Freezing Fog Creates Artistic Impressions

Pogonip on a Cold Winter Morning

In the higher elevations of the Great Basin Desert during winter when cool air passes over the warm, moist ground, you can expect to see the occurrence of freezing fog or "Pogonip".  The term Pogonip is from the Shoshone word: paγinappih meaning cloud. 

Early settlers called the pogonip "White Death" because it was believed that if  ice crystals were breathed in to the lungs, it could result in death.  I'm not sure about the ice crystals causing death since I have been out breathing them numerous times, however when the fog is so thick you can become disoriented and possibly freeze to death.  

As the freezing fog settles in, tiny droplets cling to surfaces, creating an artistic wonderland.

A desert willow branch with summer's seed pods appears elegantly in the subtle lighting.

A water droplet lies suspended just before it begins to drop from a frost covered pod.  

The end of a bamboo stick is textured with rim ice.

Semi-diffused light behind a garden shade creates a glittered tapestry accented with frozen ice particles.

Muted colors and diffused light highlight a frost covered chicken wire fence, giving it aesthetic appeal. 

 

The fog begins to thicken, dropping the temperature. It's time to go back inside to clear the ice particles from my nose with something hot to drink. 

If any of my readers know of legends of the "White Death", would you please share them in the comment section?

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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Together IN Harmony, An Artistic Event

Going Out on a Limb brings Photography Awards

Once in a while photography takes you out of your comfort zone and off the beaten path to a road less traveled when the weather conditions are so unique that the landscape has been totally transformed in to a frozen mix of fog and ice. 

Thus were the conditions on an early January morning when I ventured out to the Stillwater Wildlife Refuge near Fallon, Nevada.  Occasionally during a cold winter, the Great Basin Desert experiences a weather phenomenon known as Pogonip or freezing fog.  The ice particles from the fog adhere to any rough surface and though very beautiful, it can also be dangerous to breathe the ice crystals for a prolonged time.  It is easy to become disoriented in the fog and people have been known to die from the exposure.

Being aware of my environment, I tried to go for scenes that were in close proximity to my warm truck.  However through the fog, I noticed a stream up ahead and what appeared to be ducks swimming through the unfrozen water.  This was one of those moments when your instincts take control and you are in a "got to have that photo mode".   As I was carefully walking through the muddy frozen dirt carrying my camera on the tripod, a pair of red-tailed hawks took flight from the left side of the bank.  In a manner of micro-seconds, I composed the scene and snapped the shutter, hoping that I had caught the fleeting birds. 

It always seems that when I am out in the moment and being one with nature, the photograph comes to me.  And on these rare occasions I am blessed with an image that will reach out and touch the viewer as was the case with my hawks in the fog that became titled "Quiet Retreat".  

On June 11, 2013, I received a call for artists in the mixed medium competition: Together IN Harmony, which was a project by Ambassador Lyza Sahertian for the European Capitol of Culture--Umeå2014.  The winners in the mediums of Photography, Painting, Illustration and Sculpture would exhibit in the Galerie du Columbier, Paris, France from July 22nd through August 3rd.

 As luck would have it, my "Quiet Retreat" was awarded third place from a field of 60 photographers from across the globe. 

Distinguished members of jury

Artists represented at Galerie du Columbier in Together IN Harmony

 When I am out competing with the whims of nature to get a scene, I am always mindful of a favorite quote from actress and author Shirley MacLaine, "Don't be afraid to go out on a limb, that's where all the fruit is".  Whether it is the challenge or just living on the edge, these are the moments when I do get my best shots. 

   

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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Photographing Wildlife in Snowstorms and Freezing Fog

 

Winter Weather Adventures makes for Challenging Photography

The challenge of nature photography is greatest in winter when I have to protect my equipment and my body from the elements.  However, if the snow is falling animals tend to hanker down to conserve energy and avoid being attacked by predators.  By dressing in neutral colors and approaching quietly, I have been able to go unnoticed and catch some rare moments with wildlife.

Early one cold December morning after a snow storm at Walker Lake, Nevada  I happened upon  this large group of Desert Bighorn Sheep.  They were nestled down in a canyon, waiting for the storm to clear.  With my telephoto lens, I was able to get as many photos as I wanted and they were not even aware of my presence.
 

Several years ago in Southern Nevada, a cold front moved in bringing snow to the Mojave Desert. While I was driving through Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, I spotted these 3 wild horses. I pulled off to the roadside.  They looked up just as I snapped the shutter but then continued to graze  through the fresh fallen snow.

Over the years Asian Doves have taken up residence at Walker Lake.  One snowy winter morning when I looked out my kitchen window, I noticed a dole of doves finding shelter in my neighbor's peppercorn tree.  Using my long Nikon 500mm lens, I was able to capture this special moment.

Eagles are definitely fair weather fowl and most often will remain perched high in the trees waiting for the skies to clear.  On a cold morning in Mount Carmel, Utah  I saw this Bald Eagle in the distance perched on a limb.  As I was focusing on the eagle, it spotted some prey and took off.  I was lucky to have my camera on autofocus for this rare shot.

Fog mixed with snow can present some challenging opportunities for wildlife photography.   On this cold and dark day, I noticed the outline of several large shapes up ahead in the desert. I wasn't sure what I might be coming upon and if I should turn back. Finally I realized this was a herd of horses.  I set my camera to under expose and silhouette the horses against the dreary background.  And then I quietly turned around and made my departure.

The weather phenomenon of freezing fog or Pogonip occurs in the Great Basin Desert on very cold mornings. On  this morning I traveled to the Stillwater Wildlife Refuge in hopes of getting some interesting photos. I was walking toward an ice covered stream when the crunch of my boots on the frosty grass spooked a pair of Red-tailed Hawks.  As fast as possible I pressed the shutter that was on continuous servo in hopes of getting the scene in focus. I was honored with a Third Place award of this photo, Quiet Retreat,  at the Opening of Umeå 2014 European Capital of Culture, Expo d'été à Paris.

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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Freezing Fog

Pogonip

With the arrival of winter in Northern Nevada when there has been an overnight snow and the sun comes out the next morning, we will probably have a meteorological phenomenon known as freezing fog or Pogonip.

Freezing fog is a some what rare condition that occurs in the mountain valleys when the humidity is around 100%, the temperature is near freezing, and cool air passes over warm, moist land.

 

During the month of December 2009, we have been experiencing freezing fog or Pogonip quite often.

The word Pogonip came from the Shoshone word Payinappih meaning "cloud" or "white death", as the early English-speaking settlers termed it. Pogonip was called the white death because the fog can get so thick a person could become lost and disoriented in a manner of seconds. Additionally, prolonged breathing of the ice crystals can damage the lungs.

In freezing fog the water vapor is super-cooled, filling the air with small ice crystals similar to very light snow.

 The super-cooled water droplets remain in the liquid state until they come in contact with a surface upon which they can freeze.

As the frozen particles collect on a surface, white rime ice forms which is similar to the ice inside a freezer.

Freezing fog creates a beautiful effect of a winter wonderland with the layers of frosty ice all around.

As beautiful as it appears, it can also be very dangerous when driving, walking or during prolonged exposure.

For more information follow this link:

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_fog

www.wrh.noaa.gov/Reno

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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