Cool ice
Work and weather conspired, this past week, to preclude getting out with the camera. We have had rain (to near flood) and snow and everything-in-between. We experienced a low temperature of 4°F last Sunday night and a daytime high of 61° just three days later. We had snow on the ground last weekend, none at midweek, and a white blanket is forming once more as I write. We struggled to keep the temperature in the house above 60° overnight, last weekend, and then fought to keep it below 80° during the day, at midweek. These fluctuations have been difficult. None of the animals mind the heat and none mind the cold, as long as they are dry. What they cannot abide however, and what can in fact be quite dangerous for small ones especially, is cold and wet. A wet fleece or coat, especially in high winds (which have accompanied each of the week’s fronts), cannot insulate like a dry fleece or coat and a wet animal may become quickly hypothermic. All of our animals have access to shelter and it is during these very cold and rainy days that they are most likely to seek cover. Those that prognosticate the weather suggested that we might have clear skies in the morning before snow showers would return. This promise called us north in search of the trail head of the Rail Trail we frequent when the weather is fine. When we arrived we walked along the creek to stretch our legs. The recent rains had saturated the surrounding soils. Not only were all of the contributing feeder streams full and running quickly but water, along the bank, was seeping, dripping, running, and shooting from out of every available void. As a consequence there were lots and lots of icicles. The anticipated collection of sheets, stalactites, stalagmites, and columns were there in abundance. What caught my eye however was a formation that I do not think I had seen before. The usual top-down stalactites had formed at points, above running water, where water dripped from over-hanging vegetation. Where these met the water below, the end of the formation flared and then flattened like the bell of a trumpet or trombone. I can only imagine that repeated, brief, contact with the water results in the accretion of these flared constructions. I thought they were beautiful in the morning light, and very, very cool … literally.
That is very cool.
Thanks. I have been meaning to write about having become aware of a change in the direction of your blog. Whereas it used to read as an educational, ‘how to,’ sight … its new emphasis seems to be on photo-travel-log-reflection-blog? Am I correct that the tutorials and discussions of post-processing reside elsewhere or have you chosen to do those exclusively on a for-hire basis? I can certainly understand if you have chosen not to provide educational opportunities free-of-charge. This is not to say that I have not been enjoying your recent posts – each has been quite pretty. I am amazed at the photo opportunities you have had recently. You are lucky to have been able to visit so many photogenic places. Thanks for your continued dedication to Pairodox Farm. I don’t know where you find the time. I am pleased to know that your photo business seems to be taking off. D
Spectacular!
Thanks again. Dare I observe that you’ve got a ‘good eye?’ If you do … I suppose that means that some of these are indeed good images! That would be nice. D
My eyes are excellent, thank you, and you are welcome
Hope you had your waterproof boots on for this trek. Lovely, indeed.
When we were about a mile or so down the road I remembered that I had forgotten my boots. I made up my mind that I was going to go into the water with my bare feet if it became necessary. Joanna said I could use her scarf to dry my feet but thankfully I was able to gain access my tip-toeing over exposed rocks. It was pretty cold however. D
LOL! You are living on the edge … literally!
Like experiments in glass … I’d love to sip a little wine out of an ice goblet! Lovely photos.
You know, some of these formations could very well have been snipped off and used to old that little bit of wine. How decadent that would be! Thanks for checking in. D