This January 2005 morning dawned cold, the risen sun low to the south of a forested esker ridge, as I suited up for this long planned for photograph. A Sony DSC-F828, a UV filter and tripod were all I needed to capture this. That camera model has a integrated flex lens. I needed to stabilize the lens to achieve this image clarity, depth and sharpness.
The shimmering gloss was achieved by waiting until the sun was above the ridge, shining light shafts through the trees, lighting the water obliquely.
As late as January the stream carries enough heat to create a fog or mist as the air chills after sunset. This causes twigs to frost up to create those white stick figures on the far bank. Snowfall from the previous day clings to trees.
Fall Creek freezes from the bottom up. First the water smoothed boulders accumulate a glaucous ice coat. Slowly moving water freezes from the edges, in stages, the middle stage an ornate filagree. The stream narrows downstream where the surface ice first joins. As the year progresses through February the creek gradually recedes under the ice, replaced by an ice road.
What is an esker ridge? As the last glaciers melted 10,000+ years ago, the channels carrying meltwater and sediment, under the glaciers, deposited these winding ridged hills. One of the outcomes was the channel of Fall Creek was altered to flow through the field of eskers among which, in the 19th century, a dam and water mill were created. It made barrels and furniture. My former home, in this photograph, was converted from the workshop of that mill.
Click this link to learn MORE about my Award-Winning photograph and misadventures of that day.
Interesting description of how the creeks freezes. Loved the look of the “ornate filigree”, like a lacy edge of curiosity. Wonderful photo, Michael. 🙂
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Thank You Olga. Both formations are rare and I was lucky to catch them.
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Winter is such a pretty season – it’s too bad more people don’t get outside to enjoy it.
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Thanks for explaining all the aspects of the photo. I love everything about it. Something of interest in every portion.
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Your thoughtful comment is appreciated Rebel Girl. thanks
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A beautiful image, Michael. It’s hard for an Aussie girl to appreciate life in this setting! We do have our snow fields, and areas where snow falls (sporadically and short lived). However, to truly understand life in this setting is quite a grasp, as incredibly mesmerising as the scene is it must have been a struggle, at times?
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Good afternoon, Carolyn. There is more about the struggle in my Art Gallery…the link at the end of the story takes you to the photo in my gallery. It is not so bad if there is a warm home to retreat to.
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Oh my! I did follow the link; however, I didn’t read all the description thinking it was a repeat of your post. Wasn’t I wrong! It amazes me the lengths some photographers go to get ‘that’ image. Poor you; that must have been absolutely awful to spend the winter like that. Though, I must say, the ‘capture’ is very special, indeed.
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Just stunning! Thank you for explaining the formation and how you took the photo. I am always trying to improve and this helps 🙂
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I love that image, as well. Thanks for the compliment.
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Wonderful photo!!! 🙂
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A breathtaking photograph Michael.
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Thank You, the compliment is most appreciated.
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You’re welcome. You are a fine photographer!
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I can’t stand cold winter but I like this shot.
I especially like how those frosted branches at the edge of the left third stand out against the shadowed snow in the background. It’s a beautiful detail.
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Beautiful description and so glad you shared this about eskers. You know I have been twice to an Ohio esker and posted about it; but misspelled it as “escher.” (Who obviously was a great artistic photographer, especially those neverending stairs. . .)
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ha ha…a easy mistake to make…. thanks for the compliment.
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I love your photos. This shot is perfect. You captured the best in everything. Winter in NY is a photographer’s delight. I just could not take the winter cold anymore so we moved from Oyster Bay in Long Island to Johns Island in Charleston in 2011.
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We thought about visiting Charleston on that trip back from Florida. Instead, we stayed a day in Washington DC. Maybe next year.
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We first cane to Charleston in 1993 when we were checking out places to retire in the South and after three trips, we decided it was the place for us. You definitely have to visit Charleston but beware, it bewitches everyone who comes here. They want to stay.
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Thanks for the “warning.” LOL
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Michael, this is a wonderful photo — there’s such an essence of stillness and beauty of winter. I’m so glad that I saw this. Seeing it uplifted my day! (And I don’t usually love wintertime 🙂 ). Thanks for the description … very interesting how the lake freezes.
Lovely to connect with you, Michael. I hope you and your wife are doing really well. Debbie
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Good to hear from you, Debbie. My son, his wife and their two sons now live in that house. I am getting ready to pick up the oldest, who is three, for an outing. The creek has not frozen over for several winters.
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That sounds wonderful! I hope you had a good outing Michael. Happy Thanksgiving to you all. Blessings, Debbie
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Thanks for this great connection to a part of Fall Creek I am not familiar with. Amazing photo.
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We lived on Fall Creek for 25 years and my son’s family is there now. A fascinating place.
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Hi there! Such a great post, thanks!
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Hi You are so interesting! I don’t think I have read something like this before. So nice to find another person with some genuine thoughts on this subject matter. Really.. thanks for starting this up. This website is one thing that is needed on the web, someone with a little originality! thanks
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Thanks for reaching out. Looking forward to hearing more from you.
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The beautiful photo makes me long for winter. Here the temperatures are much too high for the time of year. It’s only been freezing for 1 day… I hope we get a few more white days. In the meantime I can only enjoy your beautiful picture there by the creek.
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We miss those days, also, Matroos. Fall Creek seldom freezes — that photo is from January 2005. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year
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So beautiful!
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Thank You for the compliment
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It’s magical ❤️
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That is my feeling for that spot, as well. Good to hear from you, Susie.
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I love it when I see your name in my notifications.
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That’s a beautiful scene from 2005. We have snow here now. It will probably only last a few days.
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Since 2005, when this photograph was taken, our climate has changed. Now, the creek seldom, if ever, freezes. I miss these moments.
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Time seems to stand still in this photo. Michael, I appreciate you sharing more details about this creek . . . quite interesting.
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Thank You BigSkyBuckEye — Happy New Year to you and yours.
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