Our temporary “summer” has been replaced by more normal seasonal temperatures.
A windy breath of -10° c overnight drove the waves and spray up on to the sloped shore of this bay resulting in a strange and magical landscape when I came upon it yesterday. Not that long ago the ice fishing huts resided in this wide bay.
The perfectly ice-upholstered and fringed rocks along the shore.
Surreal spaces…
Although this place is quite removed from the city and looks idyllic and peaceful there is a strange juxtaposition of bird song and intermittent rapid gunfire from the nearby rifle range. It all feels rather surreal as I wade through the water in high rubber boots; a strange shore bird among chandelier skirted trees.
Shirley’s Bay, Ottawa River
All images © Karen McRae
draw and shoot 
I have to say that “a strange shore bird among chandelier skirted trees” is the most poetic series of words I’ve seen in quite a long time!
Aww thanks! 🙂
I agree, really well written. And what a bizarre set if ice sculptures, and you in rubber boots just to get the shot – totally worth the effort. These are such interesting photos.
Ephem, thank you. They are awfully strange aren’t they? Only nature could think that up.
Strange and so beautiful. Some of the structures look like amazing crystal architecture.
I got a real sense of spaces also, like a miniature village; I’m glad that comes across. I found it challenging to photograph…
Spectacular shots!
Thank you Gaby.
‘ice-upholstered’ – just right.
Thanks Helen, it’s the first thing I thought when I saw them.
Karen,, these are gorgeous..
Hi Beulah! Thank you..
Absolutely magical ice formations. So pleased to see them through your eyes.
I was pleased to find them Elena, thank you.
Amazing!!
Thanks Cath!
Yes, magical is the word! I guess for you was enough to wish something strongly enough and it came true even better than expected 🙂
Surprising isn’t it! Just when I was missing winter along it comes, only far different than before.
Absolutely great photos. I knew you liked to go out in the morning but never quite pictured you in hip -boots wading around. You really love your work to be so diligent to get the shots you know will be great. Must have been windy to blow all that mist on the rocks and trees. Thank you once more for working so hard and sharing the results of your efforts.
Well not hip waders exactly but tall rubber boots are an essential for spring photography! thank you.
These are extraordinary images beautifully composed. I have just never seen ice formations of this kind – I assume it is something to do with a sudden, severe drop in temperature. I like the council of druids or penitents or whatever they are in #8, and the reflections are magical. But it’s invidious choosing between them.
Thank you Louis, I was surprised at these formations myself! They were much more eccentric than ones I’ve seen before, I’m glad you found them interesting too.
Now that’s pretty wild!
That’s what I thought! 🙂
Breath taking photography!!
Thank you Mehmudah.
I can only use the word Awesome Karen… I tried not to but I couldn’t help myself… !! Your weather is kind to photographers! makes me want minus 10 winds…
but only for a moment!
Goodness knows how you’ll manage when summer arrives you are loving this winter photography so much 😉
It’s true Helen, I’m feeling a bit unprepared for the next season, I will work through that I suppose. Awesome is a good word! 🙂
The fringed boulders are a real treat! So perfect in the ice formation – and what fun to open your post each time to visit these wonderful sights! Thanks – Kathleen
Can you believe how those rocks were fringed so perfectly!? Very strange, glad you enjoyed it Kathleen. Thank you.
Absolutely fascinating! I love those ice covered trees! I wish I could have been wading along with you. What a terrific time you must have had.
Well that would have been fun to have you along Erica! 🙂
Thank you.
I called myself a nature photographer before I viewed your magnificent images. Now I call myself a student. Thank you!
Wow, I was a bit stunned when I read your comment, which is exceptionally kind. Thank you ever so much, I’m humbled…
Wow Karen! Wow wow wow – you have your very own ice-sculpture garden!… But I must say a few words too 🙂 And the “perfectly ice-upholstered and fringed rocks” – wow! Great captures of this surreal beauty!
Thank you Marina, I was sort of blown away when I first saw this!
So unusual and short-lived, I was happy to have come across the ice garden.
Those structures, especially the ‘upholstered’ rocks are so unusual! Those rocks are quite something though. I really like the one of all the branches reflected in the water. And I am compelled to ask, do you write too? Or do you want to? You have an easy and beautiful way with words.
