White rainbows are the natural phenomenon you’ve never heard of

LONDON — Sometimes all the elements just come together at once to make the perfect photo.

During a shoot in Glencoe, Scotland on Sunday, photographer Melvin Nicholson had just that opportunity when a fogbow (also known as a white rainbow) appeared in the sky.

“I was shooting with a friend of mine Scott Robertson when he mentioned that a fogbow was appearing due to the sun burning off the mist,” Nicholson told Mashable. “I moved into position and photographed the tree centrally positioned under the fog bow. Scott also captured a similar image.”

The fogbow was captured on Rannoch Moor, which isn’t far from Glencoe.

“It is a spectacular place flanked by mountains on either side and is elevated in height, hence why it attracts the snow and cold weather,” Nicholson explained.

Nicholson said that he hadn’t previously known that fogbows — which are formed when the sun reflects from the tiny droplets of water in fog or mist, according to the Met Office — existed.

“I am just so pleased that people are getting to know that fogbows exist as it appears few people do, including me before Sunday,” he said.

The picture quickly gained attention and spread across social media after Nicholson shared.

“The photograph has received tremendous reaction worldwide and has featured in several of the national press overnight,” he said. “National Geographic have been in contact as have several news channels across the world. 

“It has been a very busy but hugely interesting 24 hours, that’s for sure.”

You can see more of Nicholson’s work on his website, Melvin Nicholson Photography.