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If you’ve ever indulged in the habit of cloudspotting, you’ve probably seen all kinds of things in the sky, from animals and faces to UFOs and cartoon characters. But did you know that our tendency to see images in random objects like clouds, vegetation and even everyday objects comes down to an interesting psychological phenomenon called pareidolia?

Famed astrophysicist and author, Carl Sagan, believed that this ability evolved to help us recognize faces instantly in order to ascertain their emotional state, even in murky conditions. Tuck into this collection of 130 clouds doing interesting things and never forget to keep your eye on the sky - you never know what you might see.

#1

Cloud Formation That Appeared To Look Like An Ocean In The Sky

Cloud Formation That Appeared To Look Like An Ocean In The Sky

WCCO Report

Did you know that an average cumulus cloud can weigh as much as 500 tons? That’s about the weight of a jumbo jet. Clouds can move at speeds of up to 120 mph depending on the wind conditions at their altitude. There are even cosmic clouds in outer space, like the giant alcohol cloud in W3(OH), a very bright, compact HII region within the W3 complex, an enormous stellar nursery.

#4

Just A Camel Wandering In A Desert Of Clouds

Just A Camel Wandering In A Desert Of Clouds

the-heba Report

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Terri Rowland
Community Member
2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's amazing, it even looks like it's a separate thing walking along...

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#6

Cloud From The Storm Today, Looks Like A Horror Movie

Cloud From The Storm Today, Looks Like A Horror Movie

riskyjon90 Report

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Bill Swallow
Community Member
1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"I think we're gonna need to put in a little overtime on this one..."

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The CSIRO website lists some little-known cloud facts that are truly fascinating. For example, thunderstorm clouds can be green and nobody knows why, dandruff floating in the atmosphere helps form clouds, and a cloudless sky can be called “enubilous”. Pollen, algae, fur, and bacteria also contribute to cloud formation.

#7

Noticed That A Cloud Behind My Girlfriend Looked Like A Thought Bubble

Noticed That A Cloud Behind My Girlfriend Looked Like A Thought Bubble

Dodoman0 Report

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Bill Swallow
Community Member
1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Any comment made about it being blank would definitely be a very bad idea, and get one in a LOT of trouble.

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If you’re a fan of cloudspotting, you’ll be pleased to know that there’s an official Cloud Appreciation Society with their own website and a healthy following on Instagram and Facebook. The site features a cloud a day, cloud of the month, and even a book, Cloudspotting for Beginners.

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Earlier this year, the European Space Agency (ESA) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) got together to launch a 3-year mission called EarthCARE. The mission’s aim is to profile Earth’s clouds to see what effect they are having on climate change.

#16

This Funky Little Ribbon Cloud Outside My Plane Window

This Funky Little Ribbon Cloud Outside My Plane Window

LordofHares Report

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Marsha Hultberg
Community Member
2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love this! Though sadly, these beautiful, rare, natural images bring AI to mind... AI is a trickster, and will ultimately trick its creators. Think plastic... also brilliant once upon a time. ✨ Unintended ramble -- nature is imperative. Technology?

Launched at California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, EarthCARE, an acronym for Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer, is outfitted with a range of instruments able to construct 3D profiles of clouds and aerosols in Earth’s atmosphere.

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#20

This Cloud That Looks Like Crocodile Or Alligator Head

This Cloud That Looks Like Crocodile Or Alligator Head

markodus Report

No clouds? No problem. Cloud seeding, a fascinating weather modification technique, involves introducing substances like silver iodide, salt, or dry ice into clouds to encourage the formation of raindrops or snowflakes. This method has been implemented in various places around the world to address water shortages, agricultural needs, and even manage extreme weather events like wildfires.

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#24

Strange Cloud In Rapid City, South Dakota

Strange Cloud In Rapid City, South Dakota

reddit.com Report

It seems clouds will continue to fascinate scientists, meteorologists, and us mere mortals alike for generations to come. Pack your picnic blanket, head for your favorite place in nature, and cast your eyes towards the heavens, because the clouds have plenty to show you!