Very unusual, I agree.
I do write everyday, but it’s really just journal writing…
Thank you Chrysalis.
Amazing stuff, these are an amazing sight.
Jim
Glad you think so Jim, thanks!
Wow!
🙂
I have never seen such things!
Temporary Installation 1 – :O Wooooowwww!
Wild aren’t they? And they only lasted a day or two and melted away.
Definitely!
Good thing you captured them so we can all see their beauty forever.
Wow! That’s amazing. Such fantastic ice formations and so well captured. 🙂
Thank you Inga.
This post makes me 🙂 !
Excellent (again)!
Happy to make you smile Steve!
Amazing and beautiful.
Thank you Matt.
Wonderful and unique in your style, your shots are superb.
Thanks so much.
Karen, I thoroughly enjoyed this post. Your photographs are fantastic.
Lemony, thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
GORGEOUS!!!! Lovely how everything is unfolding and appearing!!! 🙂 **
Thank you Xandre.
Surreal yes and breathtaking too!
Marina, thank you. 🙂
Beautifully observed, Karen. Had those come from waves, or just ice fog?
Thanks Graham.
I guess you answered that; I should read words, and not just look at the pictures …
Some really beautiful pictures. Love the “upholstery” of ice on some of the rocks that makes them look like footstools with fringe!
I thought that was pretty amazing too! Thank you.
You consistently capture winter’s stunning beauty…thank you.
I’m happy to do it Elizabeth, thanks.
Such beautiful photos!!
Thank you!
Reblogged this on Knotrune and commented:
I love these photos of natural ice sculptures, thought I’d share them. (And now you know I’m still here… I do intend to write a post soon…)
Thanks for the reblog…
🙂
It’s hard to talk when the stunning photos just took my breath away. Unbelievably beautiful formations. I am so lucky you are there taking photos and I am able to enjoy them so often. 😀
Aww, thank you Shez, that is very kind. 🙂
Amazing what nature can create, beautiful shapes and colors!
Nature never ceases to surprise!
I came to get my winter fix and you did not disappoint me. ~__~
Yay 🙂
Your wonderful magical frozen sculptures will see me through the next hot Australian summer – if we ever get one again that is!
Thank you, I guess you are just heading into winter…
That first image showing the ‘chandeier skirted rocks’ brought to mind the most likely reason how chandeliers were thought of and designed. I bet it was someone who had been to this place, in an earlier time, of course! Lovely photos.
It’s pretty easy to be inspired by nature, perhaps you’re right!
Look at winter just trying to cling on. It’s sad to see it go but I cannot wait to see what you start shooting now that greener times are just around the corner.
nature is a great artist. absolutely stunning i never had the priviledge of finding something like that outside.
just beautiful 🙂
Thank you Isabella! 🙂
Beautiful prose to match the beautiful images! Thank you for another great post!
Thank you Mahdu. 🙂
Absolutely incredible images Karen. Left me not a little awestruck. Thanks for sharing this magic!
You’re welcome Sydney! Thank you.
Amazing! All I can say is i really miss the flower pictures you always take and the trees 😦 I do love this pictures, but I can’t help but say this. You are an amazing photographer… sometimes when I am reading between the pictures, I am so in a hurry to look at the second picture that I ignore the writing!
As much as I love your site, I hope you can follow me back (:
Maria
x
Thank you for your kind comment, Maria. 🙂
Stunning!
Nature at it’s finest! I just happened to get there at the right time.
Karen,
You’re talented. It’s not even funny. Sending you a PM…
Le Clown
Thank you so much, Eric. A very kind thing to say.
What a nice comment from ‘Flake of Glass’, Karen, and he puts into few words what I feel too, when I view your work! These are stunning ice formations, captured beautifully. I have never seen anything like them – ever!
Cheers
John
John, that is extremely kind of you. Thank you.
The ice formations are really striking aren’t they? Natures own art!
I live on a lake in Nova Scotia and get these ice formations often but it’s often hard to get just the right light to capture them to their best advantage. You have managed to capture their magic – well done!!!
¡Me han encantado!, abrazos
Gracias, Manoli!