Description

Ice, Bubbles, and Wood Chips

The formation of ice crystals require special winter conditions. In this case ice bubbles formed around other small structures such as the wood chips and possibly some salt that was used to prevent ice formation and slippery conditions.  Freezing cold and water are basic ingredients. Temperature and humidity determine crystalline forms.

Ice crystals are solid ice.  The shapes that are formed include columns, needles, plates and dendrites. In this art piece crystalised bubbles  project off pieces of wood chips.  It is likely that the impurities in the ice field of the local park that included wood chips from under the jungle gym and possibly salt crystals resulted in this beautiful formation.

On the day I photographed the image, the conditions were ripe. A  “bad” snowstorm in February 2016 with 8-12 inches of snow, was followed by a Valentines day of zero degrees Fahrenheit, and then followed a day later by a morning with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Fahrenheit.  Ice ponds with transparent and often cracked thin ice could be found all over the park  As I looked more closely at these ice ponds with my macro lens – my breath was taken away by the geometric forms of nature.

Just a click of the camera and a moment of time in nature, likely never to surface again, was captured.

Related categories:  forces, shape, units to unity, time, bonds and connections, forces, water theme