What is causing the strange lighter circles in images taken with my Canon 15-85?

Question

I took these pictures with my Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens this morning:

Would somebody please tell me that what is that white part in the lower right corner of the picture?

EXIF info:
F/8
ISO 100
1/125sec
Focal Length : 85mm

And what are these circles in the center of this picture?

EXIF info:
F/8
ISO 100
1/125sec
Focal Length: 15mm

Thanks

Digital Lightcraft · Accepted Answer

It is "lens flare" in the first, but in the second, it is the reflection of the black internal parts of the front of your lens which are illuminated by the direct sun reflecting off the inside of your UV filter.

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Michael C · Answer

It is called Lens Flare. This is caused by strong light sources, such as the Sun in your two examples, that are either just outside the Angle of View of the camera lens or in the framing of your scene. Some of the light from the source of the flare is bouncing around inside your lens and reflecting off the surfaces of the lens elements. If the light source causing flare is outside the framing of your scene, the best way to avoid it is with a lens hood.

There are several ways that lens flare can be manifested. This wikipedia article covers the high points fairly succinctly.

Starbursts, rings, or circles in a row across the image or view.
Haze that washes out the image and reduces contrast.
The use of photographic filters can cause flare, particularly ghosts of bright lights.

What is causing the strange lighter circles in images taken with my Canon 15-85?

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