Nice Ice

Ice storms are quite dangerous.  Don't even think about driving.  If you venture outside on foot, be careful where you walk. A thin coating of ice awaits every footstep. 

The loud noises are not gunshots.  The sound is created by large branches, unable to sustain the growing weight of rain turned to ice, snapping off and plummeting to the ground.  On occasion, entire trees fall to earth.  

Plan on power outages.  Stoke up the wood stove or power up the generator to stay warm.  Grab that comforter and heat up some soup.  This is the time to finish that book, under candlelight.

But even so, you may want to leave the comforts of your dwelling.

You'll be treated to a magnificent display of crystallization. 

The coat of ice is uniform,
but the pines show less effect from a distance.

Drips on the wires for the deck railing
appear as if frozen in time.

What does not freeze on the roof drips out of the open end of the gutter.

A surprisingly regular droplet pattern on another set of wires
is further confirmation that gravity was in effect
throughout the entire storm.

It is interesting to see how the freezing rain manifests itself on man-made structures, but the real beauty lies elsewhere.

Beyond the branch, one can see
the falling rain drops.

A better look at the encased maple branch.

The branches of this white pine
droop with added weight.

Grasses bend to the ground.

The fairyland across the water.

Close and far.

And closer still.
Unique detail is revealed at every viewing distance.

Branches trending up,
frozen droplets down.

Every needle coated.

Not particularly hospitable today.
Where are the birds?

Coated needles terminate in droplets formed at an angle.

An extra long droplet
formed by the convergence of dead needles
on the edge of the roof.

The ice grows as the rain continues to fall.
Most will enjoy the way the ice catches the light.
The engineers will determine the camera's shutter speed
after measuring the length of falling raindrops.

Another white pine frozen fan.

Far too much detail to fully appreciate
without a long look.

A different world visible in every droplet.

Surface tension along the needles wins
until gravity takes over once again.

Another fine fan.

There they are!
The ice did not keep the goldfinches away for long.

And a few days later,
a light snow adds to the spectacle.