Nature can be chaotic. Much is not repeatable and that’s the case with ice and the abstract art it suggests. This natural sculpture will likely never be repeated in exactly the same shape. And the prisms are a big bonus.
I’ve mentioned before that I am not fond of cold weather which is odd since I have chosen to continue living in a cold climate for the winter months. Opportunities like this are the reason why. Well, habit and connections figure into it also.
While I am not overly concerned with making the same images as others or having others make a similar image to one of mine (that happened yesterday on Facebook when a local photographer made essentially the identical image to my Walnut Grove shot but with some snow rather than fog in the air) one of the features I like about making ice abstracts is that they are very much like snowflakes, no two are exactly alike. And often the shapes they take are very appealing and can suggest something other than ice. Despite cold’s discomfort, if you want the image you have to be there.
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
Do you see the bird bending its head down from the top, with one raised wing? It’s lovely that it’s touched with some of the strongest iridescence.
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I hadn’t noticed that to start with but I see it now. 🙂 The iridescence reminds me of some delicate glass Christmas decorations that I have just packed away.
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I thought too about something crystal and considering the time of year tree decorations would come to mind.
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Indeed I did. I didn’t want to suggest it to see if anyone else would but of course I knew you would. Maybe a northern climate relative of a peacock?
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Appealing shapes with iridescence as a bonus; both of those features struck me simultaneously. Your final words recall the “Be here now” motto of the late 1960s. And who knows: maybe you will eventually spend at least parts of your winters in warmer places.
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At one point long, long ago, I lived for a few months on Nantucket. During the ferry ride there I read Ram Das’ book by that title. At one other point in time he had an Ashram a few miles from here and I use their parking lot now to visit a waterfall in Leverett , MA.
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Fantastic capture, Steve! I agree, one of the bonuses of winter is coming upon scenes like this. Makes it worth facing the cold.
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Thanks, Eliza! It is worth it but after an hour or two… 🙂 I envy your having scenes like this within hot chocolate reach. 🙂
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Yeah, my limit outside is about an hour, less if it below 20º. 😉
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Very cool!
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Thanks, Robert. Cool and chilly.
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I agree about them sometimes taking on looks of something other than ice, and I find that fascinating. And this is another reminder to make the photo when you see it because there’s a good chance it won’t be there again when you come back later, especially with these sorts of subjects.
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I’ve found that if I don’t stop and make an image because I think I can do so on my return walk back I often either forget or overlook the exact spot.
Often if I return to a spot the next day the ice looks different with whatever has happened overnight. Even when the temperature stays below freezing things change.
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Outstanding work, Steve.
Cold, hot, wet, dry, buggy – we deal with the conditions we either like or at least are willing to put up with in order to follow our passion. Your dedication is noteworthy.
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Thanks, Wally! Yes, the conditions are not always ideal but the pleasure we get from being out in them is worth it for sure.
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Being there is half the battle. I certainly couldn’t get a shot like sitting on my couch, even if our weather was cold enough for an ice build up.
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I will admit that it takes a bit more to get me out in the cold these days. Not sure if it’s age or something else but I’ve not been out very much at all this winter. But it has been “warm” so the opportunities for ice imagery are less than in past years so I’ll say the weather is not encouraging enough to hazard a trip into the cold (warmish).
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Very cool!
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Thanks, Lynn!
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