Based on memory, which is probably not the most reliable way to do things, this may be one of the mildest Decembers in a long time. We had a few days where the temps got below freezing and one night that got into the single digits. Otherwise we’ve been coasting along at average or above average.
During those few days of cold we also got a dusting of snow. I had to go test and review a pair of boots so I wandered to a nearby forest preserve that has a pretty little no name creek that always has some running water.
Even now there were remnants of green clinging for life along the forest floor.
But for the most part, for as far as you could see you could see nothing but the browns and grays that become the forest during the winter.
I couldn’t get a good picture, but in the shallow pools of the creek were fish. A handful of little smallmouth bass took cover under some dense ice as I peered over a bridge.
I could make out the distinct shapes of a few Illinois Creek Chub Trout and as I started to wander around in the creek, sculpins were darting behind rocks to get out of my way.
Clinging to the rocks in the middle of the creek and all along the shores was ice.
The water had dropped a bit so the ice was floating an inch or two above the flowing water. I did my best to stay on the rocks as I wandered up the creek. I didn’t want to disturb the spider webs of ice.
The images of the ice didn’t turn out the way I thought they would.
That’s what happens when all you have is a point and shoot camera. I have no doubt it has some manual controls to it that I never bothered to learn. So far I haven’t had to. Apparently ice has special requirements when it comes to being photographed. Who would have thought ice would be so picky.
I tried my best in post processing to get more of, to see more of, what I thought I was photographing at the time.
Not sure I achieved that goal. It looks like no freezing weather for another 10 days or so. In the mean time, I should try to find the manual that came with the camera.
I wonder if they have a section just on photographing ice.
twade
23 Dec 2011I’ll have to head out to the creeks and back waters and find me some ice like that. I’ll take some shots with my fancy camera. Looking for textiles back grounds … ice formations are naturally wonderful and should work. We should do a photo trip, hand them over to mr long, and see what he can do.
cofisher
23 Dec 2011Nice pretty pictures…I’ll stay inside where it’s warm. Merry Christmas!
Ken G
23 Dec 2011I know this camera has some sophisticated manual settings, just never bothered reading up on them. I’ll have to do that. Bob would put so many texture layers on them they’d be unrecognizable by the time he was done. Which may not be bad.
Howard, saw a bunch of pictures Erin put up. Makes my back hurt looking at them. I’d stay inside too. Merry Christmas to you too.
Quill Gordon
23 Dec 2011Ice can be tricky to photograph. Thanks to the digital age, I just take a thousand and figure three or four will be okay.
Sometimes I’ll see an ice formation and be very careful to not disturb it, even though I know it will look completely different the next time I see it. Other times, smashing ice is almost as satisfying as breaking glass.
Nice shots, by the way.
Ken G
23 Dec 2011I was being nice to the ice this time. I’m sure by the end of January I won’t care anymore.
I liked the way it was all hovering an inch or two above the water. I didn’t have the heart to ruin all that hard work.
I love the sound of breaking glass.
Gretchen Steele
26 Dec 2011Ken – I think your ice images are beautiful and well done. We still don’t anything but a little skim ice here. I am longing for those bright bitter cold days when the river is frozen and I can sit in the snow and listen to it creak and moan and crack and groan… or sing as I like to think of it 🙂 Your ice images give me hope 🙂
Ken G
26 Dec 2011My daughters and I were talking about DSLR’s today. They both have good eyes. I always wonder if I could control things just a little bit more I would get what I’m looking for.
If film weren’t so expensive and inconvenient, I’d go dig out all my old Canon ftbn’s.
Been reading your laments on birds. They’re still hanging out up here. Open fields and open water, what more can they ask for.