Sun pillars are narrow columns of light apparently beaming directly up (and sometimes downwards) from the sun close to sunset or
sunrise. Pillars are not actually vertical rays; instead, they are formed by the collective reflection of light from millions of ice crystals.

I was able to see several of these pillars early in the winter of 2008-09. When the buses went on strike, the carpool I travelled
with left well before sunrise. Watching the sun rise from the 26th floor of a highrise downtown became part of my routine, and
when these pillars of light lit up the sky, I would often go out to try to capture them. My efforts were not very successful.

This photo shows the sun rising behind city hall and a faint pillar extending upwards. Note the faint sun dog to the right.