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Tuesday 28 December 2021

The freeze-up

The weather this month has been unusual and has kept us inside for the most part. We’ve had bouts of snow, when the weather has been cold and miserable. These bouts have been interspersed with rain, and regardless of the precipitation, the wind was always high, too high to be able to walk the boardwalk or anywhere else.


As I do every year, I was on bay watch for the time when the temperature is low enough for long enough so ice forms on the water. On December 21, it was mild and unlike several previous years, ice hadn’t formed on the bay yet. 




Five American black ducks were out enjoying the last few days in their marshy home. They disappear to an area of open water at the head of the bay when their home ices over.





Then the wind storm started. By Christmas Eve the temperature went to -8C with a windchill in the mid -20s. We stayed home but on Christmas Day, when the wind decreased a bit, we walked by the frozen bay around 4 pm. 




Newly formed ice was a dark mirror on the salt water marsh, turned pond this time of year. There was no sign of the ducks on this day! Looking out towards the Indian Head Lighthouse, the frozen bay made the old safety beacon stand out against the landscape.





As the sun set on Christmas Day, we watched until the cold started to seep into our bones. 





Later, at home by the fire and the glow of the tree lights, we enjoyed a glass of wine. It was a quiet but lovely Christmas Day. 







35 comments:

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

Your photos are beautiful. Talk about Peace on Earth- It was perfect..

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I wish we had your weather here! Last night in Edmonton it was -38C, felt like -50C with windchill. It's so bitchin' cold!

Boud said...

It sounds like a wonderful Christmas day, enjoying the place and the season.

MARY G said...

I covet your water, I really do. Freezing rain here in good old Eastern Ontario. Lovely photos.

eileeninmd said...

Beautiful views of the bay and the lighthouse. Cute shot of the American Black Ducks. I am glad you had a lovely Christmas, it is always nice to get outdoors for a walk. I wish you all the best in 2022, a happy, healthy New Year!

Elephant's Child said...

Thank you so much for sharing this chilly beauty. I am so glad that the wind dropped and you could see it.

Pam said...

Our temps here in Nashville TN have been so strange. Waking in the morn we should be at 20 some odd degrees and we are waking at 50 some odd. However, more storms coming in tonight and temps are to drop. Its crazy around here.

Bill said...

Beautiful photos, Marie. Your Christmas sounded grand. Wishing you a happy and healthy 2022.

Debbie said...

gorgeous images marie!! we have been having some unusual weather here too. mostly unusually warm and no snow...it doesn't even feel like winter!!

i have dreamt many times of living in a lighthouse. i adore them and this one is one of my favorites!!

DJan said...

We are not used to it being so cold, but even so it's awfully pretty. Different than your environment, but still pretty. I love that lighthouse and the picture of it lighted up in front of all that frosty foreground is so lovely! :-)

margi said...

It sounds wonderful! So peaceful! I wish you a happy and healthy New Year!

Beside a babbling brook... said...

Very cold...

But lovely....

photowannabe said...

So beautiful but I really don't like things when they get that cold. Glad you could go out and see the ice forming and then go back in and sit by the cozy fire. Sounds like a perfect Christmas Day to me.
Sue

Tabor said...

Nice to see a beautiful winter as we seem to be getting less and less of that each year.

Helen said...

Your chilly cold is unfathomable to one who on a drizzly 'chilly' windy summer's day [very welcomethough] was reaching for a coat at midday. The temperature had dropped to 20C!

Your day's beauty is clear to see and I fully understand your need to enjoy for as long as possible.

The Furry Gnome said...

Amazing how quickly it happens.

Red said...

Interesting how ice forms on the sea. When I was in Wakeham Bay ,northern Quebec the ice in the bay formed in late November. There were very big tides there so I guess that's why ice formed later. Besides that , what would a little old prairie boy know about sea ice forming.

John's Island said...

Hello Marie, That next to last photo is absolutely an award winner. The really cool thing, to me, about finding your blog, is that you go out and take photos of the kinds of things/events that I would do if I was lucky enough to live on PEI. I would want to keep an eye on the bay to see when the ice formed. I wonder if the fact it was late this year is an effect of climate change. Great post, thank you for sharing! John

Joanne Noragon said...

A lovely holiday vigil.

Marie Smith said...

Hi John,

Since the ice formed on Christmas Eve to Christmas Day, it’s become milder and the ice is melting. We spoke to a long time resident on our walk today and he had never seen so little ice in the bay by this time of the year. The ice was late forming last year as well. I believe it to be climate change. Scary stuff.

William Kendall said...

Your lighthouse shots particularly appeal to me.

Rose said...

Those first photos make me feel cold just looking at them!

Anvilcloud said...

Looks like a fine, subdued Canadians Christmas all things considered.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Nice photos
The chill of winter is here.

jenny_o said...

These are beautiful shots, Marie. We shared your freezing temperatures right before Christmas and the melt since then. In years past, occasionally we went to our cottage on the coast opposite PEI and were always checking whether the ice was in yet (or out yet, in spring). It's magical to live so near the ocean and see the magnitude of change with the different seasons.

Catarina said...

I haven't been out much (I am getting cabin fever) but I don't think our ponds have frozen yet.

The second last picture is really good.

peppylady (Dora) said...

It cold in North Idaho. But I hear it might warm up and snow after the 3rd of Jan.
Coffee is on and stay safe

Lorrie said...

These are lovely images of a wintry landscape with its cold and austere beauty. Here on the west coast we've had below freezing temperatures for a week now, and that is most unusual.
Your Christmas Day sounded quiet and peaceful. Wishing you a very Happy New Year.

Ginnie Hart said...

There are few better ways to celebrate Christmas, Marie. Your telling of it is like a fairy tale. And now, Happy New Year!

At Home In New Zealand said...

Your sunset photo is something special - worth getting cold for! :) xx

Liz Hinds said...

That sounds wonderful and looks very beautiful.

Pattie @ Olla-Podrida said...

BEAUTIFUL winter photos! Stay warm, and Happy New Year!

Barbara said...

Those pictures send a chill down my spine. Boy it looks cold. I love your duck picture as always. If I was a publisher, I put a book together with all of your photos.

Retired Knitter said...

It hasn’t reach that level of cold yet in my area - mid-Atlantic US. In fact, we have had temps in the 60 and low 70s - not right for December!

baili said...

Despite of the harsh weather your photos revealed hidden charm of the Christmas dear Marie :)
Thank you for sharing. I loved the glimpse of freezing island .