Frosty Air

Water and fluctuating temperatures create interesting reactions in the natural environment.  As water freezes, it expands and changes form due to the molecular bonding of hydrogen which in turn causes the water molecules to expand.  Crazy science, hey?  Science aside, this makes for some interesting photographs...ones that I tend to seek out during the changing temperatures.  In order to get interesting photographs, I usually don't need to venture very far.  It could be something in my front yard, such as what happens to trees after freezing rain as shown below.  

Reaching Out. 
The limb of a tree in my front yard after an ice storm.

It could be a known spot within walking distance of usually meandering water now frozen or partially frozen.

Cracks in the Ice. 
A stormwater drainage area is that partially frozen.

Or a short drive down to the nearby Lake Michigan to see the effects of the waves when the water produced by them freezes to the objects on the coastline.  

Resilience  
The Lake Michigan coastline during consistently deep freezing temperatures.  It was 20F° when photographed.

     As you can see there are many varied results that the "Frosty Air" has on the natural environment and can be captured.  What are some things that you have witnessed due to water freezing?  

Upper Michigan in Early Spring (Winter) Part III

Munising Falls. This falls is the first falls you encounter when you enter Pictured Rocks National Park. It is a long drive to get this far north in the UP but well worth it. I visited this particular falls late last summer and it was pretty dry. You can actually walk behind these falls. When I arrived to photograph the falls this time, most of it was frozen in place, with some parts active. The photograph below shows the most active part of the falls.

The second photograph shows the falls frozen in place and the portion you can walk behind. I was wearing Yaktraks for grip. Trust me you need them to walk on the solid ice.

After Munising Falls, I headed south and stopped by a roadside falls named Alger Falls. This is one of the taller roadside falls and it does have a nice pine forest surrounding it.

Next up in Part IV, Wagner Falls including video of location I shot it from.