Sunday’s weather was quite a change from what we had Saturday. Bright blue sky, abundant sunlight and a heavy frost indicated the start of what I like to think October days ought to be. This is the view from the step outside the back door.
We’ve had a couple of light frosts this year, but this is the first time temperatures have dipped below freezing. Freezing temperatures combined with yesterday’s high humidity caused a heavy ice load to form on the plants. The frost extends a long way down the Indian Grass stalks.
The weight of the ice caused the seed heads to bow. Those ice crystals are large enough to be snow.
The laws of photography require you to take a certain minimum number of shots of certain subjects. I can’t remember if frosty plants is on the list just above or just below dewy cobwebs. In order to be compliant with all applicable statutes, I offer a few shots of frosty leaves. Here is a goldenrod decorated with ice crystal pseudo hairs.
Compound leaves have an advantage over other leaves because of their leaf margin to surface area ratio. The frilly margins of this Agrimony leaf effectively maximize the available ice crystal production area.
The uniform margin of the Winged Sumac leaf offers less edge for ice. The leaf surface proves to be just as effective at spawning the rod shaped ice crystals.
Let’s not forget that simple can also be beautiful as demonstrated by this Sassafras leaf with its shiny crystalline border.
The frost rapidly retreated before the rising sun. This freeze is going to trigger some major changes in the Blue Jay Barrens landscape.
Sunday’s weather was quite a change from what we had Saturday. Bright blue sky, abundant sunlight and a heavy frost indicated the start of what I like to think October days ought to be. This is the view from the step outside the back door.
We’ve had a couple of light frosts this year, but this is the first time temperatures have dipped below freezing. Freezing temperatures combined with yesterday’s high humidity caused a heavy ice load to form on the plants. The frost extends a long way down the Indian Grass stalks.
The weight of the ice caused the seed heads to bow. Those ice crystals are large enough to be snow.
The laws of photography require you to take a certain minimum number of shots of certain subjects. I can’t remember if frosty plants is on the list just above or just below dewy cobwebs. In order to be compliant with all applicable statutes, I offer a few shots of frosty leaves. Here is a goldenrod decorated with ice crystal pseudo hairs.
Compound leaves have an advantage over other leaves because of their leaf margin to surface area ratio. The frilly margins of this Agrimony leaf effectively maximize the available ice crystal production area.
The uniform margin of the Winged Sumac leaf offers less edge for ice. The leaf surface proves to be just as effective at spawning the rod shaped ice crystals.
Let’s not forget that simple can also be beautiful as demonstrated by this Sassafras leaf with its shiny crystalline border.
The frost rapidly retreated before the rising sun. This freeze is going to trigger some major changes in the Blue Jay Barrens landscape. 
The Indian Grass photo is magical. They're all amazing!
ReplyDeleteSigned,
A Frost Fan