As we were driving south towards Rice Lake State Park and the surrounding area the trees kept getting frostier…is that a word?
I believe it was ice crystals from the fog. It was not freshly fallen snow (it has not snowed for several days now), that covered and clung to every – single – branch.
The images were breathtaking and, of course, hard to capture on a camera, especially those from a moving car. We stopped to hike, and as I stepped out of the car I felt I stepped into Narnia.
Here are a few photos from that day.
The weeping willow was my favorite…
The weeping willow, dripping like icicles.
He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. Psalm 147:16
Wow, Valerie, those photos are exquisite. I always have such mixed emotions about the hoar frost. I am always so deeply moved by how beautiful it makes the landscape. But I then worry about the trees, as that heavy frost can break branches and damage them. But, since we cannot stop the hoar frost from coming, I will just delight in the beauty of the trees iced in white. My sister was sent a photo of the trees from a friend, and she plans to paint a picture from the photo. I will share it with you when she completes it. Thanks, Valerie, for always helping to remind us how nature gifts us with its beauty!
Sheri, I know what you are talking about…the sense of heaviness with hoar frost and heavy wet snow weighing down branches.
I did not get that sense with the landscapes I saw this day…everything seemed fresh and delightful.
Different for sure…and exquisite. 😉
Fabulous pictures Valerie! I meant to get out to also take some pictures of the hoar frost but didn’t this time. I agree that the Weeping Willow is a favorite! The grey day certainly helped the beauty of these trees. Thanks so much for sharing!
It did make a grey day much brighter, for sure!
So beautiful, Val.
Thanks Sue.
Beautiful images of rime ice. Yes, I heard a meteorologist talk about that and the difference from hoarfrost. Not that I recall the details. Anyway, thank you for sharing your lovely photos. I am happy to see the sun, though, after days of grey.
Yes, it is rime ice. Here’s the definition:
The term “hoar” is a reference to the frosty coating and comes from the word hoary, which means white or gray with age, or showing characteristics of age. Rime ice is a deposit of ice that forms when supercooled cloud or fog droplets rapidly freeze when coming in contact with an object.
And yes, it is so invigorating to see the sun!