draw them. But I have a new floor now and I missed my chance!
ReplyDeleteTara-- You remind me of the things I used to see on the ceiling in the paneled bedroom upstairs in Capitola. I won't ever see those again, because I didn't photograph them. Look for the things in the new floor. They'll show up!
DeleteI do see it! You've taught me another new word (in addition to crepuscular, which I also learned from your blog).
ReplyDeleteSteve-- I'm so glad you see it. I love introducing new words here on the blog. It's the best part of the internet.
DeleteIt's kind of smiling. At least that's what I see.
ReplyDeleteSabine-- I thought it was smiling too!
DeleteWell spotted, a fire troll
ReplyDeleteBilly-- Yes, a fire troll! I love that!
DeleteIt's the spirit of Grumpy Cat!
ReplyDeleteCCorax-- I think you may be right. Grump Cat indeed!
DeleteAbsolutely! Now I'm scared to go outside.
ReplyDeleteCatalyst-- You made me laugh out loud. Thank you for that!
DeleteOh, that does look like a monster's face!
ReplyDeleteColette-- I'm glad you see it too.
DeleteWhen I was a kid we always played the game of seeing things in the cloud. Haven't done that for a long time!
ReplyDeleteDavid-- I don't remember when I started seeing things in the clouds, but now I look all the time.
DeleteI see it!
ReplyDelete37paddington-- I'm so glad you see it too!
DeleteMaybe a fire-fighting dragon protecting redwood trees and other vulnerable beings? Your post is another bit of synchronicity for me. I photographed a friendly face in the clouds last January right after a dear friend died. Someone commented on my blog that maybe it was a sign from that friend.
ReplyDeleteThe friend I had the longest (since we were 12 years old) died just before Thanksgiving at her home in California. I've been unable to post about her death in any way until now. Seeing your photo felt like a message to me from her through you! She was a lawyer who fiercely defended redwood trees. She saved 650 acres of redwood trees. Some people who opposed her called her "the dragon lady." She and her husband both trained as volunteer firefighters while living in Portola State Park for most of their 50-year marriage. Her favorite aunt taught at Humboldt State University for many years. Since around 2014, she and her husband had been living in Sequoia National Park near the Stagg Tree, the fifth largest giant sequoia. Like you, she had an inquisitive and lively independent spirit and would love your photo!
am-- I love the idea of a fire-fighting dragon protecting the redwood trees and other vulnerable beings. The synchronicity is truly lovely. I'm so glad this post felt like a message from your friend. That's a lovely idea inspired by a fire-fighting dragon in the clouds. Thank you for that.
Deleteyes, it does look like a monster, Robin, and hopefully it's a friendly one if there is such a creature, but then it's almost the holidays so one never knows.
ReplyDeleteBeatrice-- I think it was friendly. It was smiling!
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