Finding these little abstracts along the edges of rivers and streams is probably my favorite winter imaging. It is quite enjoyable and even though there are endless patterns and shapes, finding a few that are appealing as a photograph takes some time and a lot of looking. It is also easy to get carried away.
These two little distant relatives of Primak and Beldar were just hanging around the edge of Capen Road in Worthington a little while back.
While wandering along the Middle Branch of the Swift River yesterday I noticed how the water had swirled around a rock and created these curved edges in the ice. What little color that was there did not add anything to the image so I converted it to Black & White to emphasize the shape and texture.
We have been having too many warm days and the ice is not forming and lasting as it has in past years.
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
Great abstract shapes, one of the best things about winter.
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Thanks Gail. I just hope winter comes back a bit stronger after our warmup this week and provides a bit more for our enjoyment.
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These photos are so interesting. I have never seen anything quite like the image at the top that appear to me as candle holders. Nice work, Stephen.
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Thanks Yvonne. When it is cold enough there is an endless supply of these frosty interests. I’ll post some more later on.
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cool i never seen stuff like that
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Thanks Jeffrey. It has to get pretty cold for an extended period for this sort of ice so I would be shocked if you found any in Arkansas. I have not seen much of it here lately as we have been getting very warm weather.
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by the time they figured out there was going to be global warming it was already here lol
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These ice shapes are fun and creative. I also enjoy seeking out nature’s ice sculptures this time of year. Fine work.
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Thanks David. While they can be similar, there is also an endless variety to the shapes….nature’s chaos :-)…which gives us so many fine opportunities for creativity. I hope you are finding more than I as we are seeing everything melt away lately.
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Both excellent images – the first one is quite beautiful.
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Thanks Tom. I am pretty happy with them but I wish I could find some nice frosty crystals like you have been posting.
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Get out early when it get cold, 5 to 12 deg F, and hope for the best. Sometimes they are there, sometimes not. The ground has to get really cold, mornings after clear nights are best.
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Glad you are finally getting some ice, Steve! You do an amazing job with these and I enjoy seeing the shapes you find. Very well done!
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Thanks Greg. I really enjoy finding these frozen treasures. As much as I complain about the cold I couldn’t go somewhere without ice and frost. 🙂
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I love these Steve. The monochrome is very effective. I may have some ice images of my own in due course but I doubt the big landscapes will have the same impact.
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I am looking forward to your images of the Antarctic ice as well as all the bird species you saw. It must have been quite the adventure and I am eager for you to be sharing your experience.
Thanks for the comment too, Andrew.
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Hi, Steve. Love the candle holders! Here’s a shot of some “Teacups,” as I’ve come to call them. These were found at Gate 30, just south of the bridge (where most people get their favorite shots of Keystone Bridge) in January 2012:
http://quabbinvalley.wordpress.com/2012/11/14/keystone-bridge-a-relic-of-gate-30/#jp-carousel-227
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Thanks quabbinite. Your ice cups are nice and I have seen similar also. Gate 30 is usually my “go to” for ice. There is a nice variety of possibilities from solid ice, to patterned ice over still water to hanging ice sculptures. Here is one from close to the bridge that made quite a hit with my orthopedist which I called Lordosis: http://stephengingoldphoto.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Abstract-and-Details/G00007.YWcH0bMJg/I0000zWmnhPHmWhE
Although not from Gate 30, this image was nearby at Bear’s Den. One of my favorite ice sculptures. The color is natural. 🙂 https://sggphoto.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/ice-figures-010111-1-blog1.jpg
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I don’t have a picture of it, but now that you mention The Falls, my daughter once found ice there so thin and so cold that you could bend it like PAPER and it wouldn’t melt for several seconds after being in your hand. Very strange and Roswellian 😀
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Oh and those are very nice natural ice sculptures too!
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Glass bells, insulators, perfume bottles: whatever they are, you created an excellent image of them.
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Thanks Steve. That’s the beauty of abstract art….open to anyone for interpretation.
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The “Heart of ice” is just gorgeous and as you already know, I also like the two “Bells” very much. Great abstracts. Isn’t winter fun?
So switching from commenting in FB to the blog now 😉
Do you have an RSS feed?
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just found the RSS 🙂
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Thanks Sandra. Winter is fun….except for the cracked fingertips and frosted mustache. :-). I know the bells are right up your alley.
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