Frozen Pilings by Chipka
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
I was in the mood to write something beginning with a quote from Hieronymus, but alas, nothing came forth. The situation surrounding me is hectic, to say the least and so writing anything more than a sentence or two is really difficult. Needless to say, I wanted to write something, and so I suspect that by next month (when things settle again) I’ll have a lot to say.
This is one of the many photographs I’d taken with Corey along the frozen cusp of Lake Michigan. We’d gone specifically to photograph the odd ice formations and incongruous little islands floating out in the lake. We’d gone for the chance to actually walk on the lake. We didn’t do very much of that, however. It was a bit cold and we were not entirely interested in enjoying the brisk wind blowing in from the lake itself. We contented ourselves with photography and Chinese food, coffee, and whole hours spent going through the photographs we’d taken that day and on previous days. We have a habit of accumulating quite a number of photographs on our cameras before downloading them to computer. This is one of those pictures.
I have no real idea what those pilings were once used for. There might have been a dock in the region, long, long ago: or maybe they’re the supports for an enclosure that once held—oh, I don’t know—rare Great Lakes water serpents? Probably not. The closest things we have to water serpents in Lake Michigan are occasional populations of lampreys. Of course with blood-sucking lampreys, who needs sea serpents? Thankfully lamprey populations are under control, and I’m glad to say that not a single lamprey was harmed during the making of this photograph. I rather like the fact that these pilings, normally in deeper off-shore water were accessible by foot. The ice surrounding them was thick enough to support human weight. I didn't venture out that far, however; it was cold and even if Lake Michigan ice gets pretty thick (near the shore) it's still treacherous. It was already cold, I didn't want to risk getting wet as well.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a great (not-so-hectic) weekend. I’m seriously behind on viewing and commenting, but I hope to catch up soon.
Comments (25)
Stunning capture my friend. I trust that things will calm down so that you can catch up my friend. God Bless.
I hear you. And perhaps with the Spring will come something renewed, new or otherwise ingenious for all of us. It's been crazy times.
It's steadily (if somewhat slowly) warming here on the other side of that great lake. However, I do like the ice-terrain that you have in this picture. There's always an other-worldly quality to the strange pack ice that builds up along the Great Lakes in the winter. I often imagine it as a case-study for the surface of Europa or something like that.
Well certainly the ice could be no thicker than the current blow hard mayor of Toronto. No one is thicker than he - snicker. Indeed, it is likely very wise that you did not venture out there despite the cold air. The liquified lake seems alarmingly close and was no doubt hard at work delivering Joules of heat to erode the ice. Funny how these old pylons always seem to survive when the structures they once support have long decayed, collapsed and been swept away by the lake.
The frozen part is something I never get to see. Great Chip.
wonderful place and photo!!
LAMPREYS! ughhh! I like all living things, but they are pretty disgusting to look at and I don't think I'd want to stroke one. Great pic, but tinged with the mention of those creatures......
Those aren't pilings, they're the teeth of a giant frozen lamprey! (What make you think the lampreys are under control???) Great capture, Chip. Wise of you not to venture out onto the ice - untrustworthy stuff at the best of times.
Stunnig capture. Well done
belle photo!
Lampreys? Yikes, and I thought eels were bad. Well, at any rate this view of the pilings in the ice is worth the odd shudder; I love that cold blue-green, and the icescape that the wind makes. Great capture!
Wonderful chilly shot! I wondered if perhaps the pilings were from an old ice harvesting building? It would be fun to research the area and find out. It's good to hear from you, even briefly.
great presentation and photo!!
Man, that was COLD!!! And you pretty well captured it here. I believe I made several shots of my fingers turning red as I'd forgotten my gloves. I didn't get many shots that day as I only lasted a few minutes out on the frozen tundra of Loyola Beach, and had to rather rapidly find the warmth of a nearby coffee house. I did manage to get a shot of you laying down on one of the ice banks hanging precariously over sloshing gray ice-clogged Lake Michigan, making one of these shots in true ninja fashion.I, too, have frequently wonder what all those pilings once supported. I've often wondered if it wasn't something like a boardwalk or something like Coney Island? I'd love to see shots of the lakefront from the turn of the last century just to see. Who knows how long those things have been there. I first noticed them back in 1976, and they haven't changed an iota. Anyway, before I ramble on any longer, this is a great shot! I love the lighting ( or lack of same), the depth, and the over all astringent starkness of it. This truly is Chicago in winter.
outstanding image
The end of the world, it seems - the shores of Hyper-Borea! Thanks for sharing! I love those lonely places.
GORGEOUS RENDER OF A FROZEN LANDSCAPE CHIP!
Magnificent desolation.... Well captured, Chip!
We have posts around here too, but never frozen ones! They're just run of mill, old, waterlogged posts that I imagine were parts of piers or docks at one time. But faroutsider could be right--maybe they ARE lampreys. ugh--be careful!!
Ours once supported a boathouse where one could rent small craft for fishing in the Sound. I think Craig is right ... lamprey teeth. Good thing you didn't go out that far! :P
Great shot Chip - I'm with Corey, this is truly Chicago in winter - it looks cold and harsh- great shot
Beautiful icy scene Chip. Excellent clarity and crispness. Dana
Great capture.
Just as the weather in London is picking up a little (although I'm sure it's temporary) you give me the shivers with this chilly and bleak offering. The pilings are striking. There's always a certain fascination with old constructs whose original purpose or meaning are long forgotten. I wasn't familiar with lampreys and had to google them for a look. I was reminded of the Dune sequels written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson, in which the sandworms of Dune have been genetically modified to live in the ocean..... I take it they're not that big though!
wonderful view....good stay for daydreamers like me