The Ice Storm

Lately, I have been taking my camera with me wherever I go…You never know when an opportunity arises to take that “priceless” photo. With me, I never take just one photo. The way I figure it, if I take ten and 20 percent of them turned out nice then I would have at least 2 shots that I would be satisfied with.

After leaving work, I decided to take the long way home with the intention of admiring the breathtaking beauty that has visited our city. Every tree, every bush and every blade of grass has been covered with a fine layer of ice. As I was driving around, I came across an entire field of ice covered trees placed right in the middle of the bright sunshine. I wish that my photographs could do it justice but I don't think that any photograph could effectively convey the breathtaking scenes throughout our city. As I stood outside my car, planning the perfect shot, I could literally hear the ice crackling as the boughs swayed in the frigid breeze. This particular tree bent under the weight of the ice. I wouldn't be surprised if its branches split and crashed before the temperature rises above freezing!

The weatherman figures that it will be days before the sheaths of ices covering each and every branch will melt away. I think that he is correct as the temperature dropped well below freezing by mid evening.

By the time I had taken my twenty or thirty photographs, my ears, fingers and toes were numb... Thank goodness for car heaters! I headed around town for a while longer until my other responsibilities outweighed my need for that perfect shot. Tonight would be different! It was my intention to head out after dark and catch those ideal night photos. I could only imagine what the tree lined streets would look like with the street light reflecting off the ice.

Once supper was over and done with, I headed out into the night freeze with camera and tripod in hand and drove around looking for that perfect tree with that perfect ice. It didn't take me too long. As I walked across the street from my car, I quickly realized that I had left my hat at home... My ears were going to have to pay the price! After taking another fifteen or more shots (thank God for digital!), I headed back to my car and thawed out while figuring out where to go next.


By the end of the evening, I had accumulated quite a few photographs and headed back to the warm confines of my home. It certainly was frigid and yet it was worth it! I have no doubt that one day down the road, while looking at my photographs, I will smile and be glad that I braved the sub zero temperatures in order for my creative juices to flow.

I hope that, by looking at my photographs, you will be able to appreciate the beauty of our current weather. If you like, click on the photos to get a better appreciation of the ice.

I have no doubt that I will be out again tomorrow to catch me some more of that winter beauty!