Tuesday, February 18, 2014

A Nature Walk With A Surprise


















Family Day was yesterday. Yes, a day dedicated to spending time with your family, how cool is that? It is a fairly new holiday here in Ontario, about five years old to be exact. And although I don't think we really need a reminder to enjoy time together, I will admit it is a nice little long weekend in mid February that feels really special and kinda gives you that last little burst of energy you need to get through these last few weeks of winter.

We chose to spend it together and hit the trails for a hike. Not really much different from most of our days, it is just how we roll around here. This trail, the Samual Wilmont Nature Area, is a place we visit often, but had not been to since the big ice storms in December. There is a lot of damage, but still so much beauty. We started our hike away from the lake and didn't have plans to venture to the lake until we stood on one of the look out decks and could see huge mounds of snow and ice at the lake. We knew we had to go check them out.

What we found amazed us...ice volcanoes. We had seen them on the news a few weeks ago, but had no idea we would find them here. The ice volcanoes are built up by waves crashing at the edge of the ice, or sometimes driving under the ice and then breaking through a crack to the air above. They need the right combination of temperature, wind and wave direction to form. I guess this year has been perfect conditions because they were phenomenal.

Mother Nature never ceases to amaze me.

24 comments:

  1. Wow amazing! I never saw anything like it! How lucky you were to spot the ice volcanoes. Have a lovely week!!

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  2. How very cool! I wish Quebec had a Family day... it,s a long holiday-less period between New year's and Easter! I'm glad you enjoyed your day. We are back to freezing temps here today (-27'C with the wind) so I'm thinking me and little man will be snuggled inside.

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    1. They really should, it is so nice to have the little break between Christmas and Easter. That is too bad about the return of the cold, it was mild here today, but another 10cm of snow came with the warmth :(

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  3. I learned something new today! Never heard of ice volcanoes and how lucky were you to see them in real life. Keep warm!!

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    1. We only heard about them recently, and had no idea we would see any. Feeling blessed :)

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  4. I love hearing about all of the awesome things you find on your walks. One of my favorite things about the internet is getting to see the world through so many different eyes.

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    1. Thanks Meryl. And yes, technology has some good points :)

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  5. Mother Nature is amazing isn't she? I love the idea of a National Family Day, we have them in my family, but I know others who never do anything together as a family [so sad].
    I think ice volcanoes sound amazing!

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    1. Pretty darn amazing Tracey! It is a pretty cool holiday, and such a nice way to break up February.

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  6. Wow Kim, that is amazing! I've never seen ice volcanoes before.Thanks for sharing. xxoo

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  7. Thank you so much for sharing this! Ice volcanos are probably something I will never see so getting to see them in these pictures is just a good. Wonderful photos!

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    1. Thanks KC. And no problem, I had to share them, they were so cool!

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  8. Wow, beautiful!! (And slightly scary!)

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    1. Thanks and yes, there was a tad bit of free in me as we stood there :)

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  9. What a magical looking place. So beautiful.

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    1. It is pretty magical. We often visit this spot in the summer and it is pretty magical during that season too :)

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  10. Stunning photos, what an amazing place to walk. And I love that holiday! I think we need one over here!

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    1. Thanks! I think the whole world needs this holiday :)

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  11. Wow!!!! That is so amazing!!! How gorgeous.

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