Frozen Falls and Litterbugs (Original Photography)

Howdy,

Winter has come to Minnesota in earnest. Today's high temperature was barely above zero degrees Fahrenheit, which is somewhere around -18 C. My Jeep protested strongly, when I started it up this morning, but I let it warm up for a full fifteen minutes before heading toward work.

Last weekend wasn't quite as frigid, but it was certainly chilly enough to begin forming ice on the waterfalls. I managed to make it down to Triple Falls, with hopes of photographing the results.

^{Sharp, Pointy Ice-Fangs}

Over the last couple years, I've noticed a major increase in the number of disrespectful visitors to this waterfall. Unfortunately, not even the frigid temperatures could keep these selfish fools at bay. A previous visitor decided to bring a bunch of tealight candles for, presumably, a romantic evening. Unfortunately, they couldn't be bothered to remove their refuse afterwards.

^{"Decorations"}

If it was a romantic get-together, I can only hope that their relationship will be as short-lived as the candles were. It wasn't just candles, either. I'm not even sure what this thing is. Other than an eyesore, i mean.

^{A "GIft" for Mother Nature?}

Still, it wasn't all bad. This next detail shot was an area where water was running in perfict little lines along the stone, sticking to the rock face in an almost unnatural way. I used a longer shutter speed (1/6 second) to get a little movement. The result is a little abstract, but interesting.

^{Water Defies Gravity}

By this weekend, there will be substantially more ice out there at the waterfall. The cold snap is predicted to last through Thursday, which will mean about 72 hours' worth of hard-freezing.

^{Want a Shower?}

I will bring a plastic bag with, next time, so I can haul out other peoples' trash. It makes me angry to have to do that, though. I know the people who do this kind of thing will learn nothing by other people cleaning up after them.

In other news, I also went to the holiday lights show in Mankato's Sibley Park. I've posted about it before, and it's always about the same... but I thought I'd share this with you all anyway. If you click the image, you will get an animated GIF that'll give you an idea of how this "tunnel" plinks. The flashing is synchronized to the music playing.

^{Do Not Click If You Have Epilepsy}

The new job is going pretty well. I have gotten to call Colombia and respond to quite a few emails in Spanish. Still, if anyone knows an eligible Spanish lady who's looking for a husband to bring back to Spain...

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