Wednesday, January 17, 2007

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!

25 comments:

Janice Thomson said...

The last pic on this post Dave is utterly beautiful...what sights you must have seen today besides the ones you posted! It most certainly was well worth the numb fingers and toes...thanks for showing these!

Lone Grey Squirrel said...

Wowee. All the pics were good but the last one is special, really special. Anyone reading this, please take the trouble to view the photo in its larger format by clicking on it. We would gladly you sacrifice your ears again for such photos. Cheers.

Anonymous said...

Awesome pics Dave..you do have a good eye for beauty.

Monika said...

Thanks for braving the cold weather and sharing with us those breathtaking pictures! Love them!

I did about 10 pics of Sam yesterday, there were only two which I liked ,not one that I loved, but my digi camera gave out. It was too cold.

Billy said...

Great pics! Thanks so much for sharing.

Billy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jo said...

Dave, your photographs are exquisite. You're finally getting the weather we had here on the coast.

Please keep taking your camera with you.

Josie

montidogeo said...

Great pictures. The last one was magical.

Amy said...

Ah, I am so glad I stopped by... not only did I enjoy reading your blog... and taking a look at the excellent photos... they put me in mind of when I was a little girl - one winter in particular in Alabama when we had a severe ice storm... trees were decked out like this... exceptionally beautiful... but mainly, I can remember that sound of the ice breaking and falling...

Bernie said...

The man I love and I recently moved into a new neighbourhood. It's an older neighbourhood with beautiful, mature trees. We've been saying how much we can't wait for summer to see the trees in all their glory. Yesterday evening, when we got home from work, the tree on our front lawn was almost as beautiful as the picture you took. I never thought of taking a picture. After reading your post (and seeing your inspiring photo), I'm going home tonight to snap 1 or 2 or 50. Thanks for the inspiration. Love the blog.

Pat said...

Just stopping by for a peak and a visit! Thanks for stopping by to read my story, and offering to share it!

Regula Scheifele said...

Wow - beautiful pictures!
Reminds me of how much I miss the snow. Seems like winter has take time off this year, it feels like we're well into spring.

Thanks - needed that chill ;-)

Becky Wolfe said...

What a way to find beauty in something that many others are hating. Breath-taking photos. Well worth the cold you braved. (I say that from the warmth of my office as I look out the window) Inspiring. I should get out there for the snow shots I'm always craving.

Dave said...

Janice, it certainly was worth it! :-)

LGS...Today, I did not forget my hat! My ears were fine today! :-)

Peg...Thanks for the compliment. When something is beatiful to the naked eye, I snap it! :-)

Monika...I know what you mean. I wanted to stay out longer but it seems that the cold sapped my battery. I was also worried about the LCD screen.

abbagirl... Thanks for the compliment! :-)

Josie..Thanks Josie..Also, I take my camera wherever I go... I just have to remember to not leave it in the car! :-)

Hi montidogeo! Thank you! I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised with the last photo as well.

Hi Amy... Ice storm in Alabama?? WOW! I lived in Chattanooga for five years and from my experience from there, I can only imagine what that did to the citizens of Alabama! Nice to make your acquaintance!

Bernie... Take that picture tonight... It will be gone by tomorrow! Nice to meet you!

Eternally Curious...Very nice to meet you and thanks for stopping by! :-)

Regula Scheifele...Thanks for the compliment! Happy to provide the chill! Unlike you, I do not miss the snow though I do enjoy it from time to time! :-)

I know what you mean Becky!...Beauty is everywhere and not only in the warmth. You should get out there and take you shots before the cold eludes you. Take care! :-)

Pat said...

Oh: and I really, really like your photography! In my humble opinion, you have a very good eye! I especially love the one of the winter stream and ice covered woods (Jan. 16th)

Michelle said...

Exquisite pictures!

I sooooooo need to get back into my camera again!

Dave said...

Eternally Curious...Thanks for your kind words! :-)

Just Michelle...I was out of it for quite a while until I bought myself a new digital camera... Now I "don't leave home without it!" :-)

Marie-Hélène Raletz said...

Ice turned out Nature into a magical landscape. I know how it feels to take pictures in freezing conditions. It's always worth the while, though!
You're so lucky to be a witness to so much beauty, Dave!

Dave said...

Thanks Marie!...and beautiful it was! I have missed you lately.... Hope all is okay!

heartinsanfrancisco said...

Beautiful shots, Wow!! You are a really fine photographer. They actually made me miss the incredible beauty of snow and ice, even though I hate to be cold. Please keep posting them.

And thank you for visiting my blog earlier.

caramaena said...

Amazing photos!

Dave said...

Dear heartinsanfrancisco...Thanks for your comment. Regarding the photos making you miss the beauty of snow and ice... Just taking them out in that cold made me miss the warmth of summer! :-)

Dave said...

Thanks caramaena for your nice comment! :-)

ChupieandJ'smama (Janeen) said...

Amazing pictures! Thanks for braving the cold to bring us such beautiful shots!

Cheryl said...

I was just looking over your blog when you commented on mine. I found you on abbagirls blog too. I'm not a cat lover, but loved what the cat was doing. Your pictures are great.