Chionophile: Any animal that thrives in winter conditions, especially one that thrives in snow.
Chee--on--ooo-file.
This term refers to those who absolutely adore winter also. I am one of those.
Winter is my time. I love...underline that and put it in italics...I love winter.
I am lucky that I live in a region where getting out of that cold wind is an option simply by hiking.
Yesterday was my first foray out in a week. Hubby was okay with watching some Amazon or Netflix while I went out to wander.
I didn't tell him the temps were only 2 degrees F or that the wind chills were far below 0. I dressed and headed out.
On the east end of the valley the creek runs faster with a higher volume of water. The overhanging grasses are splashed by bits of water and humidity from the warm springs....and make....
Ice Fingers
Further upstream where the water flow is much slower, the creek did a flash freeze when the temperatures dropped from 45 degrees to 6 degrees over a period of 6 hours.
Even the little water falls froze. The water that seeped over the ice froze in what almost can be described as ice waves.
I found the leaves below to be very interesting. I haven't figured out exactly why it looks like this. Perhaps because the leaves soak up sunlight and heat and melt a bit around the edges changing the consistency of the ice?
I think winter is the best.
Interesting tracks...
And the beauty of Ice Walls.
December 11th...
December 25th...
I rest my case.
I am a true blue Chionophile and proud of it.
Today I took a long hike downstream with Charlie.
We had an incredible adventure and found the Blue Ice.
I just do love winter.