Crystals by Chipka
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Description
Summer is behind us now. The Hawk has arrived: a cold wind that screams across Lake Michigan. On the eve of Christmas, snow lies beneath a crunchy crust of ice. It is impossible to venture outside without fear of catastrophic slippage. We have been promised a blizzard. We received snowflakes the size of Rhode Island, but little more. Temperatures rose and snow became rain. Temperatures dropped; and fallen rain became ice. Power lines have snapped. Flood warnings redden the Chicagoland map to areas north and west of the city proper. The Hawk is a wet and sullen thing this year.
Winter has always been a good time of the year for me. It remains so. I’m prone to cluster headaches, often triggered by heat. They’re also triggered by bananas, which might explain why I find such things excessively vile—though admittedly, I have pronounced adverse reactions to bananas in other ways as well. For me, they are a massive gag reflex. Winter is not the time for bananas, nor the time for headache-inducing heat. The one drawback is that there are no woodlice wandering around, but beneath the snow, beneath the ice, and blankets of fallen leaves, those diminutive crustaceans are tucked away like gems, like a promise, like hidden treasures no one knows to look for.
Winter is a promise and Spring is its fulfillment.
I am reminded of this when I see ice, when frost blankets glass like some strange and crystalline fungus, and when icicles hang like stalactites in strange and alien caves.
This year, winter is a promise in many ways, and I hope for a quick and happy fulfillment, not just for myself (and for Victor) but for everyone else waiting (im)patiently for things to change, to begin...to emerge from beneath blankets of snow and ice, like infant plants marking the beginning of spring.
***
Chicago lies buried beneath irregular layers of ice-encrusted snow. Winter is an ice storm that has triggered flood warnings for outlying areas. There are those who bemoan the arrival of ice storms, and I am one who remains indifferent to them. They are beautiful, and a photographer’s dream. I’ve had precious little time for photography, but I managed to capture ice today. Father Frost has arrived and endowed this city with strange and frigid beauties.
For those who celebrate Christmas in its various incarnations, I hope that this is a happy (or at least productive one) and as this year comes to a close, I hope for all of us, that 2010 is a year of wonder and fulfillment. Pick a dream. Nurture it. Make it come true.
Comments (32)
-seek-
beautiful Chipka! thats so f***in cool
jac204
Wonderful narative and image. The best holiday wishes to you.
claude19
WONDERFUL material with this game of light !!!
Seven
Wow, fascinating image! Wonderful capture :)
beachzz
+pick a dream..nuture it." What beautiful words, Chip. Full of promise and hope, perfect for your also wonderful foto. I, too, like winter--because as you also said so well, spring comes from winter. I'm not being very original here with MY words, so I'll just stop and say---thanks for all your amazing work, words, most of all for your friendship. There is no greater Christmas gift.
MrsRatbag
I'm completely with you on bananas and ice, Chip; this is a gorgeous example of why ice is so wonderful. Have a marvelous holiday!
costapanos
Amazing! Your words ring so true and I wish you a wonderful and prosperous New Year...Don't Dream be it!!!
myrrhluz
I saw yesterday that Chicago was receiving rather uncivil weather. I guess that's a given this time of year. Your description of it is masterful. So many images go through my mind, while reading your work. Beautiful photo, like the finest etched glass. The ice looks excellent on the dark background. Have a wonderful day tomorrow, how ever you fill it and a joyful 2010.
tofi
A beautiful capture Chip! That's exquisite technique in this image! The POV is marvellous and those inclusions within are certainly something to be in awe about! How lovely your words as well, in spite of the uncooperative weather forecast...I've always found that your wording, and the very choice of words you use to give meaning and life to what you speak of, is fascinating! Magnificent idea and presentation! Cheers to a Happy and Health 2010!
micturn
Fabulous work. Merry Christmas.
LovelyPoetess
Hope your stray out into the ice covered city was without slippage. My drive (out in the boonies)this morning was an adventure. But I agree, ice does make for a delightful subject. Your capture is exquisite as are your words, but then again I've come to expect nothing less from your fertile mind. Best of the holidays to you too. : )
bmac62
Where are all the little artisans that did this beautiful etching job? Oh, no...now you've got me thinking...which dream shall it be? Great photo. Was going to say image but your words have formed yet more images. Well done Chip.
romanceworks
I have no fight to pick with bananas ... but ice, now that's another story.I must say I am captivated by its beauty, especially when it drips in delicate and well as massive icicles from branches and eves. It is the slick, almost invisible stuff beneath my feet that has sabotaged me several times, and the landing was not soft. Hope your holiday is full of good friends and warmth, and your New Year full of dreams that really do come true. CC
auntietk
I love the little bubbles and air trails in the ice, as if someone took a delicate brush and painted patterns for our enjoyment. Beautiful image. I would rail against winter, but it hasn't sufficiently annoyed me yet. I'm saving my true ire for late in January when I've just had it! Our worst weather is yet to come.
helanker
Chip, it is such a beautiful shot. I like it alot. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
flora-crassella
fantastic macro!!!! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!
MrsLubner
Stellar beauty. The delicate patterns in the ice are magical.
kgb224
This is such superb work of art my friend. Thank you for sharing another gem.' Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. Have a prosperous 2010. God Bless Christo.
NefariousDrO
Oh such wonderful thoughts and ruminations for a winter's day. I can picture you in a cozy pub, mug of ale in hand, sitting by a roaring fire, reading poems and thoughts with friends, trading ideas and whims, and keeping the cold at bay with warmth of ideas and friends. Very merry christmas to you my friend, and keep warm!
nikolais
Artful closeup, Chip! Keep it all up in the new 2010!
ladyraven23452
verey goood and merry christms
durleybeachbum
A little marvel! an extremely interesting pic, I should have frozen fingers before I even noticed this. My parrot rushes to the other side of his cage if he sights a banana, maybe this tells me something about one of your past lives. I love that last line..inspiring!
anaber
Fabulous photograph. The contrast is fabulous. Superb work as always. Wish you great inspiration in the new year and that all your dreams may be true:-))
blankfrancine
Exceptiona, imaginative photography.
KatesFriend
I love the etch-like images in the ice, so much like evening ware jewelry but a pattern finer than that of a laser. The light seems frozen inside the crystal as well, just waiting to be freed in the coming warmth one day.
moochagoo
(Thank you for your very kind comment on "Bench"). Love that incredible abstract.
MagikUnicorn
Beautyy y y y y yes
blondeblurr
These frozen crystal droplets are symbolizing, the tears left behind from 2009 and waiting now to be released, when melting in 2010, to regain new strengths for another year ahead... May my wishes for you and your future be, whatever you wish for! Good Hope and Luck Cheers BB
faroutsider
Wow! Just wow! Ice etchings of the highest order...
TwoPynts
Fantastic work! Very contrasty and artistically done!