Frosty February

Posted by on Feb 12, 2012 in Commentary, Photography | 6 Comments

“Our snow was not only shaken from white wash buckets down the sky, it came shawling out of the ground and swam and drifted out of the arms and hands and bodies of the trees…” —Dylan Thomas, A Child’s Christmas in Wales

Ponderosa pine needles with hard rime

Saturday night’s heavy fog and snow, combined with low temperatures resulted in a wondrous phenomenon on Sunday morning. As the fog lifted in the early morning sun, a white-washed landscape came into focus. Frosty white ice called hard rime had formed when the water droplets in the fog froze to exposed surfaces, most notably our Ponderosa pines. By late morning, the frosty landscape had melted in the warm Colorado sunshine, expunged without a trace — save a few photos I had made during the early morning.

Hard rime on ponderosa pine

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6 Comments

  1. Jim Denham
    February 13, 2012

    Great winter scenes Chris! We ocassionally get these types of days and they are really beautiful – you’ve photographed it well, especially with a little of the blue sky in the background!

    Reply
  2. Rich McPeek
    February 13, 2012

    Wow! Beautiful shots!

    Reply
  3. Chris Wray
    February 13, 2012

    Thanks, Jim for stopping by. I should have mentioned in my post that I used just a hint of fill-flash (flash exp. compensation -2/3) with the help of a Gary Fong Lightsphere to bring out the detail in the cones and needles.

    Reply
  4. Viveca Koh
    February 13, 2012

    Oh wow, these are just stunning! You have captured Nature in her true glory – photos like these make me realise again what a beautiful planet we inhabit.

    Reply
  5. Toad Hollow Photography
    February 13, 2012

    This post is just absolutely wonderful! How gorgeous is this?? Great captures, my friend, you really did a wonderful job!

    Reply
  6. Jason Hines
    March 6, 2012

    We don’t see many scenes like this in Phoenix. I especially like the first shot!

    Reply

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