Frozen Beauty
Lake Superior during winter is dazzling. Snow and ice transform the quiet landscape during winter into spectacular shapes and sights.
Along the shoreline, waterfalls flow down across the openings of red sandstone caves. In winter, freezing temperatures transform the water into stunning pillars of white, green, and red ice. And inside the caves, water oozes from the sandstone forming a seasonal frozen fairyland of stalactites and stalagmites.
As temperatures rise and fall, the Lake Superior frozen features change from chamber to chamber and from day to day.
Getting there isn’t always easy. 2022 was the first year in the last three years where the ice was thick enough for snowmobiles to make the journey safely from the Munising, Michigan harbor to the Grand Island caves.
Once you’re there, ice cleats are mandatory to stay upright. Lots of layers makes it possible to enjoy the sights without becoming hypothermic. And having a tour operator like Scott who brings a generator and a coffee brewer to make Starbucks coffee really helps with the cold!
From left to right: tour operator Scott Cameron (with generator and coffee maker), photographer Ian Plant, and me (drinking coffee) at the frozen shore off Grand Island
The Shot
On Friday, March 4, sunrise was a relatively late 7:30 am. We wanted to arrive about 45 minutes before sunrise and the trip by snowmobile was about 30 minutes. So, I set my alarm for 5:45 and went to bed early.
The next morning, we were greeted by a beautiful sunrise and great conditions for photography for the next several hours.
I haven’t processed my absolute favorite photo, so this teaser will have to do for now.
Thanks for looking,
Chuck Derus