On some days, there’s a combination of ice and water that creates a curtain effect by the weir. The curtain is framed by spray and ice and calls out to the camera because it is so well defined. To make sure the curtain was photographed as it appeared, the camera was set to shutter priority and captured at 1/1600 second. I’m not a fan of those dreamy waterfall shots taken at a slow shutter speed but prefer a more realistic look.
A steely-grey cloud deck, fast moving clouds being pushed along by a raw east wind can only mean one thing; snow is coming. This time we’re getting off lightly with just a couple of centimetres while temperatures will rise above the zero mark for the next few days.
Above the weir, a large natural ice surface has magically appeared that (with some smoothing from a handy Zamboni or some strategic flooding) could be a fantastic outdoor rink. These two photographs were taken from the same spot.
Looking upriver towards Weston.
Looking downriver over the weir.
Since the icy conditions have taken over and glazed the pathways, very few people are using the park as the entrance (closed to traffic for the winter) from Raymore Drive is on a steep slope. Only the die-hards with footwear designed for ice are braving these treacherous conditions. Even the extreme weather cyclists have admitted defeat. Not a square centimetre of spandex in sight!
I must admit it’s nice to have the place to yourself and no doubt wildlife prefers it too.
There’s something sad yet majestic about a dead tree. To look at the living organism that once was evokes sadness. Trees along this stretch of the Humber are constantly being damaged by ice stripping away their bark. I liked the way light from the snow is reflecting onto the branches.
These trees are stark reminders of the power of ice along low-lying stretches of the Humber.
River ice comes in a huge number of forms.
This large pile-up of ice is crowned by a beautiful clear chunk which caught my eye.
At this time of year in the park, the weather fluctuates. It’s nowhere near time for spring but every few days, little tongues of mild air push northwards across the lake often accompanied by rain, making life quite treacherous once the freeze returns. Where the snow has been compressed, e.g. a path, rain transforms it into ice with a nice slick sheen on top. Powder snow becomes coarse and granular.
Yesterday one of those mild spells brought rain, today, it’s back to the deep freeze. Here is the now frozen footpath that winds through the wild area:
The path has been transformed into a ribbon of ice. A dusting of snow is added to trick the unsuspecting.
Without a decent pair of soles designed for ice, it’s best to keep to the snow on either side of the path which yields to the foot with a texture resembling cinder toffee, or to use the commercial term, Crunchie.
On the river, just past the curve, an ice jam has formed (I’m still waiting to see this happen). Ice blocks are piled up and will stick around until gradually melting away or, more dramatically, are lifted and dumped ashore by the rising river.
This panorama made from six images shows the end of the ice jam.
In summer when rain falls, much of it is absorbed by the ground. When ground is frozen or saturated, water drains quickly and river levels can rise dramatically thus precipitating the rapid break-up of an ice jam.
Yesterday was a sloppy slushy rainy day with rain and mild temperatures. A pair of geese standing on wet ice in the river prompted a quest for reflections. The closer one was quite relaxed and was in its sleeping position.
A pair of Canada Geese spend some quiet time on the river.
Large pools of earth-tinted water form in depressions allowing another view of the trees.
A maple is mirrored in slushy water.
Last year’s grasses stand around a small depression.
Wet branches are darker and more colourful in the rain.
After a couple of days absence from the park it was good to be back outside again. The last couple of days were bone chilling with wind chill readings below -20°. Mugsey and I had to make do with the treadmill.
The sun feels so much stronger now – the U.V. index for today was 3 and you can pretty well double that when walking in snow. The temperature however ensures that only the ‘bare’ minimum of flesh is exposed.
A fresh fall of snow allows a clean slate for tracks in the snow – these look to be from a mouse or other tiny creature.
A tiny animal with a tail comes and goes through some burdock and dog strangling vine.
As with a large number of trees, many of the plants in the park are also foreign invaders. Dog strangling vine is one of these and unlike invasive species that are quite attractive such as purple loosestrife or phragmites (a tall feathery grass), DSV is as attractive as its name. More about invaders another time.
In the background, downed trees have been stacked by floodwaters to form a natural fence along the riverbank.
Old and new together.
Here are a couple of shots taken today. The first is a log in the snow that had a surprising amount of colour in it. The snow is granular now and adds a nice contrast in texture.
The next shot is pretty desolate – the old bleachers set against some ominous clouds, the trees of the park and the patterns of foot traffic in the snow
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After a couple of days of deep powder snow, a mild spell has turned pathways into slushy quagmires. This will freeze solid overnight and become a tough slog indeed.
Snow + rain + mild + freeze = 1 bumpy ride.
On the plus side, Mugsey prefers this to the powder which was too deep for him.
This is the Humber footbridge from the other side of the river.
The old bridge abutment is on the left centre of the photo.
More people were in the park today as the path has been beaten down by the pioneers! A nice sunny day with some interesting shadows on the snow.
A couple of Siberian Elms cast their shadows.
There’s nothing like a good old dumping of snow to hide imperfections; especially when the next day is sunny and calm. We had close to 30cm (a foot in old speak). Let’s get started with the bench – the ‘before‘ was drab and dismal compared to views from other times of year. Today, it’s a postcard.
Notice the lines in the snow caused by strong winds overnight.
The bridge has many flattering angles. Photograph it from one side and you’d swear it was miles from anywhere. Here’s the other side set against condos in Weston. I like that the bridge and its shadow seem to form a loop over the Humber.
Nature and the works of humanity together.
Next is a couple combining trees and snow – one of my favourite combos – especially on a sunny day and when the snow is fresh and deep as it is today.
Fallen trees litter the woods.
A large log looks as if it’s being hugged by a coat of snow.
Lastly, I was able to clamber down to the Humber Creek in my snowshoes. The view did not disappoint.
Looking up Humber Creek towards Scarlett Road.
