This morning we had freezing rain and I headed out to photograph the same seed heads in my garden that I’ve been documenting over the fall. As the day wore on and the temperature crept over the freezing mark the ice started to change, and then things really started to look interesting. The transitions in nature are just so fascinating.
If you are interested in the seed head series you can see it here, and there is more iced flora here.
© Karen McRae, 2012
draw and shoot 
The cell like structure of the ice is really interesting Karen. I’ve never seen that before. Beautiful work.
It’s the ice disintegrating – I find it really interesting, too.
Thank you, Adrian.
Fascinating pics, Karen, as pointed out above, that cell-like formation is amazing – and wonderful photos as usual! G
Nature is so cool isn’t it? The ice didn’t last long like that either – a fleeting formation. Thanks, Greg!
Absolutely stunning when you come across something that takes you by surprise like that – I was going to drop back here today with a message as I actually had a dream about these photos last night! They were blown up to a huge size in a vast white gallery – very odd, nice dream! G
Wow, that’s really interesting. I will take that as a good sign! It’s nice to know that they stuck in your mind. =)
Fascinating Karen! Worlds within worlds, iced bell jars or terrarium specimens..I can see embryonic forms, ancient limbs and hair, newborn birds..there’s something very interesting about these being the remains of living plants too, seeming almost new..so many things here!
Wow, I love all the associations that came to mind for you, Cath. I think what’s interesting is that there are still seeds trapped in the ice formations so they are embryonic in a sense.
Thanks for your great comment!
Stunning! Looks to me very much like an epic illustration of a genesis myth.
That’s an interesting interpretation. Cool. Thank you, Elena.
indeed fascinating – thanks so much for documenting and sharing them with us
It’s a pleasure, Nathan. And I’m glad you enjoy seeing them!
Thank you.
Lovely, Karen. Your ability to look closely allows us to do the same. Thanks.
Thanks, Judy!
Again an interesting study, Karen.
Thank you, Bente. I was lucky to observe them at the right time.
otherworldly, but more beautiful because they are not.
Real, yet so temporary.
The cellular structure of the ice is fascinating – the seed heads look as if they are about to undergo some metamorphosis. But the beauty of these is in their isolation in the frame – you turn science into poetry, Karen.
Richard, you always write the most interesting, kind and insightful comments. Thanks so very much!
those ice crystals are so interesting. i’ve never seen it happen like that before
It’s interesting the way ice starts to break down, isn’t it? Like cells breaking apart…
those seed heads would be amazing prints. i’d love one on my wall
Wow, they almost don’t look real. Lovely.
Thank you, Sarah – it is strange looking isn’t it?
wow these are amazing!!
Thank you!
Wow ! ! ! —– It’s a nature’s phenomenon.
( And I discovered, to see those photos with one eye closed =
image become 3 dimensional ! )
Yup, nature does it again! I’m now squinting at my monitor! =)
😉 🙂
These are exceptional patterns and photographs! Beautiful!
Thank you, Mimo. I was in the right place at the right time.
Freezing rain? I had no idea that even existed (oh, those naive Mediterraneans…) I am so glad you are doing this, as you’d be hard-pressed to find me anywhere near freezing temepratures.
Amazing formations, captured in the purest Karenian style. Kudos!
Yes, we get a fair amount of freezing rain here, actually. It happens when the temperature is just a few degrees below freezing so it wasn’t too cold. It’s much colder today!
Thanks for your kind comment, Alessandro.
Those really turned out absolutely amazing Karen!
Thank you, Phil. I was lucky to get in some picture taking during a small window of opportunity.
You capture the transitions so beautifully, true diamonds in nature!
Hi Patti, thank you. Yes, temporary gems!
….are they really like that?!!!!
Incredible shots, Karen!!!!
🙂
They were really like that, Marina! Thank you. 🙂
Isn’t nature incredible? And your photos are stunning, absolutely beautiful!
Nature really is incredible. I actually thought of you when I was taking these, Kate, having just recently visited your blog! I’m glad you saw them. Thanks very much!
stunning!
Thanks, Karl!
Oh wow! Now i am convinced that you really are a scientist in an artists mind. Are you … ? these remind me on Venetian glass beads Karen! 🙂
I am not a scientist, Gigi, but I do love science! They are glass-like aren’t they? Though oh-so-temporary…
Very nice. Love the transitions.
Thank you, Anita. I’m finding this series really interesting to work on.
Wow…great shots.
Thanks, Hansi!
Wow Karen, you never cease to amaze me.
Thank you, Anna. It’s really nature that’s amazing – I’m just lucky to have the right tools to observe it closely.
Wow! Stunning work. Love it 🙂
Thank you, Inga. 🙂
they’re like icy honeycombs. glad you braved the weather and captured these transitions! beautiful!
It is a bit like honeycomb ice. Thanks, Marina.
These are beautiful.
Thanks very much, Michael.
Gosh these are fascinating Karen.. never seen anything quite like them.. We had freezing fog here last night but unfortunately I am too unwell to get out and take photos 😦
Thank you, Helen. I do hope you are on the mend!
Amazing structures, indeed! And beautifully rendered. You shoot with your heart, Karen.
Up close they looked quite extraordinary. I was happy to “capture” these moments. Thank you, Sorin.
Excellent. Very creative way of interpreting the ice encased seed heads. 🙂
Thank you, much appreciated!
wow. WOW. I held my breath looking at these… Awe…awe. AWE.
Liana, thank you for your comment. Nature is pretty cool, isn’t it?
This is your best post yet. Championship level photo-blogging.
It looks like they’re encased in some sort of techno organic shell. Seed heads, I love you.
Hey thanks, Posky, I’m quite pleased with these ones.
Gorgeous, Karen…an ice mosaic…tiny windows covering the seeds.
Thanks, Scott. Tiny windows – I hadn’t thought of that – like pebbled glass…
You’re welcome, Karen…tiny, pebbled glass windows….
Ich mag solch schlichte Aufnahmen, ich mag auch die Natur. Schön. Es könnten eingeeiste Kornblumen-Samenstände sein…
Das Auffällige
an der Natur ist
dass sie so
schlicht wirkt.
Die Kunst ist
sie zu sehen.
Das Unauffällige
an der Natur ist
dass sie so
spektakulär ist.
E.B. 2012
Vielen Dank für Ihren netten Kommentar, Ernst.
Thank you for your nice comment, Ernst.
Karen
Oh! Such beauty! I just love your images, Karen! Really. They are consistently remarkably good.
Beautiful!
Completely fascinating! Never seen anything like these! Oh, wait a minute – we don’t get snow or ice like this – ever!!! Isn’t nature wonderful, and that’s not taking away from the beautiful photography and the eye that notices them and displays them so creatively!
Cheers
John
wow! the patterns in the ice…