I'm not a big fan of extreme cold, nor is my camera equipment. But when the weather conditions collude like they did yesterday, it is worth the effort to get out and enjoy it. For any readers living in southwestern Ontario, yesterday arrived with some glorious scenes out the window.
I'm talking about hoar frost. It is delightful to see, but sometimes a challenge to photograph. And it is relatively short-lived. We see it once, maybe twice, each winter.
This is what a small part of it looked like out our kitchen window, taken with a telephoto lens and with the neighbour's cedar hedge as a background.
Marie suggested we take a walk over in Paxton's Bush. So off we went, to enjoy the hoar frost and keep an eye out for the resident Great Horned Owls. There were very few other folks out. Perhaps it was too early on a Sunday morning, or maybe folks decided to enjoy the scenes from the warmth indoors.
We didn't see any sign of the owls, but perhaps they saw us. We were enjoying the quiet and scenery, as well as the crunch of snow as we walked along.
Hoar frost only occurs under certain conditions. It is when it is very cold (yesterday morning was about minus 15C or so) and the surface of things like branches are frozen. If there is little to no wind, and a certain amount of moisture in the air, the moisture will freeze onto the frozen branches, and slowly build up ice crystals. Yesterday morning there was a bit of mist, which of course is indicative of more moisture. So it all came together very nicely!
After our excursion to Paxton's Bush, I decided to put the macro lens on and explore photo opportunities in the garden and prairie patch behind our place. Here are a few images.
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| Indian Grass seed head |
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| Common Milkweed |
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| Dill |
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| Monarda |
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| Purple Coneflower |
As the sun became stronger, there was a slight breeze, and many of the ice crystals started falling off the branches. Against the blue sky, it was very sparkly!
Also in the prairie patch was evidence of one of the residents. There were various faint tunnel patterns under the new-fallen snow, and an occasional spot where the tunnel came to the surface. It is probably that of a vole.
Wow, what a glorious day and what exquisite patterns you captured. I loved them. God's hand at work for sure.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Paula....I agree, His handiwork is nothing short of amazing, which keeps me going out and looking at it.
DeleteHoarfrost mornings are always beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThey are indeed, Furry. I expect you get a few more mornings like this to enjoy in your part of southern Ontario.
DeleteLove the hoarfrost! Ive had a few mornings here in Fergus where I could tell it would be good for photos but havent got out yet. The cedar hedge shot is my favourite!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nathan. Mornings like this are a treat and worth the effort.
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