Some things just aren’t going to be happening above freezing. And then there are things that don’t happen above 20°. The closer we get to zero, the better the chance for hoar frost. So, despite the fact that I cried UNCLE!!! a few days ago, this morning’s cold was welcomed as an opportunity for something crisp and frosty. Maybe the last time all year. March should not be this cold, but the weather has become anything but usual so who knows.
Upon arrival at the Middle Branch of the Swift River I noticed these snow capped rocks and some wisps of stream smoke. I set up on an ice shelf and composed this scene.
I noticed a couple of other compositions I liked and as I shifted my weight a bit the shelf I was standing on broke into two pieces floating into the scene underneath the shelf surrounding the foreground rock. Bummer.
Onto the frost. Here’s something simple and to the point. 
By this time the Raynaud’s was kicking in so I was getting ready to leave when I saw this rock with its surrounding frost and ice.
I think it is my favorite of the day with the nice sheen on the ice and the crispy crystals.
Just dropping into the 20’s tonight after hitting 32° this afternoon, so who knows whether any frost will remain tomorrow.
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
Beautiful B&W photos. So interesting. I’ve never seen frost that looked so beautiful. The round blobs on the ice make the scene so unusual. I’d say you had a good frosty morning getting these shots.
The weather here yestereday was wonderful. Bright sun and not a cloud in the sky. Today it began foggy which is pretty rare for this part of Texas. This afternoon the wind picked up and blew some clouds away but now looking out of the window I see that clouds are returning.
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Thanks, Yvonne. I wouldn’t think you’d see such frost in Texas…although the weather patterns do seem to be shifting. But for you to get down in the single numbers would be shocking.
I am quite ready to have some nice days like you describe. We should be seeing them soon, but then again who knows. I start my semi-retirement at the end of March and it had better not still be winter-like when that arrives.
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Your semi-retirment sounds wonderful and something which will make you happy. Lots more time for finding great spots to photograph.
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Love these Steve – like icy jellyfish floating in the water. Not a hope of ice here 😦
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Thanks, Andrew. Icy jellyfish-nice observation.
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There’s something special about the point where the two phases of water meet.
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I think the same can be said for the meeting of almost any environments or communities, Lyle. Interaction between different types of life or natural manifestations gives us some interesting subjects to study.
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And Fatty here is so damn greedy that I thought that they looked like huge iced buns (sans a cherry on the top) Beautiful, crisp, photographs Steve. You can almost hear the cold.
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Now you’ve done it, Lottie. Forever more I shall see these as frosted cinnamon buns-my favorites. 🙂
I am glad these get cold’s message to you. Hopefully I will be able to share some of Spring’s renewed warmth and fresh growth soon.
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Laughing at Lotties comment Steve… but they do don’t they? Huge Iced Buns at first glance… then the second glance becomes appreciative of nature designing talents, ‘n what a talent eh? Who’d’ve thought that frozen water could become something we look at with awe… and giving you the inspiration to capture for posterity. (and of course to share with us lucky ones too!!) Simply and chillingly Beautiful!! xPenx
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Thanks, Pen. Yes, nature most assuredly provides us with beauty to appreciate in all seasons. I become a kid in a candy shop (or a pastry shop 🙂 ) and have a hard time not using up all my memory cards seeing so much of what is offered up for my eyes. It is worth a little chill of my bones.
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Sure looks cold Steve but great shots!
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It sure was, Phil. Thanks.
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Excellent black and white work in both landscape and macro; looks like –2°F really was your friend.
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It’s an acquired friendship, Steve. A balance between cracked finger tips, frozen toes and opportunities to photograph ice.
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I acquired that friendship for a couple of hours today after some vestiges of overnight rain froze (just barely) in the early hours of the morning. We’re not talking large or detailed formations like the ones you’ve showed here, but nature photographers in central Texas will take whatever we can get.
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Another blog friend was just telling me about thundersleet in TX. Is that some of what you saw? Anyway, that should not be found in your burg.
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We did hear some thunder last night, but the temperature was still a little above freezing so we got rain rather than sleet. When I started photographing in nature this morning the temperature was still barely below freezing, but by the time I finished two hours later I had to protect my camera from falling drops of water as the ice in the trees melted.
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Sounds like you did some ice dancing on the ledge – be careful! I love the images. The first one with the large round rock at the bottom reminds of a beautiful straw hat Susan bought in Mexico – we last saw it floating off into the sunset at the lake after a gust of wind took it off Susan’s head.
I have a photograph of it somewhere, but this reminds me of it.
Semi-retirement – all the best, I haven’t regretted doing that, but where does the supposed extra time go? Maybe you will discover the answer to that. I hear they had temperatures above freezing today at home – the first time in a long long time. Let’s hope March is getting back closer to what we think of as normal.
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It’s a long way but maybe that’s Susan’s hat trapped in the ice, Rod. 🙂
I was wearing my microspikes but they only help with slipping, so a little shift to the right was all it took. But the water wasn’t deep. I always check the water’s depth with the tripod legs before setting up.
I am sure I will wonder the same, Rod. The timing not only coincides with Spring but also the beginning of yard cleanup season as well.
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These are four lovely photos, Steve!!! Envy you for your winter – we were far away from any ice! Very nice processing, too. Good stuff!
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Thanks, Sandra. I am sorry you had such a disappointing winter. It probably doesn’t help to hear me complain about how long it is lasting and how much I want warm weather. 🙂
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These are awesome Steve, the first one is truly amazing, would have loved to find a scene like that here in Indiana. But I am ready to move on to some images with a little green in them lol !!
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Thanks, Bernie. Absolutely…bring on Spring. We had a nice warm spell, but last night and again tonight the temps will hit single digits. When will the madness end?
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