The Many Colors Of Ice!

[Nanook]

It just doesn't get any prettier than this!

-3 degrees, Lester River shoreline, Duluth Mn, this morning...

Sunrise over frozen Gitchee Gummi, 7:15 am, to the sounds of people chipping away at the ice so they can fish.




It's called Brash Ice. It is formed when what is frozen is broken up by waves that break up what is on the surface, and push it to shore.
So many shades of color in the sunrise ice!

Golden blues...







Violet and pink ice!



Blue violet ice!




Violet & pink...



I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw these two coming! Or my good fortune at the photo opportunity...



I guess it's as good a way to travel as any, but just trying to walk on the very slippery surface was tricky as hell!





I'd been searching for Blue Ice for some years in the warmer changing climate, only to be disappointed. This year, it is plentiful! I'm going back to this spot tomorrow in the afternoon and see what shades are out there then!

Besides the bike riding I saw this morning, I've been seeing skaters, some with kites, and whole little communities of people out there ice fishing.

[Compry]

Re: The Many Colors Of Ice!

Nanook, I'm not a winter person. I hate the ice and snow but between you and Rebel, I'm starting to see so much beauty in winter. Did I say that?

[Nanook]

Re: The Many Colors Of Ice!

Good morning Compry! Yes, if you put enough clothes on, it isn't so bad out there! The choice is either to hate it or embrace it. For me up here in the tundra, it lasts far to long to just ignore, so might as well get with the program!

I used to be an avid X-country skier, heck I even carried my skis & clothes with me wherever I went should the desire hit. I can't ski anymore so I had to find a way to enjoy this cold and taking photographs is it. The reward comes with a nice cup of hot chocolate while I unload the card and see what I might have gotten! HA! Mebbe these pics will make a person feel cool on a steamy hot muggy day!



Other than that, I am not as enamoured with winter as I once was.

[BND1999]

Re: The Many Colors Of Ice!

so lovely... makes the ice look glorious..

[Nanook]

Re: The Many Colors Of Ice!

Thanks Nina! It IS GORGEOUS!!! It's truly one of the most beautiful sights I've ever witnessed!

[Diplomat]

Re: The Many Colors Of Ice!

Stunning pics and thanks for sharing [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70409-waytogo.gif[/img] It's currently -12 here in TO (to get warmer as the day progresses), and all that ice, as pretty as it is, just reminded me how cold it really is [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif[/img]

[OcheeHeart]

Re: The Many Colors Of Ice!

Pretty! But, bbbbbrrrrrrr!!!!! Let me hop over to ja trip reports to warm up.

[Nanook]

Re: The Many Colors Of Ice!

Thanks CEW & Ocheeheart! Yes, it is supposed to warm up today! I just happen to need to drive over by that in a little while, so maybe there will be some more photo ops. All I need is for the sun to come out, but it's trying! warming up to 30 today! (That's Fahrenheit for you Canuks!)

[Laurel]

Re: The Many Colors Of Ice!

OH MY GOSH NOOKIE .... SIMPLY DIVUNE!!!

I WISH I could get up there for a first hand look & see.

Well - I a thrilled to see your photoz at least.

Nuff Nice.

[Bandana]

Re: The Many Colors Of Ice!

The report should read:

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Besides the bike riding I saw this morning, I've been seeing skaters, some with kites, and whole little communities of CRAZY people out there</div></div>

[img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img]

It takes a special kind of person...

So glad you are one of them Nanook, that means I don't have to be!! [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70371-jump.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img]

Beautiful colors thanks for braving the tundra and sharing with us! [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif[/img]

[Marilyn]

Re: The Many Colors Of Ice!

<span style='font-size: 14pt'> YOU did NOT take this picture.... and such glory does not really exist does it?????
</span>

[Nanook]

Re: The Many Colors Of Ice!

Hey Bandi, I agree with you, them bikers are CRAZY!. I wish I had been able to stop on Saturday afternoon as I was passing by, there was someone out there on skates, with a big kite, catching the wind! Actually, I had never before seen so much activity out on the lake before. The ice is incredibly smooth and unusually thick after our nasty cold snap. It won't last long though, the currents will come and take it away with the blink of an eye, often carrying people with it that then need rescuing!

Hey Marilyn! Thanks, and YES it is THAT BEAUTIFUL! I froze my little fingers over those shots, I mistakenly wore my fingerless gloves that morning and my metal camera body was COLD!
But, it was worth it!

[Nanook]

Re: The BLUEST Ice I have EVER Seen!!!

was thinking there wouldn't be as much color in the ice over Monday's overcast sky, but the sun was trying hard to make an appearance and I was passing by Duluth's Lester River anyway, so camera in tow, I stopped. What a surprise! It was the bluest and most beautiful ice I've ever seen!

Every few minutes or so, the ice was making incredible LOUD crashing sounds. The warm 35 degrees was melting it and the shape of the landscape was changing as I watched.




The attempts by the sun to come out from behind the cloud cover made for some dramatic sky and contrast.




There was a flurry of activity out on the smooth ice like I've never before seen. It was a welcome sight after three weeks of below normal temps, far below zero.



I was waiting for this extra large piece to fall, but as I left it was still standing. I'd be willing to bet money it is not there today.

[Q3210]

Re: The BLUEST Ice I have EVER Seen!!!

Any life there? Polar Bears, seals, narwhals(sp)?

[Nanook]

Re: The BLUEST Ice I have EVER Seen!!!

LOL Q, yes there is plenty of life here, and YES we even have polar bears! That's what we call those people that plunge into the icy waters in frigid temps to raise money for Special Olympics! This years event was moved away from the lake though, as the temps were -53 below wind chill, with a high that day of -17Farenheight, real air temp!