Chickadee Photo Art

Ice Circles – Not “That Wierd or What”

// April 14th, 2011 // No Comments » // Boreal Forest, Canadian Shield, Scenic, Whiteshell Provincial Park, Winter

Last March I posted a Blog on “Unusual Ice Formations” – Ice Circles.  You need icy cold rushing water with little eddies on the side to produce these ice platters.  As it happened, I noticed on a television program this past year “Is That Wierd or What” – William Shatner’s TV show, that they featured Ice Circles.  Canadian born William Shatner of Star Trek fame was visiting a United States Army lab facility  where they were attempting to form and explain these unusual ice formations.  They did in fact produce some in the lab but definitely not as beautiful as the naturally formed ones shown below.  As it happens, we have them occurring right here in Manitoba and it is likely they are not that uncommon if you get to the rivers at the right time of spring thaw.  It is clear that the froth generated from the rushing ice cold water gathers in the eddies and swirls around forming the circles which then freeze up because of the water/air temperatures.  Eventually these ice circles free themselves from the eddies and float downstream where they melt.  So once again – here are some recent photos of our made in Manitoba Whiteshell ice circles.

Enjoy!

~Sharon

Photo Art Images

// March 31st, 2011 // No Comments » // Boreal Forest, Canadian Shield, Whiteshell Provincial Park, Winter

Today I thought I would post some altered images.  Above – two birch leaves that managed to hang on to their little branch all through the winter.

Below: An altered image from a star trails photo that I recently took.   I’ll be posting the star trails photos at a later date.  The streaks are the stars moving in the night sky.  This photo was taken around 10:30 at night away from any city light sources.

Lastly – while reviewing photos of frothy spring waters and ice circles I noticed a shape in the froth that reminded me of a swan’s head.  So with some cropping and editing of colour I thought it could be posted.  Can you see the Swan’s head too?

Enjoy!

~Sharon

Whiteshell Winter

// March 27th, 2011 // No Comments » // Boreal Forest, Canadian Shield, Manitoba Tourist Destination, Recent Posts, Scenic, Whiteshell Provincial Park, Winter

Officially it is spring but snow remains and we do have plenty of that this year.  A winter drive to the Whiteshell Provincial Park on a sunny day is really beautiful.  Below:  Hoar Frost in the boreal forest where fast currents prevent the water from freezing. The resulting moisture rises up and puts a white coat on the trees.

Below: This is in the Barrier Bay area of the Winnipeg River System.  You can see snow machine tracks on the frozen part of the river and open water on the other side.  Current are very fast in many sections of this river.

A few roads in the park are plowed in the winter which allows for a drive into the winter forest.

Enjoy!

Sharon