Sunday, November 25, 2012

Ice Ribbons

I've ridden to Sandy Creek Covered Bridge Historical Site a number of times, but Heather had never been. Since it was going to be a chilly day we decided a little road trip there would be a good plan.


We hung around the bridge, took some photos, and did the same things I do when I ride out that way.


I've never thought of this place as one to walk about, but Heather noticed a path leading off toward the woods and headed toward it. I followed.


As we walked into the woods we saw what looked like plastic bags scattered about. If there hadn't been so many we might not have looked close enough to see what they really were.


Vaguely, I remembered reading about this phenomena, but couldn't remember where. I know I certainly hadn't expected to ever see it.


I took a photo with my phone and sent it out to my Facebook friends asking if anyone knew what these things were called.


I called them ice ribbons, although this one looks more like cotton candy.


One friend called them ice blossoms or frost flowers.

   
But, by whatever name you call them, they were beautiful.

Once again, Heather and I walked right into the middle of an outbreak of complete serendipity. 

Later I did a search and found an article online. It answered all my questions about these little ice structures and then some. Click here to go to the article.

25 comments:

  1. thanks for teaching me about frost flowers. A shame I'm not as lucky as you to see them in real life.

    This youtube timelapse is quite good: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlXfaOFgkd4

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    1. You are right, it was just plain luck we managed to see them. Thanks for the link. It was interesting watching it develop, but I really liked watching it melt back into the soil.
      ~Keith

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  2. I'd never heard of that before. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. You're most welcome. It was a wonderful discovery.
      ~Keith

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  3. Learning something new every day. Thanks, Keith for sharing this with us.

    The dim background in the bridge shot bring out the colour nicely.

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    1. Yes, the background being so gray really popped out the color. It almost looked like an "effect" when I saw for the first time after uploading it. It was another surprise.
      ~Keith

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  4. Beautiful pictures Keith.

    I too had never heard of the ice ribbons or frost flowers. They really are a wonder of nature. Thank you for the education.

    Really like your new header pic too.

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    1. Glad you like the photos. I'm still excited about having seen the frost flower/ice ribbons. It is wonderful how such an exotic thing can happen right in ones backyard and go mostly unnoticed. Nature is full of wonderful surprises.
      ~Keith

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  5. Beautiful pictures! Breathtaking in fact!

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    1. Dar,
      Thanks. They were so delicate. It was wonderful.
      ~k

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  6. Beautiful photos! I had not heard of these before either. Thank you.

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    1. I never thought I'd see them, even though I'd heard of them. It was a pretty special moment.
      ~k

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  7. Ice flowers. I'd not heard of them before ... mother nature, the artist, never ceases to amaze me. Thanks for sharing your find.

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    1. I, too, am continually amazed by mother nature, the artist. This time of the year with the trees bare of leaves, I'm astounded at their shapes. In many ways, trees are as intricate as these ice flowers. I was glad to share.
      ~k

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  8. OK, well I'm feeling really stupid right now. I've never seen those ice ribbons, ever, never even heard of them. And the linked article is from the university near my hometown!

    In my defense, it seems this phenomenon occurs mostly in warmer states, below IL. Still. No excuse. Thanks for posting these images. Really beautiful. Love the header. Very architectural.

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    1. Martha,
      Pretty amazing stuff. I suspect it has as much to do with conditions being just right as location. I do appreciate how very lucky Heather and I were to see these.
      ~k

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  9. Keith,

    I ran across some frost flowers back in 2009 on the Al Foster trail (Sherman Beach County Park), and have not seen any since. I never knew what they were called. When I first saw them I to thought they were plastic bags caught in the weeds. Thanks for sharing.

    GAW

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    1. Art,
      They did look just like plastic bags caught in the weeds. The only time we were on the Al Foster Trail was late this summer. We are eager to go back earlier in the season next year in hopes of seeing the prickly pear in bloom. There were a couple of very large patches of prickly pear. I suspect they are beautiful in bloom
      ~k

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    2. Keith,

      I always think it odd when I pass by the prickly pear, as my mind tells me they should be in the desert someplace. Although I don't travel down that part of the trail regularly I have been walking or biking it since it was opened a number of years ago and have never seen them bloom, so let me know if you find the prickly pear in bloom, and I will do the same.

      As for the frost flowers, I suspect it is a one time occurrence per year, so I will probably be out of luck this year.

      GAW

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  10. Purely fascinating! I am going to go looking for them!

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    1. Deb,
      Good luck! I'll look forward to your photos. I still have some disbelief over our good fortune. May fortune smile on you.
      ~k

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    2. You know, I believe it may be one of those "once in a lifetime" things that somehow signifies that you are blessed in a special way!

      Conditions had to be just right and you just happened to come upon them at the exact right moment on the exact right day.

      Sort of like meeting the "love of your life", eh?

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    3. Deb,
      It did certainly feel like a "once in a lifetime" experience. As I read the article, I don't feel the passion to go a hunting them as did the author. That said, it will definitely be a cherished memory.
      ~k

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  11. Keith,

    This article on frost flowers came across my feed today and I immediately thought of your post. It has some pretty good photos.

    GAW

    http://www.kuriositas.com/2012/12/frost-flowers-natures-exquisite-ice.html

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    1. Thanks. I enjoyed the article, but like the pictures most.
      ~k

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