Saturday, December 07, 2024

Chasing ice

 


Thursday after lunch I took off to go look for ice along the bluffs of the Kickapoo River. I waited until after noon to head out as I was hoping for it to warm up above 10 F. It did, but the windchill was still at something like 9 F, if you were facing the winds.

I knew that hiking along the bluffs would keep me on the east side of the river with the forest and the bluff blocking part of the cool breeze. However, since the sun never shines on this section of the bluffs ... except on late summer evenings, it would be chilly next to the rocks.

That is perfect for the formation of little ice falls. Last year there was almost no ice or water in this area due to the drought we'd been having. This was promising sign to see. There is a small 'pond' under the rock that was frozen solid.

Light reflects strangely on ice and water which is why I took my Infrared Camera again.


I'm not sure why the mosses don't turn out with the same amount of colors. I suppose it is just how the light reached the moss and the ice in these two areas.


What the ice looks like in camera:


I channel swap, which means I swap the colors and blue can become pinkish, reddish, or with this filter more orange colored. The ice will almost turn blue with most filters [except the 850nm range which is a B&W filter...very useful for white fluffy clouds against a black sky]



Here was another unpredictable shot. I thought this would just turn out yuck with nothing fun. I wanted to see if I could differentiate the ice hidden inside this fern and moss covered area. It turned out to be my favorite shot of the day.


Some IR photographers call this 'Candy Colored' and I think it is! But the detail in the ferns turned out pretty neat. 

I did take some normal shots, but not many.


Hiking down Willow Trail.


Long Tall Shadows on old 131 Trail.


Charlie, the Explorer. 



11 comments:

  1. Nice Ice formation and I like the fern and mossy photo too!

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  2. I also like the moss and fern photo. The one below that is really good and who wouldn't like Charlie on a path!

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  3. You find all the hidden treasures.

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  4. Interesting to see how your IR camera changes things. I really like the little ice falls in the second photo.

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  5. You are the filter queen.

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  6. So nice.
    You presented the ice cream in an exciting way... very well.
    It's going to be cold here next week... let's see, there should actually be snow and ice.
    I also particularly like the photo with the rocks, I can do such motifs here with sandstone or granite... what kind of rock is it in your case?
    Hug from Viola

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    1. We live in what is called a Driftless Area. The glaciers never changed out landscape so the rocks are a huge of types. Some of the rocks you see are layers of time and history up to 470 million years ago.

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  7. I just admire the fact that you get out and enjoy winter, and discover its beauty. So many people kvetch and complain about it. It comes every year so embrace it and find its treasures. Kudos to you.

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    1. Winter has always been my favorite hiking season. I can see more through the woods and there are no bugs. Learning to dress properly for the cold is a big must to enjoy it. Thanks, I enjoy it.

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  8. I love winter. I love shoveling. My favourite activity is tracking the critters!

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    1. Tracking critters is really quite fun. I enjoy that too. Especially right after a snowfall. Shoveling is not something I love though!

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