Tag Archives: ice

Photo of the Week – January 30, 2014

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Of the many categories of art in the world, the still life is not one of my favorites.  I appreciate the skill needed to create a nice still life photo or painting, but I don’t often find them very compelling.  Because of that, I think it’s ironic that I stopped to photograph this frozen plant mainly because when I saw it, my first thought was, “Hey, that looks like a still life!”

Arrowhead plant (Sagittaria sp.) encased in ice a the Helzer family prairie near Stockham, Nebraska.

Arrowhead plant (Sagittaria calycina?) encased in ice a the Helzer family prairie near Stockham, Nebraska.

I suppose it would technically be considered more of a portrait than a still life?  What do I know?  I’m not an artist, I’m just an ecologist with a camera!

I was pretty sure this plant was an arrowhead (Sagittaria sp) but I took it to my botanist down the hall, Gerry Steinauer, for confirmation.    Gerry first gave me a hard time for not bringing him the actual specimen (?!) but eventually agreed with me that it was an arrowhead and even identified it to the species – Sagittaria calycina.  I’m sure the botanists out there reading this will look closely to see if they agree with him or not.  Let me know what you think!

(By the way, if you don’t have your own “botanist down the hall”, I highly recommend them – though mine likes to wander into my assistant’s office and eat all the snacks from her desk.)

Hubbard Fellowship Blog – Back on the prairie: fresh snow and hoar frost

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A guest post from Anne Stine, one of our Hubbard Fellows.  All photos are by Anne.

 

Fresh snow on bushclover and yarrow in the Derr Sandhills. The Nature Conservancy's Platte River Prairies, Nebraska.

Fresh snow on bushclover and yarrow in the Derr Sandhills. The Nature Conservancy’s Platte River Prairies, Nebraska.

I’ve finally returned to Wood River after a long absence. It’s been ages since I was out on the prairie, or since I even saw it out the window.  The re-acquaintance period after my long time away did not disappoint. Just after I got back, we had some fun weather in the wake of the polar vortex (though I was *less* excited about the frozen pipes…). Specifically, we saw fresh snow followed by hoarfrost.  I was pleased to have a reason to get outside and take pictures.

Hoarfrost on Canada goldenrod

Hoarfrost on Canada goldenrod

I’ve seen hoarfrost before, but I’m struck by how lacey and delicate the world looks with white limning the edges of each leaf and twig. Fresh snow is dramatic in its own right.  I like the way it fuzzes out the horizon and scatters light.

Hairy grama, Bouteloua hirsuta, on the Derr Sandhills during a light snow shower.

Hairy grama (Bouteloua hirsuta) on the Derr Sandhills during a light snow shower.

I am also pleased to report that I have retained my ability to withstand the cold weather. I dress like an arctic explorer, but at least I get outside!

If you’re curious, this is the face behind the posts… winter edition.

If you’re curious, this is the face behind the posts… winter edition.

The morning I woke to hoarfrost, I made a bee-line to the sand pit restoration to capture it on the cottonwoods. The sand pit restoration is one of my favorite places to tromp around in the Platte River Prairies.  I return there regularly enough I was able to make this fun comparison of summer and winter images.  I find this reconstructed wetland to be picturesque year-round. These two pictures are up on TNC Nebraska’s Instagram, nature_ne.  I’m so glad I’m here to see the much-feared prairie winter.

Sand pit restoration: summer vs. winter.

Sand pit restoration: summer vs. winter.

Hoarfrost lining my favorite cottonwood, ice on the creek.

Hoarfrost lining my favorite cottonwood, ice on the creek.

Another view of my favorite cottonwood, framed by common evening primrose stalks.

Another view of my favorite cottonwood, framed by common evening primrose stalks.

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