I’m not sure I would be quite so dedicated to get down on the ice for a photo as I might have in the past, especially this weekend with possible -45 wind chills. I might wait until it gets above zero before wandering around the ice formations.
Cold Photography
The ferries between Bayfield and Madeline Island stopped running last week and until the ice is thick enough to drive on, the transportation across Lake Superior is provided by wind sleds. Wind sleds are powered by two big fans to propel across the ice. This 24 seat wind sled, Ice Angel IV, carries supplies and people back and forth from the island. At least there is some wind protection but I imagine it is a cold two mile ride in the sub-zero temperatures.
Ice Angel IV
Seven years ago, it was sub-zero day like today when I visited the ice caves on Lake Superior. And since it was so cold outside, it was actually warmer inside an ice cave and my camera lens would fog up each time I ventured into one. I also needed the hand warmer packets to keep my camera batteries working.
Cold Ice Cave Visit
Another cold winter day is probably helping to form ice on Lake Superior, although since there was open water last week is this area, the ice caves are closed. There are other areas were the ice is thick enough that you can walk on Lake Superior to view the ice formations. Since some of the hikes to view the ice caves involve a four mile or longer walk, one might appreciate some hot chocolate after hours in the frigid air like these two people (the two little spots in the lower left corner of the photo).
Frigid Ice Walk
There is a different type of white on the shore of this beach during the winter and temperatures are lower than summer. But the temperature today, just at freezing, will be 50 degrees warmer if the predicted -20 happens this weekend.
Warmer White Wave
The predicted snow overnight has me dreaming of summer on a lake that isn’t frozen. The historic lighthouse on Raspberry Island sees visitors during the summer by boats.
Visiting a Lighthouse
As the night approaches, I hope the predicted strength of the Aurora storm watch will hold true so I can see the northern lights tonight or tomorrow night. Although my tiny frozen pond will not reflect the colorful lights as it would on Lake Superior, which I had the chance to witness a few years ago.
Superior Aurora Borealis
On a day with temperatures in the 40s in late November, some people may have enjoyed some outdoor activities before the colder weather settles in for the winter. But the landscape isn’t as colorful as it was early last month and now the bare trees have to wait for spring for the green to return.
Canoeing on Lake Superior
This morning scene at the lighthouse looked slightly different with snow falling on a cloudy day which made it harder to see the lighthouse clearly. The light is on the Wisconsin Point and to the west is the Minnesota Point. These these two points create the longest freshwater sandbar in the world.
Sunny Day at Wisconsin Point Light
I think I spotted one of Lake Superior’s sea monsters this summer with extra humps, which is bigger than the other “Sessie” I found a few years ago.
Bigger Sessie
