Frozen Falls in Bitter Cold (Original Photography)

Howdy,

While I usually try not to post two similar sets of photos back-to-back, I decided to take a look at Triple Falls again. The temperatures have dropped to well below freezing, which is when the small waterfall freezes up completely.

^{Mother Nature's Sculpting}

The way droplets tend to hit the same spot appears to be behind these ice blobules, but that is just a theory. It would be fascinating to create a time-lapse of these structures forming. Most photography equipment isn't rated for use below freezing, though. Even my 7D has an operating range of 32-100 ºF (0-38C), although the same model was used by explorers in Antarctica on expedition.

^{Old Man Winter's Nose Hair}

The camera may be only be rated to freezing, but my hands have trouble even in the low 50's. When I was a child, they got frostbitten and the circulation is terrible. Having two hand warmers in each glove helped substantially, but the middle finger on each hand still got very cold. Today, they are still slightly numb. I'll be looking for new gloves and glove liners before trying this again.

^{Biting the Block}

Those of you who read the previous post may remember the trash beneath the falls. I brought a bag with me, this time, and picked up all the tealight candles and half-burned book that the unscrupulous fools left there. The book, for anyone interested, was "Two Kinds of Truth," by Michael Connelly.

Anyway, with the garbage gone, the frozen waterfall is much more beautiful. If I hadn't been shivering and unable to feel my fingers, I might have stayed for some light patinting... Maybe when things warm up a bit!

Earlier in the day, I went to the main waterfall at Minneopa State Park for a few photos, as well. It felt even colder than Triple Falls, because of the cold mist churned up by the falls. The result of that mist is pretty spectacular, though!

^{Lets Go Skinny Dipping!}

It has been the wettest year on record for many parts of Minnesota and, consequently, this larger waterfall is still gushing. It will be awhile, yet, before this one freezes up completely!

^Iceweed?

Things like this are amazing to see in person, but you have to be very careful with the cold. If anyone wants tips on cold-weather photography, let me know. There are also some good resources online.

Thank you for taking a look! If you enjoy my work, please click the upvote button. Comments are also greatly appreciated.