Icicles

[karlsie]

Well, I ain't seen the sunshine in I don't know when...

As is usually the custom with February, we are feeling our "false spring"; that time of year when it warms up so much, you're just sure winter is on its way out. It's an illusion brought on by the longer periods of sunlight, heralding in warmer overall daylight averages, although the evenings remain cold. At some point, at least one more winter storm will hit us, burying us in another foot of snow before the real spring comes.

I spent all day trying to get this picture at just the right time.


There are only about five minutes a day right now when the sun clears the horizon enough to light up the icicles. By next week, the sun will be stronger and might actually shine into my window.

During the days, the snow drips off the roof, following an icicle trail that freezes up each night until the icicles become so long and warm, they fall off the roof edge. Sometimes, when there is a great deal of snow, the icicles become so long, they nearly touch the ground, while the melt and freeze puddle below them extends their own upward fingers, like stalagmites.

False spring is such a naughty tease. It convinces you its real right up until that its next introduction of freezing temperatures.

[karlsie]

Just for the razzle and dazzle, i decided to add another icicle light display. I couldn't decide which to use and finally thought what the heck. Here's both.

[grainnerhuad]

These are lovely. I having seen no snow this year and the only ice being on the dog dish am eversohappy to appreciate what most of the northern hemisphere is tired of. Thanks Karla.

[karlsie]

I'm glad you enjoyed the photos, Grainne. Actually, there are only a couple of months when icicles become prominent; February and March. They don't start forming until the sun hitting the roof tops is warm enough to cause snow drip which freezes up at night. For this reason, icicles are a happy time display. It means winter is moving out.

Our false spring did come in a bit early, and its bringing people out like butterflies. They all ask the same thing, "do you think winter's over?" It happens every year. They know the pattern; false spring, one more cold spell, then the real break-up, but nature fools them every time. She's such a trickster. On another note, while i was doing my laundry today, i couldn't help thinking to myself, "soon i won't have to wash so many heavy winter clothes; extra socks, long johns, sweaters and fleece wear." Each year i swear i'm not going to cave to spring fever, but i already feel it biting me. Spring! Glorious spring! You're on the way.

[GoblinQueen]

Beautiful shots! I love snow and ice.

[karlsie]

We had a conversation today at the store about lethal icicles. It seems the other day someone was standing under an especially long trail of icicles, when they sloughed off and killed him. Now i know that's not a very pleasant story, but it demonstrates the sort of perplexity we have about so many outsiders. Why would anyone stand under a shit load of melting icicles?