January 06, 2021

Wordless Wednesday:
Days of Rime Ice and Hoar Frost

seedheads

vine 1

frosty walk

shrub

lilac

pine

corn

milkweed pod

vine 2

seedhead

[Update: Click here to learn more about rime ice and hoar frost.]

27 comments:

  1. It has been just lovely here too. We are in our 5th day of the sparkling wonderland.

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    1. Yes, every day for the past week I've been in a state of awe, with the sparkling frost all around. I dislike winter photography, but I wish I could just blink my eyes and take photos of all the beautiful scenes around us!

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  2. Am happy to be here:) Your first capture is stunning! Snow and ice can be so beautiful.

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    1. Thank you! I'm glad you stopped by. The past week has been a non-stop winter wonderland view around here. And the temperatures are mild, for us. If every winter was like this one, I wouldn't complain about it. ;-)

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  3. It's a lovely thing but I still can't imagine living with it outside my door ;) But then my mother always said that I was more Californian than Scandinavian.

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    1. Ha! I am part Danish, but I generally don't like winter much, either. I think it's the Norwegians who say, "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing." I do think there's some truth to that...until the subzero weather when it's hard to breathe outside. This winter has been stunningly beautiful and comfortable...while wearing the appropriate gear. ;-)

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  4. The ice crystals are beautiful! Several of these photos would make great calendar pictures, I think especially the first and last one and the one with the corn.

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    1. Thank you! I generally don't like winter photography because my hands get so cold, but so far this winter has been mild and so, so beautiful!

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    1. Thank you, Jason. Have you had rime ice and hoar frost in the Chicago area this past week?

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  6. Stunningly beautiful pictures.
    Thank you . . .

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    1. Thank you, Lynne. It's been a beautiful week outside and a sad and scary one for history.

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  7. Stunning photos! It looks very chilly to this Southern girl but I appreciate the winter scenes! If it is going to be cold it might as well snow/ice and provide interesting photo opportunities.

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    1. It's interesting, Karin: The weather has actually been rather mild, allowing for fog, which forms the rime ice. I've never experienced this type of weather for such an extended period of time before. The temperatures and the conditions were just right for sparkly, ice/frost formations that coated everything for days in a row. It was stunning!

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  8. Hi Beth, and happy gardening to you in 2021! Since snow is never a sure thing here - in fact, it is somewhat rare - I am like a child when it comes to snow, and I love your snowy images! It is magical what snow and ice can do to a bare branch!

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    1. Hi Deb: Actually, the formations on the branches and surfaces were rime ice and hoar frost, formed by the near-freezing temperatures and fog. We had some snow on the ground, but all the white stuff on the branches is because of these unique conditions that rarely happen, and very rarely last for several days in a row. It was amazingly beautiful and rare.

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  9. That is so pretty. But oh gosh, so cold!

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    1. Funny thing: Folks are saying it looks cold, but it's actually been warmer than normal this week and quite comfortable for January. That's why we've had fog and freezing fog this past week. It looks cold, but with a basic winter coat and scarf it was nice, and it was soooo beautiful.

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  10. Love the photos! We had hoar frost and rime ice for days because of the freezing fog that stuck around. The sun came out for about an hour every day but it did nothing. But, oh how I love the winter wonderland effect!

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    1. I noticed through research that parts of surrounding states and north of us in Wisconsin, other areas were getting the unique effect, too. Wasn't it magical! It was exciting to wake up every morning and see it, and it lasted all day for several days. Crazy!

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  11. Fantastic photos Beth. My favorite is the last photo. Thank you for the information regarding the rime ice and hoar frost.

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    1. Thank you, Carla. I'm enjoying this winter (weatherwise), but I think pretty soon I'll be ready for spring.

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  12. Gorgeous! Very exotic to me, as exotic as Aloes might be in your climate. An entirely different kind of beauty.

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    1. Thanks. Yes, having Aloes in an outdoor Wisconsin garden wouldn't work. But we do enjoy them as indoor plants. But to be honest, our winter has been mild so far, and comfortable (with warm clothing) and beautiful! No complaints yet, but ask me again in mid-February. ;-)

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  13. Oh Beth, your pictures are marvelous! However, now my fingers and toes are cold. I have seen hoar frost a few times early in the morning but never like what you photographed.
    Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry

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    1. Thank you, Jeannie. This now seems so long ago. It was a beautiful start to the winter. Now we're heading into a very cold stretch and I'm getting a little crabby. ;-)

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