Hello!
The weather forecast called for "freezing fog" last night and another snowstorm this evening, so I got up early to see what there was to see. The bison were not my intended targets today, but they were right up against the road. I snapped a few photos and then started to drive past them, my goal being the amazing frost crystals that this type of winter fog can create.
Grazing on Grass-cicles
The herd decided to cross, though, so I had to wait. One of them got close to my truck...
How close?
This close!
Through The Truck Window
Finally getting through the herd, I set off in search of my primary subject. The thin layer of clouds was not enough to fully block the sun's rays, adding a little warmth to the scene. With so much frost, the color is subtle.
Frosted Tree
The frost is much more obvious on smaller limbs and the grasses than on the larger trees, like this oak. The dark limbs add an interesting contrast to its frozen surroundings.
Oak in the Frost
Frozen Prairie
Here is the best I could find to show the ice crystal formation that freezing fog can create. If you look closely, you will see many needles of ice on the left side of the branches.
Thorns of Ice
Then, it was time to head somewhere warm for coffee.
... but not before grabbing this shot on the way out!
Natural Habitat
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@fotosdenada
Howdy, Mark! Such frosty mornings are perfect for photography, and the brown bison look especially beautiful in the white frost :) You didn't snap a picture of your coffee like you normally do :)
Freezing fog is rare around here, but really pretty. I'm kind of enjoying the warmer weather, though. We got up to 1°C yesterday!
I hope the temperatures stay above 0°C :)
damn it looks cold up there, stay warm bud! Did that bison ask you for directions when it came to the window? It probably took a wrong turn in Alberquerque...lol
Fortunately, the cold is starting to let up. We're getting a snowstorm and then it's supposed to be above freezing!
I was a little worried I'd have a horn come through the window, but he was, apparently, just checking to see what radio station Ihad going.
I really wish I could get to see a place with ice. How wonderful would that be. Totally a dream come true
We get a lot of ice up here, but fog freezing to the trees is a pretty rare event. Sometimes the snow sticks to the trees, but it's different. Very rarely, we also have rain freeze to the trees, creating a glass-like layer on everything. When the sun comes out, the forest looks as if it's made of glass. I haven't gotten to see that in years, though!
whoa, beautiful!! I love how innocent the bison looked at you! Another story from the Alaska highway was a lady became impatient for the herd to cross the road so she could carry on. She honked her horn....needless to say, the bison simply turned it's head to see where the noise was coming from, and in the process of turning it's head...ripped her radiator right out. tsk tsk.
Patience is a good thing! You can always tell your boss you ran into a bunch of bull! If she had brought a camera, she wouldn't have been in such a hurry.
These bison are a little skittish around vehicles, which is good. I had to scare one a little, so that she wouldn't lick the road salt off my truck. I just started the engine and she jumped back! The vibration probably tickled her tongue.
Spectacular shots!!! Holy cow....I mean holy bisson. :)
I have never experienced this kind of frost.....so I am glad to see it in photos. These are very well done @fotosdenada. Love them all!
Thanks! We get this very rarely, when fog builds up overnight and it's cold. Driving through it last night was an interesting experience, too. It was so thick at times, visibility was down to about ten feet!
Oh THAT kind of fog.....yes....scary fog. We've driven in that many times.
I think you need a pet bison. They seem to enjoy you taking pictures of them. lol. Those are wonderful shots. I love it when snow sticks to the branches of the trees like that. So pretty.
Thanks! In this case it was fog that condensed and crystalized, but we're getting snow now. Four inches and still coming.
YAY bisons!!! pretty cool looking with all the frozen trees. You got lucky to see so many ...especially the up close one. I can't make up my mind if he was curious or if he wanted to ram the truck!
It all depends on where they are on a given day. It's not super rare that they cross the road, but they seem to prefer to be near the treeline. That one that came up to the tuck was a bit unnerving! I had one lick the back of my truck yesterday, but started it up to scare her off. I'm pretty sure road salt isn't good for their health.
Your pics are awesome! They make me want to come visit!! I think it's crazy that the bison was so close to your truck!! Freezing fog sounds....SO COLD!!! Wow, that's just so crazy. Stay warm, amigo.
Thanks! We're actually supposed to get above freezing (barely) next week! People will be wearing shorts, and I'm not even kidding! After months of 10-20 ºF highs, anything above freezing feels like beach weather.
Lol - that is too crazy! We were walking around our driveway earlier and it was something like 68 degrees or so and I was freezing - goosebumps even. I had to get a jacket and fleece pants on! :) Ha!! I rarely wear anything other than jeans here.
Honestly, this post is great ! Hope you kept calm when the Bison approached.. Frozen fog and wind are creating excellent art as I can see. How many degrees below -0- was the temperature in Celcious?
Following
Things have been warming up. Yesterday it was almost -10 ºC for a high. Today, we might get to -4 ºC and then, if the predictions are correct, we may even get above zero for a few days. It would be the first time we've seen above zero for more than a day since mid December!
The bison actually seem really skittish around vehicles, so I stay still and try not to move my camera too fast. The one looking in the window jumped back, but I think it was her reflection in the window that got her more than me. You would want to be very, very careful on foot around them, though. I've seen them try to get people with their horns through the fence. The people had their backs turned to the fence and were trying to take selfies, but were far enough away that they didn't get poked. I wonder how the selfies came out!
Ok these temperatures can be met for so long period in Northern Hellas only. I guess you have figured a good way to go on your life with the ice.
The bisons are wild nature so they need to be respected. As for the selfies.... Lol !!!
baby bison just taking a look nice winter shots
Thanks! I may have a nose mark on my truck, now... lol
Wow, awesome pictures! Knocking at your doors!
Upped and Resteemed!
and Followed!
Thanks! Was fun to shoot, even if they weren't my intended subject!
Amazing photos!
Thanks!
My favorite out of this group is this picture
I see why you say that the target for these pictures is the ice. Such a subtle beauty with such amazing detail. But the bison adds more contrast in this shot. So dark against the icy backdrop. And what amazing animals anyways!
Thanks! It was nice of them to be so cooperative. Sometimes they hide in the trees or near the edge of the valley. I did, finally, get some macro shots of the frost, yesterday.
Bisons are wonderful animals. We saw them in Yellowstone and Antelope Island State Park .
They usually seem pretty tranquil and are quite pretty in their way. I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of one of those horns, though!
Nice post
Thanks
Absolutely beautiful!
Thank you :-)
Those buffalos were most charming @fotosdenada, thank God they didn't disappear…
Thank you! I'm glad they reintroduced them to the area, as well.
Love them ALL. The contrast in the first image is awesome. Flattens the bison so they look like shapes rather than 3D. Producing quite a surreal impression.
And love the eeriness of the lone Oak in the Frost. 🦋
Thank you! It was nice of the bison to be so cooperative.