#27

A Cloud, Which Resembles A Polar Bear, From My Walk Earlier Today

A Cloud, Which Resembles A Polar Bear, From My Walk Earlier Today

ash4632mm Report

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Bigmomma
Community Member
3 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All that's missing was some colourful light display at the back and it would be the aroura bear_ialis

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#30

Cloud Duck Over The Skies Of Sofia, Bulgaria

Cloud Duck Over The Skies Of Sofia, Bulgaria

akvarista11 Report

#31

The Clouds Outside My Plane Window Look Like An Alien Landscape

The Clouds Outside My Plane Window Look Like An Alien Landscape

2ndEntity Report

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#35

Bubbly Clouds

Bubbly Clouds

OhFuckThatWasDumb Report

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Jihana
Community Member
1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mammatus clouds, literally breasts clouds because they look like hanging boobs. They occur before heavy thunderstorms.

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#37

This Cloud That Looks Like A Tornado

This Cloud That Looks Like A Tornado

Amela613 Report

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#41

Bubble Clouds

Bubble Clouds

mc_loveing Report

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#44

Unsure If I Saw A Cloud Or A Dragon The Other Day

Unsure If I Saw A Cloud Or A Dragon The Other Day

toothfairEEE Report

#45

Crazy Looking Hole Punch Clouds Over Central Florida

Crazy Looking Hole Punch Clouds Over Central Florida

reddit.com Report

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#48

Mystery Chopstick Clouds In Centreville, Va Tonight

Mystery Chopstick Clouds In Centreville, Va Tonight

Rpark888 Report

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#50

Cloud I Saw Today

Cloud I Saw Today

captnalienboi Report

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#51

That’s A Lot Of Emotion Outta One Cloud

That’s A Lot Of Emotion Outta One Cloud

strattonspeaks Report

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#52

This Cloud Looks Like A UFO

This Cloud Looks Like A UFO

Glurt Report

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#53

This Atomic Bomb Looking Cloud

This Atomic Bomb Looking Cloud

d_wc Report

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#54

These Clouds At The Beach Look Like Waves

These Clouds At The Beach Look Like Waves

99999999 Report

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#55

These Clouds Make The Building Look Like They're On Fire

These Clouds Make The Building Look Like They're On Fire

No_Legumes_Please Report

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#57

This Cloud Looks Like A Dragon

This Cloud Looks Like A Dragon

sensitivepisces Report

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#58

I Flew Past Clouds That Looked Like Spongebob And Gary A Few Nights Ago

I Flew Past Clouds That Looked Like Spongebob And Gary A Few Nights Ago

c0bre Report

#59

This Cloud That Looks Like A Thumbs Up

This Cloud That Looks Like A Thumbs Up

jonhudson_22 Report

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#60

Cloud That Looks Like A Pig's Head

Cloud That Looks Like A Pig's Head

nashlad_06 Report

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#61

This Clouds Resemblance Of A Man Smoking

This Clouds Resemblance Of A Man Smoking

marvii Report

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Marsha Hultberg
Community Member
2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or projectile vomiting! (or with a light bulb in his mouth) 😆 Sorry, couldn't resist.

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#62

I Was Taking A Picture Of This Cloud That Looks Like A Feather When A Bird Flew Into The Shot

I Was Taking A Picture Of This Cloud That Looks Like A Feather When A Bird Flew Into The Shot

TedTheHappyGardener Report

#63

This Cloud That Looks Like A Feather

This Cloud That Looks Like A Feather

mrashtail Report

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#64

This Cloud Looks Like A Snail

This Cloud Looks Like A Snail

winterwolf2010 Report

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#66

This Cloud I Saw In China Looked Like A Dragon

This Cloud I Saw In China Looked Like A Dragon

Paraless Report

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Terri Rowland
Community Member
2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's lots of clouds that are intricate shaped that have just been called dragon shaped, but I've never seen dragons looking anything like those ones at all, and I have a really broad range of thought when it comes down to imagining different shaped things...

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#68

Glyph Found On Peak Near Contzen Pass, Saguaro Natl Park, Arizona, USA. Clouds Resemble Glyph

Glyph Found On Peak Near Contzen Pass, Saguaro Natl Park, Arizona, USA. Clouds Resemble Glyph

YoSoyFeo Report

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WindySwede
Community Member
4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OP: "Thank you! I really did not edit this, I have no explanation as to how this happened. I think I somehow did some camera magic by accident when shooting it haha! I asked r/askphotography for help explaining it lol"

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#69

The Time I Saw That Cloud Formation That Looked Like A World Map

The Time I Saw That Cloud Formation That Looked Like A World Map

SavePae Report

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#70

The Clouds Were Giving Me A Thumbs Up

The Clouds Were Giving Me A Thumbs Up

buttersmom1962 Report

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WindySwede
Community Member
3 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or someone pops a bottle with their thumb, and the soda squirts out!?

