Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Icicles

Yesterday was a beautifully sunny day, so I grabbed my camera, popped in some new batteries, and went on a brief walk.  (Sunny days are always the coldest in the winter.)



I wandered down to the Mississippi River - three blocks from my house - hoping that I would be able to find some decent pictures.  It had been quite warm for a couple of days previous and I knew that icicles would be in abundance.  Let me tell you though, they're not that easy to photograph.  My rock climbing skills came in quite handy...



...because I was climbing around on the cliffs along the river.  It was a bit more dangerous than my usual rock climbing because I wasn't climbing in designated areas, I was wearing winter boots instead of climbing shoes (as well as jeans and a coat, which limit one's mobility), I had gloves on my hands, I wasn't tied to a rope, and everything was covered in ice.  I risked my life for you all, I hope you're happy.

The river itself looked a bit dismal barren ominous desolate:



but I was still able to find running water in a couple of places.



and after climbing for a bit, I found what I was looking for (though I wish I were able to take better pictures.)


It was only a little after 3pm, and the sun was already on the horizon...





One icicle was growing on a vine, which allowed it to grow quite long.  It was almost 6 feet in length and very pointy, so naturally I laid under it to take a picture.



and with the sun going down and my batteries malfunctioning*, I snapped one more picture and headed home.  I wish my camera continued working because I didn't feel like I got what I wanted, but whatchyagonnado, right?



Brigade is almost done, I've done both arms and joined the pieces and am now making my way up the yoke.  Hopefully it'll only take a couple more days to get it finished (I thought I should throw some knitting into this post.  I don't have a picture though).

*In sixth (eighth?) grade I did a science fair experiment that tested a battery's life-span and the flashlight in the freezer definitely went out before the flashlight on the countertop.  I think that's what happened to my camera batteries too.  Now that they're warmed up again it's working fine.

17 comments:

  1. Those are awesome pics! I love icicles.
    Maybe next time if you took the battery out and blew on it to warm it up?

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  2. Wonderful photos! However, I am very unhappy that you risked life and limb for us.

    /mom voice

    xo

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  3. Peter! How awesome are these photos? They're so awesome they're covered in Awesome Sauce.

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  4. I'm with Cookie. As nice as the photos are, a Petercicle would not be a good thing.

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  5. You are a suicidal nut who takes pretty pictures with sick batteries. If for some bizarre reason you don't make it in music, you can try for a career with National Geographic, volunteering to take pictures of African lion births, the plankton that grows under icebergs ... and steep, slippery cliffs. It's nice to have options, eh? :-)

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  6. I certainly know all about cold weather and camera batteries. I've learnt to always keep your spare batteries in your armpit while you take pixs of ice sculptures during Winterlude.

    Thanks for risking your life, the pictures are gorgeous...as usual.

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  7. So does that mean we should keep our cameras in our pockets when it's really cold out? (except when we're taking pics).

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  8. the photographs are beautiful!! I'm especially fond of the fifth photograph with the setting sun slightly off to the right of the icicles and the golden hues highlighting the natural sculptures.
    I, too, am concerned of your adventureous climb. A bit too risky especially without having the proper climbing equipment being utilized.

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  9. When did you sneak out and do this? It was way too cold to be out, believe me. Also, I'm watching you play Wii tennis as I type this. Freaky, no? :-P

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  10. Icicles! Snow! It's so beautiful. As I've said before, I really have no experience that I can compare, but thank you for sharing these gorgeous images. I'm glad you survived the climb!

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  11. You'll stick your eye out! You'll stick your eye out!

    It's not quite the same, but icicles don't shoot. I'm glad you're safe.

    And I'm just a touch envious of your athleticism.

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  12. Brrr.... too cold for my taste, but the photos are very unique. You definitely have an artist's eye, even though you don't think you do. Happy New Year!

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  13. Painfully pretty pictures! Happy New Year to you, too.

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  14. Happy New Year! Thanks for the amazing photos... we get no snow in Los Angeles... it's always so warm and icky here - it'd be nice to get to experience "seasons" again!!!!

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  15. Beautiful photos. The winter fresh air is so invigorating!

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  16. I love your photos from along the river! They remind me of home.

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  17. oh my, that's gorgeous. but you are insane. that one with the icicles pointing straight down into the camera kinda makes me nervous just to look at. I'm glad you survived.

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