on Convict Lake,
in the Sierra Nevada Mountains,
in California. (Tap to enlarge).
These fascinating patterns of both straight lines/angles,
and wiggly-squiggles, are created by ice layers melting, moving, cracking and refreezing, over and over again.
They remind me of the patterns on Scribbly Gum trees in Australia.
Tap to enlarge and see if you can spot the distant skaters.
These learners were closer.
Cheers to you from the Sierras in winter~
That ice affect does indeed look like our squiggly gum Cindy, but I was sure those affects on the ice look like they were from beavers on their jet ski’s π π€£
Great photo’s dear lady, and I’m still amazed at the snow on those mountains, almost a fairy land. Mmm, maybe it was the fairies on their jet ski’s π π€£ β€οΈ ππ½ π¦
Somebody clarified it was angels on ice skates. Maybe the angels made the lines, and the fairies made the circles! α
Yep, probably both π π€£
αα
Gorgeous images, so vivid I can almost smell the piney aroma and feel the chill on my cheeks. Just looking at these makes me imagine a roaring fire and hot beverage awaiting at the end of the day. Could you actually hear the frozen ice moving around?
Thanks much! I couldn’t hear the ice moving. The ice was still frozen solid for a long way underneath. α
You have captured and presented to us a most unusual sight – for me anyway π
I have never seen anything like it. And google hadn’t either!!! π
Beautiful pictures, as always, but I can barely look at more cold things after walking the pups in freezing temps and roaring winds!!
Sorry!!! We always have the sun, so I like the snow and ice. We should swap places for a week or two α
I would gladly swap places for March…I get really tired of the gray and cold about this time. And we are all lunatics when we start getting green and warm days!
Let’s swap. It would be a vacation for you, with only Herbert to look after. You deserve a vacation ααα
What would I do with only one cat to take care of??? But meeting Herbert would be lovely.
There would be so much for you to do…… Rest, recreate…. and field all the calls from me, day and night, asking for crisis help on how to deal with your patient patients! π α
Sierrasly spectacular! Wonderful to see youβre enjoying the spICE of life. Κβ‘βΙ(ΰ₯β’α΄β’ΰ₯β)β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
It is a slice of Sierra life!!! Κβ‘βΙ(ΰ₯β’α΄β’ΰ₯β)
β‘(.βΟβ.)β‘
Truly amazing! Your pic of the tiny skaters gives such a sense of the scale of the mountains!
I always forget scale. So, thank you for noticing. They are mighty mountains α
I love ice puzzles, never the same twice
Yes. Just like snowflakes α
The squiggles on the ice and the gum trees are beautiful. Nature has some real treasures. All we have to do is discover them as you have done here. I share your fascination with these patterns. I once took pictures of the ice patterns in a little creek and felt that same amazement, but these photos of yours are wonderful.
It is amazing, isn’t it, to see all this order in the universe that we are often unaware of α
Really beautiful. When we open our eyes to see these things, we are forever enriched.
This is very true.
I used to skate on lakes. Nothing else like it.
Especially when you are alone with the lake and the mountains. Beautiful α
Ice creates beautiful artwork! When I saw the squiggles before the tree bark, I thought of them looking like an amazing Etch-A-Sketch creation. I was just playing with mine recently, while putting it away after the grandboys had left. π
Somebody else just mentioned that!! It is exactly like that! My grandsons have them too α
More of nature’s spectacular patterns! I correctly guessed how the patterns had been formed before I read your explanation. How thick was the ice? It doesn’t look safe to me.
It was very thick. There is a photo where a boulder crashed into the lake and you can see the depth of the ice and the layers. With our weird drought, the weather was warm enough to melt some of the top layers of the ice during the day, but they froze over every night, creating these moving patterns. No way I would venture out on it though α
The thawing and freezing has left our lake ice unstable this year. I wouldn’t go out on it either.
These are unstable times, not just for lakes.
Great shots of an incredible landscape, Cindy! I love your comparison with the squiggly gum trees β so true!
As soon as I saw them, I wondered, if little bugs were crawling on the ice like they do on the gums!! π
Lovely ice patterns Cindy, what wonderful art work from the Great Artist ! Lovely photos
The Greatest Artist of all time. Thanks my friend α
Absolutely love how you’ve made a connection there, between squiggly ice and squiggly gums! π
It’s all in the squiggles!! Thank you α
These photos fed my soul tonight. Thank you. The boat in the first photo – was that mold or did someone paint it to match the 3/4 blue of the sky and mountain, 1/4 tan of the rock? And the ice patterns! Now we know what the angels do in the middle of the night when no one’s watching. They must have the coolest iceskates. β₯.
Ahhh……so happy your soul enjoyed Niki! We both now definitely know what angels do at night!!! With their tiny angel feet and skates. This image fed my soul Niki, so we’re even my friend αα
Beautiful images! I’m not sure I’d trust a frozen lake enough to get out on it… I’ll just sit on that tree swing and watch π
I should have sat on that swing……… I didn’t trust that squiggly ice either α
Very beautiful photos, Cindy! The squiggly lines remind me of the Etch-A-Sketch toy I had as a kid.
