It would seem many of us are in the grips of an icy winter wonderland. Find the wonder where you can. ❄️
© Karen McRae, 2019
ice
After the (Freezing) Rain
An ice crowned seed head from my garden.
Tiny icicles on the brink of melting away.
Mosaic patterns forming on the flora as the ice crowns begin to surrender to the warmth of the sun.
How quickly we can shift here from powdered snow, to rain, to freezing rain and back again.
© Karen McRae, 2017
A Residual Winter Breath (2)
There was a small taste of spring here before winter came back to to say its goodbyes. The cold and strong winds of a few days ago have fashioned some icy sculptures along the river’s edge and on this quiet morning a thin layer of fresh ice was singing and straining under the stirring of a waking river. Later today we are promised snow and the landscape will transform temporarily yet again. As much as I find these transformations fascinating and lovely to photograph, I think I am quite ready for real spring. 
Below: click on image to open gallery view.
© Karen McRae, 2016
(D)Rift
Photographs of some of the last river ice, and remnants of this past winter. The river is wide open and the remaining ice is diminishing quickly in the rain, wind and warmer temperatures.
© Karen McRae, 2016
World Water Day 2016 (#Water is Art)
Ice formations made by wind, water and cold on the shores of the Ottawa River (2012). Many of these images were posted previously (in colour) here.
To mark World Water Day, a few images showing how #WaterisArt.
(Click on an image to see the full photograph)
© Karen McRae, 2016
The Melt (ice abstracts)
I love the fluidity of these liminal spaces between winter and spring. The ice folding back from the shoreline exposing inky cold water, translucence and grit. There is much beauty in the rituals of the seasons.
© Karen McRae, 2016
Frayed Edges of Winter
The lovely underbelly of ‘lace ice’ reflected in the creek. The seasonal shifts have begun.
(Click on small images for gallery view)
© Karen McRae, 2016
Things To Love About February
This view.
February holds a little bit of everything, even in its infancy. Snow (not enough), rain, freezing rain, warm temperatures, freezing cold temperatures. It is a month that throws itself to the wind and just goes with it.
All this ‘weathering’ has created a lovely kaleidoscope of shapes on this expansive part of river, the colours shifting with the light and clouds as they streak across the sky.
© Karen McRae, 2016
It’s Better (and colder) In Real Life
I can’t resist the call of the river, even at (especially at?) -25c. The way the cold transforms the landscape is always captivating and I especially love visiting the places where the water runs fast and manages to defy the freezing temperatures. It can be difficult to truly capture the majesty of the winter wonderland but perhaps that is part of what keeps me coming back.
Karen McRae, 2015
