I’ve started posting these blogs to the Bluesky app, as well as all the other standard locations. If you’re on that social media platform, you can find posts at: @prairieecologist.bsky.social.

Yesterday morning, the outside temperature was low. In fact, it was below 0 Fahrenheit. In other words, it was a great time to get out and photograph frost and ice.

We just moved across town and now (briefly, if things go well) have two houses to clean out and organize, respectively. As a result, it’s been a frenetic month or so. My photography time has been limited, so I really needed a peaceful hour or two. My favorite restored wetland was the perfect way to fill that need.

It was a quiet morning, which made it easy to listen for warning cracks in the ice beneath me as I walked/slid across the frozen surface of the wetland. The water in the wetland is only about 2 feet deep at its deepest point, so breaking through probably wouldn’t have been life threatening, but it sure would have forced an uncomfortable (but short) walk back to the truck. I didn’t have any unexpected issues and it was a really beautiful, if cold, experience. The wind was light and the sun was up, which both helped.

Ice bubbles are always one of my favorite winter photography subjects, but the recent freezing and thawing hasn’t created the best conditions for ice bubbles. They seem to show up best when open water freezes quickly and the ice is nice and clear. I did find a few small patches, though, and took advantage of them.

Eventually, the sun got bright enough to make photography difficult and I slid my way back to the truck and drove toward home – feeling refreshed, but also grateful for a good heater.