Thanks John. I remember those! α
Did you go ice skating Cindy? I always carried a pair of skates with me in the car!
No! I didn’t trust the squiggly ice. They were skating far away from the squiggly ice though α
That”s beautiful squiggly ice. Looks too cold for my taste.
It’s a bit nippy! α
Beautiful spot. I found the skaters.
Tiny little things aren’t they! α
It will always be a great pleasure to enjoy your photos. Like to take a break in the hectic daily life. They are fabulous
Awww….. So kind of you! You make me happy I posted my friend α
The patterns on the ice are absolutely wild and, in their own way, as beautiful as the rest of the Sierra Nevadas! π
I agree with you Teresa. The Sierras are out of this world!! α
Wow! So beautiful and awesome! Thanks for share Cindy.
Have a wonderful time!
Elvira
So happy you enjoyed Elvira. Thank you for letting me know and stay safe & well my friend α
Thanks Cindy. It is always a pleassure.
Keep safe 6 well too!
Wonderful week my friend.
αα
I love ice puzzles, never the same twice
Fascinating aren’t they! α
The name doesn’t jive with the majestic and pristine beauty of the lake that you’ve captured. And to me, the “squiggly ice” looks like an intricate and magnificent work of art. No wonder someone placed a swing in view of this marvel. Thank you for bringing it to those of us who have not been there!
What beautiful thoughts! Thank you. And thank you for sharing them. Nature’s beauty is endlessly awe inspiring α
I did spot the skaters. The patterns are pretty and interesting. Such gorgeous photos, Cindy. π
Thank you Lynette. Stay safe & well my friend α
That squiggly ice is extraordinary!
Isn’t it remarkable. I had never seen anything like it α
Love the squiggly ice and yes the squiggly gum trees are fabulous here!
They are wonderful and so is their name! α
Nature is so good at patterns isnβt She! I was marvelling yesterday at the beautiful filigree patterns made by ice on car windows. Stunning. βοΈπ
Yes indeed! Nature is the ultimate artist. Ice and frost on windows can be ethereally beautiful α
Spectacular photos, as always. Thank you for sharing. I wish you a wonderful sunday, Marie
Thank you & visa versa 2UX2 Marie! αα
Die Natur ist in der Lage, manch schΓΆnes Bilder zu malen . Ob in Holz oder wie jetzt in diesem Monet bei dir ins Eis. Mutternatur ist eine wunderbare KΓΌnstlerin, deine Fotos beweisen es eindrucksvoll .
Ihre schΓΆnen Gedanken werden sehr geschΓ€tzt, mein Freund. Die Natur ist die erstaunlichste KΓΌnstlerin aller Zeiten. Danke, dass du das weiΓt und bleib sicher und gesund, mein Freund α
What a wonderful landscape! And the patterns on the ice are astonishing!
Have a fine time, dear Cindy, and stay safe!
I was astonished by the patterns as well. So unususal and interesting. Take good care my friend α
Lovely captures. I love the interesting patterns on the ice.
They are fascinating aren’t they α
I liked the three squiggly pics, but could only spot two skaters on the pics requiring enlargement
Yes. Good spotting Derrick. It is not the same photo. Just an closer view of skaters on the lake α
Anonymous is Derrick
I know you Derrick. I am lucky to be able to say this α
Now I’m looking for an extra blanket. It looks so cold there. Just stunning photos of the creative work of Mother Nature. Brrr.
It was quite nippy, but I am from SoCal, so I like it! Hope all is well with you Marlene α
I love your squiggly ice photos Cindy! i find the patterns fascinating too and photographed our lake last year when it froze and had similar patterns. BTW, what camera and lens do you use to get such great details?
So you have seen this before. I never have. For these shots I used my Sony RX10M4 α
Yes, thanks.
So interesting! I’ve never seen anything like it. Beautiful shots of a beautiful landscape, Cindy. x
I hadn’t seen this before either. Even google didn’t know!! π
Loved the ice patterns. I grew up skating on frozen ponds and cranberry bogs – lots of fun!
Wonderful way to grow up! α
I remember skating on our frozen lake when I was little. You could see frozen fish as you breezed along! Lovely squiggles, Cindy!
That’s amazing! I know fish swim under the ice, but I never thought they would freeze. Makes sense α
I never learned if they were permanently frozen and dead, or whether it was a temporary state. Probably should’ve asked my science teacher!
I was wondering about this too.
An amazing winter wonderland, Cindy! I’ve never seen ice in this pattern. What lake are they skating on (amazing shot!)? I would be nervous!
