Winter Walk

When ice sculptures, snow, and glorious sunshine come together after a frosty week, there’s only one thing to do: Grab your camera and get out there!

Ice at a waterfall — After several days below zero, even the smallest waterfall becomes a work of art.

The winter of 2023/24 took a few attempts to earn its name. After what felt like three months of continuous rain from October to December, it got really cold for the first time in mid-January. For almost a week, it was constantly below freezing, even during the day, while temperatures dropped to 15°F at night. Even though the real winter magic was still missing in the first few days, ice formations soon appeared wherever water was flowing.

Things got interesting, in more ways than one, when it became foggy. The freezing fog formed a thin layer of ice on the roads, turning the morning walk with the dog into a real slippery ride. On the trees, bushes, and everything else where the water condensed and froze, bizarre shapes emerged. The gusty wind played its part in forming these shapes even further.

This spectacle was surpassed a few days later, as it had snowed in the meantime. And when the sun had dispelled the morning mist, a deep blue winter sky shone, providing the perfect backdrop for the snow-white trees.

Photo Opportunities

Winter Walk — When winter shows its best side, you simply have to get out…

Photographing in winter brings its very own challenges. In my opinion, the biggest of these is contrast. Because when nature is already shrouded in shades of gray due to snow and ice, photos without the play of light and shadow look very flat and monotonous.

Of course, you’re very lucky when the sun shines after a cold morning and the bright white stands out against a deep blue sky – you can hardly save yourself from motifs.

Otherwise, it’s always worth taking a look at the details. Even at the smallest waterfalls and rapids, the splashing water forms fantastic ice sculptures that can easily be put in the right light with a flashlight. I was particularly surprised by a waterfall that transformed a fir branch into a massive curtain of ice with its splashing water.

A look at the ground can be just as rewarding, as ice crystals blown off the branches by the wind gather. And last but not least, even a usually boring or even disturbing element such as a fence can be given a special charm by the hoarfrost.