Monday, December 10, 2007

ice ferns


Now here's something really cool you only get to see when it's really cold!

This is one of Togo's water buckets, after it froze overnight. The fern-like, pennate aggregations of ice crystals actually extend out from the sides of the bucket, although it doesn't show up well in this photo. As the water rapidly froze, water molecules released heat, driving water vapor into the air where it rapidly condensed. That, or the ice fairies were at work.

A little bit of chilly beauty. Today the high temperature is supposed to approach a tropical 20 degrees F.

7 comments:

John Mikes said...

My money is on the ice fairies. I knew quite a few of them back in the early `70s.

John Mikes
Lucky Louie's Camera and Tractor Sales

R.Powers said...

My REFRIDGERATOR doesn't get to 20 degrees!

Brrrrrrr girrrrrrll!

Anonymous said...

I wanted to comment on something from a previous post. I don't think anyone suggested peanut butter for hiding dog pills, but that sure works great in our house! I have been reading your blog for a few months now and looking for a chance to comment. I'm a fellow Minnesotan and friend of GRT who has the blog Raising Frolic. Cheers!

Deb said...

Spec 5- I'm thinking it was ice fairies myself. They're just trying to give me a reason to appreciate the cold.

FC- 20 degrees had me skipping between the cook shed and the house tonight in yoga capri's and Croc- like clogs. I have made the metabolic transition. I am now ready for average winter temperatures (which should be around 30 these days...)

Anna W- Welcome! Thanks for the tip. I think Togo would enjoy a little peanut butter for a change. I met GTR once in a thrift store, I'm so happy for her and her hubby, with their baby on the way!

RuthieJ said...

Beautiful ice ferns, Deb. Too bad they only grow when it's so darn cold....

barefoot gardener said...

That is sooooo cool! See? There ARE good things to a MN winter.

Oh, and I say it's ice fairies, too. Haven't you seen Disney's Fantasia?

Deb said...

RuthieJ and Barefoot- Are you enjoying the heat wave? :) I'll gladly give up a few ice ferns for being able to go outside and not freeze!