Alien Planet.. Or Steep Rock?
After hearing about the “slush balls” which are now more appropriately called ice balls, I knew I had to get out to check them out. There was a rare phenomenon at Steep Rock this November as Lake Manitoba started to freeze up. This happened because the water had dropped below its freezing point yet remaining liquid as it was moved by wind and wave until it solidifies.
For me, these are the kinds of events that keep nature photography interesting. Sometimes I get asked why I return to some spots over and over again as it must get boring to see the same thing. Well conditions are always changing, and this is just the latest iteration to provide a totally unique view of a familiar landscape. What’s more is the fleeting nature of events like these. Just this week, we are expecting snow, rain, and temperatures above freezing. Each of these things represents a threat to the continued visibility of this phenomena.
While I was there, there was not a single cloud in the sky. That doesn’t always make for the most fantastic sunset, but in this case it was perfect. I loved the warm glow the setting sun cast across the surface of the bubbly ice. With not much else to use, it seemed like solar lens flares quickly became the flavour of the day.
To top it all off, those clear skies persisted late into the evening. I was treated to a brief but fantastic display of northern lights. Click on any image to view full screen.
