Martian Ice: For Carin by Chipka
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Description
There are times when Chicago’s beaches are empty and devoid of life. At such times, you may walk along the contours of Lake Michigan with the feeling that such a large (and often moody) body of water is yours and yours alone. Sunrise over the lake will often draw joggers from wherever they’ve hidden themselves during the night, but in the region of Chicago’s sandy beaches, even joggers are rare.
Upon my return to Chicago, I went with Corey to various parts of the city I’d grown to miss while enjoying a fun exile in Prague, Český Krumlov, and other small Czech towns and villages with punctuation marks on top of their names. There was little I missed of Chicago and of the USA in general, but I did pine for the openness of Lake Michigan and the illusion that I could stand on the strangest of international shores and stare across an ocean. I was glad for the lake when I returned, quite simply because so large a body of water instills you with a sense of peace when you have it to yourself. There are times when Chicago—still sleeping—leaves the lake to itself; and if you wake up early enough, you may wander its shores without seeing another human being.
On the morning I took this picture, the air was cold! As the sun rose over the lake, I found myself intrigued by the patterns of frost dusted over the sand. Lake effect frost is a common feature of so large a body of water. The lake produces its own weather and the eastern fringes of Chicago are subject to whatever meteorological whims the lake may feel. On the morning I took this picture, the lake was in the mood for frost.
I was struck by the color of the sand, the color of the frost, and the fact that it recalled the sands of Mars, rich—as they are—with iron oxides. For a moment, I could imagine myself elsewhere: on Mars, perhaps, alone and at peace with my camera. I loved what I saw: the frost, the shadows, the blurred and wind-distorted footprints of seagulls and dogs. For the first time since returning to the Windy City, I felt something similar to peace. I remember that each time I look at this picture. And in looking at this picture now, I remember the desire to post it a lot earlier. It is fitting that I post it now, especially in conjunction with a particular birthday. As is my custom, I missed yet another birthday, and so—according to custom—I’d like to offer a belated birthday dedication to Carin (Meisiekind) whose views of Namibia and the odd oceanfront desert there, recall this oddly Martian shot.
Comments (25)
NefariousDrO
That is a gorgeous shot, and I can see why it would make you think of Mars. Wonderful contrasts between to frost and the sunlit sands. I especially like how you captured the moment that sunlight is striking the white frost, but hasn't melted it, yet. I dream so often of walking on the sands of Mars myself, but alas I fear that people won't be there in my lifetime. As usual your lovely poetic soul produces an elegant and moving description of the scene and the mood it inspires in you. Great stuff.
MrsRatbag
How wonderful this is, with the shadows and the light and all the shapes of the footprints or whatever marked the sand...well spotted and captured! And yes, very alien!
jocko500
do make a wonderful pattern here
Sepiasiren
wow--cool treatment--ice and sand is a wired mixture that most of us wouldn't even think could exist in the same universe--but then you have a "way" with textures that can take an ordinary subject most of us wouldn't think about and turn it into something both alien and beautiful....
beachzz
A perfect gift for Carin, has a feel of her wonderful fotos from her part of the world!!
minos_6
This is beautifully captured. I like how the ripples in the sand and the frost are reminiscent of waves, or perhaps a high altitude shot of the Red Planet, over a mountain range. Or a close-up for that matter, somewhere like Chryse Planitia. In your writing, I particularly liked the way you attribute mood (and thereby personality) to Lake Michigan. This is a very nice composition!
prutzworks
cool find and capture
helanker
Chip, it is such a beautiful shot with all its colors, light and shades. Well seen and captured and I really like the lovely story behind it too.
whaleman
That really is nature's fractal. I looked at it a long time before reading and I had no clue. Makes me realize that while I often see sand an often see ice or frost, I cannot remember ever seeing them together! My guess was far different.
durleybeachbum
Really beautiful and also very strange. I find my pops the pic in and out so that the shadows briefly become the high points and then return! Wierd. And a great read as ever!
Bothellite
It is always a special time when you and the earth are alone - together. This shot is special.
Meisiekind
Oh dear Chip - you are hitting a deeply embedded nerve with this wonderful image! I stared at it for the longest of times, then slowly read your words and felt myself being swept off to far away deserted beaches... Maybe in Namibia! I totally GET your feeling of peace when you are on this empty beach. That is exactly what draws me back to Namibia time and time again. When I take a walk all by myself so far that it is just ME. I look west and it is the almighty Atlantic and then turn around and look east... and it is the vast Namib desert. That is when you FEEL peace, you HEAR silence, your soul comes to rest... I can almost see you staring out over your 'ocean'... slight frown, eyes squinting against the rising sun!!! The frost is new for me and I think it adds some magic to the scene! I just love how it tops the tracks... almost like icing on cupcakes!! Thank you from the heart Chip for your wishes and this wonderful image! Hugs my friend! :)
MrsLubner
Very unique!
Sea_Dog
Beach walking is a great diversion - no matter how many times you cover the same ground it's never the same journey twice and there's always something new to see and contemplate. I think being near the boundary between land and water also has an effect. This image and your narrative expresses all that so well.
flavia49
fascinating image and text!!
kgb224
A superb capture and dedication.
nikolais
orange snakes...excellent!
jmb007
superbe photo!
sandra46
OUTSTANDING, CREATIVE IMAGE! I LOVE THE WAY YOU CAPTURED THE COLOR, THE TEXTURE, AND THE FROZEN MOVEMENT OF THE SAND!
CoreyBlack
I love how freaky/otherwordly this looks. On the screen it looks even more alien than it did the morning you took it. This photo congers up the freezing coldness of that Easter morning in 2009, as well as a personal history of all the times we've walked on Chicago beaches in deep conversation these last 11 years. Great image and a happy birthday to Carin!
danapommet
Martian Ice Sand - WOW!!! Gorgeous capture Chip. The colors and textures are "out of this world". Dana
auntietk
Frost and sand, light and shadow, all black and white and gold. Fabulous texture and mood! I thought of Carlin's trips to Namibia as soon as I saw this. Wonderful!
marybelgium
wonderful work !
romanceworks
A fascinating photo. I would never have guessed this was a beach. CC
praep
Fascinating patterns. Really nice.