Since the middle of December the temperatures here have been about 11°F below average. This last week has been especially cold with the lows falling into the upper teens and highs hovering around freezing. I mention this because I often make a trip to Cooleemee River Park (Bullhole), near my home, when there are extremes of weather to observe and photograph the resulting changes along the river and the dam.
I was expecting a good deal of ice during this visit but the water level was up and swiftly moving so ice formation was minimum – some around the edges or on low hanging branches and rocks. However, the soft river sand lining the banks was frozen hard enough to walk on where normally you’d sink in to the tops of your boots.
Still even without winters ice it was worthwhile getting some shots I liked. The winter shadows are long and deep almost any time of day and often fall out across the water.
One bonus of this cold weather is you don’t have to share the park with anyone the sand is fresh and free of tracks. :-)
The dam area offers some good shooting opportunities. I like the general appeal of the first shot. I can see why you visit there often during a change in the weather. Dams and water have a strong appeal to me!
It’s nice to have those special places to visit with our cameras as we watch it through the different seasons. And, yes I also enjoy visiting special places when there are not as many people around. With my work I’m usually flying over weekends which means my weekends are mostly Monday through Friday and fewer people then also. I was in Charlotte this past Sunday morning when it was in the teens. Brrrr!
@All – Thanks!