When I took a walk in the yard a few weeks ago, I discovered something unusual had formed on the ice. When I took a closer look, the strange patterns appeared to be pine needles on the frozen pond, but nothing like that had fallen from the sky during the forest fires. What were they, and how were they caused?
The strange formations appeared to be on top of the ice.
Shadows stretched in patterns across the pond, trimmed with a furry white robe. I had no desire to dig in my toes into the aforementioned fur. It was freakin’ freezing outside.
I took a closer look, careful not to slip. Grace is NOT my middle name. The ice was a thin veneer. No animal tracks. Not even a bird. Nor mine. Whew!
Strange shadows created their own patterns while icy needles embroidered the surface.
Weird or what?
The heck? Oh, yeah. 2020.
Susie Lindau's Wild Ride 
2020 indeed! I remember the first time I saw the Chicago river frozen over, and the next morning I watched a guy WALKING ACROSS Lake Michigan as he was ice fishing…
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I grew up in Wisconsin and was very cautious when it came to ice. Every year, a few unsuspecting people would break through it!
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Yes, maybe wait a few weeks before venturing out on the ice to investigate. Do you have pine trees near you? Has it been very windy? Did they maybe float in from somewhere before the water froze? It would be interesting to know how this happened. Is it only on the surface and not frozen into the ice?
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The needles were made of ice. Super weird. It’s warm here now and the pond is open. 🙂 I think an ash film formed on the top of the pond. It was windy when it froze, so it wrinkled!???
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That really is weird! How great that you got photos of this phenomenon. They really do look like pine needles. Good post.
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Thank you! Yes, I dragged a carpenter, who was making repairs in our sunroom, to see it too. Super strange but I live for all things strange. 🤣
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Makes life exciting.
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There’s something different about every day, if we just look for it. I’m more likely to notice things since I’m practically in quarantine and am climbing the walls!!
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You’re so right. There is always something interesting about life going on around us. It’s up to us to pay attention and see, hear, and feel it. Odd times, but we can make the best of it.
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Yes! Strange vibrations..,
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No doubt in my mind. These are unguentina spores.
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Porcupine needles?? No, I guess not. I think it is just how the water froze. I recall seeing this in Alberta as a child. Strange but cool.
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Oh, wow! I wonder if it froze suddenly while it was windy. Thanks, Darlene! I hope you’re doing well!
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Very interesting but strange.
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Remember this guy?
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I don’t think I’d drink the water!
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You’re right! It reminds me of one of those crystal experiments!
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Superb photos! And definitely unusual. Maybe the ash layer created places for ice to ‘nucleate’ around, and with a bit of wind rippling the surface it was possible for ice-needles to form? I speculate. Water is weird stuff in terms of its behaviour at various temperatures. (Not that I’m complaining, of course. Hot water goes very well with ground coffee…)
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Thanks, Matt!
That’s what I think too. It was pretty windy when they formed. I’m going to keep an eye out to see if it ever happens again!
Cheers to a fabulous week during crazy times! *clinks coffee mug*
Great to see you, Matt!
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Aliens were here! Aliens were here!!
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THAT’S WHAT IT WAS!! I wonder what lies beneath the surface………..
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Who knows what they are but they look amazing. Brilliant photos Susie and probably the right idea not to go wandering around in the snow. Looks extremely cold.
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Thanks so much, Jonno! The fish are swimming so it couldn’t have turned toxic. A strange phenomena, for sure!
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Texture ice – that is weird.
Could it be light stuff floating in the pond that got iced over?
Or aliens. Probably aliens ( do not stand near that pond next spring when it melts..maybe a critter cam…
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ALIENS!!!
I’ve got my critter cam pointed on the pond and will keep you posted!
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They look like giant frost crystals, Susie. ❄
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They do! Or a science experiment. I wonder what my neighbors have been up to. 🤔
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hi
On Tue, Nov 17, 2020 at 3:39 PM Susie Lindau’s Wild Ride wrote:
> Susie Lindau posted: ” <p value=" min-font-size=”6″ max-font-size=”72″ height=”80″>When I took a walk in the > yard a few weeks ago, I discovered something unusual had formed on the ice. > Whe” >
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Ice can do all manner of weird things, often quite beautiful.
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You’re right! So very strange and yet, it’s 2020. 😂
Thanks for stopping by, Daniel!
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