#71

Cloud Looks Like Baby Yoda

Cloud Looks Like Baby Yoda

mattsup1 Report

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#72

The Cloud In This Photo Looks Like A Witch On A Broomstick

The Cloud In This Photo Looks Like A Witch On A Broomstick

Kmfb Report

#73

These Clouds At The Beach Make It Seem Like The Sky Was Badly Photoshopped

These Clouds At The Beach Make It Seem Like The Sky Was Badly Photoshopped

donfuria Report

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#77

This Cloud Looks Like The Enterprise (Star Trek)

This Cloud Looks Like The Enterprise (Star Trek)

123givemeabreak Report

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#78

This Cloud Shaped Like A Great White Shark

This Cloud Shaped Like A Great White Shark

TerminallyWell Report

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#79

Went Boating On Saratoga Lake, NY And Saw This Cloud That Looks Like A Victorian Lady

Went Boating On Saratoga Lake, NY And Saw This Cloud That Looks Like A Victorian Lady

moon_lova Report

#81

Cloud That Looks Like A Guy About To Eat A Sandwich

Cloud That Looks Like A Guy About To Eat A Sandwich

furikake_bukkake Report

#82

This Picture Taken At Dusk, Shows This Cloud On Top Of Mt. Baker. What Type Of Cloud Is This?

This Picture Taken At Dusk, Shows This Cloud On Top Of Mt. Baker. What Type Of Cloud Is This?

waakwaakwaak Report

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Dusty's mom
Community Member
4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lenticular? https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenticular_cloud&ved=2ahUKEwiLpbbv64KKAxW-AHkGHWIJLG4QFnoECBsQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2KLhci7iZp2uuszMJ8jAF7

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#83

Almost Perfect LOL Cloud

Almost Perfect LOL Cloud

Waymoe Report

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#86

A Lenticular Cloud Over Mt. Baker. As Observed From The Fraser Valley In Bc, Mt. Baker's North Side View With A Lenticular Cloud Hanging On Top Of This Beautiful Active Volcano With A Glacial, Snow Covered Peak

A Lenticular Cloud Over Mt. Baker. As Observed From The Fraser Valley In Bc, Mt. Baker's North Side View With A Lenticular Cloud Hanging On Top Of This Beautiful Active Volcano With A Glacial, Snow Covered Peak

waakwaakwaak Report

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#87

This Cloud I Saw The Other Day

This Cloud I Saw The Other Day

prettypup897530 Report

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#88

This Cloud Is Shaped Like A Dolphin

This Cloud Is Shaped Like A Dolphin

panicatthedischoe Report

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#89

This Grinch Shaped Cloud

This Grinch Shaped Cloud

Gnar-wahl Report

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#91

This Cloud Is Curious

This Cloud Is Curious

blankscientist Report

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#92

Taken From My Snapchat A Few Years Ago

Taken From My Snapchat A Few Years Ago

lStoleThisName Report

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Marsha Hultberg
Community Member
2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How do we know it's bad? (ha ha) I guess all farts are bad? 🤷🏼‍♀️

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#94

The Strange Shape Of Clouds In Khalkhal, Iran, February 20

The Strange Shape Of Clouds In Khalkhal, Iran, February 20

MathematicianFar6612 Report

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#98

This Cloud A Saw At Work

This Cloud A Saw At Work

izktko Report

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#100

This Cloud In Shanghai Looks Like It’s About To Grab The Tower

This Cloud In Shanghai Looks Like It’s About To Grab The Tower

Tralegy Report

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#101

This Cloud Looks Like A Dog On A Jet Ski

This Cloud Looks Like A Dog On A Jet Ski

MySemanticSatiation Report

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#102

This Cloud Looks Like A Hammer Striking An Anvil

This Cloud Looks Like A Hammer Striking An Anvil

arich56 Report

#103

Like A Hummingbird Suckin On A Flower

Like A Hummingbird Suckin On A Flower

DelisionalMeatball Report

#107

Took These Photo Earlier Today On A Hike At Mount Charleston, Nevada. Me And My Friend Couldn’t Help But Notice How This Cloud Looked Liked A Portal/Moon. I’ve Never Seen Anything Like This In My Life

