Ice Caves II.....

More from Monday on the ice at Lake Superior. The Mainland Ice caves, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was just a matter of walking along the shore, climbing into ice caves, composing the photos and pressing the shutter button. With so much natural beauty and interesting colors and shapes it was hard to go wrong.

 

Now I get it...

In this case, the third time really was the charm.

 

These photos are what I had in mind when I pictured the Mainland Sea Caves. Looking out on Lake Superior from inside an ice cave.

 

 

 

Forrest Gump's mom must have had it right when she said "life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get." In this case I got a third chance to photograph the ice caves at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore near Cornucopia Wisconsin.

 

 

 

It was 50 degrees and the ice and snow were melting fast. The sound of dripping water was constant until the sun went down.

 

 

 

The melting water formed puddles on the ice and reflected the beautiful sky.

 

 

 

 

 

The landscape seemed otherworldly with different hues of blue and white.

 

 

 

My favorite spot was inside this cave looking out on the lake. I was laying on the ice to get the angles I wanted. I didn't realize just how long I had been there until I got really cold and my hands were freezing. Not only was the ice cold and wet below me, but water was dripping on my head and my camera gear from the melting icicles above.

 

 

 

I brought hand warmers and another pair of gloves so it was all good. I kept wiping the water off of the lens and stayed until I lost the light.

 

 

 

 

What a way to spend the afternoon. Capturing scenes like this out on a frozen Great Lake.

 

 

 

On my way off the ice I paused long enough to photograph these trees silhouetted on one of the sandstone cliffs. I had a big smile on my face and kept thinking how lucky I was to be right there at the exact right time. The moon was out and there were stars up above as I happily walked the three miles back to my car.





Polar vortex = Sea Caves

Along the shore of Lake Superior about 18 miles west of Bayfield Wisconsin are the mainland sea caves of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

 



During most of the year these eroded sandstone caves are only accessible by boat.

 



But when the winter is cold enough and Lake Superior freezes along the shore, a remarkable icy wonderland is just a short walk away.

 

 

 

 

Icicles of all sizes hang from the edges of high sandstone cliffs.

 

 

 

And inside the caves glistening icicles hang like stalactites from the ceiling.

 

 

 

Everywhere you look are beautiful shapes and designs.







 

 

 

 

 

 

It seems the extremely cold weather carried in by the much hyped 'polar vortex' was a gift for those of us waiting to get back out to these icy wonders.

 



 

 

 

According to a Jan 22nd article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel this is the first time in five years that the sea caves have been accessible by walking over the ice in the winter.

 

 

 

 

Huge icicles hang from the ceiling of a cave with a circular opening or keyhole on one side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everywhere dramatic colors and shapes abounded.

 

 

 

I was surprised by the number of people that were out on the ice, but it was easy to see why they all came.

 

 

 

As the sun went down the families, kids, and dogs had mostly started the mile long walk back to the parking lot.

 

 



 

I stayed out there a little longer to make the most of my opportunity.

 

 

 

 

 

Until the sun slipped below the horizon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The wind picked up after the sun went down and it got a little chilly as I walked back in the growing darkness. At first I could see the path beaten into the snow, but after about ten minutes it was no longer visible.  The snow was firm and packed on the trail, but as soon as I stepped off there was 6 to 8 inches of soft snow. I slowed my pace and felt my way along the path back towards my car. I could have brought a light, but where's the fun in that. 

 

I had a huge smile on my face as I put my cameras in the back and turned the key to fire up the car. What a great way to spend an afternoon. If you have the chance to visit the sea caves this winter it's certainly worth the trip.

 

 

If you're interested you can see the Journal article here:  http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/apostle-islands-sea-caves-accessible-by-frozen-lake-superior-ice-b99189448z1-241448941.html

 

 

and the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore site here: http://www.nps.gov/apis/mainland-caves-winter.htm