A couple of Saturdays ago we experienced the beginning of a typical Midwest midwinter thaw.
With 9-12 inches of snow cover, clouds parted, the sun came out, and the temperature rose above freezing. As snow began to melt the cool air quickly became saturated. As the afternoon and evening wore on, it became increasingly foggy.
Overnight the temperature dipped below freezing. The moisture in the air condensed on frozen branches and on the dried remains of last summer's herbaceous growth, forming the spiky ice crystals known as hoarfrost.
We saw no sign of hoarfrost in our neighborhood that Sunday morning. I had a couple of errands to run though, and while I was out I found myself enchanted by the beauty of the landscape transformed by hoarfrost. I wished I'd brought my camera.
Then the sun came out. Though a welcome sight, I knew its appearance would quickly melt the frost. Morning errands were finished, followed by a dash home for the camera, with hopes of snapping a few photos before the hoarfrost vanished.
(close-up detail of hoarfrost. All photos in this post can be enlarged by clicking on them.)
While it wasn't quite as dramatic as earlier that morning before the sun came out, I was glad to be able to capture a few shots before it was gone.
Beautiful, isn't it?
