the wonder of water in the wild, flowing or frozen or foggy

post #172
       The threat of impending rain got me down to our waterfalls Friday morning. My friend, also an Ann, was able to come with me.  I wanted to be sure we saw the ice before it all melted.  In addition, there could be that wonderful early morning foggy light.  That is exactly what we had, and it makes for some magical moments.  It is always beautiful down there, but also unpredictable, changing, and unusual.

          First, on the way to the big waterfall, icicles on the creek bank, followed by a detail of this photo:

   The following photo is of the first waterfalls, taken by my husband, Frank, on Wednesday:

      I made the two following photos there on Friday, from the path, still headed toward the big waterfall:

This is farther along the path, in the area of what we call the second waterfall.

Now: the top of the big waterfall, showing the ice funnel made from the water going over the cliff.  I am standing on the forested hillside before going down to the bottom of the "big waterfall".

Ann up close and personal with the ice pile

      Along our way to this place, we had been startled by the loudness of a big crash.  We figured it was ice falling from somewhere.  Had we arrived here 10 minutes earlier, we might have seen it as well as hear it.  In other years the ice from the top of the falls has occasionally met the sculpture of ice piled up at the bottom.  Stunning.

      Oh, that foggy mist I mentioned earlier:  this is what I saw when I turned around from looking at the ice pile, the cliffs, and Ann:
       

      It is hard not to end by showing this late winter plant that Ann identified, one of the earliest wildflowers to bloom in the forest: a round-lobed hepatica.  To me it is full of beauty and hope.  However, I also hope we have more ice; I'd like to try for some more photos....