"These are the most fragile and the most magical responses to moisture and cold I have ever seen. When the planets align, humidity and temperature are just right; moisture leaves the plant and freezes, creating these intricate crystals. These formed on some Aster left in the meadow."
Photograph and quote by Brian Parsons, used with permission.
(Brian Parsons has been employed by The Holden Arboretum, which he describes as a great organization, for the past 31 years. He also lives on the grounds of an old estate that has a wide variety of gardens so has a tremendous diversity of life around him to photograph. [paraphrased from his website at flickr])
Ice Flowers
asters, flowers of enchantment
whose burning leaves scatter serpents,
talisman of love, and of patience,* blackened
by frost, yet the ice clings to you all night,
your crumpled flowers like clumped hearts in the frozen fields,
making halos, or wedding veils, or intricately carved
pages of divine letters on angels' wings
your flowers become butterflies of light
who've escaped their cocoons
this winter day
__
*in folklore
oh my, brenda! what a beautiful image! thanks so much for sharing. the post is lovely in every way. :)
ReplyDeletewe are melting now and are grateful for the rain. 9 days inside was enough for us - we are ready to explore our winter world.
happiest holiday wishes are sent your way. may 2009 bring us all great delights.
I love this image, too, Sky. Not just the ice formation, intricate and incredible in itself, but the blackened flowers, and the composition of the shot, which has an internal rhythm like a painting.
ReplyDeleteOver the weekend it warmed here too and much of our snow melted leaving at least most of the sidewalks relatively clear and so I was out enjoying my long walks through the city and that was nice.
Wonderful, ebbulient holidays for you and your husband and may all your deepest wishes come true in 2009!