Sunday, January 25, 2015

Ice Sculpting the Shoreline

Over the last few days, in all kinds of light, temperatures, and weather conditions, I've noticed the shoreline along the bay is being chiseled by wind and wave action.



Frigid temperatures begin the process by transforming the water into an icy sludge.  Waves then push the sludge shoreward, creating mounds along the shoreline.



The ice captures the vegetation in its path and peninsulas begin to jut into the water all along bay.



The power of the wind and waves even lifts shelves of ice out of the water.



 Freezing spray also coats the shoreline vegetation with ice and turns it into fanciful sculptures.



On the lakeside, the same molding process is going on, but on a much grander scale.  Last winter, weeks of intense wind and wave action resulted in the formation of ice caves, which drew thousands of curious spectators.  In this milder (so far) winter of 2015, that same phenomenon probably won't be repeated.

4 comments:

  1. Beautiful captures of these ice sculptures, Karen. I've been eying them from the car during trips to and from T.C. and it is a treat to see these close up views.

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    1. Thanks, Jan. I went to TC today and I am amazed how many more ice sculptures there were in just two days time. There were lots of "mounds" and they would have added much to my blog pictures. Karen

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  2. Karen, the ice is beautiful -- and it seems so very faraway! Thanks for sharing it.

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  3. Yes, it is faraway from where you are now. Hope you enjoy the warmth...I could use some here too. :-) Karen

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