Took These Photo Earlier Today On A Hike At Mount Charleston, Nevada. Me And My Friend Couldn’t Help But Notice How This Cloud Looked Liked A Portal/Moon. I’ve Never Seen Anything Like This In My Life

iLikeFreedomandTatto Report

#108

Head In The Clouds

Head In The Clouds

snitsny Report

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#109

Rude Cloud Flipping Me Off

Rude Cloud Flipping Me Off

Bouhgx Report

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#110

The Way The Cloud Fell Down From The Other Cloud A Few Days Ago

The Way The Cloud Fell Down From The Other Cloud A Few Days Ago

Gentar1864 Report

#111

This Happened An Hour Ago, Anyone Know What These Clouds Mean?

This Happened An Hour Ago, Anyone Know What These Clouds Mean?

Puppet007 Report

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Dusty's mom
Community Member
4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mammatus clouds. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammatus_cloud&ved=2ahUKEwirmKGi7oKKAxXemIkEHbo9HsEQFnoECBgQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3ULHFXC84BJDQcGWxcLWCA

#115

Strange Rectangular Void In The Clouds. Newport, Wales

Strange Rectangular Void In The Clouds. Newport, Wales

Sickoftheson Report

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#116

These Clouds Look Like Europe, Africa, Asia, And Australia

These Clouds Look Like Europe, Africa, Asia, And Australia

Optisrule Report

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#117

Colleague Spotted This Cloud That Looks Like A Farting Bum

Colleague Spotted This Cloud That Looks Like A Farting Bum

Suesli Report

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#118

Face In The Clouds? Top Right Of Picture, I See A Smiling Face

Face In The Clouds? Top Right Of Picture, I See A Smiling Face

MistyAutumnRain Report

#119

This Cloud Looks Like The S Everyone Drew In Middle School

This Cloud Looks Like The S Everyone Drew In Middle School

eagletwentyfox2 Report

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#120

How These Clouds Are Shaped Over My Campus. Like A Bob Ross Painting

How These Clouds Are Shaped Over My Campus. Like A Bob Ross Painting

swan-swan-Mcwon-ton Report

#121

Cloud Looks Like Sneezing Man

Cloud Looks Like Sneezing Man

making_pans4nigel Report

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#122

Triangle In The Clouds. The Craziest Thing Was How It Eventually Dissipated. I Expected The Crosswind To Break The Shape Up As Time Went On, But Instead The Cloud Just Thinned Out And Disappeared. It Kept The Shape The Whole Time

Triangle In The Clouds. The Craziest Thing Was How It Eventually Dissipated. I Expected The Crosswind To Break The Shape Up As Time Went On, But Instead The Cloud Just Thinned Out And Disappeared. It Kept The Shape The Whole Time

discoStuNA Report

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#124

Saw A Cloud That Looked Like Obama, (Louisiana)

Saw A Cloud That Looked Like Obama, (Louisiana)

yellowbracelet Report

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#125

This Cloud Is Flipping Me Off

This Cloud Is Flipping Me Off

fredthunder Report

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#126

Cloud That's Shaped Like A Shark

Cloud That's Shaped Like A Shark

BlueBalloonNetwork Report

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#127

This Man Sleeping On A Cloud

This Man Sleeping On A Cloud

Mekkonics Report

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#128

Cloud That Looks Like A Face. Took A Picture Of This Cloud I Saw That Looks Like A Face While On Holiday In Italy, Last Year During The Summer

Cloud That Looks Like A Face. Took A Picture Of This Cloud I Saw That Looks Like A Face While On Holiday In Italy, Last Year During The Summer

BionclSage Report

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Terri Rowland
Community Member
2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks very much like the sphinx outside the pyramids of Egypt, I can just see it in the clouds looking all tall and regal..

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#129

Tonight I Saw Mufasa, Looking Down At Us From A Cloud

Tonight I Saw Mufasa, Looking Down At Us From A Cloud

theadamkingdom Report

#130

Face In The Clouds

Face In The Clouds

gamergus123 Report

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