Look into your future

Look into your future with this crystal ball. Is that "Tall, Dark and Handsome" in your future or something sinister lurking just beyond the light?   Really, it is one of 3 polished ice balls on top of the Ice Fountain at the entrance to the castle.

Ice On Whyte, Early Morning Visitors

I think this year's ice castle far exceeds last year's.  The walls have been more intricately carved and it has been left open on the 4th wall avoiding the congestion of the traditional 4 wall box.  The furniture has a higher level of finishing - complete to a 4 place table setting, king size bed, fireplace and benches.

The open wall also for far better photos.  This was taken on Saturday morning against the sunrise and using a double warming filter.

More photos to come I hope!

Ice On Whyte

January is such a brutal weather month for winter festival activities.  We are subject to nose tingling cold then fickle melts, sometimes only days apart.  I always watch in anticipation as events such as Ice On Whyte prepare their ice sculptures.  The sculptors tell us that -5C is the perfect temperature to work their special clear ice blocks.  This is when the ice is stable, the small amounts of water and friction used between  the blocks freezes clear and the air temperature doesn't create melts.

This year, the artist have battle temperatures from +3 to +6 and have protected their works with tarps for shade,  insulated mats, and the smaller pieces are covered with boxes. Last year they fought similar conditions in the week that they created the castle and sculptures, then within a day of opening, we dropped right back into the -20's making it less appealing to go and play.

Here are some shots from the 2009 Ice on Whyte.  The 2010 festival has just opened and Images camera club has an outing there tomorrow.  Go early and catch the morning light playing in the ice or go at dusk and see everything lit.  Enjoy and stay warm.

Playing in the Snow.

There have been lots of opportunities over the last few weeks to get out and shoot in the snow.  Here are a few favourites.

From another trek through Elk Island National Park.  This one begs for some serious editing - perhaps inserting a fall image into the mirror to play in the work "Heated"

 Winter Wonderland - WE got a great little snow flurry during our outing at the Legislature grounds that just begged for some flash to light up the flakes!

The Ice Sculptures From the Legislature Grounds in Edmonton.

Tobogan Ride