Grasse River Ice At Morley it’s ‘ice out’ and the only signs left of it are along the shoreline. It’s quite a difference from a week ago when the ice was thick enough for foolhardy snowmobilers to venture upon. Looking downstream from the Morley bridge After a couple of ‘warm’ days the ice decided to break up the party and head north. I decided to follow and see if I could bring back some images good enough to share.

Looking upriver by the little local store, Jo’s Place

Looking downriver at the point by the old Morley Grist Mill.

Getting to the river’s edge was a problem. The river bank is actually higher than the area behind it and the low ground had been flooded and frozen over.

The real problem lay in ice forming during fluctuating water levels. Even as I approached the snow I was walking on produced hollow sounds. It’s certain that the ice itself was suspended and easy to see the last layer of ice was thin. No way was I willing to risk breaking through.

I had no choice but to head upriver to where the river didn’t overflow the banks. Along the way I found an ice flow where snow melt had frozen on it’s way downhill to meet the river.

Looking down toward the river. You can’t make out water running from the photo and even in person it was hard to see. I only realized it when I crossed the ice and found it to be exceptionally slippery.

This is the point where I could get to the the river’s edge. But first I had to take one more photo before I gave the ice jam in the river it’s due attention. I couldn’t resist getting down and capturing the dripping water from the ice flow.

Finally, I get to the river.

I’ve only chosen to post what I consider the best 3 for use as a desktop backgrounds. I have more photos but figured this post was long enough. Besides I’m starting to be concerned about server storage. I never thought I’d be posting this much. I may go to wallpaper by request since I’m probably wasting space by saving so many large images that will never be used.

• Desktop Wallpaper , Grasse River , winter
• Comments(11)

11 Responses

1. Layanee Says:
   February 16th, 2009 at 8:03 pm

   Those pictures surely show the power of nature.

   Layanee,
   The last couple of pics reminded me of city traffic.

2. Benjamin Says:
   February 16th, 2009 at 10:27 pm

   I love those ice tables between the tree trunks. I wonder if they have these in that ice hotel in Canada? You could market them–I mean, you move stone slabs, so it’s a logical step, right?

   Benjamin,
   Unlike the stone the ice tables come with no guarantees, extended warranties or extended service plans. And more likely than not they’ll be delivered in a liquid state.

3. Debbie Says:
   February 16th, 2009 at 11:45 pm

   We had ice out here, also…it is amazing how big those chunks are. Great photos.

   Debbie,
   Yea, some of the blocks were over a foot thick. Amazing really, I never thought something could be denser than me.

4. Ratty Says:
   February 16th, 2009 at 11:46 pm

   Great photos. I like where the ice jams up against itself and begins to pile up. The ice has been melting so fast. I went out yesterday hoping to get something similar, but the ice on my new found lake is holding on a little more stubbornly.

   Ratty,
   Still water is still frozen around here too. It only took a little warming to break up the ice in the rapids.

5. Rainfield Says:
   February 17th, 2009 at 7:18 am

   Wow, what a gorgeous look on the ice piling up on each other. How is the sound of breaking ice?

   Rainfield,
   I forgot to mention the sound. Every once in a while a loud ‘crack’ would startle me. Sometimes short and sharp and other times a deep rumble.

6. Frances Says:
   February 17th, 2009 at 11:09 am

   Hi Wiseacre, of course you are not Billy, he would not have ice and snow! I am so sorry, what a dolt I am. It is fixed now. I wouldn’t blame you if you never returned.

   Frances

   Frances,
   Hey it’s not like I never made a mistake. My company motto isn’t “OOPS” for nothing. I wouldn’t have added you to my blog roll if I didn’t plan on returning

7. jodi (bloomingwriter) Says:
   February 17th, 2009 at 4:06 pm

   These are fabulous, John. Looking at them prompted me to go out and look at the Bay, as there’s been ice making in there for the past couple of weeks. It moves in and out with the tide and the wind direction, of course, but I must truck on down to the beach and see what I can see. Thanks for the inspiration!

   jodi,
   I’m glad you liked the icy photos. I’d have thunk you would have found them distressing after your long winter. I’ll be looking to see some tidal ice on your blog now.

8. growize Says:
   February 22nd, 2009 at 12:03 pm

   looks nice but danger lurks ! good idea to stay a way use his pic dont try to get your own! reading this i see there was not a lot of places to go if it let loose ! its a cool pic but SAFTEY first

   growize,
   Only a fool would go out on the ice. Only a lucky fool like me would return with photos.

9. kerri Says:
   February 27th, 2009 at 12:24 pm

   I feel like I was there in person seeing this amazing sight. I can see why that ice would make you think of city traffic.
   Thanks for sharing these fantastic photos, John, and for risking life and limb to get them Be careful out there!
   I’ve really been missing out on all your great photo tours. It’s been fun catching up this morning.
   It’s pouring here now. How about there?

   kerri,
   It rained all day yesterday (Friday) but with the warm temps I went for a hike anyway. (after the snowman sacrifice) I left the wildlife repellent home (Pookey) and stalked some neighborhood residents. I’ll be posting a couple of photos of them later today. (Saturday)

10. miss m Says:
    December 7th, 2009 at 12:52 pm

    Impressive ice jams !

11. Nancy Says:
    February 11th, 2010 at 5:37 pm

    Permission requested to share a pic or two with my friends online.

    Nancy,
    Permission granted. Thanks for asking

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