This is Convict Lake in Mono County. I wasn’t about to venture onto the lake. I wasn’t sure of the uniformity of the freeze. They probably know the lake better than I do α
With certain cropping, natural phenomenon, such as cracks in ice, become abstract expressionist images. – Oscar
They certainly do, honestly these squiggles are art forms without any cropping. I read your post today Oscar and was very moved. I am so sorry you are going through this. Love to you α
The patterns on that ice are beautiful!
I have never seen anything like this before. Happy you enjoyed Mary α
Ever so beautiful a scenery, Cindy. I love those textures in the ice, too.
Fascinating aren’t they. Happy you enjoyed & cheers to you α
I love these photos, Cindy!! It looks like incredible art π
Hope you and yours are well!
Made by the Ultimate Artist! Thank you Lorrie & stay safe my friend α
Amen, Cindy! πππ
What fun – I’m finding all kinds of images in the ice – faces, airplane, seagull, other birds, flowers, animals, even Spiderman – ha!ha!
You would be great fun with a rohsrach test!!! π α
Funny – I took an “inkblot” test over 50 years ago when my parents thought I was getting a little out of hand. Only went once and I haven’t thought about it until just now. I do have fun with puzzles like that:)
aww beautiful mountain & lake view π
and those skaters are so so brave!!! I am too afraid to be there π±π
Very happy you enjoyed and thanks for traveling with me! You make the experience more fun α
Great photos! Love the patterns that they make! Nature’s artwork!
So complicated and yet so orderly α
We live in a spectacular world, Cindy. Thank you for capturing the voice of our earth.
Thank you for knowing Rebecca.
Great captures of nature’s beauty, Cindy.
Thank you! β¦
Hugs to you Resa α
Spectacular shots Cindy πππSierra life is very becoming π
Thank you Val. I have always come back here, in every season, all my life. α
I love those squiggly lines, and hour comparison to the Australian trees. Your photos are stunning!
Awww….. You are a lovely friend α
Very interesting post! And lovely photos.
Merci beaucoup mon Ami Pam α
wowwwwwweeee! love the squiggly ice!
So happy you do & thank you Pam! α
β€οΈπ
Fascinating photos of squiggly ice!
Thank you Rosaliene. I found them fascinating too α
Cindy, these photographs are beautiful! Thank you so much!
Your kindness touches my heart Charles. Thank you sincerely & stay safe and well my friend α
Reblogged this on charles french words reading and writing and commented:
Please enjoy these beautiful photographs from Cindy Knoke!
Beautiful Cindy, but I had to smile – it’s scribbly gums. I love them.
Alison
This one stumped me. I kept thinking is she correcting my singular gum v gums??? It didn’t dawn on me till just now. Of course it’s scribbly. Thank you Alison. Heading off to correct. I’ll make the gums scribbly, but the ice squiggly!!! Smiling back at you α
xo
Squiggly indeed. βNever more!β βI Spyβ yon distant skaters afar. Beautiful.
Tiny little people aren’t they!!! π Take good care John & thank you α
Nature is so amazing. I was wondering what those lines are or how they are created until you explained it.
Beautiful pictures of the mountain.
Thanks much my friend & hope all is well with you! α
The squiggles are fascinating! And your photos are breathtaking!
Your light shines Jennie α
Thank you, Cindy!
αα
A beautiful spot, Cindy. And so wonderful that it’s smooth enough for skaters. π
The distant skaters seemed so free α
Truly amazing photos – I didn’t know there was such a thing as squiggly ice!
Thank you very much. I didn’t know about this either Even google didn’t seem to know α
Sharing this kind of new info. is what the internet should be about. π
I love this abstract painting on the tree if it is tree trunk and I am not mistaken.
You are not mistaken. It is amazing isn’t it <3
I love these images Cindy. The squiggly tree does look like a Gum tree. Anita
Smiling! Thank you very much Anita α
Strangely cool! I’ve never seen ice like this.
Neither have I MItch. Even google didn’t know about it α
“Squiggly” is a good word. I’m fond of using the similar-sounding “scraggly” in descriptions of trees.
Trees are often scraggly, unless a human prunes them. I like them scraggly, more. Thank you Steve. α
Wonderful photos of the winter Sierras, Cindy. And the squiggly ice is truly fascinating. I have never seen anything like this before. You captured it so well.
Thank you. I was befuddled by it α
The title seemed like a great playful hook, but wow, this really is fascinating, Cindy. Beautifully photographed too. Thanks for sharing. Hugs on the wing!
My hugs are always flying to you Teagan αα
Beautiful winter-scapes and a neat looking tree too!
Thank you John. Take good care α
I love the squiggly ice. I learned something and I did not spot the skier because our house elf hid my reading glasses -again.
Clearly we have the same elf. I don’t lose important things. She does α
Thats brave skating on a big lake I take it the ice is very thick π¬
It was very thick, but I wouldn’t have done it! α
What a wonderful capture. Truly breathtaking, Cindy.
So happy you enjoyed & thank you Kally α
So niceπ
Thank you.