As I write this, it’s late December with temperatures in the 70s in the Eastern US, and 50s in California. Still….it’s a good time of year to be contemplating cold, winter, the beauty and the multiplicity of forms nature uses to present us with snow and ice.
A frost flower is created on autumn or early winter mornings when ice in extremely thin layers is pushed out from the stems of plants or occasionally wood. This extrusion creates patterns which curl and fold into gorgeous frozen arrangements giving this phenomenon both its name and its appearance.
Located in the wilderness in the south of the Russian region of Siberia, Lake Baikal holds two simultaneous world record for the deepest freshwater lake and the largest lake on the planet. Its long winter freeze is captured in these stunning photos.
Thanks to John, Nancy, Merry and to Kuriositas for info about frost flowers and to Chip Phillips for many breathtaking images.