Having lived through the Ice Storm of 1998, when our boys were quite young and we had no power for nine days, today’s weather took me back to that time.
During the wee hours of this morning, sheets of snow slid off the barn and house roof and landed with a thump upon the ground. And then, when we finally arose we realized the driveway was an ice rink and everything was coated with a glaze.
But as often happens when it rains or snows, the birds flew in and the feeders and ground were full of activity.
This male Bluebird, however, contemplated it all.
And then seemed to contemplate the situation even more, eyeing everyone below before deciding to fly to a suet feeder at last.
There were Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, Juncos, a Mourning Dove, Blue Jays, White Breasted Nuthatches, and this brilliant male Cardinal, all taking advantage of the feeding station from time to time throughout the morning and early afternoon.
And by afternoon, I could stand staying inside no longer, and so donned my raincoat and Muck Boots and headed out.
Immediately, I was stunned by the beauty that surrounded me. Yes, it was raining. Yes, it was cold, but it’s been colder of late. But YES, it was a sight to behold and I felt at times as if I was looking through a stained glass window.
Everywhere, the world had been enclosed in a treatment of ice and I began to notice the unique shapes and sometimes reflections that were offered. And I knew I had to photograph them so that those of you who travel with my via your armchair may enjoy and notice and wonder without stepping outside.
The Beech bud was fully encapsulated and just using that word makes me think how the ice must insulate and protect the bud just as the bud’s scales protect the leaves and branches growing within it. Encapsulate means within a protective shell and insulate means protect, so I think I may be on to something here.
The Red Maple buds were equally coated, but notice the design of the ice on the upper part of the branch, as if the pattern matches the branch’s nooks and crannies where bud scars represent previous years of growth.
And then that tip where the ice is almost clear around the buds–and all I could think of was that it had formed a snow globe without any snow.
Not to be overlooked was that frozen drip below–so intricate, so artistic, so unique as no two drips are alike . . .
Even when they fall from matching leaves.
Aster seeds were not to be left out and again, the design struck me–hexagonal in shape due to the water molecules freezing. Amazing.
And a Flowering Dogwood, with a fruit or two still attached, turned into a star at eye level.
Of course, I searched all the time that I was out–looking for insects and spiders and the Springtails did not disappoint.
A friend asked me this morning if Springtails, aka Snow Fleas, which aren’t really fleas, will be exterminated if we have a sudden freeze, which we are supposed to have tonight. I reminded him that they inhabit the leaf litter in the subnivian layer most of the time and so as the temperature dips, to that they shall return and remain cozy beneath the snow.
I also discovered a Snow Fly skeddadling across the crusty surface and suspect he had one thing on his mind: Where’s my mate-to-be? Where’s my mate-to-be?
I found her as well, but she was about a half mile from him.
For a brief second I thought maybe I should transport her back to him, but really, I didn’t know if he’d still be where I’d last seen him, or still available. And besides, I don’t need to interfere with nature (though occasionally I do) and I certainly don’t need to start a wondermyway insect matching site!
As for spiders, I spotted none today. But did see one Winter Fly that wasn’t feeling very photogenic.
Everywhere I looked, the trees showed signs of the strain from the weight of the ice, as pretty as it was. This Hemlock sapling was doing what Hemlocks do and its lead branch was bending over as is their fashion, but in a more dramatic way than normal.
The White Pine Sapling was equally dramatic and its leader also tipped over, almost reaching the snow pack.
While looking at the Pines, I began to realize that not all ice is created equal, even though at first view that seems to be the case.
But then I zeroed in on this formation, which is in the middle of the prior photo. I wondered why it had such a wide spread at the bottom, almost resembling a foot, until I realized that the ice had encased the five needles in the typical White Pine bundle, but all five were a bit splayed.
At one point on today’s journey, this was my view. And I had to have faith that it still led to Mount Washington.
And in thinking of that, I thought of my friend Faith, who is celebrating her first birthday in Heaven today. She would not have liked the ice or cold, but I know she would have loved all the formations. And she was the first to follow wondermyway.com and was a frequent commenter.
This was the same view the day after Christmas. I always feel like I could walk to Mount Washington!
And these were yesterday’s ice formations–frost flowers.
But today–it’s all about the glazing.
As for The Ice Storm Cometh Again?, on January 8, 2023, I wrote about the ’98 storm in The Ice Storm That Cameth. For some reason, a few photos are missing from that post, but go ahead and take a look.
The conditions seem prime today for a possible repeat performance. Everything remains coated in ice tonight, and the temperature, which reached into the 30˚s this afternoon, is about to take a sharp drop and the wind is going to pick up and ohhhhhh, I fear the Snap! Crackle! Pop! Crash! that we experienced back then.
Let’s hope my thinking is wrong.
wondermyway 