Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Ice Cones and Snow Drifts
These ice cones I spotted along a small stream the other day are one of the most interesting ice formations I`ve seen. Don`t know exactly how they were formed, but we have had temperatures going from freezing to thawing to freezing and then to thawing again, so water levels have been fluctuating. Make up your own theory!
Somehow, these ice cones formed around the branches dangling over the small stream. Fascinating, eh?
I saw the snow drift as I was walking across the back of the golf course, along the west fencerow. A big snow drift is every young boy`s dream of winter fun!
And this one was huge. Oh what a snow fort I could create in that drift!
The biggest drifts like this form where the wind is blowing snow through the fencerow, here a 15 foot tangle of old fence, low shrubs and big trees. The wind slows abruptly and drops the snow, sometimes in fanciful shapes like this - about 6 feet tall at the crest.
I poked around dreaming about what tunnels I could dig into it, and then realized, that great big lip of snow in front was just hanging there!
You could actually see right through behind it. A remarkable piece of natural snow sculpture!
Have you or your children ever built a snow fort in a big drift? Adventurous times! And ephemeral beauty!
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Beautiful! The fluctuations have been going on here as well- it's due to drop again overnight.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cones of ice. If I bring the shovels we could dig into those drifts? Just kidding -- I've got too much stuff to do here at home, but it sure would be fun to be kids again.
ReplyDeleteThere is beauty among the drifts!
ReplyDeleteFascinating indeed and I know exactly what you mean by wanting to get into that drift and get some tunnels going and build a fort.
ReplyDeletea whale beached on the snowy base? Stunning nature's sculptures.
ReplyDeleteLove your ice cones, remind me of Stalamites we have seen in the caves we have explored, And the snow drifts tunnels we used to dig when we were kids.
ReplyDeleteThe prairies with all the wind produce many huge snow banks. You guessed it. I made lots of tunnels and snow forts and I don't ever remember being cold.
ReplyDeletecute little cones- drips and wind?
ReplyDeleteHello, the different shapes in the snow are cool. Great collection of photos. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteThis Floridian could maybe do an array of sand art
ReplyDeletewe have built snow forts and igloos!! snowmen too, i always thought our were the best on the block!!
ReplyDeletebeautiful pictures, i miss our snow!!
Yes, very pretty snowdrifts and fascinating ice cones. I remember once when my son was a young boy and we had massive snowfall amounts one year. We built all kinds of tunnels in the snow, which had buried our car and our front door was completely covered. A fun memory, thanks for reminding me. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh what fun! the snow drift is awesome, yes I remember well, my brother and I crawling as far as we could under these drifts before they caved on us. thanks for the memories!
ReplyDeleteIs this ever cool!
ReplyDeleteAmazing - and beautiful!
ReplyDelete