Earlier this week, Alex (one of our new Hubbard Fellows) and I spent some time exploring a frozen wetland in our Platte River Prairies. Thin clouds diffused the sun’s rays and created wonderful light for photography. The wetland was mostly iced over, but there were a few areas of open water (we flushed a few dozen geese and ducks as we arrived), and we had to step carefully and listen for cracking sounds as we walked…
In some places, leaves and stems warmed by the sun had melted the ice around them, creating fascinating patterns and textures in the ice. Cattail seeds blew softly in the breeze, and a few perched gracefully where they had landed on the ice. Intriguing branching patterns of crystallization were also scattered about on the surface of the frozen wetland. About an hour after we arrived, the bright light dimmed as the clouds above us thickened. We took our cue and moved on to other places and tasks.
The Prairie Ecologist 
Your pictures are moving like the finest art.
Thanks James.
In your photos I see a tower that defines a city, skaters taking a bow after their performance, and coral in a tropical reef.
Some really nice pictures..inspires me to take a walk in our marsh on Plum Island.thanks for sharing
The last three pictures are especially evocative. They’ve made me feel the cold from the warmth of my home – the temperature version of bittersweet.
Lovely Photo’s. Makes me wish I could experience the place to myself.
I really appreciate your photos and observations.